PROCO360 | Best Podcast for Entrepreneurs and Business Owners: Recent Episodes
Dave Tabor, PROCO360
"BEST PODCAST" Featuring world-class entrepreneurs who could be successful anywhere, and choose Colorado.
“The phone here rings 168 times an hour… but of all of those people we probably take 1-3%.”
Dr. Joseph Ramos
“You can start to create employee avatar profiles to identify neighborhoods that attract talent.”
Anthony Albanese, CBRE
“We camped on the ice at -40 degrees, sleeping in tents with no heat… my fingers didn’t work.”
Guadalupe Laiz
Whatever gets exposed gets one atom on it and then the process shuts itself off...” Paul Lichty, Founder & CEO, Forge Nano
I heard God say “I want you to build a real wall that can come apart.”
John Fay, CEO, Låda Build
"My advice is listen, listen, listen because what we can’t do is the way we’ve been doing it.”
Jen Lester, Co-founder & CEO, Philosophy Communication, Inc.
Leaders say, “Somehow we never have the money to fund change management on our first try, but have a blank check on the 3rd try making the same change.”
Scott McAllister, CEO, Prosci
Alpen High Performance Products was cheaper to fill the entire Empire State Building with our windows than to get a new HVAC system big enough to heat and cool it with its old windows.”
Andrew Zech, Alpen High Performance Products
I said to everyone who joined the firm: "You're not joining the legal profession - you're joining the energy industry."Michael Beatty, with Michael Wozniak, founders of Beatty & Wozniak
“We’re curious, if you invest in women the same as men, especially in sports, can you get the same results on the field and for a business.”
Rob Cohen, Lead Owner, Denver Summit Football Club
“You’d be surprised by some of the people coming to us who are working multiple jobs and are still really struggling.”
Pam Brier, CEO, The Action Center
“We realized that it’s the communities that take care of us.”Kyle Peters, Co-owner, Sexy Pizza
“The industry has done a phenomenal job in gaslighting us.”
Mike Chambers, Founder & CEO, Ridley
“Our goal is to have every teacher maxed out on their pay scale.”
Jen Cooper, Founder & CEO, Happy Teacher
“We’d rather be on the side of governments stopping human trafficking and with international communities working to stop drug trade.”
Dan Smoot, CEO, Vantor
“3 Rows… thousands of plants at a time are growing in that space.”
Jake Savageau, Co-founder, FarmBox Foods
“(I recognized that)… having machines see stuff could now be more lucrative… I started to think about trash as an underappreciated problem.”
Matanya Horowitz, Founder & CTO, AMP
“The branding connotes the positive image of the quality of the food inside.”
Jane Hartgrove, Owner and “La Jefa,” Tres Picosos
“The world is based upon small ball and squabbles – things that aren’t important – none of that matters.”
Dylan Taylor, Chairman & CEO, Voyager Technologies
“Blind spots are when we’re not aware of ourselves – most of the time that works for us but sometimes those normal behaviors become problems.”Martin Dubin, Author, Blindspotting – How to See What’s Holding You Back as a Leader
“The largest pickleball age demographic is 24-35.”
Adam Kahn, co-Founder, 3rd Shot Pickleball
“My advice to anybody: be extremely careful about who you’re bringing in.”Landon Mossburg, CEO, Peak Energy
"We are the official sausage of the Colorado Rockies, DU Pioneers, Ball Arena and the Colorado Avalanche.”Melodie Polidori Harris (and Steve Polidori), Polidori Sausage
"We thought: it makes sense – maybe we should keep trying.”
Eric Davis, Founder & CEO, Pretred
"I’ve always wanted to surround myself with entrepreneurs who think differently, do differently.” Jaime Zawmon, Founder and President, Titan CEO & Titan 100
"If I’d known then what I know now, I think I could have accomplished what I accomplished with a little more EQ.”Dan Caruso, Caruso Ventures & Author of Bandwidth
“I think we were one of the inventors of the breakfast burrito.”Carmen Morales, Founder & Owner, Santiago’s Mexican Restaurants
"If this works, we might be able to solve the biggest health epidemic of our generation.”
Sami Inkinen, Founder & CEO, Virta Health
"This is the time for us to strike while the iron’s hot.” Rick George, Athletic Director, University of Colorado
"We are doing something that may not have been done before in this country: almost doubling capacity while remaining open.”
Phil Washington, CEO, Denver International Airport
"We bypass our lawmakers and put our pet issues on the ballot...”
Dave Tabor, host, ProCO360
"I am a very strong person... If you think that I am done because I lose one business, just wait!”
Dana Rodriguez, Chef and Restaurateur, Carne, Work & Class, Casa Bonita Executive Chef
"A lot of brands are shipping from a ping-pong table out of their garage...”
Irene Scharmack, CEO, QuickBox
"Actually, there was a light bulb moment where the combination of chemical reactions to make the whole process occurred to me...”
Laura Lammers, Founder & CEO, Travertine Technologies
"Even before we had a business, we talked some people into letting us do some catering for them – just on our good word.”
Jeff Kennedy, co-founder, Moe’s Original BBQ
“I reached $17 million before I hired my first employee.”
Leah Garcia, Founder & CEO, Nulastin
“An automotive company would have hundreds or thousands of people to build an entirely new vehicle – we're doing it with 75.” Toby Kraus, co-Founder, Lightship RV
“Changing the trajectory of someone’s life is the most contagiously happy thing you can imagine doing.”
Helen Young Hayes, Founder & CEO, ActivateWork
“When you empower physicians with those test results you really are playing a pivotal role in the treatment going forward.” Scott Hutton, CEO, Biodesix
“Consumers have the hardest job here – they are carrying the guilt of what to do with the package...”
Ian Jacobson, Eco Products
“...and those are the times when you go all in... what’s portrayed in the media, in TV shows – that's REAL.”
John Nellen, Founder & CEO, Todyl
“People are willing to ignore security policies in order to gain the productivity benefits (of AI).”
Steven Walchek, CEO & Co-founder, Liminal
“Owning the stratospheric data layer is where the majority of our revenue will live.”
Andrew Antonio, Co-founder & CEO, Urban Sky
“Our goal is to flatten the methane curve, and we can actually achieve it.”
- Craig Rieker, Co-founder & CTO
I had no idea how exciting this episode would become while I was preparing for it. LongPath is the story of a company that emerged from Nobel Prize winning technology developed at NIST and University of Colorado. You may have never cared about what a “frequency comb” is, and you WILL after listening to how this now little, soon to be big company enabled by a $195 million loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Energy, can have a massive impact on climate change. Listen now – and you’ll be able to tell your friends, “I’ve been watching them since this all started!”
“We wanted to change the company from a closure system to a high-performance fit system to change the way athletes perform – and prove it scientifically.”
Shawn Neville, CEO, BOA
Most guests on ProCO360 cut me some slack. Not Shawn Neville of BOA, and not even in front of a live audience at BOA’s world headquarters. From the start Shawn showed how determined he is that the world recognize that BOA technology is NOT to replace shoelaces, or even to be a better closure system. It’s a “PERFORMANCE FIT SYSTEM,” period.
If you really want to be intrigued, listen to why BOA is choosing to not maximize profits. Several in attendance at this LIVE event were discussing BOA’s strategy around this afterwards – add your comments about this!
“Give someone who wants to work hard a chance and they will give you everything they’ve got.” Jamie Repenning, CEO, R&R Head Labs
“The default for most manufacturers and retailers before we came along was to destroy returns.” Kristin Langenfeld, Co-founder and CEO, GoodBuy Gear
My expectations were completely wrong entering this episode with Kristin Langenfeld. I’d expected she would tell me the story of a woman who started selling her own used baby gear, then slowly expanded the activity into a basement enterprise, and so on until it was a real company. Nope. And she’s out to dominate a market sector with those whom I’d have expected were unlikely partners.
“I sent them an article, Vangst raises $2.5M from a Tier 1 VC in New York, and people started to not laugh at me as much.” Karson Humiston, Founder and CEO, Vangst
“If you love a band that’s coming to Red Rocks and you’re 21 years old, I'll find a way to give you that time off.” Tom Luersen, President, CoralTree Hospitality
This episode came together because a longtime friend, Dani Stern, now an executive at CoralTree told me over beers recently that he quit his last job to come to CoralTree. In fact, that he’d told his prior employer, before taking that job, that if Tom Luersen called, he (Dani) would quit to go work for Tom. Dani was EMPHATIC that the culture at CoralTree is THAT different, that special. Of course, I wanted to do this episode! And during it, I told Tom, “YOU CAN’T SAY IT’S YOUR PEOPLE.” I thought he’d argue – he didn’t. Have a listen!
“We’re building homes in about 9 days at 20 stations, so every house stays at a station about 4 hours.” Charlie Chupp, Founder and CEO, Fading West
This is the second recent episode about a Colorado company building alternatives to traditional single-family homes (see also Studio Shed – Still Leading the ADU Industry). It’s because the lack of attainable housing is such an important issue and Colorado companies are addressing it with innovation and value. This episode with Charlie Chupp of Fading West describes the problems and challenges, and how applying Charlie’s LEAN manufacturing background is effectively driving a fast-evolving industry. I was fascinated by some surprises about workforce in this episode!
“I EXPLAIN TO CUSTOMERS HOW I WORK, AND THEY TRUST ME.”Fernando Ledezma, Ledezma Concrete
This episode is out of my comfort zone – and refreshingly so. Generally, I’m with high-flying entrepreneurs leading business that have raised tens of millions of dollars and are pursuing hockey stick growth. Tia and Fernando Ledezma charmed me when they replaced a sidewalk at my house. They reminded me of my great grandparents who came to the United States with a trade (tailors) and having to learn the language, assimilate, and make their own way. Ledezma Concrete is a wonderful story of initiative, risk taking and hard work.
“Community engagement is really looking to the future… what do I want my city and community to be and how can I help that happen?” Rob Cohen, Chairman and CEO, IMA Financial
“It’s fun to be in a business where you have to decide where to pursue the opportunity.” Jeremy Nova, co-Founder, Studio Shed
Jeremy was my guest via Zoom during the pandemic. Sometimes it’s fun to circle back with a prior guest to see how they’ve evolved – either the leader (see this focus in the episode “Starting from Skratch, Maturing as CEO” with Ian MacGregor of Skratch Labs), or the business and market as is the case this time. I was eager to explore this because after Studio Shed was an early innovator in its space, it was followed by large and notable companies like Tuff Shed and Home Depot that evolved their product lines to compete with Studio Shed.
