Baked-In with Josh Allen

Episode 57: Dave Boller | St. Louis Battlehawks

On this episode we’re joined by Dave Holler, GM of the United Football League’s St. Louis Battlehawks. As a general sports fan I really enjoyed learning more about the structure of the league, how their helping develop players for the NFL, and have been of an experimental playground for innovative rules and technology. We talk about the hub league model with all the players living and training in Texas, fixed salaries for all positions, and the all hands on deck approach to launching a startup league… it’s a lot like any entrepreneurial journey, let’s roll!#UFL #Battlehawks #Football #StartUp #StLouis 

Episode 56: Fred Burmer | Lion's Choice

On this week’s episode presented by Busey Bank, Josh sits down with Fred Burmer, the newly appointed CEO of St. Louis’ beloved Lion’s Choice. Burmer started working in quick-service restaurants as a part time worker at Pizza Hut restaurants while attending the University of Central Florida in Orlando and ultimately grew that franchise company from six to more than 50 locations. He later spent years with Yum Brands – the corporate leader of Taco Bell, KFC and Pizza Hut. He brings all that expertise to the 57 year-old, 30 unit Lion’s Choice. They talk about the value of working in the service industry, his initial focus after extensive customer research and the future plans of expansion. Lots of great stuff in this one. Let’s roll…

Episode 55: Chris Eckert | Eckert's Farms

On this week’s episode presented by Busey Bank, I’m sitting down with Chris Eckert, the president and CEO of Eckert's Country Store and Farms in Belleville, Illinois. He is a seventh-generation farmer overseeing a vast operation that includes fruit and vegetable crops, a farm market, restaurant, garden center, and the country's largest pick-your-own business. Chris holds a degree in Agricultural Economics and has experience working in the produce industry outside of the family business. We talk about leading a multi-generational enterprise, lessons learned from Mother Nature and continuing to expand the entertainment aspect of their business. Great lessons in this one. Let’s roll…

Episode 54: Lucas Farrell | Bucket List Creative

On this week’s episode presented by Busey Bank, Josh catches up with Lucas Farrell of STL Bucket List and Bucket List Creative. STL Bucket List is an independently owned media source right here in Downtown St. Louis that was originally created and founded by Lucas and his wife Marissa to share foodie adventures and everything great about our town. It’s blown up to have over 180,000 followers on social. Lucas parlayed that success to launch Bucket List Creative in 2019 to help local partners build their brand online through social media management, content creation and web design. Lucas handles all Josh’s social media – both Companion Baking and the podcast. They talk about the general state of social media and where’s it’s headed, the rise of influencers and their role in the landscape and how to measure success. Lucas gets it and it was fun to dive deep. Let’s go…
#marketing #content #stlmade #stlouis #bucketlist #podcasting

Episode 53: Brian Wahby | Eximius Productions

On this week’s episode presented by Busey Bank, Josh sits down with Brian Wahby of Eximius Productions. As an entrepreneur, investor and advisor, Brian's creativity, curiosity, civic involvement and leadership has offered over 30 years of experience in a number of diverse areas. He founded Eximius in 2014 to primarily produce the Q in the Lou – the annual BBQ Festival in Downtown St. Louis.  In 2018, Brian expanded the Q brand of festivals to the Denver market with the highly successful Denver BBQ Fest. Expansion to other markets followed including Kansas City, Jacksonville and Dallas. They touch on a lot in this episode including the role of happiness in building and managing a company, growing and scaling a festival brand and Brian’s outlook on the future of St. Louis. Let’s roll…

Baked In | Father's Day - The Allen Gang!

Happy Father’s Day! Here’s a quick bonus episode with Josh and his five (5) kids talking about lessons learned from growing up in a small business family and their favorite baked goods. A great chance for the kids to fill their dad’s bucket with a little love. Let’s roll…
#family #fathersday #podcasting #baking #legacy

Episode 52: Danni & Steve | HuSTL Hospitality

On this week’s episode presented by Busey Bank, Josh has the chance to sit with Danni Eickenhorst and Steve Ewing of HuSTL Hospitality – the group behind both Steve’s Hot Dogs and the Fountain on Locust. Danni (and her husband Marcus) got involved with Steve in February 2020 when he originally announced the closing of Steve’s Hot Dogs. They spent some time talking through how together they re-imagined the concept, worked through those changes throughout the pandemic and have grown the brand to now include not only the flagship location on South Grand, but satellites at Citypark, Enterprise Center and America’s Center.
Additionally, HuSTL will be very shortly opening an additional Steve’s Hot Dogs and The Fountain off Locust ­– a spinoff of The Fountain on Locust – this summer at Maker’s Locale, a new event and dining complex located in the Delmar Maker District. Josh and Danni and Steve get into a lot. Scale, growth, leadership, vision and even a little bodybuilding. Fun to talk to folks moving quickly. Let’s go…

Episode 51: Justin Kraudel | Monta Watches

On this week’s episode presented by Busey Bank, Josh sits down with Justin Kraudel of Monta Watches, a luxury swiss-built brand based in St. Louis. In 2016, Justin walked away from a 12-year career in the wealth management industry to follow his passion for horology (watches). Monta designs and manufactures luxury sport watches with impeccable finishing and attention to detail. In a short period of time – relative to some of the decades old legacy brands – Monta has created a brand with a solid reputation for beautiful timepieces and terrific customer service. Most of their business has been built direct to consumer online, but they’re beginning to grow their business through local and regional jewelry stores. Josh and Justin talk about the state of the American watch market, the challenges of establishing a brand in an industry with so many legacy players and the supply chain obstacles of convincing Swiss craftsmen to come on board with a new start up brand. Super fun to chat with a self-admitted watch nerd. Let’s go…
#luxury #watches #innovator #design #swisstime 

Episode 50: Josh Allen - A look at 50 Episodes

On this week’s episode presented by Busey Bank, Josh is celebrating episode 50! He’s joined by good friend, collaborator and podcast producer extraordinaire, JB Anderson of Gaslight Studios. They dive deep into the story arc from Josh’s 2021 TEDx St. Louis talk to the ideation of the podcast. And they touch on many of the highlights from the first year of episodes, lessons learned, the role of the City of St. Louis and the ultimate guest wishlist. Please remember that the best way to support the show and keep the stories coming is simply to follow Baked-In on your favorite podcast player and leave a review. Let’s go…

Episode 49: Mike Konzen | PGAV

On this week’s episode presented by Busey Bank, Josh is talking with Mike Konzen of PGAV. Headquartered in downtown St. Louis, PGAV is behind some of the most recognizable destinations locally and around the world. The global firm of designers, architects and planners is responsible for the design of places close to home such as the St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station and the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame & Museum in addition to experiences at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, which opened last year. Their projects attract 120+ million visitors per year on 5 continents.
Josh and Mike discuss the recently opened World’s Fair exhibit at the Missouri History Museum in which PGAV played a big role, how he recruits and retains a talented team in St. Louis and beyond, empathy and its role in business and leadership, and their shared appreciation for mid-1970 Oldsmobile Cutlasses. It’s so cool to know that this type of immensely creative work is being done here in St. Louis. Let’s go…