Mixing Family and Business Podcast

Ep: 66 - First Big Purchases

Ever wish you could go back and give your younger self some straight-shooting business advice? We get brutally honest about what we’d do differently, from investing smarter to making sure we actually love the businesses we’re in.
Hear firsthand why doing your research, working in the industry before going all-in, and writing a no-nonsense business plan changes everything. No more jumping in blind, learn how careful groundwork sets you up for long-term success.
Thinking about investing in a franchise, expanding, or just figuring out what equipment is worth every penny? I walk you through our very real decisions, share the wins, the “uh-ohs,” and the times when we just had to trust our gut.
We talk through the rewards and the headaches. How sometimes even after all your prep, sleepless nights happen, and surprises (like parking lot sinkholes!) can shake things up. Spoiler: you CAN make it through.
Whether you’re running a side gig or wrangling seven locations, my goal is to help you make confident decisions with your business, your money, and your family.
Got a story to share or a question you'd like answered in a future episode? Email Brian at brian@mixingfamilyandbusiness.com. 
Make sure to check out our website to learn more!

Ep: 65 - What we Learned from Competitors

Mixing family and business isn’t for the faint of heart but you don’t have to do it alone!
Join us on this week’s episode of the Mixing Family and Business Podcast where you'll hear firsthand stories about the toughest business conversations we’ve ever had, from the heartbreak of closing stores to the breakthrough moments that unlocked new growth and why honest, proactive communication is at the center of it all.
Learn the art of “borrowing” (and sometimes avoiding) ideas from competitors! We share our favorite examples of learning from others in the industry — and even how a single clever trick (like cutting through a brick counter for table service!) can change your business forever.
Discover why you should welcome competition, constantly keep your eyes open for inspiration outside your field, and never stop tweaking and improving — even if that means letting go of old habits or clearing out inventory that just won’t move.
Got a story to share or a question you'd like answered in a future episode? Email Brian at brian@mixingfamilyandbusiness.com. 
Make sure to check out our website to learn more!

Ep: 64 - Cash vs Card-How Money Handling Has Changed in Business

Ever wondered how your business could reshape your family forever?
Join me on this episode of the Mixing Family and Business Podcast, as I sit down with Kim, Shirley, and Tom to unpack the real impact of building and running multiple businesses with your family alongside you.
You’ll hear our honest stories—when the “ownership moment” really hit, how a cabin, boat, or even a move changed our perspective, and why sometimes the biggest changes take years to feel.
From cash drawers and personal checks to modern credit cards and digital payments, we share how money handling in business evolved across the decades—and why today, we’re all #TeamCreditCard.
Whether you’ve already gone digital or are thinking about ditching cash, this episode is packed with candid insights, lessons learned (sometimes the hard way), and tips to streamline and safeguard your family business.
Got a story to share or a question you'd like answered in a future episode? Email Brian at brian@mixingfamilyandbusiness.com. 
Make sure to check out our website to learn more!

Ep: 63 - Taking the Leap

Are you thinking about taking your business from one location to many? You won’t want to miss this episode! This week on the Making Family and Business Podcast, I sit down with Kim, Shirley, and Tom to unpack the real ups and downs of what it’s like to scale a family business. We dive deep into the moments that seemed “crazy” at the time—from buying our first car wash to jumping into Dairy Queens just two weeks apart—and why those risks paid off better than we ever expected.
I share what it was really like to start my first video rental business back in the VHS days, while Kim, Shirley, and Tom open up about the joys and growing pains of managing more locations, letting go of hands-on control, and why building the right systems and accountability made all the difference. Along the way, we laugh about things like switching soda brands every four years and remember the lessons learned from a few ventures that didn’t go so well.
If you’ve ever wondered when it’s right to expand, how to make sure you don’t lose track of what matters, or just want real talk about family, teamwork, mistakes, and what it takes to succeed, this episode has it all. Tune in for advice I wish I had when we started, and stay for the stories that made us who we are.
Got a story to share or a question you'd like answered in a future episode? Email Brian at brian@mixingfamilyandbusiness.com. 
Make sure to check out our website to learn more!

Ep: 62 - Resilience and Teamwork in Family Business

In this I dive deep into what it’s really like to run multiple businesses alongside family—and not just any family, but one that’s weathered the storms together for over 62 years!
I sit down with Tom, Shirley, and Kim to uncover the biggest challenges they’ve ever faced as a couple in business, including stories of setbacks that almost cost them everything and how sticking together (and staying honest) got them through. We also explore how listening to customer feedback—both the tough critiques and the glowing celebration alerts—has helped us grow, improve our service, and keep our team motivated.
If you’ve ever wondered how to turn adversity into lasting success or what simple practices create an unbeatable family business culture, you’ll find real-world wisdom packed into every story. I also share why embracing both positive and negative reviews has changed the course of our operations, and how celebrating every win keeps us inspired day to day. Tune in for honest insights, practical advice, and plenty of inspiration from a family that’s still thriving—and don’t forget, I’d love to hear your business journey! 
Got a story to share or a question you'd like answered in a future episode? Email Brian at brian@mixingfamilyandbusiness.com. 
Make sure to check out our website to learn more!

