Are pageant queens just fake smiles, big hair, and backstabbing drama? That is what the movies want you to believe. Miss United Universe Brandi Babin is here to blow that up entirely.

In this episode, I sit down with Brandi — Northern Colorado native, founder of the Reclaim platform, and the inaugural Miss United Universe — to challenge just about every assumption most people carry about the pageant world. We get into the real sisterhood behind the sashes, the personal crisis she survived on the way to her first crown, and the platform she has been building and living for over five years without wavering once. Fair warning: this one gets real, fast.

What You'll Learn

• Why everything Hollywood taught you about pageantry is almost completely wrong — and what it actually looks like inside
• How Brandi went from a Word document she wrote in her darkest season to a published guidebook, a podcast, and an entire platform
• What suicidal ideation actually feels like from the inside — and the five-minute survival strategy that got her through it
• Why she won a national title in a $300 Facebook Marketplace dress doing her own hair and makeup — and what that says about what actually matters
• How self-talk is the single most powerful thing you can change, and why you should start with just one sentence

Chapters

• Intro: Meet the Woman Behind the Crown
• What Movies Get Completely Wrong About Pageantry
• From Mrs. Colorado to Miss United Universe: The Journey
• The Personal Crisis That Became a Platform
• The Word Document That Became a Book
• Reclaim: The Guidebook, Podcast, and Platform
• How to Get Started in Pageantry Without Losing Your Mind
• Butt Glue, Crowns, and the Reality Behind the Stage
• Final Words: Talk to Yourself Like a Five-Year-Old

Resources Mentioned

• Reclaim: A Journey to Self-Discovery (guidebook/workbook)
• Self Rediscovery Guide (mini version, $13)
• Shattered to Unbreakable Podcast (100+ episodes, Season 9 coming)
• Reclaim University (DIY video courses)
• Brainspotting resources (available on her website)

Contact and Links

• Website: thereclaimstrategy.com
• Instagram (pageant): Miss United Universe
• Instagram (personal): brandy.babin2
• Instagram (platform): thereclaimstrategy
• Facebook: Miss United Universe

If this episode challenged the way you see pageantry — or the way you see yourself — share it with someone who needs to hear it. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Your support keeps these conversations going.

#WomensEmpowerment #SelfLove #PageantryTruth

Are insurance agents lying to you? Or are they the one person standing between you and a very expensive mistake?

I sat down with James Seela, founder of Seela Agency in Greeley, Colorado, to challenge some of the biggest assumptions people carry about insurance — that agents are just out for your money, that going online is just as good, and that filing a claim is always the right move. What James shared flipped a lot of that on its head, and I think it will for you too.

We also got into the entrepreneurship side of running an independent agency — two years of hard lessons, what it takes to build a village, and the goal every business owner is chasing: working on the business instead of in it.

What You Will Learn:

• Why your claims record works like a credit score and how a single filing can follow you for years
• The real math behind when to file a claim and when to quietly walk away
• How storm-chaser roofers create problems that a trusted local agent can protect you from
• Why small businesses are often unknowingly out of compliance with their own lease coverage requirements
• What two years of building an independent insurance agency actually teaches you about entrepreneurship

Chapters:

• Intro — Are Agents Really Scam Artists? Setting the Stage
• Why Insurance? James's Road to Starting Seela Agency
• Agent vs. Online: What You Are Actually Giving Up
• Your Insurance Score: How Claims Live on Your Record
• The Hailstorm Story: A Real Example of When Not to File
• Why Insurance Costs Keep Rising — and Our Role in It
• Commercial Coverage and Protecting Small Businesses
• Two Years In: Entrepreneurship Lessons from the Grind
• Working On the Business, Not In It
• How to Find and Contact Seela Agency

Contact and Links:

• Search: Seela Agency — S-E-E-L-A Agency
• Located at Fox Run Business Park, Greeley, Colorado
• Find James on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn
• Licensed in Colorado | Expanding to Wyoming and Arizona
• Partnered with Farmers Insurance; works with outside carriers for broader needs

If this episode shifted how you think about your coverage, share it with someone who needs to hear it. Subscribe so you never miss an episode — this show is built for you, and your comments help it grow.

#InsuranceAdvice #LocalInsuranceAgent #SmallBusinessColorado

What does it really take to help a single mother rebuild her life — not just for 90 days, but for good?

In this episode, I sit down with Jaymi Anderson, Executive Director of the Genesis Project of Northern Colorado, to talk about one of the most meaningful organizations in our region. The Genesis Project operates out of a multifamily house in downtown Greeley, providing transitional housing and wraparound support for single mothers — many of whom are navigating trauma, substance abuse recovery, domestic violence, or involvement with the justice system. But this is not just a housing program. It is a long-term community built around real relationships, honest accountability, and the belief that every woman deserves a genuine second chance.

