What does it take to build a business that can thrive beyond its owner? Lauri Armstrong, Founder & Owner of Little Fins Swim School, joins the Colorado Business Podcast to share the water-safety mission, one-on-one teaching model, and team culture behind the Colorado Springs business.Lauri explains how Little Fins grew from a small swim-lesson idea into a larger operation, why water safety matters for Colorado families, and how a difficult family season forced the business to develop stronger leadership systems. The conversation also covers community involvement, training young team members, and the communication skills that help a service-driven organization grow.Lauri Armstrong is the Founder & Owner of Little Fins Swim School in Colorado Springs. Little Fins provides one-on-one swimming lessons and water-safety programs for children, adults, and families.TOPICS IN THIS EPISODEWater safety and survival-swim foundationsWhy one-on-one lessons are central to the Little Fins modelScaling a service business without losing cultureBuilding a team that can operate beyond the ownerCommunity involvement and Hope on the RocksTraining young employees to communicate, serve, and leadLINKSLittle Fins Swim School: https://littlefinsswimschool.com/Hope on the Rocks tickets and donations: https://givebutter.com/hopeontherocks2026GUESTLauri ArmstrongFounder & OwnerLittle Fins Swim SchoolCHAPTERS00:00 Water safety, growth, and building the team00:44 Colorado Business Podcast intro00:54 From lifeguard to Little Fins03:50 Why one-on-one swim lessons matter05:50 Water safety for Colorado families11:55 Scaling Little Fins without losing the mission15:25 Sponsor: Diamond19:18 Building a team beyond the owner35:15 Hope on the Rocks and community impact50:38 Sponsor: Bellwether53:50 Culture, service, and developing young leaders1:07:45 The call-a-thon and teaching communication skills1:24:34 OutroABOUT THE COLORADO BUSINESS PODCASTThe Colorado Business Podcast features entrepreneurs, founders, builders, and leaders shaping Colorado’s business community.Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@coloradobusinesspodcastExplore more episodes: https://coloradobusinesspodcast.com/What would change in your business if the team could run it without you? Share your perspective in the comments.#ColoradoBusinessPodcast #LauriArmstrong #LittleFins #ColoradoSpringsBusiness

Colorado is growing, but the bigger question is whether its communities are prepared to handle the projects, infrastructure, housing pressures, and business consequences that come with it.In Episode 343 of the Colorado Business Podcast, Andrew, Marcus, and Chris sit down for a candid roundtable on several of Colorado’s biggest business and development debates. They examine Project Taurus and the proposed AI data center near Colorado Springs, the One Vela high-rise, the planned Buc-ee’s north of Monument, Denver’s housing slowdown, crime, politics, and the growing friction between development and resistance to change.The conversation also moves beyond individual projects. The team discusses regulation, water and energy infrastructure, public-private collaboration, what healthy businesses owe their communities, and why owners must move from survival mode into a position where they can serve, invest, and create opportunity.ROUNDTABLE PARTICIPANTSAndrew HazzleeMarcus AlvaradoChris SeegersCHAPTERS00:00 Cold open: growth, business and Colorado’s future00:58 Colorado Business Podcast intro01:08 The roundtable and the stakes03:19 Project Taurus and the AI data center fight16:22 Diamond sponsor read20:24 AI infrastructure, water and regulation35:06 One Vela and downtown Colorado Springs51:51 LINE-X sponsor read54:55 The cost of blocking growth57:24 Buc-ee’s and economic opportunity1:10:29 Denver housing, crime and the business climate1:21:34 Colorado politics and the governor’s race1:24:44 Business owners, government and opportunity1:26:11 Why successful businesses serve more1:29:56 Survive to thrive1:31:29 Big projects and Colorado Springs’ future1:32:57 If you’re not growing, you’re dying1:33:42 OutroSPONSORSDiamond sponsor read:EXCO Advisors: https://excoadvisors.com/Bellwether Homes: https://bellwetherhomes.com/Pioneer Rodeo: https://pioneerrodeo.com/tickets/Lightning Glassworks and Screens: https://fastglassrepair.com/Bright Leaf Energy: https://brightleafenergy.co/Junk-N-Haul: https://junknhaul.com/Be Our Guest Getaways: https://beourguestgetaways.com/Planet Duct: https://planetduct.com/FASTSIGNS: https://fastsigns.com/Pinnacle Advanced Primary Care: https://pinnacleapc.com/LINE-X sponsor read:LINE-X of Colorado Springs: https://linexcoloradosprings.com/RAIN: https://rain.tech/Savion HQ: https://savionhq.com/Data Hubz: https://datahubz.com/Reveal Med Spas: https://revealmedspas.com/Awesome Home Services: https://awesomeservice.com/Dream Accounting Solutions: https://dreamaccountingsolutions.com/Exponential Impact: https://exponentialimpact.com/ABOUT THE COLORADO BUSINESS PODCASTThe Colorado Business Podcast features entrepreneurs, founders, builders, and leaders shaping Colorado’s business community.Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@coloradobusinesspodcastExplore more episodes: https://coloradobusinesspodcast.com/What should Colorado protect as it grows, and what should it be willing to build? Share your perspective in the comments.#ColoradoBusinessPodcast #ColoradoBusiness #ColoradoSprings #EconomicDevelopment

Andrew Graff did not step into his family’s jewelry business at the top. After serving in the Navy and building a corporate retail career, he joined Luisa Graff Jewelers by applying through HR, interviewing with his mother, and starting at the bottom wiping counters.

In this episode of the Colorado Business Podcast, Andrew explains how he earned his way into ownership, built role-specific training systems, helped his mother retire, and became CEO of the Colorado Springs jewelry store his family built. He also shares the leadership rule he returns to under pressure: when you want to react, don’t.

The conversation covers family-business succession, military discipline, people management, customer feedback, authentic advertising, custom jewelry, parenting, faith, work-life balance, and Andrew’s plan to train the next generation of bench jewelers.

FEATURED GUEST

Andrew Graff

CEO, Luisa Graff Jewelers

Website: https://www.luisagraffjewelers.com/

Team: https://www.luisagraffjewelers.com/about/luisa-graff-team/

CHAPTERS

00:00 The rule, the legacy, and the system

01:03 Colorado Business Podcast intro

01:13 Andrew Graff and Luisa Graff Jewelers

03:52 A Colorado family legacy in gold

07:12 Learning jewelry at six and joining the Navy

13:47 Starting from the bottom in the family business

14:46 Diamond sponsor and sponsor read

18:39 From corporate retail to a family business

22:10 Becoming a partner and building training systems

27:21 Helping his mother retire and taking ownership

31:26 Customer feedback and a service-first team

33:19 Building custom jewelry in-house

37:21 Authenticity and fun in advertising

43:58 Family legacy, faith, and parenting

46:47 Balancing business and family

52:47 Bellwether sponsor read

55:59 Leadership lessons from business and family

58:19 Presence, execution, and Navy values

60:32 The next generation of bench jewelers

63:42 Outro

SPONSORS

Diamond sponsor read:

EXCO Advisors: https://excoadvisors.com/

LINE-X of Colorado Springs: https://linexcoloradosprings.com/

RAIN: https://rain.tech/

Savion HQ: https://savionhq.com/

Data Hubz: https://datahubz.com/

Reveal Med Spas: https://revealmedspas.com/

Awesome Home Services: https://awesomeservice.com/

Dream Accounting Solutions: https://dreamaccountingsolutions.com/

Exponential Impact: https://exponentialimpact.com/

Standard sponsor read:

Bellwether Homes: https://bellwetherhomes.com/

Pioneer Rodeo: https://pioneerrodeo.com/tickets/

Lightning Glassworks and Screens: https://fastglassrepair.com/

Bright Leaf Energy: https://brightleafenergy.co/

Junk-N-Haul: https://junknhaul.com/

Be Our Guest Getaways: https://beourguestgetaways.com/

Planet Duct: https://planetduct.com/

FASTSIGNS: https://fastsigns.com/

Pinnacle Advanced Primary Care: https://pinnacleapc.com/

ABOUT THE COLORADO BUSINESS PODCAST

The Colorado Business Podcast features entrepreneurs, founders, builders, and leaders shaping Colorado’s business community.

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@coloradobusinesspodcast

Explore more episodes: https://coloradobusinesspodcast.com/

What is one responsibility you had to earn before you were ready to lead? Share it in the comments.

#ColoradoBusinessPodcast #AndrewGraff #FamilyBusiness

Doug Price remembers arriving in Colorado Springs in 2011 when streetlights were dark, parks were not being watered and the city was struggling to pay its utility bill. Fifteen years later, Colorado Springs has built a national identity as Olympic City USA and the Pikes Peak region welcomes more than 25 million visitors a year.

In this episode of the Colorado Business Podcast, Visit COS President & CEO Doug Price explains how tourism, civic leadership and coordinated investment helped transform Colorado Springs. Doug shares lessons from a 52-year hospitality career, the creation of City for Champions, the development of the Olympic City USA identity and the business impact of attracting visitors throughout the year.