Ep: 61 - Trusting Your Gut Versus Data

Ever wondered how to balance gut instinct with hard data in business—and still sleep at night? In this episode, I sit down with Shirley, Kim, and Tom to share stories of our very first cars and what those memories taught us about risk, reward, and decision-making in both life and business.
We open up about the moments when trusting our gut paid off, and the times we had to learn the hard way. You’ll hear how decades of experience—plus a bit of trial and error—helped us build the confidence to make choices that the numbers couldn’t always justify, and why sometimes the best research is trusting the people who know their community inside and out. I talk candidly about the pressures of starting new ventures, knowing when to make the leap, and why being able to sleep at night is the truest test of a good business decision.
Whether you’re launching your first business, growing an existing one, or just trying to keep family and work in harmony, there’s wisdom, laughter, and plenty of lessons in this episode. 
Got a story to share or a question you'd like answered in a future episode? Email Brian at brian@mixingfamilyandbusiness.com. 
Make sure to check out our website to learn more!

Ep: 60 - Navigating Unexpected Disasters and Successes

Ever wonder what it truly takes to juggle multiple businesses, especially when family is involved? In this episode of the Mixing Family and Business Podcast, we kick things off by sharing those memorable moments when we felt we had “made it”—from the excitement of buying a first brand-new car without worrying about the price tag, to the quiet pride of paying every bill on time, to the fulfillment found in family milestones that mean more than any business win.
But it’s not all smooth sailing. We dive into some of the greatest challenges we’ve faced—ice storms, extended power outages, and sudden market shifts—and talk about how staying flexible, thinking on your feet, and leaning on your team can turn disaster into opportunity. 
Whether you’re looking to build your own business legacy, navigate unpredictable obstacles, or just want a real look behind the curtain of family entrepreneurship, this episode is for you. Tune in to discover practical wisdom, stories from the trenches, and advice on resilience that will inspire you to embrace the journey. See you in the next episode—family, business, and all. Keep mixing and keep thriving!
Got a story to share or a question you'd like answered in a future episode? Email Brian at brian@mixingfamilyandbusiness.com. 
Make sure to check out our website to learn more!

Ep: 59 - How Unique Promotions Made Our Family Stores Stand Out and Succeed

Are you looking for real stories of what it actually takes to run and promote a family business? In this episode we dive deep into the wild world of business promotions—sharing everything from our earliest jobs (and surprising pay rates!) to the creative ways we’ve brought customers through the doors over the years. I talk about the legendary car giveaways and the chaos of selling 10,000 Dilly Bars in just six hours, as well as the tent sales, coupon comebacks, and “ham sandwiches for a dime” that kept everyone buzzing. We open up about the promos that really worked, the ones that fell flat, and why sometimes revamping an old idea is just what your business needs. If you’re ever stumped about how to market your business or where to put your energy, I share insights about tracking results, watching your budget, and planning for that all-important residual effect. Join me for business lessons, a few laughs, and tips you can actually use to make your next family business promotion a true winner. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and reach out with your own favorite ideas. Let’s keep mixing family and business—see you in the next episode!
Got a story to share or a question you'd like answered in a future episode? Email Brian at brian@mixingfamilyandbusiness.com. 
Make sure to check out our website to learn more!

Ep: 58 - Defining Roles

On this episode of the Dixon Family and Business podcast, we took a nostalgic journey into the foods and kitchen traditions of our childhood—long before juice boxes and Lunchables were ever a thing. I loved hearing Shirley and Beth reminisce about life on the farm, from homemade bread and bacon fried in lard to that weekly tradition of oven-baked beans and Oscar Mayer hot dogs. We talked about all the handmade meals, the lard-fried eggs, and how treats like candy bars and potato chips were rare but deeply savored. For many of us, it was a time of pure, homegrown flavors—there were no store-bought short-cuts, just whatever came fresh from the garden or was carefully preserved in the cellar.
But our conversation wasn’t just food-focused. We shifted gears to talk about the roles we play—both in the family and in the business, and why clearly defining responsibilities is so important. We shared personal stories about confusion, resentment, and the surprising challenges that come up when job descriptions are fuzzy (especially when you work with those you eat family dinners with). It was honest, practical, and at times, pretty funny—especially when we shared the realities of switching roles, growing as a team, and sometimes just surviving the learning curve. If you’re thinking about defining roles in your own business or family venture, you’ll find plenty of real-world insight (and a little humor) in this episode!
Got a story to share or a question you'd like answered in a future episode? Email Brian at brian@mixingfamilyandbusiness.com. 
Make sure to check out our website to learn more!

Ep: 57 - Values in our Business

On this episode I’m joined by Kim, Tom, and Joe Moy for a warm, nostalgic conversation about what it really takes to run multiple businesses as a family. We start off by sharing vivid childhood memories of Christmases before age twelve, touching on everything from decorating the house with lights, favorite meals (think ham, turkey, duck, and goose!), lively gift exchanges, and annual traditions like singing around the piano and the “kids’ table” rite of passage. 
Then to a candid discussion on how values and personal principles have shaped not only our family life but also how we run our businesses. Kim reflects on the importance of making decisions that align with our mission statement—that we want our places to be where people want to work, eat, and shop.
We also tackle how to pass down values, whether within family or to new team members and why walking the talk is essential. 
If you’re looking for stories about family, tradition, and leadership wisdom—all tied together by years of shared experience—this episode delivers plenty. Thanks for tuning in, don’t forget to like and subscribe so you never miss an episode, and we’ll see you next week!
Got a story to share or a question you'd like answered in a future episode? Email Brian at brian@mixingfamilyandbusiness.com. 
Make sure to check out our website to learn more!