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The Unscripted Climb
Welcome to The Unscripted Climb. This is the podcast where business gets real and the filters get left at the door.
Hosted by Chris Beecham, a no-fluff entrepreneur who’s sold plasma to keep the lights on, and Natalie Micale, a branding expert who’s built more than her fair share of empires from scratch. We’re here to talk about what actually happens behind the highlight reels.
This isn’t your manifest your best life show. This is for the founders, leaders, and business owners who’ve white-knuckled their way through growth, failure, reinvention, and maybe a public meltdown or two.
Why Listen?
Because behind every shiny brand is a messy middle.
We ask the questions most podcasts won’t
- What was your biggest screw-up
- How close were you to quitting
- And what kept you from walking away
What You’ll Hear:
• Wild origin stories
• Marketing disasters and comebacks
• Real-talk sales advice
• Team dynamics that don’t make it into LinkedIn posts
• And the kind of lessons you only learn after failing hard
Our Vibe?
Dry humor. Sharp insights. Candid convos with zero corporate gloss.
If you're tired of recycled advice and ready for the honest version of entrepreneurship, you're in the right place.
Subscribe and join the climb. Awkward stumbles and all.
The Unscripted Climb
Ep 8 Jess Loseke- From Bourbon Barrels to Business Boss – The Midwest Barrel Story
What happens when your husband's hobby turns into a full-blown business empire? Meet Jess Loseke, CEO of Midwest Barrel Company, who took a leap into the bourbon barrel industry and never looked back.
In this episode, Jess gets real about the gritty side of entrepreneurship—from navigating cash flow chaos in an inventory-heavy business to working shoulder-to-shoulder with her spouse (and staying married through it). We talk leadership, scaling, e-commerce, and why relocating to Kentucky was the bold move that changed everything.
If you’re building a business from scratch, wrestling with growth, or just curious about how to turn a niche idea into a powerhouse brand, this episode is your shot of straight bourbon wisdom—no chaser.
🔥 Key Topics:
- Entrepreneurship without a safety net
- Cash flow management in inventory-based businesses
- E-commerce and email marketing strategies
- Leadership dynamics with your spouse
- Risk-taking and relocating for growth
- Building culture while scaling
- Expanding into international markets
- Sustainability and future plans
🔑 SEO Keywords:
Midwest Barrel Company, bourbon industry, e-commerce, entrepreneurship, business scaling, leadership, cash flow challenges, partnerships, business growth, Kentucky bourbon barrels, sustainability in business, working with your spouse
💬 Sound Bites:
- “Working with your spouse is not for everyone.”
- “I want to quit sometimes, but I don’t.”
- “It was a calculated risk—but the right one.”
📌 Chapters:
00:00 – Podcasting Adventures and Networking
00:44 – The Journey of Midwest Barrel Company
08:23 – Overcoming Personal Challenges
17:20 – Navigating Business Decisions and Partnerships
22:43 – Cash Flow Management and Economic Challenges
26:55 – Transitioning to a New Facility
29:14 – Navigating Leadership Dynamics
34:36 – Scaling Strategies and Market Expansion
40:41 – Overcoming Entrepreneurial Challenges
46:13 – Taking Risks and Future Vision
💥 Want a free merch or brand audit? Just ask. No pressure, just people helping people.
👉 Perch-Merch.com
👉 OhHelloAgency.co
🔗 Connect with Us: