How To Win In The Midwest

This is a show that will tell the stories of success for the Midwest. The modern media landscape loves to talk about outliers. The unicorns. The world-ending supernovas. Companies that have global impact. But the reality is that our lives are more frequently impacted by companies in our own backyards. The formula to win in New York or San Francisco might not be the same formula to win in Cincinnati, Milwaukee, or Nashville. The playbook for success in the Midwest, The Heartland, is mostly unique to the region. Unfortunately, it's not well studied. Harvard Business School doesn't write a lot of case studies about tool and die shops in Dayton, Ohio. We don’t have New York Times best selling books being written about the companies that employ our families and friends. And we don’t even have a business journal of record that covers anything other than new real estate projects - no offense to those publications. But these companies are worth studying because the Midwest isn't going anywhere. In fact, the Midwest is the beating heart of our country. Many of the companies located here have an outsized impact on our global economy and have more impact that a lot of buzzier names on the coasts. And while the Midwest has had some tough times, everyone knows that those don't last, but tough people do. And so do tough lessons. So we want to study them, track them, dissect them, and find ways to put these lessons into action. We are going to study success stories in business and culture and who and what makes them work so well. We will answer questions like What's the story behind this enduring ice cream brand that's been around for 156 years? Why does that bank with a funny name seem to be everywhere and what makes them so successful? And why does the local orchestra proliferate and seem to own every concert venue in town and much more? We are writing a new playbook for how to win in the Midwest.

How To Win In The Midwest is a business podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 0 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts How To Win In The Midwest, a business show with 0 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  How To Win In The Midwest

  Episode 5: The Cincinnati Open

  Aug 17, 20262h 24mS0

  <p>The conversation delves into the history of the Cincinnati Open, exploring its roots in amateur tennis and its transition into the professional era. It highlights the significance of the tournament in the region and its impact on the sport of tennis. The amateur era, the prominent players, and the transition to professional tennis are key themes discussed. The Open Era of tennis begins in 1968, marking a significant shift in the sport's structure and governance. The Cincinnati Open undergoes a series of transformations and expansions, positioning itself as a premier event within the ATP tour. Paul Flory's leadership and vision...

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  How To Win In The Midwest

  Episode 4: Worthington Industries, Steel, Enterprises and Beyond

  Jul 1, 20261h 52mS0

  <p>The conversation delves into the history of the steel industry, the founding of Worthington Industries, and the evolution of the business model from brokerage to manufacturing. It explores the challenges faced by small buyers of steel and the innovative solutions provided by Worthington Industries. The conversation delves into the topics of outsourcing and the tier system, highlighting the significance of these practices in the industry. It also explores the implementation of the Golden Rule and the treatment of employees, emphasizing the impact of these principles on the company's success. The conversation methodically explores the impact of mini-mills on the...

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  How To Win In The Midwest

  Episode 3: Gorilla Glue - All 600 lbs of Brand Power

  May 19, 20261h 40mS0

  <p>The conversation delves into the history of glue, the acquisition of Lutz Tool, the success story of the Gorilla Glue Company, and the expansion of the business. It also explores the marketing strategy, SKU expansion, and leadership transition, highlighting the brand's growth and expansion over the years. The conversation delves into the incident involving Gorilla Glue, its public image, business expansion, resilience, financial growth, market position, industry comparison, growth trajectory, market impact, regional influence, CPG dominance, branding strategy, brand differentiation, brand consistency, brand power, market positioning, growth potential, playbook themes, industrial inheritance, hero company spinoff, talent acquisition, market expansion...

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  How To Win In The Midwest

  Episode 2: TQL - Just Win, Baby

  Mar 30, 20261h 37mS0

  <p>The conversation covers the history and evolution of freight brokerage, the founding of Total Quality Logistics (TQL), and the impact of the Great Recession on the logistics industry. It also explores the competitive landscape, hiring practices, and the role of technology in the industry. TQL's journey from 2009 to 2025 is marked by impressive growth, geographic expansion, technological advancements, and a strong sales-driven culture. The company's focus on sales, technology, and people has propelled it to become a major player in the logistics industry, with a significant increase in market share and revenue. TQL's ability to adapt to industry changes and...

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  Episode #1

  Episode 1: Graeter's Ice Cream - 156 Years of Stalwart Success

  Feb 27, 20261h 59mS0

  <p>Pilot Episode: How to Win In The Midwest, Graeter's Ice Cream</p><p></p><p>Hosts: Sean Cox, Peter Schmidt</p>

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