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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

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Episode 59: Melanie Rezak | 555 Boutique & Creative Collabs

What happens when a corporate career meets a calling to create?

In this episode of Brand Lincoln, host Chris Beecham and co-hosts Joe Cruz and Henry Schmidt sit down with Melanie Rezak, founder of 555 Boutique and Creative Collabs. Melanie shares her inspiring leap from the corporate world into entrepreneurship during the height of the pandemic—and how a little idea in her basement turned into one of Fallbrook’s most buzzed-about boutiques.

We dive into the power of community events, the strategy behind 24/7 local shopping, and what it really takes to grow a small business in today’s fast-moving world. From e-commerce to inventory chaos to angel numbers, this one’s for the doers, dreamers, and shop local believers.

🔑 Topics Covered:

• Why the number 555 means change (and how it shaped Melanie’s brand)
• How Fallbrook is quietly becoming a retail and event hub in Lincoln
• The origin and evolution of Creative Collabs
• Challenges of managing staff, inventory, and growth as a boutique owner
• Why community-driven shopping is the future of local retail

📍 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska

🎧 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 this episode of Brand Lincoln, we sit down with Jaris Hennerberg, founder of Screed Solutions, to talk concrete—literally and figuratively. From starting in his garage to becoming a go-to expert in flatwork and floor prep, Jaris shares the ups, downs, and dirty truths of running a hands-on service business in Lincoln, Nebraska.

We cover how he turned screeding into a scalable business, the importance of reputation in the construction world, and what it takes to lead a team when you're pouring foundations—sometimes literally—for other people's dream projects. Jaris also opens up about the discipline it takes to stay consistent, why saying “no” is sometimes the best growth strategy, and how he keeps perspective through personal challenges.

Whether you’re in the trades or just appreciate people who know how to build from the ground up, this one’s for you.

Takeaways:

• Jaris built Screed Solutions from scratch and earned his reputation through consistency.
• Success in the trades comes from showing up, following through, and staying teachable.
• Hiring and leading a crew requires more than just skill—it takes character.
• Strategic boundaries (like saying “no”) are key to sustainable business growth.
• Even in the most physical industries, mindset and communication matter.

Sound Bites:

• “If you’re not consistent, nothing else matters.”
• “I can teach concrete—but I can’t teach work ethic.”
• “Some of the best business decisions are the ones where you walk away.”
• “I didn’t build this to burn out—I built it to last.”

Tags
Screed Solutions, Jaris Hennerberg, Lincoln Nebraska, concrete business, construction entrepreneur, floor prep, flatwork, business growth, trades industry, leadership, blue-collar business, Nebraska business, branding, small business stories, entrepreneurship, Brand Lincoln podcast, Perch Merch

🎧 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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Episode 57: Runza’s Legacy with Dawn Amend – A Nebraska Original

If you're from Nebraska, you’ve likely had a Runza. But do you know the story behind the iconic sandwich and the family empire that made it a staple?

In this episode of Brand Lincoln, host Chris Beecham and co-hosts Joe Cruz and Henry Schmidt sit down with Dawn Amend, a member of the founding family behind Runza, to talk about the roots, growth, and community impact of this beloved Nebraska brand. From humble beginnings in a tiny stand to becoming a household name across the Midwest, Dawn shares how Runza has stayed true to its values while embracing innovation.

She opens up about growing up in the business, the power of thoughtful marketing (hello, Temperature Tuesdays), the balance of family legacy and business growth, and why community engagement still drives every decision. Whether you're a lifelong fan or just curious what the heck a Runza is, this episode is packed with nostalgia, wisdom, and Nebraska pride.

Takeaways:

• Runza's story is rooted in family, tradition, and local culture.
• Temperature Tuesday is more than a gimmick — it’s strategic genius.
• Community engagement isn’t a buzzword for Runza — it’s their playbook.
• Staying small and family-run was a choice — not a limitation.
• The brand legacy is as important as the product itself.

🎧 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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"Unearthing Robbers Cave: Lincoln’s Hidden History with Joel Green"

Underground tunnels, outlaw legends, and Kool-Aid? Yep—this episode dives deep into Lincoln’s hidden past. If you're a history nerd, buckle up.

Unearthing Nebraska: Joel Green on Robbers Cave, Legends & Local Lore

In this episode of Brand Lincoln, we explore the rich, underground history of Robbers Cave with Lincoln’s own history buff and tour guide, Joel Green. From Jesse James and Charles Starkweather to sandstone geology, secret tunnels, and Kool-Aid origins, Joel walks us through the legends and the facts behind one of Nebraska’s most fascinating historical sites.

Discover how Robbers Cave evolved from an 1860s brewery into a top-rated tourist attraction and cultural landmark. We talk tourism trends, school field trips, wild party stories, and the effort it took to put this overlooked gem on the map. If you're into local folklore, Nebraska history, or just enjoy a good ghost story, this one’s for you.

🔥 Top Takeaways:

• Robbers Cave is Nebraska’s only show cave—and it’s made entirely of sand.
• It has ties to outlaws, bootleggers, and secret societies.
• Joel Green wrote the book on it—literally.
• Tours, weddings, concerts, even photoshoots now take place deep underground.
• It’s one of TripAdvisor’s top-rated experiences in Lincoln.

🎧 Brought to you by Perch Merch — where your merch game doesn’t cave under pressure.

🎧 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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From HVAC Tech to Home Services Empire: Cesar Guerrero's Story

🎧 Learn how HVAC expert Cesar Guerrero grew Luxury Comfort Solutions into a full-service powerhouse — adding radon, plumbing, inspections, and a second location — all while navigating hiring nightmares, client chaos, and family life.

With military discipline and a rebrand powered by his wife, Cesar reveals what it takes to scale a home service company in Lincoln without burning out or selling out.

You’ll Learn:

• Why employee drama is more dangerous than bad clients
• How a $250K project changed everything
• Why "legacy" matters more than revenue
• What branding really looks like in the trades

Brought to you by Perch Merch — where your merch game levels up.

🎧 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