What actually makes someone good at building things people love?

In this BU Live conversation, publishing veteran Marji Ross and master blender Brandon McCraney break down one of the most overlooked business skills: taste.

From bestselling books to handcrafted whiskey, the discussion explores whether intuition is something you’re born with or something you build through reps, feedback, and real-world exposure. Hosted by Josh Pies, this episode dives into how audience understanding, gut instinct, and iteration shape every successful brand.

Key Topics

✅ Can intuition be learned or trained?

✅ The role of feedback loops in business growth

✅ Creative leadership in publishing and distilling

🎙 Guests:

👉Brandon McCraney, Founder of Master Blender at Olde Raleigh Distillery https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonmccraney/

👉Marji Ross, Principal at Marji Ross Consulting LLC

https://www.linkedin.com/in/marji-ross-5065913/

00:00 Introduction to BU Live and Hosts

02:59 Masters of Taste: Understanding Audience Preferences

07:48 The Feedback Loop: Learning from Audience Reactions

10:38 Gut Instincts: The Evolution of Intuition in Business

16:29 Navigating Controversy: Provocative Content in Publishing

18:17 Experimentation in Craft: The Thousand Blends Project

22:00 The Importance of Consumer Focus

23:05 Trusting Yourself: A Journey

27:52 Taking the Leap: Starting Your Own Business

30:11 Navigating Challenges During COVID-19

32:18 Recommendations: Books and Beverages

If this conversation resonated with you, share it with another entrepreneur or business leader who believes relationships still matter. Like, subscribe, and join the conversation in the comments. What’s one business relationship that changed your life?

#BusinessPodcast #Entrepreneurship #BrandBuilding #LeadershipMindset #Startups #WhiskeyCulture #PublishingIndustry #BusinessStrategy #FounderLife #BUlive

What happens when a business leader from the beverage industry sits down to talk about entrepreneurship, loneliness, AI, hospitality, and why the best business deals still happen face-to-face?

In this episode of BU Live, Josh Pies sits down with Jen Hauke, CEO of Draftline Technologies and host of the Thirsty Business Podcast, for a wide-ranging conversation about building relationships in a world increasingly dominated by screens, automation, and artificial intelligence.

From the future of draft beer and hospitality to the collapse of human connection after the pandemic, this conversation explores why community, shared experiences, and real conversations matter more than ever.

Jen shares lessons from growing a company in a highly specialized niche, what she’s seeing across the economy, how business leaders are adapting to uncertainty, and why breaking bread with people is still one of the most powerful forms of networking.

This episode is about more than beer. It’s about the future of human interaction itself.

Key Topics

✅ Impact of AI and technology on business

✅ Importance of face-to-face interactions and relationships

✅ Insights into the beverage industry and market trends

🎙 Guests:

👉Jen Hauke, Founder of DraftLine Technologies and host of Thirsty Business Podcast https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-hauke-2281a38/

🎙️ Thirsty Business Podcast https://thirstybusinesspodcast.com

🍺 Draftline Technologies https://draftlinetech.com

00:00 Introduction to BU Live and Jen Hauke

03:04 The Thirsty Business Podcast and Family Legacy

05:52 Understanding Draftline Technologies and Its Impact

09:09 The Importance of Social Interaction Post-Pandemic

11:54 Consumer Trends in the Beverage Industry

15:00 Inversion Thinking and Problem Solving

17:59 Navigating Economic Uncertainty

21:49 Navigating Economic Challenges and Opportunities

24:47 The Impact of AI on Business Dynamics

29:44 Market Insights and Industry Trends

34:35 Building Relationships Through Meaningful Interactions

If this conversation resonated with you, share it with another entrepreneur or business leader who believes relationships still matter. Like, subscribe, and join the conversation in the comments. What’s one business relationship that changed your life?

#BusinessPodcast #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #AI #HumanConnection #Hospitality #BeerIndustry #BusinessGrowth #Networking #BUlive

What makes some people completely freeze under pressure… while others seem to perform even better when things get chaotic?