The conversation also explores destination marketing, downtown and regional growth, the local sports and live-music ecosystems, Labor Day Lift Off, Fountain Creek, smart growth and the leadership required to keep building a city where people want to visit, work and raise a family.

FEATURED GUEST

Doug Price

President & CEO, Visit Colorado Springs

https://www.visitcos.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-price-889aba34/

CHAPTERS

00:00 Colorado Springs: Then, Now and Next

01:06 Colorado Business Podcast Intro

01:16 Doug Price's 52-Year Tourism Career

03:24 Arriving in Colorado Springs in 2011

06:03 What Visit COS Actually Does

08:33 Building City for Champions

17:59 Diamond Sponsor and Sponsor Read

22:02 Creating Olympic City USA

27:54 More Than 25 Million Visitors

33:22 Growing Tourism Beyond Summer

36:18 Conventions, Downtown and Regional Growth

41:14 The Economic Impact of Tourism

44:18 Live Music, Neighborhoods and Local Pride

51:51 Sponsor Read

54:55 Andrew's Tiny House Festival Story

57:22 Sports and Labor Day Lift Off

59:23 Planning a Colorado Springs Visit

1:02:17 The Next 10 Years and Fountain Creek

1:04:28 Leadership, Government and Smart Growth

1:09:42 Community Collaboration and Legacy

1:14:02 Doug's Plans for Retirement

1:19:33 Visit COS and Closing Thoughts

1:21:39 Outro

ABOUT THE COLORADO BUSINESS PODCAST

The Colorado Business Podcast features entrepreneurs, founders, builders and leaders shaping Colorado's business community.

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@coloradobusinesspodcast

Explore more episodes: https://coloradobusinesspodcast.com/

Brandon Kirk returns to the Colorado Business Podcast with his biggest Planet Duct update yet: the Colorado Springs company has been acquired by another local home services business.In this episode, Brandon explains what selling a business actually looks like, including due diligence, financial negotiations, employment agreements, company culture, and the difficult process of giving up control over something you built.But the acquisition is only part of the story.Brandon also opens up about the fear that shaped his leadership, losing everything after 9/11, going through bankruptcy, putting his business ahead of his marriage, and finally confronting the anger and ego that were affecting his life.Whether you own a trades company, operate a home service business, or are building something you eventually hope to sell, this conversation offers a candid look at business acquisition, leadership, family, failure, and legacy.Learn more about Brandon and Planet Duct:https://planetduct.comSubscribe to the Colorado Business Podcast for conversations with the entrepreneurs, founders, and business leaders shaping Colorado.What would be harder for you as a founder: selling your company or giving up control after the sale? Let us know in the comments.CHAPTERS00:00 Welcome to the Colorado Business Podcast02:12 Planet Duct has been acquired05:05 Inside the business acquisition process09:43 Local acquisition versus private equity11:57 Lessons from joining a larger company12:30 Why Brandon stopped paying hourly18:33 Letting go of control21:32 Better systems and accountability26:11 Life after the acquisition30:36 The move that helped save his marriage32:38 Counseling, anger, and ego37:37 The cost of ignoring your well being39:50 Mentorship and paying it forward45:14 Teaching his son entrepreneurship48:32 Building a family business legacy50:10 Brandon’s next business55:07 Marriage advice for entrepreneurs59:53 Improving his health1:02:21 Bankruptcy and the root of his fear1:07:00 A message to his wife1:08:52 Closing thoughts#ColoradoBusinessPodcast #BusinessAcquisition #Entrepreneurship

Jay Dial spent years pursuing an idea he could never get off the ground. Six years into building the Pioneer Rodeo, he opens up about the disastrous decisions, hard earned lessons, and deeper purpose that kept him moving forward.Jay joins Marcus and Chris on the Colorado Business Podcast for an honest conversation about what it takes to turn passion into a sustainable business. They break down event marketing, budgeting, cash flow, business systems, leadership, community partnerships, and why many entrepreneurs quit before momentum finally begins working in their favor.Jay also previews the Pioneer Rodeo experience, including bull riding, barrel racing, mutton busting, family entertainment, and scheduled appearances from Denver football legends Terrell Davis and Ed McCaffrey and Yellowstone actor Forrie Smith.CURRENT EVENT SCHEDULEPioneer Rodeo performances: August 14 and 15, 2026Location: Norris Penrose Event Center in Colorado SpringsPioneer Demolition Derby Crash or Treat: October 17, 2026Pioneer Rodeo tickets and information:https://www.pioneerrodeo.com/tickets/Updated Demolition Derby information:https://norrispenrose.ticketspice.com/the-pioneer-demolition-derby-august-16-2026CHAPTERS00:00 Jay Dial and the Pioneer Rodeo02:09 The pressure of producing live events03:28 Why loving the work matters08:18 What makes the Pioneer different14:30 Bringing new audiences into rodeo22:58 Why people crave real experiences30:25 The business behind major events35:09 Expensive lessons and smarter marketing38:34 Passion, profit, and sustainable systems45:37 The hard truth about entrepreneurship51:23 Why success can take ten years57:39 Ideas are common, execution is rare1:01:17 Creating value in the marketplace1:06:55 Jay’s vision for the future1:11:05 Collaboration across Colorado rodeo1:18:31 What the Pioneer means to Jay1:23:51 The Ride and Raise nonprofit programSubscribe for more conversations with Colorado business owners, entrepreneurs, and community leaders.The Colorado Business Podcast is the show where Colorado business owners go to see who’s winning and how they can win too.#ColoradoBusinessPodcast #PioneerRodeo #ColoradoSprings

