Business Over Beer Untapped

On this episode of Business Over Beer Untapped, I catch up with longtime friend and fellow Passages to Success member, Todd Brefeld, a mortgage industry veteran with over 25 years of experience.Todd’s journey has taken him from Chicago to Hawaii, Japan, and finally the Pacific Northwest, but one thing has stayed consistent: his commitment to building authentic relationships. In this episode, Todd shares how personal connections—not algorithms—continue to drive his business forward, even in a challenging mortgage market.We dive into:Todd’s unique career path and his time living abroadThe entrepreneurial mindset required in the mortgage worldHis strategy of making 20 calls a day to build and maintain relationshipsMortgage market insights: why now could still be a great time to buyHow buyers can leverage seller concessions and rate buy-downsWhy balancing social media with in-person networking matters more than everWhether you’re in real estate, lending, or just running your own business, Todd’s insights on consistency, authenticity, and strategic thinking will resonate.🎧 Grab your favorite beer and join us for this conversation all about connection, business, and finding success the relationship-first way.💻 Connect with Todd Brefeld:Website: www.financingbytodd.comInstagram: @toddbrefeld.lenderFacebook: Todd Brefeld-Mortgage Lender🔗 Stay Connected with Business Over Beer:X: @bizoverbeerInstagram: @bizoverbeerpodcastTikTok: @bizoverbeerWebsite: www.bizoverbeer.comLinktree: https://linktr.ee/BizoverbeerpodcastFollow Ben: @ben_surratt on InstagramFollow Passages to Success: @passagestosuccess

On this episode of Business Over Beer, I sit down with Yvonne Murray — the voice (and lens) behind the popular Milwaukee Beer Blog 🍻. What started as a fun way to share her beer pics turned into something much bigger: an influential voice in Milwaukee’s craft beer scene.Yvonne opens up about how she built her following organically while juggling grad school, a career in nursing, and life with her husband and their very social dog, Woody 🐶. We talk about:The moment she realized beer blogging could be something moreHer favorite styles (spoiler: blond ales and West Coast IPAs)Why brewery atmosphere matters just as much as the beerThe surprising impact of a thoughtful Instagram postAnd what she hopes is next for the beer community in Milwaukee and beyondPlus, we dive into the importance of supporting small breweries, why social media content isn’t as effortless as it looks, and how the Midwest's blue-collar roots are baked into its beer culture.This episode is for the beer lovers, content creators, and anyone who believes that building community can start with something as simple as sharing a pint.🎙️ Listen now: www.bizoverbeer.com🔗 Linktree: linktr.ee/BizOverBeerPodcast📲 Follow us:IG: @bizoverbeerpodcastTikTok: @bizoverbeerX: @bizoverbeerFollow Ben: @ben_surrattFollow Yvonne: @milwaukeebeer.blog📬 Questions or collab inquiries?Email Ben at ben@bizoverbeer.com#BusinessOverBeer #MilwaukeeBeerBlog #CraftBeerCulture #BeerInfluencer #SupportLocalBreweries #WisconsinBeer #BeerBloggers #WomenInBeer #DrinkLocal #MKEBeerScene #PodcastEpisode #MidwestVibes #CommunityOverCompetition #BeerDogApproved #BreweryVibes

In this special hometown(ish) episode, Ben sits down with the passionate team behind Yard 65, Kiel’s new brewery and events space that’s already turning heads in the Wisconsin craft beer scene.Although Ben didn’t grow up in Kiel, it’s the town where he graduated high school — and one that still holds a special place in his heart. So coming back to sit down with Corey, Jason, and Jenny, the trio behind Yard 65, was more than just another interview… it was a full-circle moment.We talk about:🍺 The inspiration behind Yard 65🏛️ Reviving the historic AA Laun building🔥 The challenges of launching a brewery from scratch🎉 Creating a space that’s more than just beer — it’s community💡 Dreams, laughs, and some seriously tasty poursThis is a story about vision, hustle, and hometown pride — the kind that defines what Business Over Beer is all about.🎧 Available Now on:Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts | www.bizoverbeer.com🔗 All Links: linktr.ee/Bizoverbeerpodcast🙌 Follow Yard 65:📸 Instagram: @yard65kiel🌐 Website: www.yard65.com🥂 Follow Business Over Beer:📲 Instagram: @bizoverbeerpodcast🧢 TikTok: @bizoverbeer🐦 X: @bizoverbeer📸 Follow Ben: @ben_surratt💡 Follow Passages to Success: @passagestosuccessSpecial Thanks to:Video Producer Johnny Concepcion aka @johnny_flics Drone and Audio Producer Tiernan Deppiesse aka @tdw_920#BusinessOverBeer #MidwestEdition #Yard65 #CraftBeerPodcast #KielWI #PouringInTheHeartland #BreweryDreams #SupportLocalBeer #WisconsinBreweries #BrewedInWisconsin

