Baked-In with Josh Allen

Episode 78: Ruth Kim | #RuthUnleashed

On this week's episode presented by Busey Bank, I am joined by Ruth Kim, a powerhouse leader with decades of experience at Fleishman-Hillard, where she served as General Counsel, Senior Vice President, and Senior Partner. Ruth played a pivotal role in shaping the culture and strategy at one of the world’s leading communications agencies.
Now, in what she calls "Ruth 2.0," she’s redefining retirement (or rewirement) as an amplifier, connector, and advisor to businesses and nonprofits. Through her work—and her signature hashtag #RuthUnleashed—Ruth is helping organizations thrive while staying true to their purpose.
We'll take a deep dive into Ruth’s career, exploring the lessons she learned at Fleishman-Hillard, her approach to leadership and growth, and how she’s channeling her expertise into her current mission of empowering others. Let’s roll…#leadership #rewirement #retirement #amplifier #connector

Episode 77: Gerard Craft | Niche Food Group - Redux

On today's episode presented by Busey Bank, I welcome back Chef Gerard Craft who joined me originally all the back on episode #3. Gerard is a culinary powerhouse and the driving force behind Niche Food Group, which includes some of the most beloved dining concepts in the St. Louis region, like Pastaria, Brasserie, and the newly launched Expat BBQ. As a James Beard Award-winning chef, Gerard’s name is synonymous with innovation and excellence in the food world, but his impact goes far beyond what’s on the plate.
In this episode, we’ll dive into the leadership lessons Gerard has learned while scaling a business known for both creativity and consistency. We’ll explore how he’s fostered growth—not just in terms of restaurants, but in cultivating a team culture rooted in values like honesty, innovation, and resilience. And we’ll hear how Gerard approaches challenges, like opening new concepts and leading the charge for a thriving St. Louis dining scene.
Whether you’re a foodie, an entrepreneur, or someone passionate about leadership and culture, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. So grab a seat at the table, and let’s roll…

Episode 76: Rachel Burns | Bold Spoon Creamery

On this week’s episode presented by Busey Bank, I’m joined by Rachel Burns, founder of Bold Spoon Creamery, a St. Louis-based company known for its experimental, adult-focused ice cream flavors like Goat Cheese with Fig Jam and Vanilla Crème Brûlée. Burns, who has an MBA with an emphasis in finance, brings 20-plus years of institutional investment experience, client management and a lifelong love of ice cream to running Bold Spoon. In this conversation, we’ll explore how Rachel leveraged $150,000 in grants to double Bold Spoon’s production capabilities and her strategic decisions for growth while staying true to the company’s commitment to sustainability and local sourcing. Whether you’re an entrepreneur looking for insights on scaling sustainably, a leader curious about building mission-driven culture, or simply a fan of great ice cream with an inspiring story behind it, this episode is packed with lessons you won’t want to miss. Let’s roll…
Photo: Feast Magazine

Episode 75: 2024 Recap | A Few Favorite Moments

On this week’s episode presented by Busey Bank, we’re celebrating episode  number 75. Two years of talking to some amazing folks about growth and leadership and failure and values. We’re taking a look back at some of my favorite moments. I’ll be sharing highlights from conversations that resonated with me—moments that made me think, laugh, or see things in a new light. It’s a chance to reflect on the journey so far and revisit the wisdom of our incredible guests. Additionally, let me take a moment to thank you, our listeners, for being part of this journey. Your support, encouragement, and shared enthusiasm for these conversations have been instrumental in getting us this far. Whether you’ve been with us since day one or are just discovering the show, I’m so grateful to have you here. Let’s roll…

Episode 74: Melissa Allen | A Gig's a Gig

On this week’s episode presented by Busey Bank, I’m joined by my wonderful wife and best friend, Melissa Allen. Over the course of a 30+ year career, she has worn many hats—literally and figuratively. She’s been a Ringling Bros. circus performer, a touring Broadway chorus girl, a Las Vegas showgirl, a Sacramento Kings NBA cheerleader, a burlesque dancer, an aerial artist, a Pilates instructor, a dance teacher, and, perhaps her most demanding role, a baker’s wife and a mother of five.
While her career may seem like a dazzling whirlwind of sequins and spotlights, beneath it lies a masterclass in resilience, adaptability, and entrepreneurial spirit. As the seller, producer, and product all rolled into one, she has navigated the complexities of constantly marketing herself, balancing opportunity with opportunity cost, and building a fulfilling career while managing limited resources.
In many ways, she embodies the ultimate entrepreneur—creative, resourceful, and always thinking about the next move. In this conversation, we’ll dive deep into her fascinating journey, the lessons she’s learned about personal branding, the business side of performing arts, and what her story can teach all of us about managing risk, seizing opportunity, and thriving in unpredictable environments.
So, whether you’re leading a company, growing a side hustle, or just looking for inspiration, this episode has something for you. Let’s roll…
#wife #vegas #showgirl #dancer #mom #friend #circus #badass

