Tag: Retirement
Behind the Scenes of Sportscasting and Multimedia with Jeff Grayson (Ep. 24)

Behind the Scenes of Sportscasting and Multimedia with Jeff Grayson (Ep. 24)

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Ever wondered what a career in sportscasting, public relations, and media communications looks like?

This isn’t just about what you see on TV or online, but what happens behind the scenes.

In this episode, Jon Schuetz and Brent Connelly interview Jeff Grayson, an award-winning sportscaster and the owner of Keller Grayson Communications. Jeff and Jon start with a trip down memory lane, reminiscing about their time as sportscasters at WBAY in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They end the episode with fun TV trivia!

Jeff discusses:

  • What it was like covering the Green Bay Packers and hosting live TV skits with Jon (They were known for their rapport and comedic timing!)
  • Memorable encounters with sports legends like Don Sutton and Rollie Fingers
  • His new business venture around public relations and media communications
  • The experience of funding his children’s college education
  • And more

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Connect With Jeff Grayson:

About Our Guest:

Grayson is a sports reporter who covers the Milwaukee Bucks and Milwaukee Brewers for Bally Sports Wisconsin as the pre-game and post-game host. 

Grayson was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as the fourth of five children. In high school, Grayson served as a sports announcer for local high school events. After graduating high school, Grayson attended the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee where he majored in mass communications. At age 21, Grayson’s father died; before his death, he had told Grayson that if he wanted to do sports on television, he needed to get his foot in the door. Grayson contacted WBAY, and they offered him a position. His position wasn’t dramatic. He received $4 an hour and 20 hours a week for getting coffee for the other employees. However his diligence led WBAY to promote him. Eventually Grayson became the producer for WBAY interviews with the Packers, Bucks, and Brewers before moving on to KSMP. 

Grayson grew up a Green Bay Packers fan and is still, from time to time, a Packers fan. Grayson won the Associated Press 1992 “Best Sports Story” Award and the Milwaukee Press Club’s 1993 “Best Sports Program” Award for co-hosting Monday Night Kickoff. He lives in the Twin Cities with his wife and three children, and they often visit with his family. In addition to his work for Bally Sports Wisconsin, Grayson does public relations work for McDonald’s.

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Providing an Elite Client Service Experience with Penny Kreikemeier (Ep. 23)

Providing an Elite Client Service Experience with Penny Kreikemeier (Ep. 23)

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Looking for ways to not only create but foster client relationships? 

Join Jon Schuetz and Brent Connelly as they chat with their Senior Client Relationship Manager, Penny Kreikemeier to find out how she does that.

Penny shares her upbringing in a small town in Nebraska and her introduction to the financial world through her parents. They discuss the transition from banking to the financial industry, the importance of follow-up in client service, and Penny’s excitement about advancing her career and studying to be a licensed financial advisor.

Penny discusses:

  • Her journey from a small town in Nebraska to a continuously evolving financial world
  • How she creates and nurtures long-term client relationships
  • The value of continued education and “following up”–no matter what field you’re in
  • Her work ethic, and love for being organized 
  • What makes her a successful client relationship manager
  • And more

Connect With Jon Schuetz and Brent Connelly:

About Our Guest:

Penny Kreikemeier is a Client Relationship Manager for Soar Wealth Strategies. Penny strives to provide the highest level of service possible. She is very knowledgeable in all the administrative and operational duties of running an office. Whenever clients have needs or questions, she follows through in an accurate and timely manner.

Prior to Soar Wealth Strategies, Penny was Senior Branch Office Administrator for Jon Schuetz for more than 10 years. Together they built long-lasting client relationships and helped clients reach their financial goals. Penny’s love for numbers originally led her to a career in banking, but helping people reach their financial goals in retirement has become her passion.

Penny and her husband Adam have four children: Grace, Isaac, Eli and Chloe. They spend a lot of time running to various activities and creating memories that will last a lifetime.

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From Tunisia to the Tech World: A Journey of Resilience and Success with Karim Khayati (Ep. 22)

From Tunisia to the Tech World: A Journey of Resilience and Success with Karim Khayati (Ep. 22)

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If you think the American dream is dead, this episode is probably going to change your mind!

