2 B's in a PODcast

Jans Corporation
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  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Biweekly

In 2 B's in a PODcast, brothers Brad and Brian Jans take you Beyond the Blueprint to share stories about family, business, construction, and the people behind the projects. 👉 Subscribe to learn more about our work, our values, and our vision for building a better future.

  1. 2d ago ·  Video

    Building Better: Leadership, Lean Thinking & Renovating the Tinhorn Lodge with Jessica Boddicker

    What does it take to lead complex construction projects, build high-performing teams, and stay calm when everything seems to be going wrong?  In this episode of 2 B's in a PODcast, Brad and Brian sit down with Jessica Boddicker, Chief Operating Officer, to discuss her journey into construction leadership, lessons learned from her Air Force career, and the operational mindset that helps projects succeed.  Together, they dive into the renovation of The Tinhorn Lodge, explore Lean principles, discuss the biggest inefficiencies in construction, and share practical leadership advice that applies far beyond the jobsite.  Whether you're in construction, operations, or business leadership, this conversation is packed with insights on accountability, efficiency, decision-making, and building teams that consistently perform at a high level. The discussion also touches on Jessica's experience as a woman in the construction industry and the leadership qualities that earn respect in any environment.  In this episode you'll learn:  Jessica's path into construction and operations leadership  Behind the scenes of The Tinhorn Lodge renovation  How Lean thinking improves project efficiency  The biggest mistakes that waste time and money on projects  Leadership lessons from the U.S. Air Force  Building accountability without micromanaging  What creates high-performing teams  Advice for the next generation of construction leaders  🏡 Want to experience The Tinhorn Lodge for yourself?  Book your stay and check availability here:  VRBO: Panoramic Black Hills Views of Historic Deadwood, Hot Tub and Wildlife Galore! - Sturgis | Vrbo  Airbnb: The Tinhorn Lodge - Cabins for Rent in Sturgis, South Dakota, United States - Airbnb  🎧 If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like, subscribe, and share 2 B's in a PODcast for more conversations with the people building our communities.