event planning, staging, entrepreneurship, community support, self-care, creativity, budgeting, trends, local business, personal growthsummaryIn this episode of Business Over Beer, host Ben Surratt interviews Bethani Green, owner of Hadley Mac, a multifaceted business specializing in event planning and home staging. Bethani shares her journey from being a flight attendant to becoming an entrepreneur, highlighting the challenges and rewards of running her own business. She emphasizes the importance of community support, creativity in her work, and the need for self-care as a business owner. The conversation also touches on handling client expectations, navigating trends in the industry, and her aspirations for future projects, including a dream event celebrating a significant personal belief.takeawaysBethani transitioned from a flight attendant to an entrepreneur to spend more time with her family.She emphasizes the importance of community support and helping local businesses.Self-care and setting boundaries are crucial for managing stress as a business owner.Creativity plays a significant role in her event planning and staging work.Bethani believes that every 'no' leads to a bigger 'yes' in business.She uses her background in event planning to create memorable experiences for clients.Budgeting and understanding client priorities are key to successful event planning.Trends in event planning can be cyclical, and she aims to lead rather than follow them.Bethani's dream event would be a grand celebration for Christ's return.She actively involves her daughters in her business to instill entrepreneurial values.Sound Bites"I want to be a source of joy to them.""I want to support local entrepreneurs.""Every no leads to a bigger yes."Chapters00:00Introduction to Hadley Mac and Bethany's Journey05:04The Evolution of Event Planning and Staging10:02Navigating Challenges in Event Coordination14:53The Importance of Empathy in Business20:02Building a Community Over Competition24:59Personal Growth and Future Aspirations30:04The Art of Staging: A Unique Approach31:42Balancing Creativity and Practicality33:32Working with Budgets: Thrifting and Prioritizing35:54Vendor Relationships and Event Planning37:55Trends in Staging and Event Planning40:51Creating Memorable Experiences43:22The Importance of Hard Work in Real Estate46:14Dream Events and Personal Inspirations49:40Involving Family in Business54:09Promoting Services and Community Engagement📅 Available now! Listen at the link below and don’t forget to follow @hadleymak for more of Bethani’s work!🔗 Listen & Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/Bizoverbeerpodcast🌐 Business Over Beer: https://bizoverbeer.com/📸 Follow B.O.B.: @bizoverbeerpodcast🔗 Follow Bethani & Hadley Mak:📸 Instagram: @hadleymak#BusinessOverBeer 🍺 #HadleyMak 🎉 #EntrepreneurLife 💼 #EventPlanning 🎪 #HomeStaging 🏡 #CraftBeerCulture 🍻 #SmallBusinessSupport #PodcastLife 🎙️ #ThriveCon2025 🚀

On this episode of Business Over Beer – Untapped, we sit down with Mitch Tugaw of ADP to talk about his journey from mortgage lending to helping small business owners navigate the world of payroll, HR, and compliance.We dive into:✅ The biggest payroll & HR struggles small businesses face✅ How outsourcing HR can free up time and reduce risk✅ The transition from mortgage lending to ADP✅ And, of course, a little beer and a lot of fun along the way!Whether you're an entrepreneur, small business owner, or just someone who enjoys a great conversation over a cold one, this episode is packed with valuable insights and laughs.🎧 Listen & Follow:🌐 Passages to Success: www.passagestosuccess.com🌐 Business Over Beer: www.bizoverbeer.com📲 Follow us on social:X: @bizoverbeerInstagram: @bizoverbeerpodcastTikTok: @bizoverbeerFollow Ben: @ben_surratt on InstagramFollow Passages to Success: @passagestosuccess📩 Want to be a Vendor, Speaker, Sponsor, or Volunteer at ThriveCon 2025? Contact Kim for more info!#BusinessOverBeer #UntappedPodcast #PassagesToSuccess #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurs #Payroll #HR #ADP #Networking #CraftBeer #ThriveCon2025 #LocalBusiness #BusinessGrowth