Homegrown Hustle

SUMMARY: This conversation explores the themes of entrepreneurship, innovation, and the cultural dynamics that influence Dr. Brad Canham and Matt Eickman. The speakers discuss the importance of excellence, the role of impatience in driving innovation, and the impact of AI on society. They emphasize the need for experiential learning in entrepreneurship education and the significance of teamwork an...

SUMMARY: In this episode of Homegrown Hustle, host Matt Eickman sits down with Joshua Swisher of Northface Construction to peel back the layers of what truly protects a home in the harsh Minnesota climate. Far from just a discussion about shingles, the conversation dives into the "symptoms" of home failure—most notably ice dams—and why they are actually heat, air, and moisture problems r...

SUMMARY: In this technically rich and practitioner-level conversation, home inspection expert Reuben Saltzman joins host Matt Eickman to dismantle common myths around ice dams, attic insulation, ventilation, and pest intrusion. Moving beyond surface-level homeowner advice, this episode explores the building science behind why homes fail in winter—highlighting how heat transfer, air leakage, distur...

SUMMARY: In this high-signal episode, host Matt Eickman sits down with Tim Brown, CEO and Founder of Hook Agency, to dissect what actually drives scalable growth in home service businesses heading into 2026. Moving beyond surface-level marketing tactics, Tim reframes growth as a leadership, systems, and mindset challenge—where marketing only amplifies what already exists operationally. The convers...

SUMMARY: In this episode of Homegrown Hustle , host Matt Eickman sits down with Sierra Blake , Adjunct Professor at Augsburg University and Founder/CEO of Saint Lucie , the company behind the rapidly emerging “sauna serum.” Sierra unpacks the neuroscience, physiology, and cultural anthropology behind sauna and cold-plunge practices—tracing them from ancient rituals to modern wellness movements fue...

SUMMARY: In this master-level episode of Homegrown Hustle , host Matt Eickman sits down with Reuben Saltzman , CEO of StructureTech and co-host of the long-running podcast Structure Talk . Reuben unpacks two decades of scaling a service business from a family operation to a nationally respected authority—anchored in craftsmanship, systems, obsessive consistency, and unwavering customer standards....

SUMMARY: In this deep-dive conversation, Patrick Donohue — CEO and Founder of Hill Capital Corporation — unpacks the misunderstood world of private equity, predatory FinTech lending, and the capital gap crushing America’s small businesses. Patrick explains the power of magnetic vision , the role of community in entrepreneurial success, and why upcoming economic “choppy waters” represent opportunit...

SUMMARY: In this episode of the Homegrown Hustle, host Matt Eickman sits down with Jim Keenan, CEO and Founder of POR, LLC (Emotional Wellness Services) and co-founder of Cannesota. We unpack Jim’s journey from clinician to entrepreneur—how he built a multi-service behavioral health company, leveraged those fundamentals into new ventures, and now navigates growth, regulation, and innovation in eme...

SUMMARY: In this episode of Homegrown Hustle, host Matt Eickman sits down with Brent Frederick, founder of Jester Concepts, the restaurant group behind Twin Cities staples like Burrow, Parlor, Butcher & the Boar, Starling, and Rustica Bakery. Brent shares his journey from bussing tables at Joe’s Crab Shack to building a 13-location hospitality brand employing over 500 people. This PhD-level de...

SUMMARY: In this episode of Homegrown Hustle , host Kegs sits down with Elaine Rasmussen , founder and CEO of Social Impact Now and Connect Up Institute , to explore how entrepreneurs can align money, mission, and impact while building systems that scale. Elaine shares her remarkable transition from corporate America to social enterprise, breaking down how she turned a “mic drop” career moment int...

SUMMARY: In this episode, we explore the dynamic world of entrepreneurship with Dr. Brad Canham and his guests (Sierra Canham and Simon Goodmanson) , who share their personal journeys, insights on community-driven business practices, and the importance of education in fostering innovation. The conversation delves into the Entrepreneur Jubilee, a unique event aimed at empowering first-time entrepre...

SUMMARY: In this episode of Homegrown Hustle , host Matt Eickman sits down with Ben Racine and Max Erickson of Day and Night Outdoors to explore how a lifelong passion for hunting evolved into a thriving guide service. From early memories in the woods to building a community around waterfowl hunting, the conversation dives deep into the cultural, economic, and emotional layers of outdoor entrepren...