What You Will Learn:

• How the Genesis Project's model goes far beyond transitional housing — and why that depth matters for lasting change
• Why community and shared living are the true engines of transformation for the women in the program
• How trauma shapes behavior and coping patterns, and the practical ways the Genesis Project helps women build new defaults
• What real success looks like in this work — from family reunification hearings to spontaneous backyard barbecues
• How paying off their mortgage has allowed the Genesis Project to stretch every donated dollar further and respond to new needs like the Weld County childcare assistance freeze

Chapters:

00:00:00 — Introduction and Welcome00:00:44 — What Is the Genesis Project?00:01:56 — How the Program Works: Housing, Classes, and Support00:04:08 — More Than a Short-Term Fix: Why Community Is Everything00:07:07 — Trauma, Coping Mechanisms, and Building New Defaults00:09:58 — Success Stories: Big Wins and Small Ones That Matter00:13:50 — Being Just One Piece of the Puzzle00:17:26 — Program Timeline: Phase One, Phase Two, and Aftercare00:21:58 — Impact by the Numbers00:23:47 — The Genesis Project's History: Founded 200200:25:18 — Paying Off the Mortgage and What It Means for Participants00:27:42 — The Weld County Childcare Crisis and How Genesis Responded00:31:12 — How to Get Involved: Events, Volunteering, and Donations

How to Connect with the Genesis Project:

Website: genesisprojectnoco.orgFollow on Facebook for upcoming events and volunteer sign-ups

Events to Get involved in:

• Golf Tournament — Summer
• Spring Recognition Ceremony (Graduation)

• Autumn Ignite Gala — Fall

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who cares about this community, leave a review, and subscribe so you never miss a conversation like this one.

#GenesisProject #NorthernColorado #SingleMothers

You're busy. You're working hard. But are your books actually telling you the truth about your business?

In this episode, I sit down with Jennifer, owner of a Northern Colorado-based bookkeeping firm, to talk about one of the most overlooked pillars of business success: your financial foundation. Jennifer brings years of experience in both bookkeeping and tax preparation, and she breaks down what you should look for in a trustworthy bookkeeper, why AI tools fall short, and how clean books can directly fuel your growth strategy. Whether you're just starting out or trying to untangle years of financial mess, this conversation will help you make smarter decisions with your money.

What You'll Learn:

• Why bookkeeping is the foundation of every healthy business — not an afterthought
• How to find a bookkeeper you can actually trust, and what to watch out for
• What bookkeeping services actually cost and how to know what's right for your stage of business
• The critical differences between a sole proprietorship and an LLC — and when to make the switch
• Why AI can't replace a real bookkeeper and what a real one does that software never will

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 — Introduction: Why Bookkeeping Matters
• 00:00:43 — Jennifer's Background and Journey into Bookkeeping
• 00:03:13 — How to Find a Trustworthy Bookkeeper
• 00:04:49 — Tax Strategy, Financial Advisors, and the Bigger Picture
• 00:06:15 — What Bookkeeping Services Actually Cost ($250–$4,000/month)
• 00:07:07 — Why AI Can't Replace a Real Bookkeeper
• 00:09:36 — Inside Jennifer's Firm: Staff, Systems, and Industries Served
• 00:12:20 — When Should You Hire a Bookkeeper?
• 00:15:05 — LLC vs. Sole Proprietorship: What You Need to Know
• 00:18:23 — Working Nationwide: Bookkeeping from Anywhere
• 00:20:30 — How to Reach Jennifer + Closing Thoughts

Contact & Links Mentioned:Phone: (970) 652-4299Email: [email protected]

If this episode helped you think differently about your finances, please like, subscribe, and share it with a fellow entrepreneur who needs to hear this.

#Bookkeeping #SmallBusinessFinance #Entrepreneurship

What if learning to two-step could change someone's life twice — once on the dance floor, and once in the community? Jordan Wagner is making that happen every single week.

Jordan Wagner, founder and executive director of Country Kickup, joins Built in NOCO to share the story of one of Northern Colorado's most unique nonprofits. Country Kickup is a 100% volunteer-run 501c3 that teaches country swing and line dancing — and donates every dollar it earns to other vetted nonprofits in the community. From a college barn dance that started as a mission trip fundraiser to a multi-state organization with chapters across Colorado and Wyoming, Jordan opens up about how this movement grew from community demand, deep faith, and a group of volunteers who treat the whole thing like family.