In this episode, Jon Schuetz and Brent Connelly interview Karim Khayati, the Director of Architecture and DevOps at Aya Healthcare, who shares his journey of immigrating from Tunisia to the US and his career in technology. 

Karim emphasizes the importance of education, setting goals, and having a support system. The conversation also touches on the Tri-Faith Initiative in Omaha, which promotes unity among different faiths.

Karim discusses:

  • His story of pursuing and achieving the American Dream
  • The role of education and focusing on career development in his journey through a strong support system
  • The evolving relationship between healthcare and technology and his role in the industry
  • The tri-faith initiative in Omaha which focuses on bringing together different faiths and creating unity
  • And more

Connect With Karim Khayati:

Connect With Jon Schuetz and Brent Connelly:

About Our Guest:

As a seasoned technologist with diverse skills, Karim has established himself as a thought leader and mentor in the tech industry. With expertise in strategic planning, systems architecture, data engineering, and agile transformation leadership, he has a track record of delivering large-scale cloud-based solutions that address mission-critical business needs.

Karim’s ability to navigate complex change management processes and develop solutions architecture has made him a valuable asset to organizations seeking to innovate and stay ahead of the curve. Whether working on product development or leading teams to deliver cutting-edge solutions, he brings a passion for excellence to everything he does.

With a focus on mentorship and collaboration, Karim is committed to helping others grow and develop their skills. By leveraging his experience and expertise, he aims to inspire the next generation of leaders to tackle complex challenges and drive innovation in the tech industry.

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From Model to Chef Extraordinaire with Chef Bob Haney (Ep. 21)

From Model to Chef Extraordinaire with Chef Bob Haney (Ep. 21)

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Could childhood memories and family recipes shape a successful business venture? 

In this episode, Jon Schuetz and Brent Connelly welcome Chef Bob Haney as their guest. He shares his journey from being a former model to pursuing his passion for cooking and starting his company, Heavenly Waffles®. 

Chef Bob talks about the inspiration behind the waffles, the unique ingredients used, and how they differ from regular pancakes and waffles. Bob also shares his story of being in the modeling industry, his encounters with famous personalities, his struggles with addiction, and ultimately finding a turning point in his life. 

Bob discusses:

  • The birth of his brand “Heavenly Waffles®” and how it is a game changer for professional athletes across America
  • His broad career journey: Modeling, bartending, and now a chef! 
  • The turning point within his career after having a dark patch
  • What’s next for Heavenly Waffles® and where you might find them in the future
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Bob Haney:

Connect With Jon Schuetz and Brent Connelly:

About Our Guest:

Chef Bob Haney is a chef instructor, and menu development consultant, now Founder and Executive Chef, of Heavenly Waffles®.

Haney started cooking with his grandma Glady when he was 4 years old.

Glady taught Chef Bob, or Bobby, as she called him, how to develop flavors, and taught him about flavor profiles. Glady was a meat and potatoes kind of cook, basics, with outstanding flavor, while Bob’s mom, Joanne, who also helped cultivate Chef Bob’s taste buds, was also an amazing cook. Mom Joanne, was more creative, and took more risks in the kitchen, helping Chef Bob think more outside the box.

Chef Bob cooked for friends and family but didn’t start working in restaurants until his early 20’s in Kansas City, then in Chicago.

While modeling all over the world, Chef Bob would always cook for people he met, giving away recipes he had created over the years, but never gave out his pancake recipe he had created, combining 3 ingredients of a recipe Glady made, and 2 ingredients of a recipe Joanne made. One morning, in Glady’s kitchen, making his famous pancakes there wasn’t enough of one of the ingredients, which was sour cream, but there was yogurt in the fridge, Haney though, “oh that will work” and years later Heavenly Waffles® were born.

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The Sweet Success Story of Shandy Thorell’s “Shandy’s Swedish Bakery” (Ep. 20)

The Sweet Success Story of Shandy Thorell’s “Shandy’s Swedish Bakery” (Ep. 20)

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Who doesn’t love a good business success story?