  2. Aug 28

    Is Sioux Falls Still Booming? The Truth About Real Estate, Growth & Development

    What is really happening in the Sioux Falls commercial real estate market — and where is the city headed next? In this episode of 2 B's in a Podcast, Brad and Brian Jans of Jans Corporation sit down with Marcus Mahlen, President of NAI Sioux Falls, to talk commercial real estate, development, population growth, land prices, manufacturing, office space, multifamily housing and the future of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Marcus entered commercial real estate in 2017, became a partner in 2020 and was named President of NAI Sioux Falls in 2025. Today, he works with business owners, investors and developers across the region. So, is Sioux Falls still booming? Marcus explains why the answer is more nuanced than the headlines. Sioux Falls has experienced decades of strong growth, but where that growth comes from is changing. More people are moving from other states and countries, while Harrisburg, Tea, Brandon and Hartford continue expanding as part of the larger Sioux Falls region. That shift is changing housing, infrastructure, land values and commercial development. In this episode, Marcus answers questions including: Why has Sioux Falls commercial real estate slowed since 2021–2023? Higher interest rates have changed the economics of buying, building and developing. Deals are still happening, but investors and business owners are more cautious. What sectors are growing? Marcus sees opportunity in industrial and advanced manufacturing, including companies considering moving or expanding operations in South Dakota. What is happening with office space? The office market has changed dramatically since COVID. Traditional call-center space is harder to reuse, while high-quality downtown Sioux Falls office space remains tight. Is Sioux Falls building too many apartments? Multifamily construction surged during the post-COVID growth period. Marcus explains why apartment development is beginning to normalize and how continued population growth affects demand. What is happening with land prices? Marcus breaks down agricultural land, land near Harrisburg and Tea, and property positioned for near-term development. He also explains why future land transactions could reshape Sioux Falls growth. What are the biggest risks to continued growth? The conversation covers infrastructure, affordability, taxes, insurance, utilities and the danger of assuming Sioux Falls will automatically keep attracting people and businesses. Marcus, Brad and Brian also discuss: • Sioux Falls retail and industrial real estate • Downtown development and future office projects • Harrisburg's rapid growth • The Smithfield redevelopment opportunity • Manufacturing and reshoring • Private equity and local businesses • What Sioux Falls may look like 20 years from now • Career advice for young professionals Marcus also shares a simple career lesson: think long term. There are very few overnight successes. Find a niche, learn it, work at it and keep showing up. ABOUT MARCUS MAHLEN Marcus Mahlen is President of NAI Sioux Falls and an active commercial real estate broker serving Sioux Falls and the surrounding region. ABOUT 2 B'S IN A PODCAST 2 B's in a Podcast is hosted by brothers Brad and Brian Jans of Jans Corporation, a commercial construction company based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The show goes Beyond the Blueprint with business owners, builders, developers and community leaders shaping the region. Subscribe for more conversations about Sioux Falls construction, commercial real estate, development, business and leadership. CHAPTERS 00:00 If Marcus Mahlen wasn't in real estate 00:33 Welcome to 2 B's in a Podcast 01:08 Meet Marcus Mahlen, President of NAI Sioux Falls 02:39 How Marcus got into commercial real estate 03:58 What is NAI? 05:32 Becoming President of NAI Sioux Falls 07:34 How Sioux Falls has changed 10:00 Where Sioux Falls growth is coming from 11:07 Harrisburg, Tea, Brandon & Hartford 13:04 Could Harrisburg reach 40,000–50,000? 15:01 Has commercial real estate slowed? 17:00 Why manufacturing could be the next growth sector 18:50 A 100,000-square-foot manufacturing inquiry 20:49 What's happening with Sioux Falls office space? 24:05 Is Sioux Falls building too many apartments? 26:14 Where land prices are headed 28:03 Is there still affordable land? 29:17 Insurance, utilities & rising real estate costs 31:16 The most underrated real estate sector 35:03 The biggest risk to Sioux Falls growth 36:32 What major projects are coming next? 37:39 The Smithfield redevelopment opportunity 40:23 What business does Sioux Falls still need? 41:01 What Marcus would do outside real estate 41:44 Career advice: delayed gratification 42:48 What Sioux Falls could look like in 20 years 45:27 Private equity and local businesses 47:05 Closing thoughts #SiouxFalls #CommercialRealEstate #SouthDakota

