Lessons Learned | Beyond the Product Podcast Ep. 3

The Mindset Shift with Business Coach Josh Kasinskas What separates a business owner from someone who simply created a job for themselves? In this episode, Jason sits down with Chiasson Smoke's business coach, Josh Kasinskas, for an honest conversation about the mindset changes required to grow a small business. From working 120 hour weeks and almost going back to a day job, to building a company that can run without you being there every day, this episode dives into the lessons that helped transform Chiasson Smoke. We talk about: What a business coach actually does The employee mindset versus the owner mindset When it's time to hire your first employee Why so many small businesses get stuck The danger of trying to do everything yourself Building systems and standard operating procedures Creating a strong company culture Hiring for attitude instead of just skill Why sales and marketing are the lifeblood of a business Learning to let go and trust your team Whether you're a welder, contractor, mechanic, farmer, or anyone building a business from the ground up, this conversation is packed with real world experiences and practical advice that can help you take that next step. If you've ever felt like you're working harder than ever but not moving forward, this episode is for you. Subscribe for more conversations about entrepreneurship, manufacturing, leadership, and the journey of building something bigger than yourself. #BeyondTheProduct #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #MindsetShift #Manufacturing #Marketing #BusinessCoach #ChiassonSmoke  

2025 was a blur for Jason and Miranda at Chiasson Smoke, but they're officially back behind the microphones. In Episode 11 of Beyond the Product, the crew sits down with Ryan Miller from PWI to talk about what it really takes to build and scale a fabrication business. Ryan shares the story of growing PWI from a small family welding shop into a nationwide company with more than 200 employees. The conversation dives deep into leadership, sales, marketing, company culture, hiring A players, delegation, and the hard decisions that come with growth. This episode is packed with valuable insight for welders, fabricators, small business owners, and entrepreneurs trying to build something bigger than themselves. Topics include: • Growing from a small welding shop into a national company • Why sales and marketing matter more than most shop owners realize • Hiring A players and building strong culture • Learning to delegate and stop micromanaging • The pressure of payroll, growth, and leadership • Work life balance while building a business • How PWI became a leader in cranes and manufacturing support systems If you're trying to grow your business, lead a team, or learn from real conversations with people in the trenches, this episode is for you. For more on PWI click here.

In this powerful episode, we sit down with our business coach, Josh Kasinskas from Buji ActionCOACH, to dive into a journey that many entrepreneurs face but few talk about — the transition from owning a job to owning a business. We open up about: The early grind and mindset traps of being your own boss How we accidentally built a job instead of a scalable business What a business coach really does (and why we didn't know we needed one) The growing pains, breakthroughs, and real strategies we've learned along the way If you're a builder, a dreamer, or stuck between hustle and burnout, this episode is for you. RECOMMENDED BOOKS: "The E-Myth" by Michael Michalowicz, "Buy Back Your Time" by Dan Martell, "Leaders Eat Last" by Simon Sinek, "Start With Why" by Simon Simek, "Let Them Theory" by Mel Robbins, and "Profit First" by Mike Michalowicz

Taking Social Media to the Streets In this special episode of Beyond the Product, we step outside the studio and head straight into the heart of the local business scene. Hosts Jason and Miranda join the River Valley Networking Group in Prairie du Chien, where they deliver a powerful, real-world talk on leveraging social media for small business growth. Surrounded by local entrepreneurs, this episode is packed with raw, relatable insight, practical advice, and some behind-the-scenes community vibes. Real businesses. Real social strategies. Real impact. Whether you're a startup, side hustle, or seasoned business, this one's got gems you don't want to miss.