“When we started out we weren’t thinking big picture – we were just excited to offer something we were passionate about.” Jane Barden, co-Founder, Farm to Summit
“We deploy data and technology to find pockets of opportunity we call Superfans.” Greg Sobiech, Founder & CEO, DELVE
“THE STATE OF COLORADO INCENTIVIZED ME TO MOVE HERE FROM AUSTIN, AND THAT WAS THE VERY BEST DECISION I’VE MADE IN THE HISTORY OF THE COMPANY.”Jonathan Ballesteros, Geyser Systems
“In that year (Covid) we turned down Ellen Oprah and Martha Stewart… because we were so committed to our direct customer.”Jeff Eldridge, Liberty Puzzles
“My #1 job is to run this great company… and (create a brand) that helps me get this message out there that there’s a different way to lead a company.”Kerry Siggins, CEO of StoneAge… Author and Speaker
I’ve been skeptical and bewildered as I’ve watched Kerry Siggins mature as the CEO of StoneAge while simultaneously leaning in to becoming an author and speaker on leadership. My skepticism comes from wondering how one can seemingly focus on two careers simultaneously and do them both WELL. A deeper question in my mind was how those she leads feel about their CEO directing so much energy at things not specific to running their company. I was amazed at how Kerry took these questions head on, and that her answers made sense to me on several levels.
“This is a once in a generation paradigm shift in computing performance… We’re all jockeying to one of the 3-5 winners at the end of the day.” Rob Hays, President & CEO, Atom Computing
“I would say (to athletes), you know why you get paid? You’ve got to be able to bring value and sell products.” Chase Garrett, Founder & CEO, Icon Source
“NIL” – Name, Image, and Likeness” – the idea that “amateur” athletes now get paid for helping to products, has upended amateur sports. Chase Garrett, with a background working with prominent athletes and brands, saw this, and created what I’ve labeled the “Match.com styled marketplace for athletes and brands.” I was so excited to explore this topic with Chase – what a great conversation!
“We have customers tell us that we’ve helped them become better chefs.” Janet Johnston, Co-founder, Savory Spice Shops
I begin this interview with a bit of a rant about how so many passion-based retailers fail, barely holding on long enough to save their pride after working 80-hour weeks for less than minimum wage. Savory Spice, now with 30 locations, is a clear exception. Husband and wife Mike and Janet Johnston share ideas that reveal what made their results different!
“We always had a method to capture demand... we established a waitlist of over 5,000 people.”
GG Edwards, Co-founder & CEO Gnara (formerly SheFly)
20% off PROMO CODE below in show notes!
Successful startup stories based on an “OMG, what a great idea!” product are always fun. When I spoke with GG Edwards, it was a day before she was set to announce the expanded branding of what was then called SheFly – a company formed around ONE product. Something that often makes the sharks on Shark Tank say, “That’s a product, not a business.” So, while GG and I talked about the aha moment and then the process of creating the initial product – and that’s inspiring – we also talked about moving from a single product to a broader business, now called Gnara.
Want to try Gnara? Use Promo Code: GNARA360 for 20% off!
“We believe that big boxes stifle innovation because you start chasing volume.” Dustin English, Chief Experience Officer, Voormi
I was interested in speaking with Dan English, Founder and CEO of Voormi because I saw a few Voormi garments in specialty retailers and thought it would be interesting to explore competing against the big name brands. This interview fascinated me because of the strategy that Dan and his son Dustin laid out. It’s a strategy of innovation and licensing as much as – well, maybe more than – selling products. You’ll hear my surprise and keen interest as this interview goes a direction I hadn’t planned.
“I was taken under the wing of one of the most prolific surgeon entrepreneurs of the 20th century.” Dr. James Mault, Founder and CEO, BioIntellisense
I’ve had a little visibility into the world of medical devices. It’s not for the faint of heart (a bit of a pun). The road is so long, so slow, so arduous, and SO expensive – and potentially impactful and lucrative.
I was introduced to Dr. James Mault by my friends at the Colorado Bioscience Association after BioIntelliSense won the award as Bioscience Company of the Year, 2022. Happy to have Jim in the studio with me – what a great story of a very relatable product that will improve outcomes and reduce costs.
“It’s conservation through commerce. If people didn’t like eating bison there wouldn’t be 500,000 today.”
Bob Dineen, Founder and President, Great Range Bison
I like bison burgers. Just putting that out there.
As much as I like talking with CEOs of unicorn tech companies, speaking with the founder of a bison company that has 40% of the GLOBAL market was pretty fascinating. As a podcast host, my primary tool is curiosity – and whether you are a meat eater or not, learning about this industry from Bob Dineen – the worldwide leader in his industry – is pretty special.
“We’ve got to be the market for mountain bikers… what do WE want to ride?”
Chris Conroy, President, Yeti Cycles
I like mountain biking and I have a bike that when it was new, was pretty good. My friends who are serious about mountain biking a) tease me about my bike now, and b) are super jealous that I had the President of Yeti Cycles in the studio with me! HA! Chris Conroy and the Yeti team are passionate about building bikes for racing. We talk about that, about differentiating the brand (racing), about marketing – and, I couldn’t NOT ask him about e-bikes!
Secret: want to know the truth about whether if there's a connection between YETI bikes and YETI coolers?
“WHEN YOU’RE SOLVING A VERY CHALLENGING PROBLEM WITH TECHNOLOGY YOU CAN ATTRACT EXCEPTION PEOPLE.”Dax Craig, CEO of Pie Insurance
I spent my first year out of college selling life insurance and it was the worst year of my life. It’s not a surprise that as I got ready to prepare for this episode, I wasn’t excited. I had to remind myself, “This is a UNICORN company. Investors are throwing crazy money at it.” I used that to motivate myself to dig-in.
BIG surprise! Dax Craig is such an engaging CEO. He admitted that it’s not about insurance for him either – it’s about the challenge of solving a problem that truly helps small businesspeople start and sustain a business. Highly encourage listening to this episode – I think you’ll lean in the way I did!
“There’s more value in learning and team development than in avoiding a mistake.”Ian MacGregor, CEO, Skratch Labs
Ian was also my guest for Episode 75 about 2 years ago. At that time, Ian explained that he’d been an “accidental” CEO. I wanted to catch up with Ian and see how he was maturing as a leader, as a CEO. I almost chose this quote to lead with,
“We got OBSESSED with the customer experience – being more than just a product,”
and instead chose the quote above it because it’s more aligned with the theme of “maturing as a CEO.” Ian is such a great guy – you’ll enjoy his candor and the journey of Skratch Labs.
“Engineers joined us because they saw the people already here whom they’d admired, and now could work with and learn from.”Joe Laurienti, CEO, Ursa Major
I wanted to learn about rocket engines from a rocket scientist, so of course I was excited to interview Joe Laurienti, founder and CEO of Ursa Major, based in Berthoud, Colorado. Joe and I had a good time methodically understanding (me asking, Joe explaining) the key features of their rocket engines. We also explored the relationship between price, reliability, risk and reusability. Aerospace is a huge and growing industry sector in Colorado and you’ll want to listen to this episode of ProCO360!
”Our first few people who joined us, joined as full-time volunteers.” Josh Ross, Humanitix
Global disruption of the entrenched oligopoly of ticketing – and doing it as a “for purpose” business with no equity investors and volunteers as its first “employees.” Humanitix did that. Starting in Australia and becoming a dominant player there emboldened Humanitix to expand its services to the U.S. with a Colorado HQ, saving ticket buyers massive amounts in fees, and contributing millions to children’s causes along the way. Their story is a fascinating one.
We’ve gone from $300,000 on credit cards to over $1Billion in three year revenue with no debt.Dan Dietrich, CEO, Jogan Health
I was introduced to Dan Dietrich of Jogan Health by my friend David Pritchard of Denver Angels. David told me, “You need to know Dan – his company growth has been explosive!” When I learned that in three years, the company had had a total of a BILLION in revenue, I was sold. But then, when interviewing Dan, I was FLOORED to learn that he’d financed the company with over $300,000 of credit card debt. I asked him if he’d discussed that with is wife beforehand…
”It’s not only SEO. It’s not just Pay Per Click (or the tactic one knows)… it’s a FUNNEL – there are so many different pieces.”
Jerid Schumacher with Clint Macklin, VEA Technologies
I’m proud to know Clint Macklin and Jerid of VEA Technologies. They’ve been sponsors of ProCO360 for quite a while, helping me manage the website. While VEA is a full-service web firm, I didn’t want to talk with them about everything they do – I wanted their take on trends around digital marketing – from campaign elements to search changes driven by Chat GBT. For those not that in the weeds, this episode is a great way to catch up on digital marketing strategy and tactics!
The aha moment was when I saw the ability for local businesses to better reach those in their community.Josh Ritzer, founder and CEO, Nigh TechnologiesAfter 134 episodes of ProCO360, I tried something new: an early-stage startup introduced to me by its PR firm. I intrigued with the mission of Nigh to support local business, and checked out the technology they’ve created, and decided, “why not?” As it turns out, Josh Ritzer is a dynamic founder who has invested $700,000 of his own money to get Nigh from concept to Alpha, and now what looks like a highly functional Beta. Nigh is achieving tremendous results in driving profitable incremental sales to local businesses in an energizing, community building way. I’ve become a fan! I think you’ll enjoy this episode – and watching the progress Nigh makes.
I was hiring kids older than me so they could drive me around to do detailing.
Adam Pitale, Founder & Chief Detailer
You’ll love this episode. It’s a fun story of Adam Pitale, a teenager who grew up in Southern California and built a little car detailing service business for spending money. As Adam strived to do more cars, he grew determined to figure out how to do the tedious tasks better and faster. He turned what he learned into how-to videos which became the gateway for a line of specialty products… now over 350 SKUs and tens of millions in revenue, all within a great niche built for hobbyists and enthusiasts. It’s a fun story told by a passionate accidental entrepreneur.
“A 10-year cycle on billion-dollar projects wasn’t going to be sustainable… particularly given the threats we were seeing from our adversaries.”
Dirk Wallinger, CEO, York Space Systems
I went into my podcast recording with Dirk Wallinger hungry to learn about the business of designing, manufacturing, launching and managing small satellites. In fact, in a pre-interview with Dirk, I asked for his permission to talk about the basics, transparently showing how little I know – he readily agreed and we had a longer than planned conversation about the industry, the evolving role of satellites in our lives, some curiosity-addressing aspects of satellite orbits and maintenance, and trends to watch for. York is a 500 person Colorado company that’s growing fast in its niche.
“I have friends at large companies trying to solve this problem sending me 200-page engineering drawings… We have an idea and we build it.” Jack Barker, Founder and President, Innovative Water Technologies
I first heard of Innovative Water Technologies’ SunSpring water purification product when it was up for the People’s Choice for the Colorado Chamber of Commerce’s Coolest Thing Made in Colorado awards. It’s hard to imagine a more impactful product. With low price and extraordinary reliability, SunSpring is providing remote villages, disaster areas and the military with trustworthy drinking water. All made in Rocky Ford, Colorado. The origin story is fantastic, as is the mouth dropping sound byte I caught when I thought we were done.
“A few food-tech startups reached out about their companies… when I started digging into it I was like, this is a STORY.” Nikki Wentling, Technology and Innovation Reporter, Denver Business Journal
Despite having so many amazing tech sector CEOs on ProCO360, it’s really hard to stay caught up with Colorado’s tech sector. One of my favorite tools is the Technology page of the Denver Business Journal so I decided to get to know Nikki Wentling, the Technology and Innovation beat reporter of the DBJ. It was enlightening to learn about how she finds stories and keeps up with the sector - and what she sees for emerging growth in Colorado.