SUMMARY: In this conversation, Matthew Eickman interviews Michelle Hamilton, founder and CEO of Dandelion Naturals, about her journey from nursing to entrepreneurship. Michelle shares her passion for holistic living and natural products, the challenges of building a business, and the importance of quality and customer interaction. They discuss the significance of mentorship, financial management,...

In this episode, we sit down with Adam Thompson, owner of Focal Point Coaching and Chief Accountability Officer, to explore the tension between entrepreneurship, leadership, and sustainability. Adam unpacks why many business owners unintentionally shackle themselves to their own success—becoming both the engine and the bottleneck of growth. We dive into frameworks for creating clarity, balancing l...

SUMMARY: In this episode of Homegrown Hustle , host Matt Eickman sits down with a uniquely qualified guest—his wife, Monica Eickman, founder of the Momma-sota Podcast and leader of a rapidly growing online mom community. What began as casual Facebook group conversations evolved into an authentic content ecosystem supporting over 4,000 local moms—many of whom are also entrepreneurs. Monica opens up...

SUMMARY: In this episode of Homegrown Hustle , host Matt Eickman sits down with Wes Nichols, a bold operator who transformed his teenage side hustle into a thriving 30-person tree care enterprise. As the founder of Pro Tree Outdoor Services , Wes shares his raw and strategic journey from a high schooler tossing logs into pickup beds to a visionary building one of the most respected blue-collar bra...

SUMMARY: In this episode of Homegrown Hustle , host Matt Eickman sits down with Peter P. Follesé , the owner of National Insurance Brokers, to dissect the myth of "boring insurance" and reveal a growth blueprint rooted in culture-first leadership, system building, and brutal entrepreneurial honesty. From slinging drinks at a bar to becoming a top seller of a groundbreaking 3-year insuran...

SUMMARY: In this powerful episode of Homegrown Hustle , host Matt Eickman sits down with Matt Streeter of Streeter Companies to unpack one of the most fascinating family business evolutions in Minnesota's commercial real estate scene. From humble beginnings in liquor retail to becoming one of the most trusted names in property development and management, the Streeter story is a case study in s...

SUMMARY: In this episode of Homegrown Hustle , host Matt Eickman sits down with Michael Ruhland — Branch Manager at LendSmart Mortgage, real estate investor, and strategic finance expert — for a deep dive into the mechanics of wealth-building through real estate lending, commercial property acquisition, and leveraging risk. This conversation dissects not just deals, but decision-making frameworks...

SUMMARY: In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Homegrown Hustle , host Matt Eickman sits down with Rafik Moore , the visionary CEO of Brait Capital , to dissect the mindset, mechanics, and mission behind building a 9-figure real estate empire from nothing—after bankruptcy. Rafik shares the raw truths of flipping his first failed house, the emotional scars of 2008, and the alchemy of turn...

SUMMARY: In this insightful episode of Homegrown Hustle , host Matt Eickman sits down with Philip Eickman , Director of Operations at Abra Kadabra , to explore the transformative journey from a comfortable, stagnant job to co-leading a fast-growing, family-run wildlife control business. Together, they delve into the pivotal moments that have shaped their leadership philosophy, the importance of in...

SUMMARY: In this episode of Homegrown Hustle, host Matt Eickman shares valuable insights for local businesses, particularly in the home service industry. He discusses effective marketing strategies, emphasizing the importance of Google My Business, customer engagement, and leveraging social media to drive revenue. Matt encourages business owners to actively manage their customer databases and util...

SUMMARY: In this profound episode, we delve into a conversation with Ed Reed, founder of Sincere Detailing Pros, located at the epicenter of the George Floyd protests in Minneapolis. Through a lens of entrepreneurship, trauma, civic failure, and systemic neglect, Reed articulates how his detailing business not only survived civil unrest but also became a frontline witness to one of the most conseq...

SUMMARY: In this conversation, Ryan Mason, president of Customer First Contractors, shares his journey from growing up in a family business in the car industry to navigating personal and professional challenges. He discusses the importance of customer service, the transition to the storm restoration industry, and the lessons learned from his family's legacy. Ryan emphasizes the significance of bui...

SUMMARY: In this high-value episode of Homegrown Hustle , we dive deep with Brian and Maud Duggan , the powerhouse couple behind Union Place — a second-generation business blending artisan interior design and design-minded home technology. Perfectly tailored for entrepreneurs with a growth mindset, this conversation explores scaling legacy businesses, fusing aesthetics with innovation, and alignin...