Episode 73: matt Longueville | The Barkeep Collective

On this week’s episode present by Busey Bank, we’re diving into the world of hospitality, leadership, and creative business models with Matt Longueville, founder of STL Barkeep and the owner of two standout St. Louis bars—The Vandy and the newly opened Off Elm. Matt’s journey is a fascinating one. Back in 2018, he was thriving as a consultant in the beverage industry, convinced that owning physical locations wasn’t for him. Fast forward six years, and he’s not only opened two bars but is also pioneering a co-op-inspired approach to reward his core leadership team—a bold move designed to navigate the seasonality and challenges of the hospitality business. In this conversation, we’ll  unpack what led Matt to transition from consulting to brick-and-mortar, explore the behind-the-scenes work that keeps his businesses running smoothly, and dig into the metrics that guide his decisions. We’ll also discuss the innovative ways he’s supporting his team and his vision for the future of STL Barkeep and beyond. Let’s roll…#stlouis #stlmade #craftcocktails #collective 

Episode 72: Rick Oleshak | AB Biotek

On this week’s episode presented by Busey Bank, I’m joined by good friend Rick Oleshak, the Global Strategic Marketing Director at AB Biotek, a division of AB Mauri. Rick is at the helm of crafting global strategies and driving innovation for a company that leads in fermentation solutions across industries like consumer alcohol, bioethanol, and nutrition. But Rick’s expertise doesn’t stop there.
With a career that spans nearly three decades, he’s brought brands to life at household names like Anheuser-Busch, where he led marketing for Stella Artois and Budweiser, and earlier in sports with NASCAR and the Orlando Magic. From building global marketing campaigns to fostering customer insights, Rick has a unique ability to connect strategy with storytelling, all while staying ahead in fast-evolving industries.
Today, we’ll uncover the lessons he’s learned, the challenges of adapting to new industries, and his vision for the future of marketing and brand growth. Let’s roll…#beer #abmauri #marketing #stella #shaq #dalejr

Episode 71: Brittany Dwyer | DISCO! DISCO!

On this episode presented by Busey Bank, I’m sitting with Brittany Dwyer, the visionary behind DISCO! DISCO! is not your typical event planning company. It’s an innovative organization that merges traditional event strategy with cutting-edge software solutions, helping businesses connect with their audiences in ways that truly resonate. Brittany and her team have been transforming how companies approach events, not just as one-off experiences but as integral parts of their customer and employee engagement strategies. In this conversation, we’ll explore the obstacles Brittany has faced scaling DISCO!, how she’s navigated the ever-evolving event landscape, and what keeps her up at night as she looks to the future. We’ll also dig into the broader, theoretical value of events — how they can be a game-changer for building stronger customer relationships and fostering an engaged workforce. Let’s roll…
#eventplanning #stlmade #stlouis #corporateevents

Episode 70: David Stine & Stephanie Abbajay | David Stine Furniture

On this episode presented by Busey Bank, I have the chance to sit with David Stine and Stephanie Abbajay of David Stine Furniture. David is a master craftsman whose journey began with sustainably sourced wood from his family farm, transforming it into heirloom-quality furniture. Stephanie, with her background in communications, joined the business to help it grow and reach a wider audience. Together, they’ve navigated the challenges of balancing creativity with business, sustainability with scalability, and a marriage with a shared entrepreneurial journey. Today, we’ll explore what it’s like building a company that marries old-world craftsmanship with modern design, how they manage to work seamlessly as a couple, and what it takes to build relationships with clients who value authenticity and quality. I’m excited for you all to hear their insights on the intersection of artistry, business, and partnership. Let’s roll…#customfurniture #furniture #handmade #liveedge #stlmade #stlouis

Episode 69: Andy Karandzieff | Crown Candy Kitchens

Today I got to talk with Andy Karandzieff of the iconic Crown Candy Kitchen, St. Louis' oldest ice cream and soda fountain. Opened in 1913 by Andy's grandfather Harry, who brought his confectionary skills from Greece, along with a dream to provide a family-friendly environment to enjoy the delicious creations. Andy Candy as he's affectionately known, is the third generation keeping this legacy alive in North St. Louis. He's a huge advocate of the city, and he isn't afraid to put his money where his mouth is, living and working in the same historic neighborhood. We touch on a lot during this conversation, including the weight of carrying on traditional candy making, lessons learned from his father, and his mom's advice about taking vacations when you can still enjoy them. Let's roll!