“The world needed and needs a platform to employ people literally anywhere.”
Ben Wright, Founder, Chairman and CEO, Velocity Global
CEO Ben Wright of Velocity Global and I explored the future of remote/distributed work in our conversation that ran longer than most. I poked and prodded around what I identified as the “four skepticisms of remote work:” successful collaboration of teams, impact on culture, integration of new employees, and a trusting an employer would receive a fair day’s work. We also discussed managing the tremendous growth that made Velocity Global one of Colorado’s Colorado unicorn tech companies.
“Seeing the amazement on customers’ faces, knowing that they will look through the dome and see the stars… gives me goosebumps.” John Gibson, Owner & CEO, Secret Creek
I’ve always been drawn to yurts, tipis and tents – there’s something both novel and romantic about the structures, particularly today’s upscale versions, so I was eager to speak with John Gibson of Secret Creek. I learned something unexpected and fascinating during this episode – why a former business executive would, rather than start a new company, choose to purchase a “legacy” business, and how he went about it.
“Seeing the amazement on customers’ faces, knowing that they will look through the dome and see the stars… gives me goosebumps.” John Gibson, Owner & CEO, Secret Creek
I’ve always been drawn to yurts, tipis and tents – there’s something both novel and romantic about the structures, particularly today’s upscale versions, so I was eager to speak with John Gibson of Secret Creek. I learned something unexpected and fascinating during this episode – why a former business executive would, rather than start a new company, choose to purchase a “legacy” business, and how he went about it.
“We strapped some cameras and sensors onto my old Cub Cadet riding mower and drove around.” Jack Morrison, CEO, Scythe
I love a great niche (I’ve started about 50 posts with that phrase). Even more, I love a business in a great niche that solves a big and PAINFUL problem that needs almost no explanation before a customer interrupts and says, “I WANT THAT!” Scythe solves a huge pain point in an amazing way that aligns its customers’ goals with Scythe’s goals. They have 7000 units on backorder – listen to learn.
“We strapped some cameras and sensors onto my old Cub Cadet riding mower and drove around.” Jack Morrison, CEO, Scythe
I love a great niche (I’ve started about 50 posts with that phrase). Even more, I love a business in a great niche that solves a big and PAINFUL problem that needs almost no explanation before a customer interrupts and says, “I WANT THAT!” Scythe solves a huge pain point in an amazing way that aligns its customers’ goals with Scythe’s goals. They have 7000 units on backorder – listen to learn.
“We enable human beings to reach their potential all around the planet.” Yancey Spruill, CEO, DigitalOcean
I’ve known Yancey Spruill when he was a leader at DigitalGlobe, at SendGrid where he was CFO/COO and helped take the company public, and now as CEO of DigitalOcean – a public company with revenue that will likely exceed half a $ billion in 2022. During our catching up conversation, we discussed Yancey’s passion for DigitalOcean’s platform which helps launch aspiring entrepreneurs around the world. He also is passionate about creating and maintaining a remote-first culture for DigitalOcean’s 900 team members.
“Workers are drawn to, and most productive in, workspaces with which they identify.”
Josh Freed, Founder and CEO, Proximity
When Josh Freed and I first did an Episode of ProCO360 in 2019, Covid was not yet a thing and coworking was just expanding from new and novel to an established niche option for conducting business. Ha, all that seems so long ago! I wanted to reunite with Josh to see how Proximity has been riding the wave of co-working and get his insights about where co-working, and remote work in general, are heading. One point, that workers now are drawn to, and most productive in, workspaces with which they “identify,” really created a light bulb moment.
“Business and life are about happiness – and a lot of both are about suffering and getting through the hard times.”
Matt Brown, Author, Entrepreneur and Podcast host
Matt is a super accomplished entrepreneur, author, and podcaster who is in the process of moving from Africa to Colorado, making ProCO360 is an early connection for him here. He’s a high energy guy who’ll find a welcoming home in Colorado, and likely will become a personality in the entrepreneurial community. This is a great, early opportunity for you to get to know him!
“We are so fortunate – we have more subscribers than any other theater in the country.” Janice Sinden, President & CEO, Denver Center for Performing Arts
The last time I spoke with Janice Sinden was pre-Covid, and I was fascinated to learn how DCPA had survived being shut down and losing $100 million during the pandemic. That was a great conversation! We also talked about lots of aspects of the DCPA that I’d always wondered about including, “How much of the budget is covered by the big Broadway shows?”
“When you’re inventing something, there’s no end in sight until you get there.”
Shea Gerhardt, Founder & CEO, Buderflys
My friend and past guest on ProCO360 Colin McIntosh (Sheets & Giggles – No Bluetooth. Just Fabric and Elastic.) posted something about Buderflys that caught my attention. I did some research and found that this is a great story about one person so bothered by a problem that she created a product to fix it. It reminds me of my interview years ago with David Barnett of Popsockets (Philosophy Professor to Entrepreneur Selling Millions w/Help of Teenage YouTube Stars). I am amazed that Shea was able to patent such an idea which will now stymie the likes of Apple, Bose and Sony. Can a better earbud be one of those product innovations that will transform an industry? I ended the interview thinking that just might be the case – and I think you’ll be wondering the same thing, ending the episode with the desire to watch Colorado-based Buderflys and see just what it accomplishes.
“I’m a realist about the convergence of technology, culture and the outdoors.”
Robin Thurston, Chairman and CEO, Outside, Inc.
Do I seem a bit star-struck in this episode? If so, it’s because I was. I’ve been a fan of Outside Magazine since I moved to Colorado decades ago – and its many niche brands including Warren Miller Films, Ski Magazine and Backpacker. I was eager to explore how Outside, Inc. develops and manages all its niches for different kinds of outdoor enthusiasts – we did that, and we also dug into how Outside, Inc. considers the influence of technology on getting people outside!
“This episode is even richer in content than I’d hoped.”
Dave Tabor, host, ProCO360
Putting four leaders of companies know for corporate culture together for a conversation about “Deliberate Culture” turned out to be better than I’d even hoped. With so much talk out there about how in today’s war for talent, it’s more and more about culture, the question I wanted to explore was “What specifically do you do to deliberately establish, maintain, and manage culture?” Listen for tremendous insights!
“Your zip code is a better determinant of your health than your genetic code.”
Dan Greenleaf, President & CEO, Modivcare
I’m embarrassed to say that Modivcare is the largest Colorado-based public company I’d never heard of. It has over 30,000 employees and $2 billion in revenue. My conversation with CEO Dan Greenleaf is a revealing look a company that is there “to bring equity, hope and healing to those who need it most.” Modivcare is growing quickly by providing cost-effective health care to the underserved in a more creative and wholistic way.
"It’s incredible how much we understand the subsurface a mile underground...”
Brent Lewis, CEO, Carbon America
I’ve always wondered, with some skepticism, about the idea of addressing global warming by capturing carbon emissions and putting them underground… and how on earth (under Earth?) we could keep it there. Exploring this topic with Brent Lewis, CEO of Colorado-based Carbon America was fascinating! I think at the end of this episode you’ll have a new appreciation for the technology.
"We’re largely making a bet that they have the vision to build something great and special...”
Chris Erickson, Co-founder & Managing Partner, Range Ventures
This is a very entertaining and instructive podcast episode! It was a blast to hear the CEOs of two initially bootstrapped companies that recently received millions of dollars of VC funding talking with their VC about business.
"We score people based on attitude, effort and performance, and if attitude and effort are good, we’ll give a very long leash on performance.”
JB Kellogg, Co-founder & Co-CEO, Madwire
Madwire has been amazingly successful. It now has 600 team members helping small businesses grow. What intrigued me most about interviewing co-founder and co-CEO JB Kellogg is how one could possible scale to 600 employees and still deliver the great service-oriented results that built the company. What I learned surprised and impressed me!
"It’s that moment that you say, if this thing matters that much to me, if I’m that passionate about it – that’s what gets me through...” Brian Egan, Co-founder & CEO, Evolve
It took me a while during prep to understand the difference between Evolve and VRBO, AirBnB, Booking.com. Then I didn’t understand that they aren’t competitors, usually. Evolve sits on TOP of those and other platforms, serving both the property owner and the renter. More important than my took-too-long struggle to figure that out, is how Brian Egan uses CULTURE, what he calls “the heaviest lever” in leading a company, to create satisfied customer experiences. A great listen.
"I had this realization that these people have an abundance of (sewing) skills and we’re teaching them to do janitorial work, or work in slaughterhouses.” Jeremy Priest, Co-founder, President & CEO, Knotty Tie Co.
So many companies are aligning with causes with which they share an audience, often supporting those non-profits with a percentage of sales. Colorado-based Knotty Tie is different – it’s almost operating AS a non-profit. It’s not though – it’s FOR profit. It’s mission, even its outside investors seem to care as much about Knotty Tie’s focus on employing refuges as the company’s ROI. And the company is growing.
HE SAID HE WOULD NOT LEAVE HIS CITY – HE WOULD FIGHT BACK. Yulia, resident of Kharkiv, Ukraine
I’ve gotten to know a freelancer in the Ukraine who sent me heart wrenching messages about his and his wife’s life.
His home is in Kharkiv, just 20 miles from the Russian border and under heavy attack. I went “off topic” and did an interview with his English-speaking wife last night. Their story is compelling and they want it shared as their way of combating propaganda.
"It was rough… 3 months we were closed - $15M in earned revenue – GONE."
Bert Vescolani, President & CEO, Denver Zoo
Since I was a young boy I’ve loved the Zoo. In 5th grade after school I’d sneak into the Buffalo Zoo by hopping a hidden fence, and I’d just watch the monkeys. Interviewing Bert Vescolani was a thrill for me – so many questions… about managing the financial challenges during a 3-month Covid total CLOSURE, about keeping animals, about the business model.
"You would hope that businesses aren't thinking about this over the long run... they're not thinking about should I buy equipment now because I think it's going to be more expensive later." Nick Sly, Denver Branch Executive, Kansas City Federal Reserve
With all that’s going on in the economy, some key economic issues are top of mind, even in the entrepreneurial community where macroeconomics are usually farther down the list of things to focus on. But issues like inflation, workforce, supply chain ARE top of mind – and they’re impacted by monetary policy, so I asked Nick Sly to join me to explain how monetary policy works and how it is impacting decisions that business leaders are making. Nick is a high-energy economist who was really fun to talk to.
“I am a disciple of Patagonia… Can we build a lifestyle-driven fast food restaurant? If we can, it’s not going to be overnight – it will be by constantly going back to the mission.”
