The Engler Grind

In this episode, Jeff Hornung , founder of Pioneer Equipment based out of Hastings, Nebraska, is a true entrepreneur who buys and sells semi-trucks and trailers. He got his start by mowing lawns and breaking down school buses using what he had to start his business. As an Engler alum the program has taught him so much about how to hustle while learning how to collaborate with other companies. 

In this episode, Kylie Gana DeVries , founder of Venue 5 Twenty-Two in Lincoln, Nebraska, shares what it takes to bring a bold idea to life long before the walls go up. From walking couples through unfinished beams to earning her first check a year before opening, Kylie opens up about learning to trust her vision, lead with transparency, and build a business rooted in honesty, teamwork, and faith....

Hop back into the classroom as Halle Ramsey , Chief Mindset Development Officer, shares how design thinking and life design can help entrepreneurs reimagine their next chapter. From building odyssey maps to reflecting on what gives you energy and purpose, Halle explores how intentional reflection can spark clarity, confidence, and creativity. Whether you're designing your next career move or simpl...

Kylie Gana DeVries, founder of Venue 522 in Lincoln, Nebraska, shares how growing up in her family's trucking business inspired her entrepreneurial drive. From childhood lessons in grit and integrity to launching a modern, faith-based event space with her mom, Kylie's story is one of family, perseverance, and purpose — a reminder that your roots often lead you right where you're meant to build.

In this episode, Sarah Spitson opens up about the realities of entrepreneurship — from living out of her car while growing Faya to the lessons learned after selling the company she built from the ground up. She shares how self-awareness, boundaries, and grace became her keys to sustainable growth and why slowing down can sometimes be the most productive move of all.

Hop back into the classroom as Michelle Bassford, Chief Experience Officer for the Engler Entrepreneurship Program, shares how her journey through corporate life, entrepreneurship, and faith led her to understand the true power of customer experience. From handwritten thank-you notes to simply doing what you say you'll do, Michelle explains why the smallest gestures create the biggest impact — and...

Sarah Spitson, Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Nebraska Wesleyan and founder of The Fractional Guide, shares her journey from a stubborn, rule-bending kid in Lincoln to a serial entrepreneur who built, closed, sold, and started again. Her story is one of resilience, reinvention, and the grit it takes to keep creating — no matter how many times you start over. https://www.linkedin.co...

In this episode, Anita Foor, founder of Development 412 , opens up about the realities of entrepreneurship — finding confidence in pricing, leading with honesty, and building a business rooted in faith and purpose. Through each challenge, Anita has learned that doing good work and serving people well will always come first.

Hop back into the classroom as Director Tom Field shares his journey in leading Engler and why entrepreneurship is an adventure — an arduous experience with an uncertain outcome, undertaken with enthusiasm. He reminds us that there's no perfect path, process, or person, and that the only way forward is to start. Every mistake is simply data, every step a lesson learned.

Anita Foor, founder of Development 412 , shares her journey from growing up in Stuart, Nebraska to leading with purpose and building a business rooted in service. In this episode, Anita reflects on the lessons that shaped her: community, intentionality, and giving, and how being a "door opener" for others has become her mission. https://www.facebook.com/Development412/  

In this episode of  The Engler Grind Podcast , Emily Herbig, founder of My Ellement Boutique , shares the real challenges of entrepreneurship, from leading a team to becoming the "queen of profitability," and how she's learned to grow through the grind while raising a family!

Hop back into the classroom as Dave Lambe shares how he has been part of Engler since day one, coaching entrepreneurs through growth, grit, and discovery! He shares his personal journey and why every founder needs customer discovery to succeed.

Emily, founder of MyEllement Boutique in Central City, shares the spark behind her journey and why she built a business to help women feel truly "in their ellement." From the first steps to the determination to make an impact, Emily's story is a reminder to just start — it doesn't have to be perfect, as long as you keep moving forward. Instagram:  @myellementboutique Facebook: MyEllement Boutique

From Engler alum to Engler staff, and now Director of The Combine, Brennan Costello has seen entrepreneurship from every angle. In this episode of The Engler Grind Podcast , he shares his journey, the lessons he's learned along the way, and why building people who build businesses matters now more than ever!