  3. Aug 14

    The Mistake That Kills Small Towns Isn't Money

    What do small towns actually need to grow, and what kills them when they try? Tyler Tordsen of the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance says the answer usually isn't money. It's internal fighting. Brad Jans and Brian Jans of Jans Corporation, a commercial construction company in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, sit down with Tyler Tordsen, President and CEO of the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance (SMGA), South Dakota's largest regional nonprofit economic development organization. SMGA serves the communities ringing Sioux Falls across Minnehaha, Lincoln, Turner and McCook counties, including Harrisburg, Tea, Brandon, Hartford, Crooks, Lennox and Canton. This is a conversation about the towns around the city, not the city itself. In this episode The six spokes every strong community needs, and what happens when one breaks Why the biggest mistake small towns make is internal fighting, not a lack of money What small towns think they need but usually don't, and the cheaper option most already have What a data center really means for a small town, and where the misinformation starts How a development like 38 North in Hartford comes together, and SMGA's role behind it Why a growth plan beats saying yes to the first deal that shows up How SMGA's part-time contracted model works for towns too small for a full-time hire Tyler's path from Senator Mike Rounds' office to the South Dakota House to SMGA Chapters 0:00 The four counties, and balancing them with Sioux Falls 0:47 Beyond the Blueprint: welcome to 2 B's in a Podcast 1:38 What is the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance? 2:20 From MCEDA and LCEDA to SMGA: 36 years of regional development 3:09 From Senator Rounds' office to the legislature to running SMGA 7:48 How being an enrolled tribal member shapes his view of development 9:21 The six spokes every strong community needs 13:15 Ten bills signed into law in his first session 17:54 Education, the prison debate, and rethinking recidivism 20:16 What economic development actually looks like day to day 21:46 38 North in Hartford, and SMGA's role in a development 24:06 Balancing four counties without playing favorites 27:12 Data centers: what's real and what's misinformation 30:17 The data centers already here, including the EROS Data Center 31:05 Where a data center should and shouldn't go 34:15 What it actually costs a small town to grow 39:39 The secret sauce behind the region's growth 42:51 What small towns think they need but really don't 43:39 The first move for a small-town leader who wants to grow 47:35 Keep building 51:28 Bonus: everyone's favorite Sioux Metro community 55:21 The one mistake small towns make when they try to grow Questions this episode answers What is the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance? SMGA is South Dakota's largest regional nonprofit economic development organization, headquartered in downtown Sioux Falls. It serves the small and mid-sized communities and counties around Sioux Falls, advising them on growth, supporting existing businesses, and helping with infrastructure and community projects. What is the biggest mistake small towns make when they try to grow? Internal fighting. Tyler says a business looking at a community senses internal politics quickly, and a town too small to afford division loses projects over it before a conversation starts. Do small towns need their own police force? Often not. Many communities assume they need one, then run the numbers and find crime is low enough that contracting with the county sheriff's office works well and costs far less. Are data centers good for small towns? It depends on the project and the location. Tyler points to real benefits in property and sales tax, alongside conditions a community can set, such as closed-loop cooling so a project does not deplete local water. About the guest Tyler Tordsen is President and CEO of the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance. Born in Sioux Falls and raised in Rapid City, he is an enrolled member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate. He spent eight years in the office of U.S. Senator Mike Rounds as Southeast Regional Director and State Director of Tribal Affairs, and served in the South Dakota House of Representatives for District 14. He holds degrees from the University of South Dakota and a master's from Air University. Sioux Metro Growth Alliance: siouxmetro.com Resources mentioned Sioux Metro Growth Alliance annual Growth Summit Leadership Sioux Metro, SMGA's eight-month leadership development program 38 North, the Jans Corporation residential development in Hartford, SD EROS Data Center, the federal data facility near Sioux Falls About 2 B's in a Podcast 2 B's in a Podcast is hosted by brothers Brad Jans and Brian Jans, owners of Jans Corporation, a commercial construction company in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Every episode is a real conversation with the family business owners, builders and community leaders shaping Sioux Falls and the region. We go beyond the blueprint. Jans Corporation: janscorp.com If this episode was useful, follow the show and leave a rating and review. It genuinely helps other people in small towns find it. Watch the full conversation on YouTube: Jans Corporation.