Pete Newlin, CEO, Birdcall
I was intrigued going into this episode with Pete Newlin of Birdcall. I knew that Pete was (and is) involved in Park Burger – he started as an hourly employee and worked his way to becoming a Partner of Gastamo – the ownership group for Park Burger, Birdcall and others. Pete was part of the concepting team for Birdcall, and as its CEO has great ambitions to see if he can pattern a fast food brand after Patagonia and create a “lifestyle-driven fast food restaurant.”
“Overall what really struck me most is that during all the challenges being faced in 2021, Colorado business leaders stayed KIND.” Dave Tabor, Host, PROCO360
In this brief episode I’m not having a guest. I’ll reflect on what I’ve learned from my guests, and from conversations with HUNDREDS of Colorado business leaders in 2021. It’s those in-depth interviews and conversations that have shaped my views, and my perspectives for 2022. I’ve been writing about these in recent blog posts so I encourage you to visit www.PROCO360.com.
“There are only so many A-players out there and we’re doing what we feel is right for the people we work with… the more of those you have around you, the more successful you will be.”
Frank Bonanno, Chief Cook and Bottle Washer, Bonanno Concepts
I reached out to Frank Bonanno after I read that his Bonanno Concepts restaurants and bars (10 in total) had instituted a policy which requires all employees to be vaccinated and all guests to prove their positive vaccination status before being able to enter a Bonanno Concepts business. Frank graciously agreed to talk about that – and as you’ll hear in this longer than usual episode, the conversation went much deeper about creating a work environment that has led to 100% employment in a hospitality arena where others are struggling to maintain staffing levels. Fascinating insights. They can easily be mimicked – are they? Not by many. Will they? You decide how likely that is.
“You may have 10 jobs and only 5 trucks… what are you going to do?”
Jimmy Eberhard, founder and CEO, Fluid Truck
Jimmy Eberhard founded Fluid Truck as just “Fluid” – an app enabled way to rent all kinds of things on a peer-to-peer platform. After discovering that the vast majority of demand was for trucks, Jimmy pivoted and focused the company to become what is now a business turning the truck rental market on its head across the country! How many entrepreneurs say, “This (whatever) will become the Uber of the (blank) industry!? Well, Fluid Truck has, and how Fluid Truck acquires vehicles for its fleet is part of its secret sauce that I found fascinating!
“I’ve learned the value of culture – if we don’t create a culture, the culture will be created whether you like it or not.” Phil Dumontet, CEO and Co-founder, Whole Sol
Phil discovered that healthy options for fast casual food that he found in NYC were not available in Colorado – a place with an active and healthy population. That seems odd to Phil and his wife Alexa so they decided to fix that by using profits from a delivery company Phil bootstrapped then sold to GrubHub, move to Denver, and create Whole Sol – now five locations and growing fast.
“Making things is not for the faint of heart – everything takes so much longer and costs so much more than anybody expects.” Andrew Coors, Steelhead Composites
Andrew Coors is a member of the famous Coors family of brewing fame. But he wanted to do something different – take new advanced materials like carbon fiber used for sporting goods and adapt them to a commercial environment. You’ll enjoy hearing Andrew talk about using discipline to resist “fun” projects and stick to the mission – but he didn’t always succeed – listen for a great story about Champagne bottles!
“It (electric chair prop) was so violent we had to replace 100 bodies the first year because the heads flew off!” Ed Edmunds, Founder & CEO, Distortions Unlimited
I heard about Distortions Unlimited, based in Greeley, and decided to bring this bonus episode to you just in time for Halloween! The conversation is an entertaining conversation about the creation of very advanced monster props, masks and animatronics! If you like Halloween, you’ll LOVE this episode!
“That’s where my passion comes from... I love getting that response of WOW!” Rick Case, Founder & CEO, Nite Ize
Rick Case started Nite Ize with a single invention – an elastic band that would hold a small flashlight at the side of one’s head to enable hands-free lighting. Now, that seems obvious. Back in 1989 it was a new idea – and since then Colorado-based Nite Ize has created over 600 products based on solving problems that make customers say, “WOW!” How do you improve a bungee cord or a key holder?... or better tie loose cables or play with a flying disc at night? Rick and I talk about how Nite Ize has become a world leader in creating innovative products. Very cool.
“We’re doing something no one’s done before, and it’s really hard... with that comes a lot of friction...”
Nick Martin, Founder & President, The Pro’s Closet
Nick Martin started selling used bike parts out of the back of a van to support his racing ambition lifestyle. He turned that scrappy effort into Colorado-based The Pro’s Closet, the world’s largest seller of certified pre-owned bikes. An intriguing niche for sure, this conversation covers a lot of ground around disrupting a market. I appreciate Nick’s comments about “friction” and how The Pro’s Closet has addressed supply and demand imbalances during covid, shipping, guarantees, and more.
“We scream from the mountaintops about what our product is and how we make our product.”
Eric Foster, Co-founder, CEO, & “Lifter of Heavy Things,” Stem Ciders
If you’ve shopped for craft beer in the last year, you’ve seen alongside beer on the shelves, the fast and furious increase in cider products – the brands, the flavors, the total shelf space – and you’ve probably seen the presence of cider tap rooms. I’m a lover of craft beer, and fascinated by the growth of what it seems is a product on a “parallel” growth track. I wanted to know what’s similar and what’s different. Plus, wanted to understand Eric’s title, “Co-founder, CEO & Lifter of Heavy Things.” Thanks to sponsor 1stBank for introducing me to Stem Ciders.
"I could have cut off a lot of the time to get here by dreaming bigger earlier on."
Tim Reeser, CEO & Co-founder, Lightning eMotors
Colorado is about to have a real vehicle manufacturing factory. It’s hard to believe – and amazing and exciting. Lightning eMotors is a Loveland based company that began with technology developed at CSU, then adapted several times as its co-founder, Tim Reeser, and the team adapted and redefined the company until they found the answer for an important niche in the electric vehicle market – one that’s substantial enough to scale, yet small enough to be somewhat uninteresting to the major EV players. That in itself makes an interesting podcast episode. We also talk about going public via a SPAC – a special purpose acquisition company – all the rage right now.
“Our developers don’t need to know code – they just have to be smart people that know the business problem they’re solving.”
Kylee McVaney,CEO, Nextworld
An interesting episode about building a self-adapting ERP software platform in Colorado. We’ve all heard about ERP software systems that are so huge and so cobbled together with hacked fixes over time that they’ve become unwieldy and brutal to use and maintain – and massively expensive and painful to replace. Of course, when ERP systems are eventually replaced, they are on a new path to obsolescence. Nextworld’s mission is to solve that “locked on delivery” problem with a software platform that takes the business function blueprint and adapts it to the best technology of the day. Fascinating.
“There are accessible ideas that instantly make sense, are easy to invest in… then there’s our idea: niche, geeky, weird…”
Jenn Knight, AgentSync
It had been a while (Xero Shoes) since I interviewed spousal co-founders. Aside from a great story of a niche business born to solve a painful problem, I enjoyed hearing from Jenn and Niji about how they manage the business and their lives together. A point I found particularly interesting is how the established trust between them facilitates business decisions and progress.
Re customer experience: “We are the ultimate arbiter of truth.”
Mario Ciabarra, Quantum Metric
My interview with Mario Ciabarra of Quantum Metric was tons of fun. Mario is a high energy entrepreneur who built a few very small businesses before hitting on something BIG with Quantum Metric – in its last round of funding, Quantum Metric was valued at over $1 Billion. Now bestowed with “unicorn” status, I asked Mario how he feels about that. We talked lots about the problem the company solves, and the challenge of even explaining what they do to early customers who needed a solution they’d never seen before.
“We decided to tackle the hard stuff… which nobody’s replicated – and that’s because it’s really hard.”
Dr. Mark Prather, DispatchHealth
I begin this episode stating, “I thought that house calls disappeared in the 1950’s!” As it turns out, Dr. Mark Prather and the DispatchHealth team have figured out how to bring two technicians to a patient at their home more cost effectively, and with better outcomes, than if that patient had gone to a medical facility. During the interview I was struck by how Mark began the business, and with what looks like become an extremely fast-growing Colorado company!
“We’re focused on aligning all of those computing resources with the future of the climate and the future of the planet.”
Chase Lochmiller, Crusoe Energy
Sometimes when I hear about something that seems strikingly unusual, I remark, “Wait – WHAT???” When I learned about Colorado-based Crusoe Energy it was one of those moments and I was curious to learn more. Chase Lochmiller, an MIT grad with a background in plasma physics and data science, and co-founder Cully Cavness with a background in oil and gas and geothermal energy, put their skills together to create a way to convert wasted and polluting natural gas “flaring” to power Bitcoin mining. Creative, inventive, and now well a well-funded and fast-growing company.
“We hired business to consumer experts to do this (launch Ball aluminum cups) and left them on their own, without being pulled and tethered to the other bigger businesses.” Dan Fisher, Ball Corporation
I’ve been a huge fan of Ball Corporation for years – its leaders are the real deal when it comes to a commitment to sustainability. Two topics I wanted to discuss with Dan Fisher, President, were: 1) the naming of Ball Arena (and WHY), and 2) the invention, investment in, and marketing of a new, never-before disposable – scratch that – RECYCLABLE aluminum cup. You’ll hear Dan’s authentic enthusiasm in this interview.
“I didn’t want a product with Bluetooth components or software engineers on staff. I wanted something with fabric and elastic that I could bring to market in a very speedy way.”
Colin McIntosh, Sheets & Giggles
My guest Colin McIntosh wanted to create a company and when he was laid off, decided to do that. He didn’t know what that product would be, but he knew that had criteria: a massive and highly-fragmented commodities market where there was no strong brand loyalty, where products were sold mostly through traditional retail so that he could dominate online, and a market where existing brands were boring. You’ll love Colin’s excitement about the dynamic growth of Sheets & Giggles and the role that Colorado has played in its success.
“We have a responsibility to be a shining star to other states...about how we do business in Colorado.”
Johnny Le Coq, Fishpond
Everyday more and more companies promote what author Simon Sinek calls their “WHY.” Some pretty famous companies position their companies as supporters of a cause. Colorado-grown Fishpond goes even further, fully integrating its dedication to river conservation into its brand. Johnny’s enthusiasm for his vision, the business, for product innovation, and for Colorado are infectious.
“Every entrepreneur needs help all the time.”
Erik Mitisek, CEO, Highwing
You may know Erik Mitisek as a founder of Denver Startup Week, or as Colorado’s Chief Innovation Officer, or from his many other endeavors in the Colorado entrepreneurial community. This is a great conversation with Erik as we transition through several topics including Colorado as a home for startups, Erik’s current venture – Highwing, and lessons of entrepreneurship.
“1 person, 1 share, 1 vote… how we spend profits is an important ownership decision.”
Jason Sharpe, CEO, Namasté Solar
Namasté Solar takes being a “B Corp” to a new level with what CEO Jason Sharpe calls a “Democracy” where employees can become owners by buying-in ($5,000). I explored with Jason how that could possibly work, and he explained that they run the business day to day differently from how they make Governance decisions. A really fascinating look inside an employee owned “democracy.”
