Somebody showed up at our biggest event of the year and started selling “Loud Proud American” like it was theirs. Same name, copied logo, cheaper knockoff sweatshirts and it was happening just a few roads away from our booth at the Fryeburg Fair. I break down exactly how we found out, what I said when I confronted them, and why protecting your brand isn’t just about ego, it’s about protecting your reputation when customers think the fake product is you.

Before we even get there, I take you behind the scenes of what it really takes to survive a major fair as a small business without a storefront: towing the camper, vehicle problems, long days, and the village of friends and family who make the whole thing possible. We talk about that post event crash, the need for a factory reset, and how I deal with pressure when I’m staring at year over year numbers and feeling the weight of expectations.

Then we hit the stuff that matters more than sales. The moments with my daughter on the golf cart, watching helicopters take off, and having a simple conversation that reminds me why I chase this life in the first place. And even with all the chaos, we still hit a massive milestone: an all time high sales year for Loud Proud American.

If you’re building a business, grinding through a hard season, or trying to turn frustration into fuel, hit play. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs it, and leave a review so more people can find the show.

If you found value in today's show please return the favor and leave a positive review and share it with someone important to you! https://www.sharethestrugglepodcast.com/reviews/new/
Find all you need to know about the show https://www.sharethestrugglepodcast.com/
Official Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077724159859

Join the 2% of Americans that Buy American and support American Together we can bring back American Manufacturing https://www.loudproudamerican.shop/
Loud Proud American Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Loudproudamerican
Loud Proud American Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loud_proud_american/
Loud Proud American TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@loud_proud_american
Loud Proud American YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmYQtOt6KVURuySWYQ2GWtw

Thank you for Supporting My American Dream!

A truck that’s supposed to tow the camper dies right before the Fryeburg Fair and suddenly everything is on the line: the booth, the inventory, the week’s income, and the mental stamina it takes to keep showing up. We’re recording on the fly from the Loud Proud American tour bus, talking through the real logistics of vendor life, the stress of last-minute fixes, and how one small mistake accidentally led to the best fair upgrade possible: a rented golf cart that saves our feet and our time.

The turning point comes from community. When I finally admit I need help, a devoted listener and friend, Doug Stimpson, doesn’t hesitate. He hooks up to the camper, drops his plans, and gets us to the fair safe and sound. That kind of loyalty hits deep, and it opens up a bigger conversation about pride, asking for help, and the quiet ways friends and family hold up a small business. We also unpack the pressure of a slow start, how comparing sales to past years can wreck your mood, and what it looks like to choose a better mindset in real time.

Then we do something we’ve never done before: I peer pressure my mom into joining the podcast while we’re bouncing across the fairgrounds on a freezing night. We talk honestly about what it’s like working fairs together, how we “ride the waves” when money is tight, and the little comforts that keep morale alive, from warm cookies to prayer. If you care about Made in USA products, American manufacturing, small business grit, and the messy human side of chasing a dream, hit play, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show.

If you found value in today's show please return the favor and leave a positive review and share it with someone important to you! https://www.sharethestrugglepodcast.com/reviews/new/
Find all you need to know about the show https://www.sharethestrugglepodcast.com/
Official Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077724159859

Join the 2% of Americans that Buy American and support American Together we can bring back American Manufacturing https://www.loudproudamerican.shop/
Loud Proud American Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Loudproudamerican
Loud Proud American Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loud_proud_american/
Loud Proud American TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@loud_proud_american
Loud Proud American YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmYQtOt6KVURuySWYQ2GWtw

Thank you for Supporting My American Dream!

A dead truck on the side of the road, a tractor tow in pouring rain, a heat press that will not climb past 260 degrees, and a fair deadline that does not care how tired you are. That is the reality we’re sitting in today as we prep Loud Proud American for the Freiburg Fair and try to keep production moving when the plan falls apart.

We walk you through the whole chain of events, from the first signs something is wrong with the Yukon to the hard truth that not every shop has the time or equipment to rescue you on your schedule. Along the way, we talk small business stress, event logistics, supply chain delays, and what it feels like when your to-do list becomes suffocating. If you’ve ever run a brand, worked a side hustle, or chased a goal with real financial pressure behind it, you’ll recognize this kind of day.

Then the focus shifts from problems to posture. A friend steps in with support and ideas, my family helps shoulder the load, and a message on the radio lands like it was written for this exact moment: don’t be discouraged by the distance between you and your dreams. We dig into faith, resilience, and the practical mindset moves that turn “I can’t” into “What’s my next play,” while keeping the bigger why front and center.

If this helped you breathe a little easier, subscribe, share it with someone who’s grinding right now, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What dream are you chasing that feels far away today?

If you found value in today's show please return the favor and leave a positive review and share it with someone important to you! https://www.sharethestrugglepodcast.com/reviews/new/
Find all you need to know about the show https://www.sharethestrugglepodcast.com/
Official Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077724159859

Join the 2% of Americans that Buy American and support American Together we can bring back American Manufacturing https://www.loudproudamerican.shop/
Loud Proud American Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Loudproudamerican
Loud Proud American Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loud_proud_american/
Loud Proud American TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@loud_proud_american
Loud Proud American YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmYQtOt6KVURuySWYQ2GWtw

Thank you for Supporting My American Dream!