  4. Jul 31

    The Backstreet Boys Golf Prank That Fooled Everyone | 2 B's in a Podcast

    What does it take to keep a family business alive for 50 years? Erik Helland, owner of Landscape Garden Centers, has the receipts. In this full episode of 2 B's in a Podcast, hosts Brad and Brian Jans (owners of Jans Corporation, a Sioux Falls commercial construction company) sit down with Erik Helland, second-generation owner of Landscape Garden Centers and the man behind Bloom and Branch in downtown Sioux Falls. Erik's dad Phil moved the family from Watertown to Sioux Falls in 1977 and opened Lakeland Nurseries, which became Landscape Garden Centers in 1989. Next year the company turns 50. Erik took the reins in his early 30s and became sole owner about a decade ago. It starts with a bucket of nails, detours through a Las Vegas golf trip in Backstreet Boys costumes, and lands somewhere more honest than most business interviews get.   WHAT YOU'LL LEARN - Why taking over in his early 30s was "way too early," and what Erik would do differently with his own kids - How one conversation over drinks led to rolling out EOS across the whole company in a week - Why they self-performed the new build instead of hiring a contractor, down to pouring their own concrete - What Landscape Garden Centers actually does: design build, bid work, renovations, maintenance, irrigation, a staff arborist and Christmas lights - How Bloom and Branch came together with Ariana Johnson of 605 Florista, and why downtown foot traffic behaves nothing like a destination site - The lesson Erik learned the hard way: "banks are not your friends" when things get tight - Why he brings in 23 seasonal H-2B crew members a year and provides their housing - How Sioux Falls handled emerald ash borer, and why autumn blaze maple is next to watch - The ripple-in-a-pond test Erik runs before any decision big enough to change the company   CHAPTERS 0:00 The bucket of nails story 0:41 Meet Erik Helland: Landscape Garden Centers and Bloom and Branch 1:38 The Vegas golf trip they pulled off as the Backstreet Boys 6:24 What Midwest golf trips taught them about leadership 9:56 1977: Watertown to Sioux Falls and the Lakeland Nurseries years 11:54 Taking over the family business in his early 30s 13:19 How EOS changed the way the whole team runs 16:39 He wanted to be in the FBI, not landscaping 17:45 Three generations of Hellands in the green industry 21:40 "My dad was always giving back to Mother Earth" 22:43 Opening Bloom and Branch in downtown Sioux Falls 26:20 Moving to 271st Street and doubling the footprint 29:02 Self-performing the build: "we poured all our own concrete" 29:44 What Landscape Garden Centers actually does 33:51 His dad threatened to chain himself to the trees 36:56 Ash borer, autumn blaze maples and tree diversity 37:50 The hardest lesson: "banks are not your friends" 40:09 H-2B crews and what "family business" actually means 44:42 Will his kids take over? "TBD" 45:51 The Avera waterfalls project he's proudest of 47:59 Downtown, Midtown, Uptown: a Sioux Falls geography lesson   QUESTIONS THIS EPISODE ANSWERS Who owns Landscape Garden Centers in Sioux Falls? Erik Helland is President and Owner. His father, Phil Helland, started the business as Lakeland Nurseries in 1977 after moving the family from Watertown, South Dakota. The name changed to Landscape Garden Centers in 1989, and Erik became sole owner roughly ten years ago.   What is Bloom and Branch in downtown Sioux Falls? Bloom and Branch is the downtown floral shop from Landscape Garden Centers, in the Jones421 building. It handles weddings, funerals, corporate events, everyday arrangements, delivery, and weekly or monthly flower subscriptions.   What is the hardest lesson of running a family business? Erik's answer is blunt: don't rely on a bank. Banks will lend when things are good, but when conditions get tough they are not the partner you assumed they were.   ABOUT THE GUEST Erik Helland is President and Owner of Landscape Garden Centers in Sioux Falls, the second generation to lead the company his father Phil founded as Lakeland Nurseries in 1977. He is also behind Bloom and Branch, the downtown floral shop in the Jones421 building. An SDSU graduate who once wanted to work for the FBI, he has spent his whole career in the green industry. Landscape Garden Centers: https://www.landscapegardencenters.com 47238 271st St, Sioux Falls, SD 57108 | (605) 338-0706   ABOUT 2 B'S IN A PODCAST 2 B's in a Podcast is hosted by brothers Brad and Brian Jans, owners of Jans Corporation, one of the largest commercial construction companies in South Dakota. Every episode is a real conversation with the people building Sioux Falls: family business owners, community leaders, and the folks whose names are on the door. Jans Corporation: https://www.janscorp.com