“It’s a logistics challenge… we’re building a Garden Market every week for 5 weeks in a row.”
Jeremy Friedman, President, Plum Creek Garden Market and Brown’s Greenhouse
I like this episode for two reasons. First, I’ve always wondered about the greenhouse/nursery business, particularly about how and why quality varies so much. Second, I am fascinated by the whole “pop-up” business concepts – businesses that temporarily take space to meet seasonal niche demand like at Halloween, Christmas – and in this case, spring planting. I dove into both of those topics in this interview during which I was surprised to learn that Jeremy Friedman had no background in the business… he found the original greenhouse company for sale online!
“You have to meet all of today’s performance requirements… then of course greatly outperform on others – that’s the justification for adoption.”
Doug Campbell, CEO, Solid Power
Solid Power is a “technology transfer” business with science that originated at CU. Solid-state batteries are 50% more efficient than current lithium-ion batteries used to power electric vehicles and other products.
I wanted to get a better understanding of Solid Power’s technology and learned that the battery business, even the newer solid-state battery business is more competitive than I’d realized, and even more wildly expensive to get into. Doug Campbell explains Solid Power’s focused strategy: develop and then manufacture the solid-state POWDER electrolyte that is the critical substance inside of solid state batteries, and sell that powder to the many companies building batteries for electric vehicles and other applications. Doug is a dynamic entrepreneur, and you’ll enjoy this interview.
“That was the problem – we had too many mountain bikes… and I decided to build my own nice looking shed.”
Jeremy Nova, co-Founder, Studio Shed
Studio Shed is another Colorado example of a business started, not on purpose, but as the outcome of one person’s effort to solve his or her problem and not being able to find that solution on the market. Jeremy Nova was a professional mountain bike racer – an Olympic athlete – who needed a way to store his mountain bikes. His answer became the now thriving Studio Shed!
“We had somewhat of a plan, we kind of knew where we were going… the truth is the basis for a plan didn’t even come close to what the business is today.”
Randy White, co-Founder & CEO, Wheel Pros
It took me a while to understand the impressive scope of Colorado-based Wheel Pros. I’d done my research and erroneously entered my interview with Randy White thinking that Wheel Pros was a distributor of many brands of custom wheels. No – Wheel Pros created and built 30 distinct brands of wheels that owners of Ferrari’s to lifted Jeeps to ATVs purchase for their vehicles. The story is bigger and more impressive than I’d realized!
“I constantly tell my senior leadership to try to do less and think more.”
John Street, Founder & CEO, Pax8
Pax8 CEO John Street shares perspective and wisdom in this episode, all shaped and earned through his multiple startups. John has been an entrepreneur steering technology innovations in telecom, email, internet technology, and now cloud services technology. In each business, John was the industry innovator – early to the game with the risks and opportunities of being at the forefront. You’ll love when John goes off on a tangent and shares the 8 rules for naming a startup, including Pax8!
“What I think is great about the TRUTH is that it always wins… It’s not about selling – it’s about sharing knowledge with people and letting them make a decision.”
Avrum Emakis, Founder & CEO, CLMBR
CLMBR (“Climber”) is earlier stage than I normally feature and I was super excited to do this interview because I love cool fitness equipment (see the picture of me demoing it!) and because CLMBR has attracted a ton of celebrity support and investment. CEO Avrum Elmakis has very engaging “humble confidence” – and I’m humbly confident that you’ll enjoy this episode!
“Most people don’t think of the Arts as an industry sector. It’s 4 ½ % of our GDP – we need to make sure that arts and creative industries are part of our state’s economic recovery strategy.”
Christin Crampton Day, Executive Director, Colorado Business Committee for the Arts
A couple of times a year I feature a successful non-profit and its leader. I like to find non-profits that intersect with Colorado’s business community, and in the midst of the brutal effects of COVID on the arts and entertainment sector, I invited Christin Crampton Day, Executive Director of the Colorado Business Committee for the Arts, to join me CBCA advances Colorado’s creative economy by connecting business and the arts. Christin obviously faces some huge challenges now – arts venues are shut down – we talked about that, and about WHY there’s a strong connection between business and the arts. I left our conversation convinced that a business’s operations can be enhanced by partnerships with the arts community.
“There’s a profoundly important problem to be solved... in terms of creating a product with DEMAND, electric aviation is the ideal solution.”
George Bye, CEO, Bye Aerospace
The key topics I wanted to discuss with George were 1) the patience and perseverance required to create an entirely new aircraft, and 2) how he maintains his excitement for an aircraft that is designed as a 2-seat trainer when in his past, George flew fighter jets. Both answers really speak to lessons of entrepreneurship which make this episode interesting and valuable!
“The top three questions I get are: 1) Which were my favorite episodes? 2) Have you had any really difficult guests? and 3) How do you get such great guests on the podcast?” Dave Tabor, Host, PROCO360 podcast
This episode of PROCO360 was a lot of fun for me. It reminded me of all the great guests I had during 2020 – guests I’d almost forgotten about in my eagerness to find and interview the next great one! Mike did a great job editing together this show, weaving in excerpts from each guest, along with my answers to the most frequent listener questions.
“Because of the opioid epidemic I expect we can develop that market to $1 Billion a year because our products provide great pain relief without side effects.” Thomas Sandgaard, Chairman and CEO, Zynex Medical
Zynex’s main product line treats pain with FDA-approved electric stimulation that reduces the need for opioids in the marketplace. Direct and understated, Thomas Sandgaard doesn’t seem at all impressed with his success. His story of starting with $2,000 twenty-four years ago, and building that into a public company valued at half a billion is pretty impressive. We discuss that, as well as Thomas’s transition from full-time CEO to a life that includes philanthropy, a UK football club, and a return to his rock-and-roll guitar roots.
“You will have your physician’s cell phone number… we’re creating nice alignment with those providers… they are being incented to provide better clinical outcomes and better patient satisfaction scores.”
Chris Miller, CEO, Paladina Health
Kudos to Chris Miller on two fronts: 1) he’s delivering on the holy grail of health care – providing high patient satisfaction AND better clinical outcomes AND at lower cost, and 2) he’s a great guest – candid, personable, and really good at explaining how Paladina Health is making inroads in what is arguably the country’s least cost-efficient industry.
“The problem with organic social media is there is so much noise – everybody is producing content… you gotta PAY TO PLAY.”
Benjamin Kepner, Global Social Media Marketing
I struggle with what I perceive to be endless NOISE on social media and I was eager to understand from Benjamin how to cut through that noise for effective social media execution. His answer: “You gotta PAY TO PLAY – you need a paid social media strategy.” OK, well that clears it right up. Listen in.
“It always seemed disingenuous to me for companies to talk about how well the animals for the food source are treated when their employees have to work two or three jobs.”
Pete Turner, Founder and President, Illegal Pete’s
I used to think that Illegal Pete’s competed with Chipotle and Qdoba. The more I explored Illegal Pete’s, the more it’s clear that Illegal Pete’s is in its own category – great food, sure. Full bar where people really want to hang out? That’s unusual. Voluntarily paying a living wage at a quick serve restaurant – wow, that’s almost unheard of. Pete talks about how and why he made these decisions. You’ll leave the episode a fan of Illegal Pete’s!
“It dawns on the guest that it’s done by design – that the sincere friendliness of the staff is something that rings true.”
Jack Damioli, President & CEO, The Broadmoor
I feel terrible for all our state’s hospitality businesses that are suffering through the COVID pandemic – none more than the Broadmoor, a Colorado icon. Here’s what I really wondered going into this interview: while many properties can trim and cut back on various expenses when business is slow, the Broadmoor is the longest running 5 Star resort in the world – can you “cut back” on expenses that could jeopardize guest expectations and the resorts reputation? We talk about that, about the Broadmoor’s “Colorado luxury” service culture, and why Jack Damioli, the current CEO, spent over a YEAR in transition to his role. If you’ve ever wanted to know more about a world-class resort with over 1200 employees operates and has MAINTAINED unsurpassed quality year over year for over 100 years, you’ll love this episode.
“Yes, things change – we want to bring the people in the community along as we develop.”
Haroun Cowans, Partner & Chief Real Estate Development Officer, Five Points Development Corporation
I’ve always been curious about real estate development and cognizant of the impact of “gentrification” on a community. After a walking tour of Five Points by Haroun, I was really impressed at how he’s approaching the redevelopment. This interview features some great highlights of the area’s music history and iconic buildings. You’ll also better understand how Haroun, who grew up in the area and is an Associate Pastor of a nearby church, thinks about “bringing the community along with redevelopment.”
“There is the fallacy that you can outgrow any problem. (You think) I’ll just sell more – that will solve the problem. Well, that’s not true.”
Matt Cutter, Co-founder & President, Upslope Brewing Company
Many of us are familiar with the stories of our favorite small microbreweries and of the huge Colorado successes like New Belgium Brewing which was acquired by Kirin. Regional beer makers (starting at 15,000 barrels a year) have their own niche – big enough that we know their brand and big enough to be in stores, and small enough to still feel like the term “craft beer” still fits. I love Matt’s comment that “Good brewers dump beer!“ referring to the need to throw out beer that doesn’t meet their standards. About a year ago, I interviewed Dave Thibodeau, Founder and CEO of Ska Brewing in Durango (episode) – it’s fun for me to contrast the style and the story of this week’s featured guest, Matt Cutter of Upslope Brewing.
Every job I've had before this I'd get bored after 4-5 years... fixing the home services business, fixing the experience for home owners, is an intractable problem that will probably outlast me. Brandon Ridenour, CEO, ANGI Homeservices
Angie’s List and HomeAdvisor have always fascinated me – and until recently I didn’t know that the company that holds those brands and 10 others, ANGI Homeservices, is a Colorado-based public company. We discussed what makes me curious about these businesses: how they compete with Google and Yelp, and particularly how ANGI can serve BOTH the consumer and the advertising service providers with integrity. Brandon explains!
“We think about the consumer first and foremost and not about a business opportunity. That authentically resonates. What do you do after that – who the heck knows?”
Ian MacGregor, CEO, Skratch Labs
Ian at Skratch Labs was recommended as a guest by Dan Konigsberg of CampMinder (listen to that episode!) This is an episode you’ll enjoy if you still believe there is such a thing as “build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door.” In today’s world, that RARELY happens – it CAN – if you develop just the right product for just the right customer – and have a team working its ass off doing whatever needs to be done. It also takes discipline to stay focused on the customer, and a lot of humility, particularly by a CEO who got the job by default.
“I used to be embarrassed to charge for my pictures… It took many, many years to value my own work.”
Guadalupe Laiz
Once a year I do an episode in which I feature three rising entrepreneurs with businesses and styles that I really like. I had intended that Guadalupe Laiz would be one segment of this episode. I am so enthralled with her work, her business one that I’ve been so curious about, and her story so heartwarming, that I decided to make it a standalone episode. I met Guadalupe in Aspen when Cheryl and I were drawn into her gallery. Honestly, her photos took my breath away. You can see them on her website and of course at her gallery. Watch for the “rising entrepreneurs” episode later this year.