In this live episode of B*U Live, we got into a real conversation about pressure, preparation, branding, business, media, entrepreneurship, and the moments that force you to think fast in real time.

What started as a conversation about Burger King trying to reinvent its image turned into a much bigger discussion about how perception shapes everything, from business and social media to jury trials, live broadcasting, and leadership.

We talked about:

✅Why perception is reality in modern business

✅Whether brands can actually recover after losing trust

✅How social media can destroy or revive a company overnight

✅Why confidence usually comes from preparation

✅The difference between reacting emotionally vs responding intentionally

✅What real estate, trial law, and live TV teach you about handling pressure

✅How adversity often becomes preparation for future success

And somehow we also ended up debating:

McDonald’s Diet Coke, Burger King onion rings, Chick-fil-A pickle brine, marathon training, golf media, and why thinking under pressure is becoming a lost skill.

This was one of those conversations that went everywhere in the best possible way.

🎙 Guests:

👉Dan Grieb, one of Florida’s top-producing real estate professionals and endurance athlete.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-grieb-4b401431/

👉Matthew Wasserman, personal injury attorney and wine enthusiast.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-wasserman-3bb09377/

👉Whit Watson, longtime sports broadcaster and one of the voices behind The Villages media network.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitwatson/

If you enjoy honest conversations about business, leadership, mindset, entrepreneurship, and real life without the polished corporate filter, subscribe to B*U Live for more episodes.

#BULive #Entrepreneurship #BusinessPodcast #Branding #Leadership #Marketing #PersonalGrowth #Media #RealEstate #Law #SportsMedia

This engaging conversation explores the power of AI, rapid prototyping, business problem-solving, and the importance of relationships in entrepreneurship. Featuring insights from experienced entrepreneurs and tech innovators, it offers practical advice for startups and small businesses navigating today's fast-changing landscape.

Key Topics

✅ AI's role in business efficiency and marketing

✅ Rapid prototyping and minimum viable products

✅ Chargeback mitigation and financial protection

✅ The importance of relationships and partnerships in business

✅ The impact of AI layoffs and future of work

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introductions

04:38 The Necessity of Invention: Josh Sprague's Journey

10:35 Chargebacks and Business Solutions: Don Wilczynski's Innovations

15:44 Creative Challenges and Speed to Market: Bill Reynolds' Perspective

22:13 Navigating Change: Josh Pies' Business Evolution

25:41 AI Layoffs and the Future of Work

27:07 Starting a Business in the Age of AI

28:46 The Importance of Relationships in Business

29:30 Leveraging AI for Efficiency

31:39 AI as a Tool for Problem Solving

36:27 Business Advice for Young Entrepreneurs

Guests:

🔷 Bill Reynolds - http://linkedin.com/in/bill-reynolds-element502

🔷 Josh Sprague - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshsprague/

🔷 Don Wilczynski - https://www.linkedin.com/in/donwilczynski/

🔔 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BUbusinesspodcastnetwork

#ai #entrepreneurship #rapidprototyping #chargebacks #businessstrategy #innovation #networking #smallbusiness #digitalmarketing #problemsolving

Welcome to B*U Live — First Session.

In this episode, Josh sit down with Dave Grosz, Markus Kaulius and John de Jong for an honest, unfiltered conversation about what entrepreneurship really feels like behind the scenes. From expectations vs reality to the identity shifts that come with building a business, this discussion challenges the idea of what “success” is supposed to look like.

No scripts. No surface-level answers. Just real founders sharing what they’ve learned, unlearned, and questioned along the way.

If you’ve ever felt like entrepreneurship doesn’t look the way you thought it would, this one’s for you.