  5. Jul 17

    The #1 Question Homeowners Never Ask About Concrete

    Why does concrete crack, and how do you make a driveway, patio, or parking lot last decades instead of years? Pat Gerlach of Concrete Solutions Unlimited breaks it all down on 2 B's in a Podcast. In Episode 20, hosts and brothers Brad Jans and Brian Jans of Jans Corporation, a commercial construction company in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, sit down with Pat Gerlach, Field Superintendent at Concrete Solutions Unlimited (CSU), a full-service concrete contractor in Sioux Falls and part of the Jans family of companies. With more than two decades in the concrete trade, from pouring and finishing to field management, Pat answers the questions homeowners and business owners never think to ask. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN - Cement vs. concrete: what the difference actually is (and why it matters when you order a mix) - The one question almost nobody asks a concrete contractor: how do I care for my concrete after the pour? - Why drainage and downspouts quietly destroy driveways, sidewalks, and foundations from underneath - What freeze-thaw heaving is, and why your patio seems to "grow" every South Dakota winter - What salt and ice melt really do to a concrete surface, and safer winter alternatives - Good cracks vs. bad cracks, and how joints tell concrete where to crack - Rebar vs. fiberglass bar vs. wire mesh for driveways and flatwork - Why curing is the most skipped step in concrete, and what spalling looks like when it goes wrong - Concrete vs. asphalt: which parking lot surface lasts longer and why - How a 3D laser screed let the CSU crew place 180 yards, 18 ready-mix trucks, in about an hour - When to schedule a driveway replacement, realistic lead times, and why waiting rarely saves money CHAPTERS 0:00 What separates a foundation that lasts from one that fails? 1:34 Welcome to 2 B's in a Podcast: meet Pat Gerlach of Concrete Solutions Unlimited 1:52 Cement vs. concrete: setting the record straight 2:40 Mix designs 101: 4,000 PSI, high early, and waterproof mixes 3:52 Working inside the Jans family of companies 4:44 The wildest pour: 180 yards in about an hour with a 3D laser screed 5:59 What full-service concrete means on a commercial job 6:53 How weather makes or breaks a pour 8:44 Building relationships with other general contractors 9:38 The question homeowners never ask: caring for concrete after the pour 11:00 Downspouts, drainage, and what water does under your slab 12:57 Why concrete heaves in winter: the freeze-thaw cycle explained 13:55 Salt, ice melt, and safer winter care for driveways and sidewalks 16:07 Sealing your concrete: DIY or hire a pro? 16:57 Good cracks vs. bad cracks, and how to repair one 19:03 Rebar vs. fiberglass bar vs. wire mesh 20:00 Where owners overspend and cut corners: curing 101 22:36 Curling, flat floors, and robot-ready warehouse slabs 23:57 Vibration, voids, and the art of consolidation 26:45 Why adding water to the truck ruins your concrete 27:55 The spalling problem that hit driveways after COVID 30:30 Concrete vs. asphalt: which really lasts longer? 33:02 Concrete MythBusters: winter pours, 28-day strength, stamped concrete, hairline cracks 38:00 The most underrated pour Pat ever finished 40:47 When to plan your concrete project (and current lead times) 43:38 The one thing every owner should do each year 44:38 Handprints, memorial pours, and wrap-up COMMON QUESTIONS ANSWERED IN THIS EPISODE Q: What is the difference between cement and concrete? A: Cement is an ingredient in concrete. Concrete is a mix of cement, water, and aggregate. Cement is the powder that binds it together. Q: How do I make my concrete driveway last longer? A: Keep water away from it. Slope drainage and downspouts away from the slab, seal the joints and surface, shovel snow promptly, and go easy on ice melt. Q: Does concrete last longer than asphalt? A: In Pat's experience, yes. He has replaced far more failed asphalt with concrete than the other way around, especially in parking lots. Q: Are cracks in concrete always bad? A: No. Joints are placed to control where concrete cracks. Cracking becomes a problem when it is excessive or when moisture gets in and makes it worse. ABOUT THE GUEST Pat Gerlach is Field Superintendent at Concrete Solutions Unlimited in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. CSU handles foundations, footings, interior floors, curb and gutter, sidewalks, paving, stamped concrete, and snow removal for commercial and residential clients across the Sioux Falls area. Website: https://www.concretesolutionsunlimited.com Phone: (605) 331-5267 ABOUT 2 B'S IN A PODCAST 2 B's in a Podcast is hosted by brothers Brad Jans and Brian Jans, owners of Jans Corporation, a commercial construction company in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Each episode features conversations with the family business owners, builders, and community leaders shaping Sioux Falls and the region. Subscribe for more conversations with the people building Sioux Falls. #ConcreteDriveway #SiouxFalls #2BsInAPodcast #Construction #FamilyBusiness