“My goal is to make passion and business line up... and usually passion wins out."
Adam Miller, Founder and CEO, Revel Bikes, Why Cycles
You’ll enjoy the interview with Adam Miller. It’s different from what you normally hear from a founder basing the business on a “passion” because Adam is passionate about business as well as his passion. This episode tells the story of a founder who exited his first business via a messy divorce and little financial gain. Adam doubted whether he needed a different life path, went back to his roots at a bike shop (remember when Rocky goes back to a nasty old gym after being beaten by Clubber Lang?). Adam soon reemerged ready to create two new brands that would build the best bikes in the world – Revel Bikes and Why Cycles. Outside Magazine agrees – the Revel Rascal was selected by as Best Mountain Bike, 2020.
“A lot of entrepreneurs want to get into stores way too fast – before they have the consumer following… as quickly as they got on the shelves, they’re going to be off.”
Jane Miller, CEO, Lily’s Sweets
Consumer products companies are tough! For every home-started product like Bobo’s (PROCO360 episode) and Justin’s, there are tens, hundreds (thousands?) who fail. Lily’s is different. While its founder, Cynthia Tice, set out to create a product for herself (as most founders do), she set out to create a business at scale when she created a no-sugar-added product. With only three employees, including herself, Cynthia brought on Jane Miller, my featured guest. Jane is an experienced entrepreneur (including CEO of Rudi’s Bakery) with lots to share during our interview.
“It comes back to the science... I do think it comes down to credibility and trust.”
Deanie Elsner, CEO, Charlotte’s Web
The CBD business is exploding and Charlotte’s Web went from startup to $100 million in 3 years! Deanie Elsner, CEO, left a consumer foods company where she was named a “Top 50 Chief Marketing Officer in the World” to join Charlotte’s Web. I was eager to discuss sales and marketing for a line of products that people don’t understand very well, and that doesn’t stop them!
“It (effective marketing) isn’t about a consumer angle! It’s about razor sharp focus by the brand that triggers some tension that a consumer has.” Christian Gani, Match Marketing Group
Christian Gani focuses on “experiential marketing” for his clients. Until COVID-19, that meant creating amazing experiences that customers would visit to be WOWED by a company’s brand and products with high impact. Christian gives some great pre-COVID-19 examples.
But, now what? We can’t bring customers together to congregate and enjoy a collective, high energy, massively creative experience. Christian and his team are figuring that out, flipping the approach and bringing the experience to the customer.
“The #1 thing going forward is going to be about hygiene… The thing that surprises me most?... with 125 shops, the importance of technology in the customer experience – I didn’t see that coming.”
Jamie Repenning, President, Floyd’s 99 Barbershop
I’m always curious about franchises. There have been some great success stories from Colorado, and some, less so. It seems to me that a key to success for those who make it is that they are owners and operators first, and franchisors 2nd. They great ones care most about building a business that serves the end customers more than about franchise sales. That’s the case with Floyd’s 99 Barbershop – and you’ll hear that as President Jamie Repenning describes operations during COVID-19.
“We are focused on a mission and a vision to truly disrupt product development and design... along the way we’re probably gonna step on some toes.”
Matthew Klein, CEO, Backbone PLM
Backbone PLM is a quintessential story of tech company success. The dominating and most intriguing point for me is that the company was created to solve a very painful problem in the market that existing service providers were falling short of solving. The problem was so painful that early customers helped Backbone refine the solution, and customer executives invested in Backbone to help them succeed. Lesson to be learned: when starting a business, find a really, really painful problem that when solved, creates massive value – then solve it.
“I believe the role of a CEO is to be that face, the smile, the heart and soul that the customer thinks of when they think about the company.”
Adam Contos, CEO, RE/MAX
Most CEOs of large public companies, no, just about ALL of them, seem to keep their private lives, even their personal personas, separate from their public facing CEO self. Not this episode’s guest, Adam Contos. Adam believes in “digital transparency.” I probed and prodded during this interview, because it was truly hard for me to believe that the CEO of a $500 million public company so easily and informally shares himself as the face of the company, using Facebook videos, a podcast, speaking engagements, and an accessible management style. Adam predicts this is the future for his peers, and he adds his perspective on the role of a leader during a crisis, such as the COVID-19 crisis we’re facing now.
“When there’s CHAOS all around you, and when things are moving SO fast… the best way to figure out how to balance competing interests… is look at your values…”
Paul Raab, Managing Partner, Linhart PR
Notice that while Paul and I were together in the studio, we were 6 feet apart!
Normally when we think of “crisis communications” it’s about a company that’s having to do emergency public relations because it did, or is accused of doing, something BAD (ie, an oil spill, harassment), and it has to defend its reputation. That’s NOT what’s happening here in the face of the coronavirus. In this case, something has happened TO everyone, TO every company. Still, while not at “fault,” leaders need to speak to the issue in ways that support their people, their brand and their values. It’s tricky, so I recruited a seasoned PR pro for this very important and timely interview. Even when we’re past this challenge, you’ll find the lessons in this podcast episode valuable.
Tory Bruno, President and CEO, United Launch Alliance – From aerospace engineer to CEO of the world’s most successful launch company, Tory shares his approach to management that has yielded 137 rocket launches with 100% success.
“Nothing trumps mission success... now, let's talk about the decision we have to make.” Tory Bruno, President and CEO, United Launch Alliance
There are recent and very high-profile examples in which notable companies have had product failures – air bags, helicopter fuel tanks, aircraft and more – which appear to have been caused by decisions to optimize speed or profits over safety and certainty. On its website, United Launch Alliance says it is CREATING VALUE THROUGH CERTAINTY. How one manages for CERTAINTY, and still can charge a price customers will pay, that’s the topic I couldn’t wait to discuss! You’ll enjoy the conversation!
Eric Gutknecht, CEO, CharcūtNuvo – Eric and his wife Jessica basically STOPPED the multi-generation business of Continental Sausage to remake the company and its products. The decisions, the branding, and the product innovation are the subjects of this episode. “People try it at Costco and it’s, ‘oh my goodness’ – They’re so proud to have found us and they want to share it.”
Eric Gutknecht, CEO, CharcūtNuvo
This episode of PROCO360 is the story of a multi-generational business in which the youngest saw an opportunity to reinvent the business. Eric Gutknecht and his wife Jessica decided to shut down the deli and its small sausage making operation in the back, replacing both with a manufacturing company focused on product innovation and distribution. The decisions, the branding, and product creation are the subjects of this episode.
"The people with the best ideas were the least likely to share them… I set out to solve the problem of getting those people to speak up.
Anthony Franco, CEO, MC Squares
Anthony Franco’s company, MC Squares, is an earlier stage company than I typically feature on PROCO360. I wanted to interview him NOW, because 1) the company has gone from $5,000 in monthly sales, to $100,000 in monthly sales over a short period of time, and 2) because I’m intrigued at how he’s made the transition from a serial B2B entrepreneur to a B2C entrepreneur.
Nancy Fitzgerald, CEO of iLendingDIRECT – After her husband, CEO of the company, was killed in a tragic bicycling accident, “the sharks were circling” the company. Now it’s thriving. Here’s the story.
“I never quit... I’ve always known that no matter how hard my life has been at times that the sun is going to shine the very next day.”
Nancy Fitzgerald, CEO, iLendingDIRECT
I wanted to interview Nancy because I LOVE the service delivered by her company to its clients: it gets consumers out from under expensive (predatory?) car loans, lowering their interest rate by an average of almost 6%. Nancy, former Miss Canada, shares a bit of her vocal talent during our interview. More importantly, she shares a story of massive determination and running a culture-driven company.
Dan Konigsberg, Founder and CEO of CampMinder – an inspiring and entertaining story of creating a software as a service to enable an old industry to flourish.
“Employee engagement is our #1 goal, before client satisfaction… That will lead to client satisfaction.”
I really was eager to talk with Dan Konigsberg about building a COMMUNITY of customers in a powerful niche. CampMinder is a Best Place to Work winner while helping its clients average 42% revenue gains. That all weaves together in this high energy conversation with a durable (18 year) entrepreneur.
The owner of Third & James developmental record label and two rising artists, Oli McCracken and Kayla Ruby, talk about the business.
“There’s about an 80% non-recoup rate, so record labels are for the most part venture capital.”
Joshua Olsen, Owner, Third & James Recording Studios
Recorded in front of a sold-out live audience at Third & James Studios, this episode was a blast! We talked about the business of promoting rising musicians, and we heard some candid stories from Kayla Ruby and Oli McCracken about their struggles and progress in the early stages of promising careers. Owner Joshua Olsen sums up the business well when he said of his record label, “We’re like venture capitalists.” Special thanks to R. Chris Clark for taking tremendous photos at the event (seen above), and to Community Banks of Colorado for sponsoring the event.
Terumo BCT CEO Antoinette Gawin on leading change at a 7,000 person company.
“It’s one thing to agitate without understanding what the consequences might be...but the more you know about other people… the more likely you are to anticipate what might be the fallout.”
Antoinette Gawin, CEO, Terumo BCT
Terumo BCT is one of very few BILLION dollar Colorado companies, and as Antoinette Gawin approaches her first year as its CEO, I wanted to learn how she manages change while respecting how the company has achieved its current success.
“When the budget’s tight you have to use your mind... I think you get more creative when you have less.”
Troy Guard, Chef & CEO, TAG Restaurant Group
Another LIVE audience – what a great time interviewing Colorado’s legendary Chef Troy Guard. Like many restauranteurs, Troy started at the bottom in the business (a teenager, making sandwiches). UNLIKE most successful chefs-turned-owners, Troy hasn’t built out one concept – he’s created several and continues to grow via new concepts rather than more locations. This made me really curious – a primary reason for wanting to interview him.
“People think about cannabis and they think of a 3-foot bong in their basement… that just doesn’t look anything like the industry for most people today.” Ryan Brown, CEO, Native Roots
Users or not, most of us are super curious about the cannabis industry (we don’t say “marijuana” anymore). I was, and was really looking forward to this highly engaging and really informative interview with the CEO of Colorado’s largest producer and retailer of cannabis products. This was a LIVE audience interview and you’ll hear audience questions at the end.
"Any time you put money first, you're probably going to make the wrong decision. Any time you put people first, you'll make the right decision." David Birzon, CEO, Snooze Eatery
I was super curious entering my interview with David Birzon of Snooze Eatery. I wanted to know a couple of things in particular… First, how do you build a food concept without having it feel like a CHAIN? Second, my fascination with how seemingly few breakfast restaurants can get eggs to the table HOT, while most can’t. Both answers are about culture. When David Birzon asked team members why they choose to work at Snooze, the answer is, “Because you believe what we believe.” You'll enjoy my interview with David on building a business with people who can be their true selves.
“Nothing is going to teach you leadership skills like running a company. I started by assuming I knew nothing, asking a lot of questions, listening to what people told me to do, and then acting on it.”
