Dreaming Big, Building Bigger: The Buzzing World of Don’s Cold Storage

When he opened his food distribution business back in 2006, Don Coenen started with three semi-trucks in a crowded market. Nearly 20 years later, his company Don's Cold Storage and Transportation is a multi-million dollar corporation, open for business 365 days a year. More than a profitable operation, it’s a business that has provided a livelihood for countless people in Arkansas, Missouri and beyond. So how do you achieve this kind of growth? What does it take to turn the dream into a reality? And is reality just as glorious as it seems? Today, our host Ari Marin sits down with Don – a loyal Cadence Bank customer – to answer these questions and hear all about his journey through the food distribution industry.From Don’s early inspirations and mentors, to his passion for business, we’ll also learn about his goals for the future. We’ll see that Don’s Cold Storage is not just a logistics company. It’s the product of a dream, a resilient financial strategy and a culture of wellness built with intention and purpose. Join us in conversation to hear Don Coenen’s inspiring tale of grit, and discover a whole new world: the buzzing world of Don’s Cold Storage. Highlights:Introducing Don’s Cold Storage and Transportation (0:35)A typical day in Don Coenen’s life (3:28)Northwest Arkansas: a thriving place for business (5:15)Rethinking the economy of “scale” (07:08)Why the food sector is a resilient industry (8:31)The early days of Don’s Cold Storage (10:13)Hard earned financial lessons (13:09)Don’s growth mindset: don’t back down, double down (15:27)Challenges and opportunities during the Covid pandemic (16:52)Unpacking Don’s business culture (18:18)The benefits of promoting from within (20:21)The importance of self-care and employee support (21:36)Why Don’s Corporation is more than a workplace (24:51)How Don flies the company flag (26:26)Future goals for Don’s Cold Storage and Transportation (28:22)Don’s final word: “The future is coming anyway” (31:05)Links:Cadence Bank WebsiteCadence Bank X (Twitter)Cadence Bank LinkedInCadence Bank YouTubeDon’s Cold Storage and Transportation WebsiteDon’s Cold Storage and Transportation LinkedInDon Coenen LinkedInFeedback:If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producers, Eydie.Pengelly@cadencebank.com or Danielle.Kernell@cadencebank.com.

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Starting and running a business or managing one isn’t for the faint of heart. You’re balancing internal and external forces in a continually changing landscape. You’re building strategies, and banking on the future – no matter what it holds. This is where Cadence Bank’s In Good Companies comes in. We share our wealth of knowledge, and insights from noted industry experts, to guide you through the forces shaping business today. We’re back for Season 6, and this time, we’re setting our sights on the future of work. We’re asking the big questions, like: What will your career look like in 2030? Or 2050, even? How is ESG shaping the future of companies? And how can we leverage AI to our advantage? We bring together experts from across the board, from Silicon Valley to multinationals like EY, to help you stay on the cutting edge of business. And we get to know those who are building the future of our companies; because at Cadence Bank, we want to hear the human side of every success story. Hosting our stellar range of guests this season is our new host, Ari Marin. He is a Cadence Bank Senior Vice President and family enterprise advisor, whose specialty is consulting with family-owned and small businesses. Ari’s idea of “good company” is being around creative, insightful people with unique and inspirational stories. For Season 6, he brings in his curiosity and ambition to In Good Companies, to lead discussions with our guests, and bring listeners across the U.S. all the information they need, in one place, in under 30 minutes. Ready to launch into the future? Then join us!