Joel Fleischman Happy Hour Podcast

Hosted by Joel Fleischman

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Episodes

152

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

A weekly Drexel themed podcast with Joel Fleischman. Joel brings in guests each week from the company and also well-known community guests to have fun in-depth conversations.

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60 recent

June 10, 2026Episode 17148 min

Happy Hour Podcast #171 - From Dream to Storefront: Lilla + Rose & Velvet Revival

In this episode, we sit down with Sarah of Lilla + Rose Sourdough Bakery and Steph of Velvet Revival Consignment Collective to talk about turning entrepreneurial dreams into reality.We discuss their professional journeys, the leap into opening a brick-and-mortar storefront in downtown Kewaskum, and the biggest challenges they've faced so far. Sarah shares the art and science behind sourdough baking, while Steph explains how Velvet Revival's consignment model creates a unique shopping experience for the community.The conversation also explores navigating criticism as business owners, the inspiration behind their business names, inventory and marketing strategies, best-selling products, and how they're connecting with customers through local and private events.Whether you're a small business owner, aspiring entrepreneur, or simply love supporting local businesses, this episode offers an honest look at what it takes to build something new in a small-town community.Resources:https://www.lillaandrose.com | https://www.velvet-revival.com/Facebook: Lilla + Rose - Sourdough Bakery | Velvet RevivalInstagram: @lilla_and_rose | @velvetrevivalwi

June 4, 2026Episode 17023 min

Happy Hour Podcast #170 - Q&A Series with Joel

In this episode of our Q&A series, we sit down with Joel to tackle the questions shaping our company, our culture, and our industry. From defying current economic trends by holding our prices steady to dismantling the "sacred cows" holding our productivity back, Joel breaks down how we are actively celebrating and leaning into our new normal.Resources:-Smile, or You're Doing it Wrong: A Journey from Rock Bottom to Redemption by Andy Glaze-Make the Bread, Buy the Butter: What You Should (and Shouldn't) Cook from Scratch to Save Time and Money by Jennifer Reese-Lean Manufacturing Made Obvious For Leaders: Practical Process Improvement Made So Anyone Can Understand, Teach, And Sustain It by Todd Drummond

May 29, 2026Episode 16958 min

Happy Hour Podcast #169 - The Mammoth Mindset: Standards and Success with Hall of Famer Mike Koehler

"There has to be a better way." In 2021, after seeing a youth sports culture that prioritized high fees over real player development, Mike Koehler decided to change the game. He founded Mammoth Basketball to give kids elite skills training without the exorbitant price tag.In Episode 169, we sit down with Mike - a Wisconsin High School Basketball Hall of Famer, law professor, and Varsity coach at Elkhart Lake. We dive deep into:-The Mammoth Origin: Creating a club model focused on quality over quantity.-Investing in Kids: Why holding players to high standards is the ultimate form of mentorship.-The Mental Load: Balancing rock-solid confidence with the humble moments that keep you grounded.Grab a drink and tune in for an episode packed with powerful insights on leadership, coaching, and culture-building!Resources:https://www.mammoth-bb.com/https://fcpaprofessor.com/https://fcpaprofessor.com/Book: Coaching the System: A complete guide to basketball's most explosive style of play by Gary Smith and Doug Porter

May 29, 2026Episode 16843 min

Happy Hour Podcast #168 - The Open Kitchen: Pulling back the curtain with Bryan Rice

Most people just want an excellent meal served in a great atmosphere - they trust the chefs to make it happen. You deserve that same peace of mind with your builder. However, there is something special about an "Open Kitchen" where you can see the effort that goes into the craft.In this episode of The Joel Fleischman Happy Hour, we’re pulling back the curtain. Alongside building supply consultant Bryan Rice, we share our Top Workplace results and the raw realities of our internal operations.Enjoy the look inside the heart of our business. Resources: https://www.bryanriceconsulting.com/

