Behind the Business | Founders in the 605

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Latest episode

Sep 2026

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About the show

Join local business leaders, Alexis and Marcus Mahlen on their podcast, ‘Behind the Business | Founders in the 605’. In each episode, Alexis and Marcus delve into the challenges, triumphs and remarkable journeys of local business founders, executives, and so much more.

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40 recent

September 15, 2026Episode 2056 min

Booking the Big Stage | Jered Johnson of Pepper Entertainment

On the latest episode of Behind The Business | Founders in the 605, Marcus Mahlen sits down with Jered Johnson, founder and CEO of Pepper Entertainment. Pepper Entertainment is an entertainment agency that promotes and produces live concerts nationwide with a heavy focus throughout the Midwest, Great Lakes, Southeast, Mountain West/Southwest regions of the United States. Follow 605 Founders Podcast on ⁠Instagram⁠ , ⁠Facebook⁠ , and ⁠LinkedIn⁠ .

August 25, 2026Episode 191 hr 9 min

Beyond the Investment | Steve Kirby of Bluestem Capital

On the latest episode of Behind The Business | Founders in the 605, Marcus and Alexis Mahlen sit down with Steve Kirby, founder of Bluestem Capital. Bluestem is a venture capital firm featuring 450 plus investors investing in more than 20 funds, located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Follow 605 Founders Podcast on ⁠Instagram⁠ , ⁠Facebook⁠ , and ⁠LinkedIn⁠ .

August 4, 2026Episode 181 hr 4 min

The Spin Cycle of Success | Jon Schemmel of Tidewater Companies

On the latest episode of Behind The Business | Founders in the 605, Marcus Mahlen sits down with Jon Schemmel of Tidewater Companies and SBL Ventures, which is a firm focused on acquiring and operating laundromats across the Midwest. Follow 605 Founders Podcast on ⁠Instagram⁠ , ⁠Facebook⁠ , and ⁠LinkedIn⁠ .

June 30, 2026Episode 1757 min

Culture and Community | Tamien Dysart of Think 3D Solutions

On the latest episode of Behind The Business | Founders in the 605, Marcus and Alexis Mahlen sit down with Tamien Dysart of Think 3D Solutions. Based in Sioux Falls, Think 3D Solutions is a business management consultant that unlocks the power of a strong, thriving culture with proven strategies to improve employee engagement, leadership, and performance. Follow 605 Founders Podcast on ⁠Instagram⁠ , ⁠Facebook⁠ , and ⁠LinkedIn⁠ .

June 9, 2026Episode 1658 min

The Art of Adapting | Karla Santi

On the latest episode of Behind The Business | Founders in the 605, Marcus and Alexis Mahlen sit down with Karla Santi of Blend Interactive. Based in Sioux Falls, Blend Interactive guides teams through complicated web and content problems — from the first strategic questions through design, development, and the years of work that follow. Follow 605 Founders Podcast on ⁠Instagram⁠ , ⁠Facebook⁠ , and ⁠LinkedIn⁠ .

April 7, 2026Episode 1538 min

Real Estate, Reimagined | Amy Stockberger

On the latest episode of Behind The Business | Founders in the 605, Marcus and Alexis Mahlen sit down with Amy Stockberger of Amy Stockberger Real Estate and the Lifetime Home Support™ model. Based in Sioux Falls, Amy Stockberger Real Estate is the top ranked real estate team in South Dakota and is ranked 33 nationwide. Follow 605 Founders Podcast on ⁠Instagram⁠ , ⁠Facebook⁠ , and ⁠LinkedIn⁠ .

March 17, 2026Episode 1457 min

IT and Ice Rinks: Problems Worth Solving | Joe Zueger

On the latest episode of Behind The Business | Founders in the 605, Marcus and Alexis Mahlen sit down with Joe Zueger of Workplace By Direct, SCHEELS IcePlex, and TRUELUC Advisory. Based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Workplace By Direct is a company that delivers managed IT services, business IT support, and security solutions to organizations. Follow 605 Founders Podcast on ⁠Instagram⁠ , ⁠Facebook⁠ , and ⁠LinkedIn⁠ .

February 24, 2026Episode 1350 min

Scaling From Scratch | Kurt Loudenback of Grand Prairie Foods

On the latest episode of Behind The Business | Founders in the 605, Marcus and Alexis Mahlen sit down with Kurt Loudenback of Grand Prairie Foods. Headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Grand Prairie Foods is a food manufacturing enterprise specializing in Ready-To-Eat food products for hospitality, convenience and retail food industries. Follow 605 Founders Podcast on ⁠Instagram⁠ , ⁠Facebook⁠ , and ⁠LinkedIn⁠ .

February 3, 2026Episode 1254 min

Investing With Intention | Todd Ernst of Ernst Capital Group

On the latest episode of Behind The Business | Founders in the 605, Marcus and Alexis Mahlen sit down with Todd Ernst, founder of Ernst Capital Group. Ernst Capital is a South Dakota-based real estate investment firm that connects investors with quality local real estate projects. Follow 605 Founders Podcast on ⁠Instagram⁠ , ⁠Facebook⁠ , and ⁠LinkedIn⁠ .

January 6, 2026Episode 1147 min

The Long Game Legacy | Dave Austad of Austad's Golf

On the latest episode of Behind The Business | Founders in the 605, Marcus and Alexis Mahlen sit down with Dave Austad of Austad's Golf. Dave’s father, Oscar, started the company in 1963 when Dave was three years old. The company, which began out of their family home, quickly gained traction right when golf legends like Arnold Palmer were hitting their prime. In this episode, Dave explains as he’s learned to adapt to the changing industry, Austad’s attention to their customers and aiming to be the best golf retailer in the market has remained constant. Follow 605 Founders Podcast on ⁠Instagram⁠ , ⁠Facebook⁠ , and ⁠LinkedIn⁠ .