Kerry Siggins, CEO, StoneAge
When I interviewed Kerry, she was fresh off a late-night flight from The Netherlands. That didn’t stop her from bringing energy and insights to our conversation about being a young (too young?) new CEO taking the reins in an established family-owned company – in a male dominated industry in which she had no experience. Great lessons for entrepreneurs and leaders at any stage in their career!
“The beer business is not glamour, it’s not all beer drinking. It’s a giant dishwashing job!”
Dave Thibodeau, Founder and CEO, Ska Brewing
I had a great time with Dave Thibodeau, founder of Ska Brewing. We laughed a lot while we talked about the business of building a Top 100 brewery. Spoiler Alert: Ska is named for their favorite beer-making music!
“I’m not there to run my own agenda. This is about the mission of the organization. I’m there to STEWARD that mission.”
Jandel Allen-Davis, CEO, Craig Hospital
You, like I, have probably heard stories of Craig Hospital’s tremendous successes, sometimes with stories of celebrities who have been treated at Craig. Planning for my interview with its CEO, Jandel Allen-Davis, I really wanted to explore how the leader of such a well-established and successful organization steps into that role, and what we can apply from how Craig operates to our businesses.
“When we started, there was nobody commercially making these… we turned it into a new sport and that feels really exciting.”
Thor Tingey with Sheri Tingey, Alpacka Raft
Continuing my tour of SW Colorado, I met with Sheri and Thor Tingey, the mother and son team that started Alpacka Raft of Mancos, Colorado. Sheri tells the story of Thor’s first packrafting trip using an early product that fell far short of Thor’s needs on a long backcountry trip. Upon Thor’s return, he asked Sheri, a ski wear designer and maker, to “please make me a raft!” From those early designs, Alpacka Raft was born, launching the new sport of “packrafting.” The photo on the right is me trying out an amazing 2-person Alpacka Raft!
Passionate entrepreneurs are inspiring.
They are even more inspiring when they share their #1 barrel of whiskey, aged 8 years – and they do it during the interview in front of a live audience.
“It’s important to me to be connected to every barrel – and more to be connected to everybody who works here.”
Al Laws, Laws Whiskey House
Al Laws ended a successful career on Wall Street to move to Colorado and start Laws Whiskey House – imagine, studying and learning all you can, investing millions of dollars, and then waiting YEARS as it ages to find out if you could achieve all you’d dreamed you could. Hear why Al has a tatoo of a gargoyle sitting over a whiskey barrel. This was a LIVE audience podcast held in the private barrel room of Laws Whiskey for subscribers of the PROCO360 newsletter.
I love a great niche.
MUNIRevs is growing 50% a year, and is earning big-name clients, by developing a product for its niche customers and delivering exactly what they need.
“(as CEO) you can tend to want to do it all... knowing that it was OK to make that next hire… propelled us to 50% growth the last two years.”
Erin Neer, Founder and CEO, MUNIRevs
Does providing software to government sound boring? It did to me even as I entered the interview with Erin Neer, CEO of MUNIRevs.
I am amazed at how successful the company has become, recently signing the city of Dallas as a client, offering a solution to help municipalities track short-term rental revenue, and launching a product that online businesses can use to navigate the incredibly complex obligation of collecting sales tax. I left the interview blown-away at what I think is a tremendous illustration of the power that exists at the intersection of niche mastery and continuous innovation to meet market opportunity. Have a listen!
CEO of Mayfly Outdoors (world-renowned Ross Reels and Abel Reels) on building a specialty brand in the outdoor industry.
“Being an entrepreneur in Colorado is like being on a team you didn’t even know you were on!” - David Dragoo, CEO, Mayfly Outdoors
I took PROCO360 on the road to Montrose, Colorado to visit Mayfly Brands. You’ll enjoy learning how supporting its western slope community and environment is an integral part of his growth strategy.
“Yup.” 2018 sales: $850,000. 2019 forecast: $6 million. Joyful, candid entrepreneur shares a quintessential story of inventing and marketing a consumer product – Matt Hyder, Founder & CEO of Recoup Fitness.
“My teacher failed me – she didn’t believe I really had a check from the San Francisco 49ers.” Matt Hyder, Founder & CEO, Recoup Fitness
I PROMISE: YOU WILL LOVE THIS INTERVIEW. It contains a truly a “quintessential” entrepreneurial story, told candidly. Quitting college with one semester to go, sleeping under his 3-D printer so he could reload it all night, bootstrapping by learning how to do everything from mold-making to digital marketing… Matt’s is a story of really hard work, passion, enthusiasm, humility... and being single.
Sam Gilliland on how he brought the “Traveling Gnome” to Travelocity, and on becoming CEO of Cherwell.
“If you add value with a human touch, great, let’s keep that human touch. If you’re not adding value there, let’s automate it.”
Sam Gilliland, CEO, Cherwell
Cherwell, with 500 employees and based in Colorado Springs, provides IT Services Management to clients around the world. I wanted to interview its new CEO, Sam Gilliland, to learn about “the man who brought us the Gnome” (Travelocity), and the difference between growing into a substantial CEO role, and stepping into the role of CEO another business, which he recently has done. You’ll enjoy our conversation about balancing “human touch” vs. automated service.
How relentless focus on a CULTURE of SAFETY grew Encore Electric from startup to 900 team members.
“Our people know: If you don’t feel safe, then say so. Stop the work and ask the right questions… the idea is stop and think.”
Willis Wiedel, President, Encore Electric
I became aware that Encore Electric was recognized as the TOP company nationally for safety. That’s a big deal, and not a reason I’d want to interview its CEO.
I asked for an interview because I was (and remain) impressed at how a relentless focus on culture, in this case a culture of safety, achieved great organizational results. Regardless of your business or industry, you’ll find this interview interesting and instructive.
Following this interview, I finally think I’m beginning to understand the relevance and importance of BLOCKCHAIN technology. Even though I DID the interview, I listened to it again. I hope you enjoy the conclusion of this interview!
Dave Tabor, Host, PROCO360
“Right now, the US government spends a couple billion dollars a year printing money, and then billions more fighting counterfeiting… with blockchain technology, it becomes digitized!”
Josh Finkleman, BXE Capital
Before this interview I’d watched 3 videos, read articles and listened to clips and still couldn’t understand why experts are so passionately convinced that Blockchain Technology will change the world. If I seem a bit “driven” during this interview, it’s because I was. I was determined to come out of it with a better comprehension of this topic – and I DID. I hope you do too. The interview was so interesting that I just kept going, breaking into two episodes.
Hear the lively and fascinating conversation that followed the "official" interview with Jim Berger, co-founder and Chairman of High Noon Entertainment.
“Stay focused on creating new business. Don’t be the person that sits in the office working on the business you already have – look out… lights out!”
Jim Berger, Chairman and Co-Founder, High Noon Entertainment
I’m fascinated by how well-produced reality TV can draw viewers in, particularly for a topic in which I have no inherent interest! In my conversation with Jim Berger, we talk about how that happens. Does he create a concept and then find talent, or does he find a talent and then create a show? How many times did he have to pitch a show with Chip and Joanna Gaines called Fixer Upper and did he know it would be a massive hit? What is the secret sauce that makes hit reality shows succeed when most fail? I was so curious, and Jim answered my questions.
“The main roadblocks are about ego and identity. You have leaders who are asking… What makes me important? What makes me special? How do I contribute to the meaning and the purpose?”
Aaron Dignan, Author, Brave New Work and Founder of The Ready
I’ve been watching for a Colorado author to feature on PROCO360 – and wow, I found a great one! Aaron Dignan’s book, Brave New Work, was called “The Management Book of the Year” by Seth Godin and praised by many including Arianna Huffington, Adam Grant – author of Originals (and more), and Kevin Kelly, co-Founder of Wired. Entering our interview, I had some serious curiosity about Arron’s book and we discussed them: 1) What's different about what he advocates from what's been urged for workplace change in the recent past? 2) Why is this approach more urgent NOW than say, 20 or even 10 years ago? and 3) HOW to make changes that stick. Listen in!
“I don’t have to know all the details of how we’re gonna survive to know that it is directionally correct, and I’ll boldly step beyond the point of no return and let the details sort themselves.”
Andre Durand, CEO, Ping Identity
I was looking forward to my interview with Andre Durand because I knew we’d be talking more about leadership and decision making than the technology behind Ping Identity... but let’s not overlook that Ping Identity technology is used by HALF of the Fortune 100, including ALL the top banks. Andre has led Ping Identity from startup to its acquisition for over $600 million, and still leads the company today. We also discussed Colorado’s unique position and niche as a hub for technology. Listen in!
“We don’t actually have a sales team, we have a relationship team… those who decide to use us, they will ask us to be customers.”
Josh Freed, CEO and co-Owner, Proximity
When I got a call from Leah Carlson at Proximity suggesting that I might want to interview Josh Freed, I didn’t know anything about Proximity, and I was skeptical. She talked with me and as we talked, I was really intrigued about this little Montrose, Colorado based startup. Then I researched and got excited – but not as excited as I got DURING the interview when the light bulb flashed “ON!” This little company won’t be little for long – Proximity has created a software and hardware package that enables anyone to open and run a co-working space – anywhere. And the coolest part is that customers don’t need to be sold. Check out this interview.
“I love to go to businesses that aren’t ours… that are new… I want to walk through new hotels, new restaurants… that’s exciting for me.”
-Walter Isenberg, CEO of Sage Hospitality
Sage owns and operates over 50 hotels, plus many notable restaurants. Walter Isenberg is well known and well respected in the industry – and in Colorado business and philanthropic communities. What a great conversation – Walter really did start as a dishwasher. The industry has evolved and so has Walter’s vision for what makes a great hotel experience. If you are fascinated by the huge investments in art displayed in Sage hotels like The Crawford, The Maven, and The Curtis, and curious about what drives the decisions to create these amazing hotel experiences, you’ll enjoy this interview.
“It’s not a better mousetrap – it’s a different mousetrap.”
Shawn Neville, CEO, Boa Technology
Interviewing Shawn Neville in front of a live audience of PROCO360 listeners was fantastic! We explored Boa’s rapid growth and the company’s strategy for managing its brand while partnering with the likes of Burton, Under Armour, Adidas, New Balance and many more to create innovations in performance fit. You’ll be fascinated to learn Shawn’s take on competition relative to a slice of the pie vs. growing the pie.
I'm kicking-off 2019 by interviewing two Colorado entrepreneurs who are not YET on the cover of Colorado business publications, and whom I predict will by by the end of the year! Dr. Arthur Kanowitz, Co-founder, Chairman and Chief Medical Officer of Securisyn Medical, and Kyle Kociemba Benson are at opposite ends of the speed-to-market continuum so their interviews make for a great contrast.
ER Dr. Kanowitz founded his company to address his frustration with the frequency and extreme complications caused by “unplanned extubation” – when a patient’s breathing tube comes out when it’s not supposed to. Starting as a one-man crusade, this is a story you’ll appreciate.