  6. Jul 3

    J&L Harley-Davidson's 50-Year Story: Joe & Jimmy Entenman

    Two brothers who build things sit down with two brothers who build motorcycle culture. On this episode of 2 B's in a Podcast, Brad and Brian Jans of Jans Corporation host Joe and Jimmy Entenman, the second-generation owners of J&L Harley-Davidson in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, for an honest, funny conversation about running a 50-year family business. What started in 1975 — when the Entenman family answered an Argus Leader ad to become a single-line Harley-Davidson dealer — has grown into a Sioux Falls institution. Joe and Jimmy talk about learning the business by cleaning bathrooms and pulling weeds, earning their way into ownership over a 15-year transition, buying out their father Jim and uncle Lonnie, and carrying a family legacy that goes back to 1900 in Sioux Falls. It's a real look at family, culture, community, and what it takes to keep a business relevant for half a century. WHAT YOU'LL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE - What actually makes someone a "biker" — and why the culture is growing, not shrinking - How the Entenman family won the Harley franchise in 1975 out of 20-plus applicants - Why earning ownership beat being handed it — and how family businesses survive the transition - How J&L grew into Big Sioux Powersports and Harley-Davidson of Fargo - Inside the Harley-Davidson Riding Academy, which trains as many as 200 new riders a year - The oddest jobs of growing up in the business (yes, including the oil-wrestling story) - Why Sturgis matters to South Dakota — and the rain, the T-boned deer, and the global crowd - How the brothers build culture, treat every customer the same, and sell rider-to-rider - Giving back: Make-A-Wish, Emily's Hope, veterans groups, and the Ride for Heroes challenge CHAPTERS 00:00 Cold open: a few too many beers & a borrowed leather coat 03:25 Welcome: two sets of brothers, and what makes a "real biker" 05:38 Outlaw origins: WWII vets, the first clubs & going mainstream 09:15 The J&L story: answering an Argus Leader ad in 1975 11:38 Growing the family: Fargo, Big Sioux Powersports, Can-Am & Royal Enfield 17:58 The Harley-Davidson Riding Academy: up to 200 new riders a year 21:29 The oddest jobs of growing up in the business 24:43 The 100th-anniversary "oil wrestling" that went sideways 26:20 Sturgis stories: rain, a T-boned deer & a worldwide crowd 35:22 The evolution of the bike: lighter frames, the V-Rod & Livewire 43:48 Building culture: bike nights & treating everyone the same 47:09 Beer & Pretzels with Yogi & passing it to the next generation 52:49 Off the clock: cabinets, Traegers & 25-minute rips 56:04 The most overrated thing about biker culture 58:09 "Make a friend": how J&L sells rider-to-rider 01:00:04 Ride for Heroes & giving back to Sioux Falls ABOUT THE GUESTS Joe and Jimmy Entenman are brothers and co-owners of J&L Harley-Davidson, founded in 1975 by their father, Jim Entenman, and uncle Lonnie Entenman (the "J" and "L" in J&L). Based just off I-29 (Exit 83) at 2601 W. 60th Street North in Sioux Falls, the dealership marked its 50th anniversary in 2025. The Entenman family's operations include J&L Harley-Davidson (Sioux Falls), Big Sioux Powersports (Sioux Falls), Harley-Davidson of Fargo (West Fargo, ND), and Glacial Lakes Harley-Davidson (Watertown, SD). J&L is known across the region for Hot Harley Nights, Soo Foo Moto Fest, monthly bike nights, the Harley-Davidson Riding Academy, and its longtime support of Sioux Falls community causes. ABOUT 2 B's IN A PODCAST 2 B's in a Podcast is hosted by brothers Brad and Brian Jans of Jans Corporation, a commercial construction company in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The show goes beyond the blueprint to tell the stories of Sioux Falls family businesses, community leaders, and the people building the community forward. New conversations with the owners, founders, and characters who shape Sioux Falls and the surrounding region. Like this episode, share it with someone who'd enjoy it, and drop a comment below — we read them.