Key topics

✅ The significance of space launches and their impact on society

✅ The role of mentorship and personal development in business growth

✅ The concept of building 'pyramids' as a metaphor for large-scale projects

✅ The integration of AI in business and its training requirements

✅ The importance of community and national pride in uniting people

Guests:

🔷Markus Kaulius - https://linkedin.com/in/markus-kaulius

🔷John de Jong - https://linkedin.com/in/johndejong

🔷Dave Grosz - https://linkedin.com/in/davegrosz

Resources:

👉 Play a Bigger Game by Marcus Kaulius https://www.amazon.com/Play-Bigger-Game-Marcus-Kaulius/dp/XXXXXX

👉AlleyKat Signs and Marketing https://alleykatsigns.com/

👉Wilson and Company Healthcare Construction https://wilsonandco.com

👉BU Business Podcast Network https://thebusinesspodcastnetwork.com

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introductions

04:57 Childhood Dreams and Aspirations

14:01 Navigating Identity Crises in Entrepreneurship

20:57 The Transition from Operator to Owner

28:06 Family Dynamics in Business

31:02 Current Events: Artemis II Launch Discussion

32:06 The Space Age Revival

40:00 Investing in Space and Technology

46:06 The New Pyramids: AI and Innovation

51:59 Sports as a Unifying Force

59:52 Business Insights and Networking

#BULive #bootstrappedunicorns #BUBusinessPodcastNetwork

Bootstrapped Unicorns Podcast | Empowered Entrepreneurship & A Milestone Celebration | Episode 75 Solocast with host Josh Pies

🎙️ Welcome to the Bootstrapped Unicorns Podcast! Take a dive into the world of entrepreneurship with host Josh Pies, hippie capitalist and owner of C47 Digital Studios, and join the conversations filled with inspiring stories and actionable tips aimed at making your entrepreneurial journey a successful one. 🦄

🚀🎉 Milestone Madness! Celebrating 75 Episodes & an Exciting New Era 🚀🎉

In this special milestone episode, Josh takes a reflective look back at the journey of the podcast from its inception in August 2023. He discusses the challenges faced, including a personal car accident, the success of reaching the top 1% of podcasts, and the incredible entrepreneurial stories shared. Josh also teases some exciting changes coming to the show, including a new format featuring live reactions, diverse guest commentary, and even impromptu calls to provide real-time help on various topics. Get ready for a new era of Bootstrapped Unicorns where business insights meet fun and spontaneity. Will you be a part of the next episode? Tune in to find out! 🎧🎙️

00:00 Introduction to Bootstrapped Unicorns
00:35 Celebrating Episode 75
01:22 The Journey So Far
05:40 Exciting New Format Changes
08:12 Interactive and Engaging Segments
10:18 Invitation to Join the Show
10:56 Conclusion and Gratitude

✅ Like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more founder stories and business insights!

📌Join the Bootstrapped Unicorns: Entrepreneurship & Marketing Facebook Group! https://facebook.com/groups/bootstrappedunicorns

👉For more about our podcast, or to become a guest, visit:
🌐https://www.BootstrappedUnicorns.com
🌐https://www.C47Films.com
💡Want to turn your videos into a show? Grab our free "Make It A Show" eBook here:
🌐https://MakeItAShow.com

#bootstrappedunicorns #podcast #businesspodcast #entrepreneurship #entrepreneurmindset #businessowner #podcastmilestone #micropivot

Bootstrapped Unicorns Podcast | Rethink Success: The Inversion Advantage | Bootstrapped Unicorns Podcast | Episode 74 with Brent Parker

🎙️ Welcome to the Bootstrapped Unicorns Podcast! Take a dive into the world of entrepreneurship with host Josh Pies, hippie capitalist and owner of C47 Digital Studios, and join the conversations filled with inspiring stories and actionable tips aimed at making your entrepreneurial journey a successful one. 🦄