What You'll Learn:

• How Country Kickup operates as a fundraising platform — using dance lessons to fund other 501c3 organizations, with zero paid staff
• Why 100% of revenue goes directly to the community, no exceptions
• The thorough vetting process Country Kickup uses to choose which nonprofits receive donations
• How volunteers experience real personal growth — including international opportunities through cruises — while serving others
• The unexpected emotional and therapeutic impact dance lessons have had on students, from mental health breakthroughs to a thriving special needs program

Chapters:

• 00:00 – What is Country Kickup?
• 01:18 – Private lessons, studios, and how donations work
• 01:59 – The 100% volunteer model
• 02:39 – How the idea was born and how it evolved
• 04:06 – Local business partnerships that helped launch it
• 05:08 – When Country Kickup became an official 501c3
• 05:34 – Planning through COVID and discovering unexpected student impact
• 07:42 – The founding team and early volunteers
• 09:08 – Volunteer numbers and the probationary process
• 10:41 – Finding the right fit for volunteer work
• 12:01 – National reach: judging competitions and cruises
• 14:06 – How volunteers personally grow through the organization
• 17:49 – How the Wyoming chapter came to be
• 19:18 – How Country Kickup selects and vets nonprofit partners
• 21:21 – Featured nonprofit partners in Northern Colorado
• 22:15 – Child advocacy, scholarships, and Iron Horse Therapeutic Riding
• 24:59 – Country roots in Weld County
• 25:47 – The real-life impact: kids standing on their own three years later
• 27:09 – How to get involved with Country Kickup
• 27:39 – The Country Kickup fund and future plans
• 28:37 – National professional dance partnerships and closing thoughts

Resources & Organizations Mentioned:

• Life Stories
• Child Advocacy Center
• Realities for Children
• Iron Horse Therapeutic Riding Center
• Grace Upon Grace Project
• Habitat for Humanity — Hope Springs Project (Evans, CO)
• Aims Community College (scholarships)
• Helen's Coffee Shop
• Bricks Brewery
• Journey Christian Church
• Greeley Stampede

Contact Country Kickup:

• Website: countrykickup.com
• Social media: Available on all platforms, including LinkedIn — search Country Kickup

If this episode moved you, please take a moment to like, subscribe, and share it with someone who loves this community. And if you're in Northern Colorado or Wyoming and want to get involved — as a student, volunteer, or donor — head to countrykickup.com.

@builtinnoco

#NorthernColorado #NonprofitLife #CountryKickup

You’ve probably heard it before: “print is dead.” In this episode, I sit down with Misty Dockins, owner and publisher of Windsor City Lifestyle, to bust that myth and talk about what modern local media actually looks like today.

We get into how Windsor City Lifestyle blends print + digital + social + events, why showing up in your community still matters, and how a local publication can shine a light on the people, small businesses, nonprofits, and stories that make a town feel connected.

You’ll also hear how the magazine gets distributed, where you can grab a copy around Windsor, and how anyone can read it digitally from anywhere.

Read / subscribe (free): www.citylifestyle.com/windsor

If this episode helped you, follow @builtinnoco, like, subscribe, and share it with someone who loves Northern Colorado and wants more local stories.

What happens when a worship pastor with a garage hobby turns a small inheritance into a craft spirits empire?

Matt Estrin did exactly that. Today he runs 477 Distilling, Oak and Maple, and four locations across Northern Colorado — and he's distributing in nine states. In this episode, Matt breaks down how he went from leading worship at Journey Christian Church to graduating from Moonshine University, building a powerhouse personal brand, and learning — sometimes the hard way — that the plan always changes once you open the doors.

What You'll Learn:

• Why personal brand is one of the most underrated assets any business owner can build
• How the "if you build it, they will come" mindset will get you in trouble — and what to do instead
• What Matt learned at Moonshine University that changed how he approached business
• Why 477 Distilling's tasting room took off when distribution was supposed to be the focus
• How Matt evaluates new business ideas, recruits partners, and knows when to walk away

Chapters:

• 00:00 — Welcome and Intro: Meet Matt Estrin
• 00:47 — From Worship Pastor to Craft Distiller: How 477 Distilling Got Started
• 02:43 — Moonshine University: The Best Decision He Ever Made
• 04:26 — Opening Day, Early Success, and the Tasting Room That Took Over
• 12:21 — Rough Patches, Sleepless Nights, and What Business Ownership Really Looks Like
• 15:34 — COVID, Pivots, and the Two-Year Learning Curve
• 16:35 — Just Start: Why Waiting for Perfect Costs You More Than You Think
• 20:15 — Personal Brand, the Gree-lebrity Effect, and Why People Do Business with People They Trust
• 22:22 — Business #2: How a Bachelor Party Turned Into Greeley Hatchet House
• 26:58 — Business Partnerships: What Works, What Doesn't, and Knowing When to Sell
• 29:09 — Oak and Maple: The Waffle Concept Born in a Second Tasting Room
• 31:24 — Four Locations, Nine States, and What's Next for 477 Distilling
• 36:17 — Find Matt, Free Bartending Classes, and the 25 Days of Christmas