  7. Jun 19

    From Army Farm Kid to Running a 3rd-Generation Steel Company | P&M Steel

    Every building in Sioux Falls is standing on something you'll never see — the steel. In this episode of 2 B's in a Podcast, Brad and Brian Jans of Jans Corporation sit down with Mike DeJong, President of P&M Steel, to talk about the work behind the walls: structural steel fabrication, the backbone that holds up the city's schools, stores, and skyline. P&M Steel started in 1970 and is now a third-generation, employee-owned (ESOP) company in Sioux Falls. Mike's own path there wasn't a straight line — he grew up on a family farm in Platte, South Dakota, spent roughly 30 years in the military and National Guard, deployed alongside his own father in 2003, and met his wife on deployment before working his way up to run the company. This is a real conversation about what it actually takes to fabricate steel on a deadline, why communication makes or breaks a project, and how a blue-collar trade is changing with technology, tariffs, and a tight market. In this episode: The P&M Steel story — three generations and an employee-owned shop From the Army to the steel floor: Mike's road to running the company Deploying with his dad — and a Vietnam vet finally getting his welcome home Why steel is the backbone of a building (and the parts nobody sees) When is the right time to build? Reading the shop, the schedule, and the market How 20–25 people touch a single project from bid to delivery The real timeline: 12–16 weeks from drawings to steel on site Tariffs, interest rates, and the risk of buying steel before approval Building schools — including the Harrisburg Freshman Academy his daughter sat in first Technology and automation: from hand layout to one machine that does it all Welding programs, young talent, and the future of the trade Family business, succession, and letting your kids find their own path Rapid fire: steel vs. concrete vs. wood, and what GCs get wrong ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 The steel keeps getting bigger 00:52 Welcome to 2 B's in a Podcast 01:23 Meet Mike DeJong & P&M Steel 01:55 Three generations of P&M Steel 02:55 From the Army to running a steel company 04:01 Growing up on a Platte, SD farm 05:55 Deploying alongside his own dad 07:01 What people don't understand about steel 07:43 When is the right time to build? 09:17 Bigger city, bigger steel 10:05 Surviving COVID 11:00 Choosing partners — why communication wins 13:27 The backbone nobody sees 14:53 Building schools & the Harrisburg Freshman Academy 15:44 How many hands touch one project 16:45 Drawings to delivery: the real timeline 17:58 Steel mills, buying, and tariffs 20:57 Welding programs & young talent 22:18 Technology: from hand layout to one machine 24:24 Family, kids & finding your own path 26:41 Back to the farm? Cattle, small towns & the hat 29:15 Rapid fire 31:01 The toughest builds: dairy barn trusses & curved steel 33:01 Backlog, paint, finishes & galvanizing 33:57 EOS and the 5–10 year vision 36:18 Employee-owned: what ESOP really means 36:55 Military leadership on the shop floor 38:54 The future of PNM Steel 39:52 Where to find PNM Steel 40:56 Small jobs, big jobs — steel for your home too 41:37 Keep building 🏗️ About the guest Mike DeJong is the President of P&M Steel, a third-generation, employee-owned structural steel fabrication company in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, serving the region from Pierre to Aberdeen and into Minnesota and Iowa. 📍 4401 Northwest Port Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 🌐 p,steel.net 🎙️ About the show 2 B's in a Podcast is hosted by Brad and Brian Jans of Jans Corporation — a Sioux Falls commercial construction company. We go beyond the blueprint to talk about construction, family business, leadership, ranching, and the people building South Dakota. Connect with Jans Corporation: 🌐 https://www.janscorp.com 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/company/jans-corp/ 📘 https://www.facebook.com/janscorp/ 📸 https://www.instagram.com/janscorporation/ If something here resonated, like the episode, share it with someone in the trades, and subscribe for new conversations every week. #P&MSteel #SteelFabrication #SiouxFalls #SouthDakota #StructuralSteel

