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In this episode of Brand Lincoln, we sit down with Paul Larsen, owner of Crepe Cafe, to talk crepes, community, and what it really takes to build a food business in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Paul shares his journey from military service to entrepreneurship, how Crepe Cafe became Nebraska’s only crepe-focused food truck, and the hard lessons learned while transitioning into a brick-and-mortar location. The conversation breaks down what makes crepes different from pancakes, why National Crepe Day matters more than you’d think, and how offering both sweet and savory options helped Crepe Cafe stand out in a crowded food scene.

They also dive into the reality of the “lean years,” the importance of local support, collaborating with breweries and other businesses, and why perseverance and consistency matter more than hype. Paul wraps by sharing what’s next for Crepe Cafe, including menu expansion, gluten-free and protein-focused options, and creating a space built for both food and community.

This episode is for food lovers, aspiring restaurant owners, and anyone curious about the real, unfiltered path from idea to execution in a local business.

Sponsored by Perch Merch

This episode of Brand Lincoln is sponsored by Perch Merch, a relationship-first merch company that helps businesses, nonprofits, and organizations show up professionally with custom apparel, trade show merch, and branded online stores.

Perch Merch isn’t about cheap giveaways or confusing corporate jargon. It’s about helping brands look legit, feel consistent, and build long-term relationships through quality merch that actually gets worn.

Keywords

crepes, food truck, entrepreneurship, National Crepe Day, Crepe Cafe, local business, food history, culinary innovation, Nebraska, food pairing

Topics Covered

• What makes a crepe different from a pancake
• Building Nebraska’s only crepe-focused food truck
• Transitioning from food truck to brick-and-mortar
• National Crepe Day and crepe culture
• Military discipline and entrepreneurship
• Surviving the lean years of business ownership
• Collaborating with local breweries and businesses
• Expanding menus and testing new ideas
• Using social media to grow a local brand

Sound Bites

“What is a crepe?”
“Free crepes for everybody.”
“Hard work does pay off.”

Episode Chapters

00:00 – Welcome to Season Two of Brand Lincoln
01:00 – Meet Paul Larson of Crepe Cafe
02:55 – What a Crepe Really Is
08:40 – National Crepe Day
10:29 – From Food Truck to Brick-and-Mortar
16:18 – Starting a Food Business
18:21 – From Concept to Reality
21:26 – The Lean Years
24:39 – Community and Collaboration
27:34 – Expanding the Menu
29:59 – What’s Next for Crepe Cafe

🎧 Brought to you by Perch Merch — where your merch game doesn’t flake, fade, or fall apart like a bad business partner. Check out the fun stuff: Perch-Merch.com

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Kawasaki isn’t just about motorcycles anymore — and if you live in Lincoln, Nebraska, you’ve probably seen their work without even realizing it. In this episode, Chris Beecham sits down with Jason Hellbusch to unpack the incredible story of Kawasaki’s Lincoln plant — from cranking out the iconic KZ400 motorcycle in the ’70s to building rail cars for NYC’s subway and cargo doors for Boeing 777s.

We dive into how a Japanese manufacturer became a Nebraska powerhouse, employing over 3,000 people and leading innovation in rail, aerospace, and now… personal transportation vehicles that look straight out of the future.

Jason shares insider stories about manufacturing at scale, the skills Kawasaki is desperate to hire for, and what’s next for the largest Kawasaki plant in the U.S. If you like business, engineering, or just a good “how the heck did that happen in Nebraska?” story — this one’s for you.

Key Takeaways:

• Kawasaki has called Lincoln home for over 50 years.
• First U.S.-built Kawasaki motorcycle? The KZ400.
• Expanded into rail cars, aerospace, and now next-gen personal transportation.
• The Lincoln facility is the largest Kawasaki plant in America.
• Employs 3,000+ with major demand for skilled welders.
• Builds subway cars for East Coast cities and airplane cargo doors for Boeing.
• Always innovating — from motorcycles to the NAV vehicle.

Keywords: Kawasaki, Lincoln Nebraska, motorcycles, jet skis, rail cars, aerospace manufacturing, product innovation, skilled trades, factory jobs, manufacturing history, economic impact, transportation design, subway cars, Boeing, personal vehicles, welders wanted

🎧 Brought to you by Perch Merch — where your merch game doesn’t flake, fade, or fall apart like a bad business partner. Check out the fun stuff: Perch-Merch.com

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In Episode 60 of Brand Lincoln, we welcome Hillary Swain and Cody Morris from Aces Hockey Club for a deep dive into how they’re building more than just athletes—they’re building a sports community. From bringing together youth hockey players across rival towns to introducing kids to the cultural roots of lacrosse, Hillary and Cody share how Aces is giving young athletes opportunities to grow on and off the ice.

You’ll hear the story behind Aces Hockey Club, its mission to make travel hockey more accessible and less pressured, and the importance of team bonding in youth sports. Hillary and Cody also open up about their growing lacrosse program, the role of diet and fitness in player development, and their vision for expanding Aces into a full competitive team.

Whether you’re a parent, coach, or simply believe in the life lessons sports can teach, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how community, culture, and competition come together to shape the next generation of athletes.

Key Takeaways:

• Aces Hockey Club unites youth players from across Nebraska for skill development and camaraderie.
• Travel hockey is made fun, accessible, and low-pressure for kids and families.
• Team bonding helps unite players from rival communities.
• Upcoming camps focus on speed, skill, and athletic growth.
• Lacrosse is a key part of Aces’ programming, honoring its deep cultural roots.
• Nutrition and fitness are emphasized for peak performance.
• Future plans include expanding into a full competitive team.

Keywords:
Aces Hockey Club, youth hockey Nebraska, travel hockey, youth sports development, lacrosse Nebraska, coaching youth sports, team bonding, hockey skills camp, youth sports community, sports culture

🎧 Brought to you by Perch Merch — where your merch game doesn’t flake, fade, or fall apart like a bad business partner. Check out the fun stuff: Perch-Merch.com