Resources Mentioned:

• Moonshine University — MoonshineUniversity.com
• 477 Distilling — 477distilling.com
• Oak and Maple — oakandmaplewaffles.com
• Free bartending classes and cocktail recipes available at 477distilling.com

Contact and Links Mentioned:

• 477distilling.com
• oakandmaplewaffles.com
• 477 Distilling on Facebook

If this episode gave you something to think about, share it with a fellow entrepreneur or someone who's been sitting on a business idea a little too long. Follow Built in NOCO so you never miss a conversation like this one. @builtinnoco

#BuiltInNOCO #NorthernColorado #Entrepreneurship

Heart health can feel heavy — especially when you’re hearing mixed messages about cholesterol, labs, and what you’re “supposed” to do. In this episode, we sit down with Heather Shasa of Welding Wellness, a registered dietitian and clinical lipid specialist, to talk about heart health in a way that feels human, clear, and doable.

Heather shares the personal story that shaped her work, why knowing your family history and your numbers matters, and how nutrition and lifestyle changes can support people from prevention all the way through serious diagnoses — without fear, shame, or overwhelm.

Heather Shasa has been connected to heart health since childhood — and after losing her dad young, she turned that pain into purpose. Today, through Welding Wellness, she helps people take practical steps toward better heart health through nutrition, lifestyle support, and education that cuts through misinformation.

In this episode, we cover:

• Heather’s story — and why heart health became her life’s work

• What “familial hypercholesterolemia (FH)” is and why genetics matter

• Why knowing your numbers is information, not a scare tactic

• How to move from overwhelm to clarity when you’re not sure where to start

• What advocacy can look like: asking questions and starting the process

• A real client story: what consistent habits can change over a few months

• Why heart health is a lifelong journey — and you can always come back to it

• The role of nutrition, sleep, lifestyle, and even social connection in heart health

• How Heather built Welding Wellness to remove barriers with virtual support (and how insurance may apply)

Guest

• Heather Shasa — Welding Wellness (Registered Dietitian + Clinical Lipid Specialist)

Connect with Heather

• Website: weldingwellness.com

• Social: @WeldingWellness

Tax season is stressful enough without second-guessing every number you enter. In this episode, I sit down with Sam White of West Ridge Financial Services to talk about what you actually get when you hire a tax professional, why “DIY” tools can create blind spots, and how taxes tie directly into bigger life moves like buying a home or planning for retirement.

We dig into the real risks of relying on online advice (including AI and social media), why watching the “green bar” go up isn’t a strategy, and how tax prep should come with planning conversations—not just data entry. Sam also breaks down what people typically pay for tax prep, what drives pricing, and why many households and small business owners benefit from checking in more than once a year.

If you’ve ever wondered whether a tax pro is worth it, or you’ve felt surprised by what your return says you made on paper, this episode will help you understand what to watch for and what to ask.

Follow/subscribe for more episodes, and share this with someone who’s dreading taxes this year.

Contact & Links Mentioned

• westridgeaccounting.com

• (970) 515-5267

Chapters

• 0:00 Taxes are unavoidable

• 0:22 Meet Sam White

• 1:03 Sam’s story: messing up taxes → learning the system

• 3:01 AI/social media tax advice pitfalls

• 4:55 Benefits of a tax professional

• 7:05 Schedule C and financing surprises

• 9:19 Pricing, complexity, and what you’re paying for

• 14:22 Why planning matters before tax season

• 17:04 Multi-state clients + licensing

• 18:19 No “generic minimums” and starting small

• 20:18 Ten years in business: communication + year-round support

• 23:21 Misconceptions: Social Security, inheritance, college

• 28:11 How often to meet

• 30:16 Final thoughts + contact

If you’ve ever tried to help a parent or loved one find the right assisted living community, you know it can feel like trying to solve a puzzle while carrying the emotional weight of the moment. In this episode, Maureen Walker shares what most families don’t realize until they’re in it — from how placements can happen in a week (or take nearly two years), to why “shopping” for the right fit is about far more than a nice building.

We talk about what Maureen looks for behind the scenes: care levels, staffing, communication, budget options (including long-term care policies, veteran benefits, and Medicaid realities), and how the goal is always the same — helping someone land somewhere they can feel safe, known, and supported.