  8. Jun 5

    Nyberg's Ace Hardware: 7 Stores, One Family, and a Cat Named Kevin

    Nyberg's Ace Hardware has been Sioux Falls' helpful place for 68 years — across 7 stores, three generations, and one very memorable cat. This is the story.   In this episode of 2 B's in a Podcast, Brad and Brian Jans (Jans Corporation) sit down with Kevin Nyberg and his daughter Kelly Nyberg at the flagship 41st & Minnesota store to talk about how a 1958 wrong-turn detour from Hibbing, Minnesota turned into one of South Dakota's most recognized family businesses — Nyberg's Ace Hardware, Nyberg's Dakota Workwear, and Nyberg's Ace Handyman Services.   🔨 What you'll learn: - How Kevin's dad picked Sioux Falls over Torrington, Wyoming in 1958 — and why being the first retailer on 41st Street in 1969 still pays off today - The full history of the downtown Nyberg's Ace location (yes, the old Sid's Liquor — with the Texaco pump, bakery pans, and Al Neuharth / USA Today / Sodak Sports backstory) - Why "Don't chase, Nyberg's Ace is the place" still drives every location decision — and where the next three Sioux Falls stores might land (57th & Highway 100 is the one everyone asks about) - Kelly Nyberg's path from LA stand-in for Selena Gomez to Dakota News Now host to running hiring and marketing at the family business - How the team keeps 27- and 40-year employees — and why hiring people with disabilities is core to the Nyberg's culture - Hot Classic Nights — 10th year of the downtown car show benefiting the Shriners - Why Kevin's dad was the first to bring Weber Grills to South Dakota, and why Ego battery-powered lawn equipment is flying off the shelves right now - The Janss Corp + Nyberg's build history — 10th & Sycamore, Sartoma & 41st, and what goes into laying out a hardware store - The story behind a cat named Kevin Nyberg (you'll have to listen)   ⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 Inside the downtown store: Texaco pumps, bakery pans & Sid's history 00:53 Welcome — meet Kevin and Kelly Nyberg 01:52 The buffalo Hawaiian shirt story 03:39 Is anyone nervous about doing a podcast? 04:10 1958: Hibbing, a wrong turn, and how Sioux Falls beat Torrington Wyoming 05:53 1969 — Nyberg's becomes the first retailer on 41st Street 07:55 Kevin's first paycheck at age 9 — pulling every bolt out of every bin 09:12 Helpful is the culture — traditions Kevin keeps alive 11:05 "Don't chase, Nyberg's Ace is the place" — convenience, quality, helpful 12:25 The downtown store — Sid's Liquor, Texaco, and the USA Today connection 14:14 Hot Classic Nights — 10 years of downtown car shows 16:10 The "golden ticket" — three Sioux Falls parcels and what's next 18:36 Kelly Nyberg: from LA acting to Dakota News Now 22:31 The cat named Kevin Nyberg 26:36 The future of Nyberg's Ace — Eric, the next generation 28:14 The team, the culture, and the 27- and 40-year employees 31:10 Word-of-mouth hiring and why retention is up 60% 32:48 What Sioux Falls is doing right 34:35 The Jans Corporation x Nyberg's build history 36:37 Inside the store layout — visual merchandising the helpful way 39:35 Advice for multi-generational family business 41:10 Family rules and Kelly as "interim CEO" 43:13 What's next — 57th & Highway 100 44:07 Best sellers — Ego, Weber, and Poppy's Popcorn 48:09 Rapid-fire: historical finds at the downtown store 49:14 Who's the better griller? 50:22 The one unwritten rule of working with dad 52:39 Wrapping up   🏢 About the guests: Kevin Nyberg is the second-generation owner of Nyberg's Ace Hardware in Sioux Falls, South Dakota — a 68-year-old family business with five Ace locations (41st & Minnesota, 12th & Kiwanis, 10th & Sycamore, Downtown, Sartoma & 41st), plus Nyberg's Dakota Workwear, Nyberg's Ace Handyman Services, a Watertown store, and a B2B supply division.   Kelly Nyberg is on-air at Dakota News Now (segments and the quarterly "Welcome Home" show), and leads hiring and marketing at Nyberg's Ace.   🎙️ About 2 B's in a Podcast: 2 B's in a Podcast is hosted by Brad and Brian Jans of Jans Corporation — a Sioux Falls-based commercial construction company. We talk beyond the blueprint about family business, the construction world, ranching, and what keeps people building and moving forward.   🔗 Connect: - Nyberg's Ace Hardware → https://www.nybergsace.com - Jans Corporation → https://www.janscorp.com - Subscribe for new episodes weekly   👍 If something here resonated — a story, a stat, or the cat — like the video, share it with someone in the trades or in a family business, and drop a comment below.   #NybergsAceHardware #SiouxFalls #FamilyBusiness #SouthDakota #AceHardware

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

In 2 B's in a PODcast, brothers Brad and Brian Jans take you Beyond the Blueprint to share stories about family, business, construction, and the people behind the projects. 👉 Subscribe to learn more about our work, our values, and our vision for building a better future.

Information

  • Creator
    Jans Corporation
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    2 B's in a PODcast

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