May 20, 2026Episode 16736 min

Happy Hour Podcast #167 - Real Estate, Faith, and a Free Trip to the Super Bowl with Dave Decker

Grab a drink and pull up a chair! In Episode 167 of the Joel Fleischman Happy Hour, we're sitting down with Dave Decker - founder of Decker Properties, seasoned landlord, and a published author.Dave opens up about his lifelong passion for real estate and what it really means to be a landlord in today's world. We dive deep into the power of ethical leadership, the importance of owning your mistakes, and how his Christian values anchor his business decisions. Plus, Dave shares the fascinating journey behind his writing process and his new book, How to Go to the Super Bowl for Free.Resources:https://davidjdecker.com/books/

May 11, 2026Episode 16634 min

Happy Hour #166 - Shareholder Award Series: Legos, AI, and Acting Like An Owner

What happens when you mix a lifelong passion for Legos with cutting-edge Revit software and a shareholder mindset? In this episode, we sit down with our very own Residential Designer, Sam Kottke, to celebrate his recent Shareholder Award.Sam isn’t just designing homes; he’s living out our core values by thinking and acting like an owner every single day. We dig into his unique origin story at Drexel and explore the intersection of passion and talent.

April 30, 2026Episode 16552 min

Happy Hour Podcast #165 - Legacy, Tech, and the American Made Kitchen: Ken Marsh & Jake Kosloske

Pull up a seat for this week’s Happy Hour podcast, featuring Ken Marsh of Marsh Cabinets and Jake Kosloske of JK Cabinet Sales and Service. We’re bridging the gap between old-school craftsmanship and the new digital frontier in a candid conversation about legacy, grit, and innovation.In this episode, we explore the weight of family-owned businesses and why American-made jobs remain the industry’s heartbeat. Joel dives into how he’s integrating AI into his business while Ken and Jake share the perspective on Marsh’s secret to quality and enduring partnerships. We discuss how selling to the builder has changed and why staying open-minded and killing "sacred cows" is the only way to survive in a changing market.From a full recap of the latest kitchen trends and colors at the Expo and IBS Conference to the balance of tech and tradition, this episode is packed with wisdom for builders and business owners alike.

April 14, 2026Episode 16448 min

Happy Hour Podcast #164 - ESOP, Diamond Kote, and Keeping Karma Shiny

Grab a drink and join us for a high-energy Happy Hour featuring Chris Hermansen of Wausau Supply. In this episode, Chris shares his professional journey and the strategic "why" behind Wausau Supply’s unique position in the market. The duo dives deep into the evolution of industry partnerships, the transformative power of the ESOP model, and the continued innovation of Diamond Kote. From fresh takeaways at the Expo and IBS conference to master-level sales insights, we explore what it really means to "be the salt" in business today. It’s a conversation packed with industry wisdom, billboard-worthy advice, and a look at the cultural foundations that drive long-term success.Wausau Supplyhttps://www.wausausupply.com/

March 31, 2026Episode 16316 min

Happy Hour Podcast #163 - The Big 5 with Andy Rettler

In this episode, we sit down with our COO, Andy Rettler, to pull back the curtain on the five major initiatives shaping our company this year. Whether you are a business leader looking for scaling strategies or a partner curious about where we’re headed next, this episode offers a transparent look at the mechanics of our success in 2026!

March 20, 2026Episode 16235 min

Happy Hour Podcast #162 - Carpet 101, Color Trends, and a Backwards Clock with Jason Dedering

This week, Jason Dedering of Engineered Floors joins the Happy Hour podcast to talk about the evolution of the flooring world. From the legacy of industry titan Bob Shaw in Dalton, GA, to the newest color trends spotted at the Surfaces Convention, we're covering it all.In this episode:Engineered Floors: The story behind the brand and Jason’s background.Trends: What is in and what is on its way out!Carpet 101: Jason breaks down the basics every pro (and homeowner) should know.The Billboard Question: Jason’s advice for how we spend our time.https://www.engineeredfloors.com/