In this podcast episode, Jon Schuetz and Brent Connelly invite Shandy Thorell, owner of Shandy’s Swedish Bakery onto the show. Shandy shares her journey of starting her bakery business, facing financial hardships, and finding success through determination and unique offerings. 

They even discuss Shandy’s popular Scandinavian almond cake and caramel pecan rolls! She also highlights her active presence on social media and describes how it influences her business!

Shandy discusses:

  • Her story of being a small town girl with big dreams: The journey to “Shandy’s Swedish Bakery”!
  • The story of how the Covid lockdowns generated immense growth at the bakery
  • The journey of overcoming financial hardships: Her story of being a single mom with 4 kids and a precarious work position
  • How she stands out from competitors–both qualitatively and digitally!
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Shandy Thorell:

Connect With Jon Schuetz and Brent Connelly:

About Our Guest:

Shandy Thorell is the Owner of Shandy’s Swedish Bakery. According to the People’s Choice Omaha World Herald Award, Shandy’s Bakery is the #1 Omaha Bakery in 2021!

Shandy’s Swedish Bakery uses heritage recipes that wake up your taste buds with old fashion love. Shandy Thorell is also an author and wrote “Surviving Life: How To Turn Nightmares Into Dreams” which you can find on Google Books and Amazon!

Shandy shares her story of starting her business including her struggles, her triumphs, and the times she thought she couldn’t go any further. Shandy also entered the public speaking realm for quite some time and enjoys engaging in livestreams on social media to tap into this interest.

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The Unexpected Path from Pharmacy to Financial Advising with Andrew Muska (Ep. 19)

The Unexpected Path from Pharmacy to Financial Advising with Andrew Muska (Ep. 19)

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By turning complexity into clarity, we empower clients to make better financial decisions that align with their goals.

In this episode, co-hosts Jon Schuetz and Brent Connelly invite Andrew Muska, the newest member of the Soar Wealth Strategies team, to share his intriguing journey. Andrew’s story, from his humble beginnings working at a local pharmacy to his flourishing career in financial advising, is a testament to resilience, passion, and a deep-seated love for both numbers and people.

In this discussion, Andrew reveals:

  • His early influences and experiences that shaped his views on money 
  • His initial dream of working at CVS Pharmacy and the lessons he learned about forming personal connections and delivering stellar customer service 
  • His leap from pharmacy to banking, driven by a keen interest in numbers, and his subsequent evolution into a financial services professional 
  • His daring move from New York to Nebraska for love, and the new professional opportunities this decision unlocked 
  • His decision to join Soar Wealth Strategies, his admiration for the firm’s independence and collaborative approach, and his vision for serving his clients
  • And so much more!

Resources: 

Connect With Andrew Muska:

Connect With Jon Schuetz and Brent Connelly:

About Our Guest:

Andrew Muska is a skilled financial advisor with an unconventional background and a unique perspective on money management. His journey, marked by resilience, adaptability, and a love for numbers, has been characterized by distinct career shifts that have informed his approach to finance.

From an early age, Andrew exhibited an interest in understanding money, driven by key influences and experiences during his childhood. Andrew’s deep-seated passion for numbers drew him towards banking. His transition from Pharmacy to Financial Services represented a significant shift but ultimately paved the way for his evolution into a financial services expert. 

Throughout his career as a financial advisor, Andrew has faced the challenges of building a client base and navigating the complexities of finance head-on. His determination and commitment to his clients’ financial success have been instrumental to his success. Andrew’s most recent career move brought him to Soar Wealth Strategies, where he values the firm’s independent and team-based approach to wealth management.

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Navigating the Current Real Estate Market with Ben Kugler (Ep. 18)

Navigating the Current Real Estate Market with Ben Kugler (Ep. 18)

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Rising real estate prices and interest rates have been a topic of conversation for quite some time now. Our guest is here to get the facts straight and help you navigate this tough market!

