The Germinate Podcast

• Confidence in Sales: From Funk to Momentum

  In this dynamic episode of the Germinate Podcast, Joe Sampson welcomes seasoned sales leader Brian Kreifels. Brian shares how he maintains confidence in sales, drawing parallels with overcoming the “after-crash” mentality in racing. They emphasize the power of building momentum—compounding small wins instead of swinging for home runs. Brian dives into his engineering-to-sales story, noting how problem-solving and competitiveness led him into a long-term career in technical/ag sales, particularly in agriculture.They discuss essential aspects of a successful sales approach:- The competitive spirit and internal drive that’s hard to teach.- Strategic meeting preparation with scenario mapping.- Maximizing CRM as a “brag board,” stressing data discipline, usage and executive buy-in.- The evolving sales tech stack—AI’s role in analytics, meeting recordings, and future intelligent workflows.- And at the heart of it all: the power of real human relationships and connections.📌 Key Takeaways- Momentum wins sales: Build confidence through consistent small wins.- Competitiveness matters: Look for it in hiring—it fuels reps through long hours and tough cycles.- Structure your meetings: Clear agendas, goals, and scenario planning lead to productive engagements.- CRM is your ally: With robust data and consistent use, it becomes your reputation and operational hub.- AI is a tool, not a threat: It boosts analytics, prep time, and CRM insights—people still matter.- Relationships over Tech: Authentic connections and referrals (thanks, Jason Nugent!) remain irreplaceable.

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• How Norden Mfg Grew from a Hay Bale Idea to a Diversified OEM Powerhouse

  Glendon Kuhns joins Joe to share the incredible journey of Norden Manufacturing—from humble beginnings on a family farm to becoming a trusted OEM in hay equipment and beyond. We discuss:- The patented bale accumulator that started it all- Transitioning from outsourcing to full in-house fabrication- Rebranding from Coons Mfg. to Norden- How faith, family, and service guide their leadership- Diversifying with custom manufacturing and new hay tools- How FEMA helped them grow during cash flow challengesLearn MoreVisit nordenmfg.com or email Glendon at [email protected] to connect or schedule a tour in northeast Ohio.

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• Sustainable Farming & Family Business Innovation with Kat Coombes

  In this episode, host Joe Sampson chats with Kat Coombes, GM at Tillage Management based in Tulare, California. A marine biology major turned agricultural innovator, Kat shares how a two-month job in 2012 with her family’s company turned into a fulfilling 13-year career. Her journey covers growing up on the family dairy and pistachio farm, working in Japan, and building a diversified product line for orchards, vineyards, and row crops. Kat explores the company’s mission to combine sustainability with efficiency—cutting fuel use and dust pollution—while maintaining deep family and community values. She also discusses her roles in industry through FEMA, efforts to streamline processes, and her cautious yet optimistic view of AI. And on the lighter side, Kat unwinds by playing piano, gaming with her husband, and gardening.💡 Key TakeawaysUnexpected Paths – A two-month stint back home evolved into a 13-year career grounded in evolving roles and earning respect.Family at the Core – Sharing decision‑making, defined roles, and trust form the foundation of a close-knit family business.Designed for Diversity – Tillage Management expanded its equipment line from row crops to orchards and vineyards, adapting to California’s varied agriculture.Sustainability Meets ROI – Their systems reduce fuel use by ~50% and dust pollution by 70%, aligning economic and ecological goals.Question Everything – Kat embraces a “‘processes are not people” mindset—rethinking rules for relevance and efficiency.Tech with Integrity – AI and CRM tools excite her for marketing and CRM uses—but only if they preserve personal authenticity.Passion beyond Farming – Piano, gardening, and video games recharge her—and strengthen relationships (yes, even with her husband!).

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• Betting on America: How WorkSaver Tripled & Thrives in U.S. Manufacturing

  In this episode, Joe Sampson and Tim Burenga take listeners on a 45-year journey of WorkSaver—from its founding by Tim’s father in 1980 to its evolution as a dual-focused manufacturer and OEM contract specialist. Tim shares hard-earned lessons in cost control, cash flow management, and the balance between growing the dealer network while protecting its value. They explore challenges from the recession to COVID-19, the resurgence of U.S. manufacturing, the future of automation and AI in factories, and the importance of employee training. The conversation also touches on how faith shapes leadership, the strength of industry networks like FEMA, and how family business succession should be handled thoughtfully.Key Takeaways:Adaptation & Resilience: WorkSaver pivoted from wholesale drawbars to retail attachments, then expanded into OEM services (Woods & Deere–Frontier in 2004), illustrating the power of agility in manufacturing.Diversification Strategy: They keep no client above 25% of revenue and invest ahead in facilities and machines to balance growth.Cash Flow & Inventory Discipline: Tim emphasizes managing material costs, setup times, and lean production to avoid cash shortages and dealer overstock.Manufacturing Workforce: With 8 robotic welding arms, strong automation, and a regional training center for youth, WorkSaver fosters skilled labor and retains long-term employees.People & Culture: Tim stresses hands-on leadership—he’s worked every role—and fair treatment of employees fosters loyalty.Industry Collaboration: FEMA builds valuable peer-to-peer connections; Tim highlights its role in innovation (e.g., vertical tillage) and celebrating 75 years at its Vegas convention.Faith & Purpose: Tim ties the resurgence of work ethic and resilience to a revival of faith—believing stewardship, honesty, and divine guidance strengthen leadership.

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• Scaling Smarter: Building Better Businesses with 5L Performance

  In this episode of The Germinate Podcast, host Joe Sampson sits down with Jesse DePriest and Rick Faber, co-founders of 5L Performance, to discuss what it really takes to scale a business beyond its sticking points. Grounded in decades of leadership, sales, and operational experience, the 5L framework—Love, Listen, Learn, Lead, and Lean—guides organizations from chaos to clarity.Rick and Jesse share the powerful origin story of 5L Performance, how their shared philosophies collided serendipitously (even down to Jesse’s license plate!), and why most businesses struggle not from a lack of effort, but from a lack of systems thinking. The episode dives into topics like trust-based leadership, process improvement, standard work, and what truly sets high-performing teams apart.Whether you're leading a startup or a phase-two company hitting a ceiling, this conversation will inspire you to rethink how your business operates and what it really means to scale with intention.Key Takeaways:The 5L Framework: A unique leadership and operational model built on Love, Listen, Learn, Lead, and Lean.Why Businesses Stall: Often it’s not a broken strategy but a lack of organizational capability to change and execute.From Firefighting to Process Thinking: Many businesses operate in reactive mode. True transformation begins with a structured approach to solving problems.Elevate Diagnostic Tool: A 5-pillar assessment that identifies maturity across leadership, strategy, daily management, improvement systems, and enabling elements.Real Growth Requires Real Systems: You can’t scale chaos. Companies must have standard work, aligned leadership, and the discipline to improve incrementally.

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