Kyle Benson, co-founded Bivouac Coffee with his wife, Rachel to create great tasting coffee that's environmentally friendly. Bivouac won the 2018 "Trout Tank" competition, and has recently been approached by some national retail brands about collaborating.
Both guests are poised to cross the chasm from startup to “ON THEIR WAY!”
Let’s celebrate a great year with excerpts from 17 interviews in one podcast!
“How do you get all those great guests?”
That's a question I recently was flattered to be asked. I am fortunate that Colorado has amazing and generous entrepreneurs. I think you’ll enjoy this fast-paced highlights reel from 2018. I’d selected excerpts from 1-3 minutes long from 17 interviews. Thanks to my engineer and editor, Mike Sandoval at Third & James studios for putting it all together.
I decided depart from the pattern of 30 minute interviews and instead share 5 blog posts that I really enjoyed writing, thinking about, then re-writing. And for those too busy to find and read them on the website, I’ve read and recorded them – please let me know what you think! For all my posts, go to https://proco360.com/blog.
“Colorado is just a fabulous environment for entrepreneurs in general, and for the restaurant space in particular.”
Dave Boennighausen, CEO, Noodles & Company
I had no idea of how much fun I’d have interviewing Dave Boennighausen, CEO of Noodles & Company. This is an iconic Colorado-based fast-casual concept that was suffering a downward trend when Dave took over. In this interview, Dave shares what they’ve done to turn things around, and it left me with a ton of optimism for the brand! Valuable business takeaways delivered with upbeat candor.
“Despite what I originally thought, the Bean Project is not a particularly good business model. There is constant tension between the business and the mission.”
Tamra Ryan, CEO, Women’s Bean Project – quote from her book, The Third Law
I’m a huge admirer of the Women’s Bean Project – a non-profit with the mission to change women’s lives by providing stepping stones to self-sufficiency through social enterprise. Tamra Ryan, CEO, is nationally recognized, an author, and a speaker – her interview will inspire you.
Elements Massage CEO explains a business that I’ve always been curious about – I think you’ll find it fascinating too.
“We spend most of our time end energy focused on us – I don’t spend much time worried about what the competition is doing.” Jeremy Morgan, CEO, Elements Massage
I’ve always wondered about how the massage business works, and as you’ll hear in this interview, I just couldn’t fathom how with such a proliferation of massage studios, therapists and studios can still earn a living. Jeremy Morgan helped me see that the business isn’t what I thought.
Grower’s Organic Customers Refuse to Let the Business Fail – Supporting the CEO, they bring the business back from bankruptcy.
“Five farms from all over the country reached out and said we cannot let you fail.”
Brian Freeman, CEO and Founder, Grower’s Organic
We all know that the organic produce industry is huge, and getting bigger. Brian Freeman is a pioneer who built Grower’s Organic too fast – he “got too far over his skis” and went bankrupt. With the commitment of supporters and customers, Grower’s Organic has come back and is thriving in a tough market space. Those curious about the industry will love this interview!
“I will not create a business enterprise and a professional legacy for myself at the cost of the legacy I build inside the walls of my house.”
Robert Thompson, CEO, Punch Bowl Social
Punch Bowl Social is a restaurant concept phenomenon. Robert Thompson, its founder and CEO, is one of those successful entrepreneurs who looks like he’s got it made – but what a story. Robert left home at 16 to fend for himself and had a roller coaster of successes and failures before forming Punch Bowl Social. We talk about his story, what makes some restaurant concepts work when others fail, and what sustains a concept compared to those with short lives. Then we switch gears to talk about capitalism, family and teaching the most important lessons to our sons.
Liberty Oilfield Services CEO on industry PR, disclosure, culture and affinity for the outdoors.
“To build a great business you’ve got to be in a dynamic community where young people want to move and start their lives… Denver checks those boxes.”
Chris Wright, CEO, Liberty Oilfield Services
Love the oil and gas industry or hate it, you’ll love this interview with Chris Wright, CEO of Liberty Oilfield Services. Liberty is a Colorado public company that does fracking for energy producers. Chris is its candid and outspoken CEO who leads based on a passionate philosophy about people, truth and values. He is fascinating – so love the energy industry or not, Chris is someone you’ll admire – and someone whom you’ll want to emulate when it comes to passionate leadership.
Graebel Companies CEO Helps Clients Win Global War for Talent from Colorado.
“There are people on this planet who are wired as extraordinary caregivers… we have to identify them, and we can train them to do the very specific things customers expect of us.” Bill Graebel, Owner & CEO
This is an interview with a Colorado leader who exemplifies building a culture based on his core values: “Truth, Love, and Integrity.” Graebel is a business built on what Bill Graebel calls, “duty of care.” Most business leaders WANT to build and lead a culture they find truly gratifying… yet haven’t really committed to doing so. Bill Graebel will inspire you to believe you can do it, and give you ideas to help.
“If you don’t have the right people, you don’t get it right... The human spirit wants something bigger than itself.”
John Hayes, Chairman, President & CEO, Ball Corporation
Ball Corporation is a tremendous role model for our state – extremely successful, people focused, culture and values driven. While you and I may not see ourselves as CEO of a Fortune 500 company, we CAN learn from John Hayes’s passionate style of leadership and the examples he shares. Some great lessons and stories that will make you proud that Ball calls Colorado home!
“The challenge before us is to build an essential tool for biologists… where they can ask questions they wanted to but never could before.”
Kevin Ness, CEO, Inscripta
Did you ever want to download a DNA sequence just to see what it looks like? Inscripta lets you do that, FREE from its website. The company believes that researchers all over the world deserve to have tools that unlock the world of gene-editing for R&D and clinical advancements. And they’ve received $85 million in venture funding to support that business model – amazing. Listen to my interview with Kevin Ness, CEO, to learn how this business model works, and to learn more about how and why gene editing is so important to human advancement.
The biggest problem we have is that the day we launch a new product we get emails saying, “that’s great, now I want this!”
Steven Sashen, CEO, Xero Shoes
You’ll enjoy this high energy interview with the very successful wife and husband team who started and run Xero Shoes. Their startup experience, including purchasing initial product raw materials at Home Depot, and turning down an offer on Shark Tank, offers entertaining lessons of entrepreneurship.
People are looking for brands that reinforce who they think they are... or want to become.
Blake Adams, Founder, Denver Flea
Denver Flea is a platform on which Colorado brands are built. You know Icelantic Skis and Voormi clothing as great brands growing up in Colorado. Blake Adams of Denver Flea brought Andy Fleckenstein of Mountain Standard for “show and tell,” and a great conversation about building a brand based in Colorado. If you haven’t been to a Denver Flea – GO! And if you want a free ticket and haven’t yet subscribed to this newsletter - do it now and get a free ticket to the next Denver Flea!
"Some people are horrified by new information during negotiations… they’re cutting themselves off from better deals."
Chris Voss, former Lead FBI Hostage Negotiator, CEO of Black Swan Group
You’re hiding stuff, and if you think they’re not, you’re kidding yourself! “Compromise” and “win-win” are NOT the approaches taught by Chris Voss. Before you squirm and choose not to listen, know this: I’ve put Chris Voss’s book in my virtual “CORE STACK” – these are the books that I rely on in my career. Chris was Lead International Kidnapping Negotiator for the FBI. Listen to get a taste of tactics that work in business: why “No” is better than “Yes,” how entrepreneurs should think in a negotiation with venture funders, and more. This is a fantastic taste of how to act differently in negotiations. I am honored to have had Chris on the podcast!
Even a PHILOSOPHY PROFESSOR can be an entrepreneur, with enough determination and effort!
My biggest mistake was doing it myself… I lost a year in the process… a PAINFUL year. - David Barnett, Founder and CEO
What a Cinderella entrepreneurial story David Barnett tells in this interview. Listen to hear how he turned a minor aggravation he had with storing his earbuds, from a clunky and embarrassing product hack into a multimillion dollar enterprise. You’ll enjoy hearing how YouTube celebrities have embraced and propelled the business! This interview was repurposed from a live radio show I did on KDMT – you may notice a few edits.
If the BUSINESS does well, we can treat more clients.
Cortland Mathers-Suter, Founder and COOI took a different approach to this interview which really is as much about a societal problem as it is about business. I entered this interview just plain curious – curious about the “OPOID CRISIS” and why it is so different from other drug abuse scenarios of the past, and frankly, what someone like me, a business executive from the suburbs, needs to better appreciate. Cortland’s first-hand experiences give an insider’s look at opioid abuse in Colorado. Plus, because the show is a business show, we talked about the BUSINESS of treatment, even the SALES of treatment (at my insistence).
"…Religious studies and philosophy is a battle between logic and faith – and isn’t that what any good entrepreneur needs?”
Todd Dutkin, CEO
A great conversation with Todd Dutkin, CEO of Fresca Foods, a Boulder company that has transformed from a small foodservice manufacturer into a paradigm-shifting natural foods company, operating its own natural food brands and serving as supply chain and innovation partner to category leaders. Todd is leading Fresca Foods to 40% year over year growth, and you’ll want to listen to Todd’s take on his business and Colorado’s emerging role as the EPICENTER of the natural foods industry.
"…founders have to sit down across the table, look them in the eye and say hell or high water, I'm gonna make this work!”
Matt Talbot, CEO
Some amazing insights from Matt in this DON'T MISS interview with one of Colorado’s most successful entrepreneurs:
- Willingness to pivot “from suck to success.”
- The best feedback feels like a punch to the stomach.
- The paradox of attracting venture capital.
- Strategies and tactics for getting marquee clients.
"The secret to advertising is that you have to be 100% truthful.”
Jake Jabs, American Furniture Warehouse
Jake is an entrepreneurial legend in Colorado. Jake’s story is of a self-made entrepreneur. Starting with a heifer cow given to him by his father, Jake built a furniture retail empire. He’s known for his home-made TV commercials, expansive stores, and for his generous philanthropy. In this interview, which I feel so privileged to have had, Jake weaves stories and lessons into how he started and built American Furniture Warehouse. You’ll love it.
“It used to be just a bunch of dirtbag climbing bums starting companies and trying to make a living.”
Kevin Volz, Eldorado Climbing Walls
This episode demonstrates how an ambitious sales guy can become the owner of a business he’s passionate about by being committed, successful, and visionary… and by nurturing a constructive personal relationship with owners who want what’s best for all. It’s also about the fast-growing business of indoor climbing!
Havenly Designs Its Own Space in Online Interior Design
“There’s such an alignment between doing the right thing for your customer and growing the business, and that feels really good to me.”
Lee Mayer, Havenly
There was no shortage of energy in the studio when Lee Mayer joined me. I had trouble choosing a quote to feature above. Other options include:
To team members, “I almost always have opinions. How closely I hold them is up to you.”
Or on leadership, “…I’m constantly trying to make shapes out of darkness.”
Listen to my interview with Lee in which we discuss startup entrepreneurship, women as entrepreneurs, and Colorado as a home for entrepreneurism.