ConversActions

Host Bill Mitchell sits down with Eric Lund, CEO of S&L Hospitality and a driving force behind Great Wolf Resorts, the brand that reinvented family vacations with the indoor water park.Eric shares how Great Wolf grew from a clever idea into a nationwide phenomenon, the hurdles of financing a brand-new resort model, and why a people-first culture still drives success. He also looks ahead at the future of hospitality: tech, personalization and keeping family experiences at the core.In this episode, we explore: (00:00) Birth of Great Wolf Lodge(04:53) First indoor water park success(06:40) Family-centric water park culture(11:30) Family fun at Great Wolf Lodge(14:29) Entrepreneurial journey and business culture(19:26) Building a smart, leisure-driven culture(21:05) Sharing unique experiences(26:57) Adapting to next generation needs(28:04) Passion for hospitality industryLinks mentioned in this episode:Connect with Eric Lund on LinkedInS&L HospitalityGreat Wolf Lodge

Sometimes the most essential innovations are the ones you never see. In this episode, Cindy White, President and CEO of Channeled Resources Group, takes us inside the surprising world of release liners – the unsung heroes behind labels, bandages, and packaging.Cindy shares how the company evolved from traditional recycling to innovative manufacturing, all while championing sustainability and navigating the challenges of tariffs and global trade. You’ll also hear insights on leading a multi-generational family business, adapting to supply chain turbulence, and building a culture of continuous learning. And if you’ve ever received a package at your door, you’re already part of this story.In this episode, we explore: (00:00) Wisconsin’s specialty paper industry insights(04:22) Label blanks diversification success(09:00) Environmental leadership in the label industry(11:20) Challenges and success in family business(15:51) Tariff uncertainty amid trade agreement(18:52) Navigating tariffs in global markets(21:05) Networking boosts business knowledge(21:51) Cindy’s top success lessonsLinks mentioned in this episode:Cindy welcomes you to reach out to her!Contact Channeled Resource GroupConnect with Cindy White on LinkedIn

Team-Driven Veterinary SuccessListen in as Dr. Kara Nelsen, founder of Allied Emergency Veterinary Services shares her journey from emergency vet to building a five-location clinic network. Discover how her commitment to harmony and empowering her team fuels resilience in a competitive industry. 3 Key TakeawaysTeam Focus Drives Quality CareThrough an ‘administration-light’ structure Kara makes sure the teams are directly involved in decision-making. Allied maintains a strong culture where teams feel heard and are invested in quality care. Privately OwnedKara experienced the limitations of corporate veterinary practices and applied those lessons to her privately-owned clinics which benefit from autonomy and team members with a true stake in their workplace.Growth and EfficiencyAllied’s organic growth benefits from careful investments in technology, internal talent development and accuracy in patient services (for patients who cannot speak!).

LinkedIn Success with Wayne BreitbarthIn this episode, host Bill Mitchell welcomes Wayne Breitbarth, one of the nation’s top LinkedIn trainers, to talk about all things LinkedIn for business professionals and entrepreneurs.Wayne shares his journey from office furniture salesman to LinkedIn authority, discusses how the platform evolved from a job search site to a broad business hub, and reveals practical strategies for leveraging LinkedIn for sales, networking, recruiting, and personal branding. Here are 3 Key Takeaways1. LinkedIn is a powerful business database, not Just a social media platform. Wayne’s “aha!” moment came when he realized LinkedIn allowed users to see not just who their friends are, but also who their friends know—a game-changer for expanding business networks and finding decision-makers.2. Successful LinkedIn profiles start with authenticity: a compelling LinkedIn profile should genuinely represent you—avoid marketing jargon and instead write in the first person, using your own voice. When sending connection requests or messages, make them personal, specific, and reflective of your personality (within the 200-character limit). This builds trust and encourages meaningful engagement.3. Engagement is about quality conversations, not just posting content. Don’t feel pressured to post constantly—engagement comes from starting conversations. Use   post ‘likes’, comments, and “who’s viewed your profile” to initiate relevant dialogues with your audience. Posting is only effective when it leads to real interaction; proactive outreach and follow-up are where business opportunities flourish.Connect with Wayne BreitbarthBookConnect with Bill Mitchell

Healing Inflammation with Chef Lauren Posa This week ConversActions welcomes Chef Lauren Posa, wellness advocate and energy force behind The Farmacy –A Restorative Eatery. We learn why so many common foods are making you sicker – often without you realizing it. In this episode Lauren explains how the right foods can fight inflammation and improve our overall wellbeing. Chef Lauren reveals her journey through a devastating illness, the business mistakes she made and a few strategies to help us master healthy eating. Here are 3 Key Takeaways: 1.Food as Medicine: Chef Lauren revealed how conventional “comfort” foods can fuel inflammation and slow healing, while brain-friendly foods like avocados, turmeric and berries actively fight disease. 2.Self-Development Fuels Success: Chef Lauren learned herbusiness would only grow as far as she did. By prioritizing personal growth, setting boundaries, and making downtime non-negotiable, her restaurant thrived – proving you can’t pour froman empty cup. 3.Educate to Elevate: The Farmacy isn’t just about serving meals,it’s a vehicle to teach. Chef Lauren empowers customers and staff with nutrition education, hands-on classes, and a vision for online learning to spread knowledge far beyond her kitchen. Lauren shared her anti-inflammatory recipe for Avocado Mousse:Ingredients:2 ripe avocados1/3 cup maple syrup¼ cup cacao powder (not cocoa powder)¼ cup coconut milk1 tsp. vanilla extractPinch of sea salt (preferably Celtic Sea Salt)Blend all ingredients untilsmooth and creamy. Chill for 30+ minutes.

Zebras and Camels and Geckos – Oh My!How does an electrical engineer create an innovative early childhood education model? Bob Davis, founder of Little Explorer and Inspire Early Childhood Learning Center, faced countless funding rejections before breaking through. In this episode, learn how Bob turned every setback into an opportunity, engineering a unique educational model that fosters creativity and future success.3 Key Takeaways from This Episode   Turning Passion into Impact – Bob’s journey proves that passion, paired with persistence, can lead to groundbreaking innovations in childhood education.The Science Behind Early Learning – Discover the key personality traits that shape a child’s future success and how educators can nurture them from an early age – building a love for learning. Scaling for a Better Future – Why collaboration among struggling childcare centers could be crucial for improving teacher pay, resources, and overall educational outcomes.Tune in to see how innovation and determination can reshape entire industries.Check out Bob’s Website HERE.Connect with Bill HERE.Connect with our Sponsoring Partner’s Website HERE.