In this episode, Josh interviews Brent Parker, an entrepreneur who discusses the critical concept of inversion thinking and how it can help businesses, especially startups, avoid failure. Learn about Brent's journey from running a coffee business in Las Vegas to owning Open Campground, a software for campground owners. Brent also introduces his book, 'The Secret Power of Inversion,' and shares insights on how to systematically approach and solve business challenges. Get ready to rethink your strategies and tune into actionable advice that goes beyond typical business plans. Join us for an enlightening conversation about turning chaos into cash flow! 🚀✨📚

Find Brent's book:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-secret-power-of-inversion-brent-parker/1148530341

00:00 Introduction to Bootstrapped Unicorns
00:44 The Upside Down Episode: Inversion Thinking
01:25 Meet Brent Parker: Entrepreneurial Journey
02:06 From Coffee to Campgrounds: Business Evolution
05:06 Challenges and Successes in Entrepreneurship
13:52 The Secret Power of Inversion: Brent's Book
24:19 The Importance of Feedback
24:46 Applying Inversion Thinking
25:53 Balancing Optimism and Pessimism
26:52 Self-Analysis and Seeking Advice
28:40 The Process of Entrepreneurship
31:36 Pricing Strategies and Challenges
36:18 Masterclass and Future Plans
43:26 Fun Stories and Final Thoughts

✅ Like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more founder stories and business insights!

📌Join the Bootstrapped Unicorns: Entrepreneurship & Marketing Facebook Group! https://facebook.com/groups/bootstrappedunicorns

👉For more about our podcast, or to become a guest, visit:
🌐https://www.BootstrappedUnicorns.com
🌐https://www.C47Films.com
💡Want to turn your videos into a show? Grab our free "Make It A Show" eBook here:
🌐https://MakeItAShow.com

#bootstrappedunicorns #podcast #businesspodcast #entrepreneurship #entrepreneurmindset #businessowner #inversion

Turning Scrap Into Financial Success: A Junkyard Legacy | Bootstrapped Unicorns Podcast | Episode 73 ft. Tyler Petrie

🎙️ Welcome to the Bootstrapped Unicorns Podcast! Take a dive into the world of entrepreneurship with host Josh Pies, hippie capitalist and owner of C47 Digital Studios, and join the conversations filled with inspiring stories and actionable tips aimed at making your entrepreneurial journey a successful one. 🦄

Join Josh in this episode as he dives into the world of auto recycling with Tyler Petrie, the General Manager of Wilbert's U-Pull It. From scrappy startup challenges to leading a close-knit team, Tyler shares fascinating insights about transforming chaos into a highly organized and impactful business. Discover how Wilbert's innovates in the auto recycling industry, embraces family culture, and even spreads holiday joy with their unexpected Christmas tree venture! Plus, hear about their fun employee engagement activities and future plans for tackling the rise of electric vehicles. 🚗🌲💡

00:00 Introduction to Bootstrapped Unicorns

00:42 Meet Tyler Petrie: General Manager at Wilbert's U-Pull It

03:36 The Unique Jobs in Auto Recycling

08:35 The Christmas Tree Farm Story

10:35 The Business Structure of Wilbert's

12:58 The Auto Recycling Industry and Its Challenges

20:54 Employee Engagement and Company Culture

26:53 The Impact of Electric Vehicles on Auto Recycling

31:12 Closing Remarks and Call to Action

To connect with Tyler:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylerpetrie-wilbertsupullit

✅ Like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more founder stories and business insights! @BootstrappedUnicornsPodcast

📌Join the Bootstrapped Unicorns: Entrepreneurship & Marketing Facebook Group! https://facebook.com/groups/bootstrappedunicorns

👉For more about our podcast, or to become a guest, visit:

🌐https://www.BootstrappedUnicorns.com

🌐https://www.C47Films.com

💡Want to turn your videos into a show? Grab our free "Make It A Show" eBook here:

🌐https://MakeItAShow.com

#bootstrappedunicorns #podcast #businesspodcast #entrepreneurship #entrepreneurmindset #businessowner #startup #autorecycling