Thinking inside the Coldbox with Marko Dzeletovich
04/29/25 • 58 min
In this fun and insightful episode, Vince and Jenna sit down in-studio with Marko Dzeletovich, founder of ColdBox Builders, and his son Max to talk about legacy, leadership, and how ColdBox became one of the most respected names in cold storage construction. Marko shares the story of scaling the company through explosive growth, why culture always beats cash, and how to keep things cool—even through the chaos. Max jumps in with fresh energy as the next generation of ColdBox begins to take shape.
From maple syrup candles to rebranding revelations, this episode is packed with laughs, insights, and advice for any entrepreneur navigating the cold chain world.
Cool Takeaways:
❄️ From Brick Phone to ColdBox Boss – Marko’s journey from site superintendent to cold storage specialist is filled with grit, growth, and plenty of mentorship moments.
❄️ Scaling Smart – ColdBox grew from 30 to 75 employees in just two years during the pandemic. Marko shares what worked—and what didn’t.
❄️ Culture First – “Love what you do” isn’t just a motto at ColdBox—it’s the foundation. Hear why hiring for heart and passion trumps chasing headcount.
❄️ Rebrand & Refocus – The 2019 rebrand was more than a logo update. It was brand therapy that brought clarity, consistency, and new energy to the ColdBox mission.
❄️ Legacy in Motion – Max Dzeletovich joins the podcast and the business, offering a glimpse at what generational leadership looks like in action.
❄️ Peer Power – Marko reflects on the value of Vistage, mentorship, and real conversations with fellow leaders who’ve been through the trenches.
❄️ No Textbook for This – Entrepreneurship isn’t taught—it’s lived. Marko’s biggest advice? Be patient, and learn by doing.
Don’t miss this conversation on building cool things that last. Tune into the full episode at www.cooltimespodcast.com
Sponsored by:
🌡️ Vapor Armor
www.vaporarmor.com
⚙️ Applied Fabricators (Afab)
www.appliedfabricators.com
In this fun and insightful episode, Vince and Jenna sit down in-studio with Marko Dzeletovich, founder of ColdBox Builders, and his son Max to talk about legacy, leadership, and how ColdBox became one of the most respected names in cold storage construction. Marko shares the story of scaling the company through explosive growth, why culture always beats cash, and how to keep things cool—even through the chaos. Max jumps in with fresh energy as the next generation of ColdBox begins to take shape.
From maple syrup candles to rebranding revelations, this episode is packed with laughs, insights, and advice for any entrepreneur navigating the cold chain world.
Cool Takeaways:
❄️ From Brick Phone to ColdBox Boss – Marko’s journey from site superintendent to cold storage specialist is filled with grit, growth, and plenty of mentorship moments.
❄️ Scaling Smart – ColdBox grew from 30 to 75 employees in just two years during the pandemic. Marko shares what worked—and what didn’t.
❄️ Culture First – “Love what you do” isn’t just a motto at ColdBox—it’s the foundation. Hear why hiring for heart and passion trumps chasing headcount.
❄️ Rebrand & Refocus – The 2019 rebrand was more than a logo update. It was brand therapy that brought clarity, consistency, and new energy to the ColdBox mission.
❄️ Legacy in Motion – Max Dzeletovich joins the podcast and the business, offering a glimpse at what generational leadership looks like in action.
❄️ Peer Power – Marko reflects on the value of Vistage, mentorship, and real conversations with fellow leaders who’ve been through the trenches.
❄️ No Textbook for This – Entrepreneurship isn’t taught—it’s lived. Marko’s biggest advice? Be patient, and learn by doing.
Don’t miss this conversation on building cool things that last. Tune into the full episode at www.cooltimespodcast.com
Sponsored by:
🌡️ Vapor Armor
www.vaporarmor.com
⚙️ Applied Fabricators (Afab)
www.appliedfabricators.com
Previous Episode
Cool Returns: Real estate insights from Sean Gilbert of Saxum
In this fun and insightful episode, Vince and Jenna sit down with Sean Gilbert of Saxum Real Estate to talk about how Saxum went from boutique developments to becoming a national leader in cold storage and food processing facilities. Sean shares how strategic focus, smart partnerships (like with Arcadia Cold), and a commitment to team culture helped Saxum scale to over $3 billion in assets. From beard-growing tactics to real estate war stories, this episode is packed with laughs, strategy, and cold hard insights.
Cool Takeaways:
❄️ Niche Expertise Pays Off – Saxum shifted its focus to cold storage, dry industrial, and housing, scaling up with specialized teams in each.
❄️ The Arcadia Partnership – Sean shares how Saxum became the exclusive developer for Arcadia Cold, enabling rapid national expansion.
❄️ Spec Builds in Cold Storage – Sean breaks down the risks, sweet spots, and evolving strategy for spec buildings in cold chain real estate.
❄️ The Power of Thoughtful Design – From port market docks to multi-use cold buildings, smart design choices are critical for longevity and flexibility.
❄️ Culture is Key – Saxum’s slow hiring, team bonding (hello Dirt Dogs!), and shared values keep their team strong and cohesive.
❄️ Tech-Savvy Approach – From AI tools to cold chain logistics systems, Sean explains how Saxum is future-proofing its operations with tech.
❄️ ICON Cold Growth – Sean discusses his role as co-chair of ICON Cold and how the capital markets-focused conference is helping evolve the industry.
Don’t miss this deep dive into the future of cold storage. Chill out with the full episode at www.cooltimespodcast.com
Sponsored by Senneca Holdings
Sponsored by VersiFoam
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