In this special episode, Jason and Miranda sit down with a very important guest — Abbey, the very first welder ever hired by Chiasson Smoke back in 2020 (or was it 2019? Time flies!). Abbey shares her story of how she found her way into welding — a path driven by creativity, resilience, and the desire to provide for her family. From her early days in a male-dominated industry to becoming an essential part of the Chiasson Smoke journey, this episode is full of real talk, laughs, and a lot of heart. 🔍 In this episode, we talk about: • How Abbey got into welding and why it wasn't your typical career path • What it was like being the first ever hire at Chiasson Smoke • Navigating a male-dominated trade as a woman • The intersection of art, grit, and craftsmanship • Reflections on growth — both personal and professional Pull up a seat and get to know the people beyond the product. New episodes every Wednesday

In this special Q&A episode, Jason and Miranda sit down to answer some of the most frequently asked questions from listeners and fans of Chiasson Smoke. From the very beginning of their journey to running a growing business today, they get real about the highs, lows, and lessons learned. 🔹 What You'll Hear in This Episode: ✅ Why they started the business — and how team roping inspired it ✅ The turning point that pushed them to make the leap ✅ The struggles of going from paycheck to paycheck to building a brand ✅ How owning their own business gave them the freedom they were craving ✅ Honest answers to listener-submitted questions — from lifestyle to logistics Whether you're curious about their story or looking for inspiration to start your own venture, this episode is packed with heart, humor, and behind-the-scenes insight.

Starting a business with dreams of more freedom? Think again! In this episode, we talk about how the idea of "work-life balance" clashed with the brutal reality of entrepreneurship. From missed family time to the mental toll of being always on-call, this one gets real. What We Cover in This Episode: The myth of flexible schedules – Why starting your own business doesn't always mean more free time Sacrifices behind the scenes – What we gave up to make the business work Managing guilt and burnout – How to cope when work takes over life Prioritizing family – What we're still trying to figure out Tips to set boundaries – Small steps toward creating balance when it feels impossible

In this episode, hosts Jason and Miranda dive into their journey of using social media to grow their small business. They start by reflecting on initial skepticism, especially toward TikTok, which Miranda initially saw as just a platform for dancing teens. However, facing financial challenges, they decided to give it a try—thinking, "What do we have to lose?" They discuss how they: ✅ Repurposed personal experiences to inform their marketing strategies ✅ Experimented with different content styles  ✅ Learned what worked and what didn't through trial and error The episode highlights both the power and unpredictability of social media, offering honest insights into how it shaped their brand's visibility and engagement. 

In this episode, Jason and Miranda discuss the future of their business and the podcast, reflecting on past challenges and outlining their growth strategies. What We Cover in This Episode: Recap of Previous Episodes - How It Started, We're In Business, and Lessons Learned Expansion of their shop and the addition of new tools to improve efficiency Exploring opportunities to connect with local businesses and expand collaborations Improvements in their shop organization and workflow optimization Bring guests into the studio and conduct remote interviews to share knowledge with other entrepreneurs, especially husband-and-wife teams running small businesses Would you like to be a guest on the podcast? Let us know! Follow us on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/@chiassonsmoke  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/@chiassonsmoke TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chiassonsmoke  Website: https://www.chiassonsmoke.com/ #beyondtheproduct #ChiassonSmoke #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #WeldingLife #TheFuture #WeAreGrowing

  Starting a business isn't as simple as "build it, and they will buy it." In this episode, we dive into the unexpected challenges we faced early on and the hard lessons we learned along the way. If you're an entrepreneur or thinking about starting a business, this is for you!  What We Cover in This Episode:  The harsh reality of "just shipping it" – Why logistics can make or break your business  Customer expectations vs. reality – How to handle surprises (and complaints!)  Scaling struggles – The unexpected growing pains that caught us off guard  Mistakes we made (so you don't have to!) – Real stories & lessons from our journey  How to turn setbacks into success – Practical tips to overcome common challenges  Have you faced any of these struggles in your business? Drop a comment below!  If you found this helpful, don't forget to LIKE & SUBSCRIBE for more real-world business insights! Follow us on social media:   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/@chiassonsmoke Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/@chiassonsmoke  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chiassonsmoke  Website: https://www.chiassonsmoke.com/ #BeyondTheProduct #ChiassonSmoke #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #WeldingLife