In this podcast episode, Jon Schuetz and Brent Connelly invite Ben Kugler, Owner of Freedom Lending, onto the show to discuss strategies that can help struggling homebuyers with mortgage rates. 

Ben discusses the personalized approach he takes as a mortgage lender, emphasizing consistent communication and acting as a liaison between the borrower and the underwriting team. They also cover rising interest rates, how this is impacting the housing market, and the importance of homeownership in building your wealth.

Ben discusses:

  • Freedom Lending’s personalized approach to mortgage lending
  • How to better navigate America’s rising mortgage rates as an investor or homeowner
  • Strategies, tips, and words of advice for prospective home buyers (and what advice to ignore!)
  • How to improve your financial situation before buying a home: the different options for debt consolidation
  • And more

Resources:

Connect With Ben Kugler:

Connect With Jon Schuetz and Brent Connelly:

About Our Guest:

Ben Kugler works as a Mortgage Loan Officer at Freedom Lending, which is a Finance company with an estimated 16 employees; and founded in 2001. They are part of the Real Estate team within the Operations Department and their management level is Non-Manager. Ben is currently based in Omaha, United States.

FREEDOM LENDING is an industry leader in mortgage lending because we deliver results. Our professionals provide excellent personal service, guaranteed lowest rates and a money management plan that’s tailored to your specific needs. Whether you’re in Iowa, Nebraska or right here in Omaha looking for an FHA mortgage, VA mortgage or other type of mortgage, Freedom Lending is your complete mortgage services leader.

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Keeping Your Eye on the End Goal with Jim Gregory (Ep. 17)

Keeping Your Eye on the End Goal with Jim Gregory (Ep. 17)

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Join Jim Gregory, Executive Vice President of Hawkins Construction, as he shares his personal journey, from early struggles in high school to the transformative moments that shaped his life. 

In this episode, Jim reflects on the profound impact of mentors and the remarkable power of seizing opportunities. Listen in as Jim candidly recounts his early struggles in high school and the defining moments that shaped his life. 

Through his narrative, he explores the significance of mentors and the power of seizing opportunities when they arise.

Jim discusses:

  • His not-so-great start of getting kicked out of high school
  • How his mentor Bill Olson influenced his important life decisions
  • The importance of making positive choices and avoiding distractions that hinder personal growth
  • How he embraced unexpected opportunities that led to personal transformation and success
  • How keeping your eye on the end goal and making the right decisions can make anything possible
  • And more

Connect With Jon Schuetz and Brent Connelly:

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The Flight to Financial Success: Our Process (Ep. 16)

The Flight to Financial Success: Our Process (Ep. 16)

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Join Jon and Brent as they take you on an extraordinary adventure, where they talk about what their process is if you want to take flight with the team from Soar Wealth Strategies.

Gain invaluable insights into what it’s like to work with the team at Soar Wealth Strategies, and the different steps in their process. Discover the core values, and the significance of the FIT meeting, to assess your attitude, ability, and assets to create a tailored financial flight plan. 

Jon and Brent talk about:

  • How they got their name: Soar Wealth Strategies
  • Their philosophy of building strong client relationships and the value they place on trust, empathy, and open communication.
  • What their FIT meeting entails
  • The three “A’s” (attitude, ability, and assets) to partner with the team
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Jon Schuetz and Brent Connelly:

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Understanding the Debt Ceiling Debate (Ep. 15)

Understanding the Debt Ceiling Debate (Ep. 15)

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Have you ever wondered how the recent debt ceiling debate affects your financial goals and long-term plans?

Join Jon and Brent as they unravel the complex web of personal and public debt, providing essential insights and thought-provoking perspectives. The duo explores proposed solutions to address the alarming levels of debt and offers valuable insights into how you can proactively approach your own financial planning. 

Jon and Brent discuss:

  • The role of Congress in controlling spending and borrowing
  • The current debt ceiling limits and their implications
  • The relationship between the national debt and the gross domestic product (GDP)
  • The proposed solutions to address the unsustainable levels of debt and what you should be thinking about as it relates to your finances
  • And more

Connect With Jon Schuetz and Brent Connelly:

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