What happens when the business you built becomes the foundation of your identity?

Taylor Draper appeared to be on the verge of a breakthrough. His menswear company reached New York Fashion Week, attracted major industry attention, and secured paperwork for a promised $20 million investment. But the money never arrived. Two years later, Taylor was facing approximately $1 million in debt, the collapse of his business, a divorce, and a complete loss of identity.

In this deeply honest conversation, Taylor joins Andrew Hazzlee and Marcus Alvarado to explain identity fusion, the psychological trap that causes entrepreneurs to tie their self worth to their work.

Taylor shares the philosophy behind his upcoming book, Work Hard, Let Go, and explains how business owners can remain ambitious without allowing success, failure, clients, or money to determine their value.

Connect with Taylor Draper

Instagram: @TaylorJayDraper

Website: TaylorJayDraper.com

Marketing company: Draper Company

Subscribe to the Colorado Business Podcast for honest conversations with Colorado entrepreneurs, founders, and business leaders.

Preston Tucker’s story is built on grit, responsibility, family, and a relentless commitment to doing things the right way.

In this episode of the Colorado Business Podcast, Marcus and Chris sit down with Preston Tucker, founder of Red Rock Construction, to talk about his journey from growing up between Mexico and Colorado to working construction at a young age, building trust in the industry, leading teams, and creating a company culture where people are treated like family.

Preston shares the life experiences that shaped him, including his father’s accident, stepping into responsibility early, learning the construction business from the ground up, and eventually building Red Rock into a company known for relationships, customer service, accountability, and follow-through.

This conversation goes far beyond construction. It is about leadership, work ethic, family, mentorship, taking care of your people, teaching the next generation to dream bigger, and finding purpose through the people you impact along the way.

If you are a Colorado business owner, contractor, entrepreneur, leader, or anyone trying to build something that lasts, this episode is packed with perspective you can use.

Subscribe to the Colorado Business Podcast for conversations with Colorado entrepreneurs, business owners, builders, and leaders who are winning, sharing what they have learned, and helping others win too.

Victor Marx joins the Colorado Business Podcast for a powerful conversation about leadership, faith, character, business, and the future of Colorado.

In this episode, Victor opens up about his life story, growing up in chaos, finding faith, serving in the Marine Corps, building a life of service, and stepping into the Colorado governor’s race. He shares how he has handled criticism, why he believes character matters more than image, and why business owners play a major role in solving real problems in our communities.

This conversation goes beyond politics. It is about what it takes to lead under pressure, stay grounded when people attack your name, and build a life that is driven by purpose instead of ego.

If you are a Colorado business owner, entrepreneur, leader, or someone who cares about where the state is headed, this episode is worth watching.

Listen to more episodes of the Colorado Business Podcast:YouTube: @ColoradoBusinessPodcastSpotify: Colorado Business PodcastApple Podcasts: Colorado Business Podcast

#ColoradoBusinessPodcast #VictorMarx #ColoradoBusiness #Leadership #Entrepreneurship

What does it really take to help someone move from homelessness toward stability, purpose, work, healing, and restored relationships?

In this episode of the Colorado Business Podcast, Marcus and Chris sit down with Travis Williams, CEO of Springs Rescue Mission, to talk about the work happening behind the scenes at one of Colorado Springs’ most important community organizations.

Travis shares how Springs Rescue Mission has grown from a small outreach effort into a life transformational campus serving people experiencing homelessness, addiction, broken relationships, and deep personal challenges. This conversation goes beyond charity. It explores dignity, personal agency, faith, community responsibility, vocational training, family restoration, and why local business owners should understand the role SRM plays in the health of the city.

If you have ever wondered what actually happens at Springs Rescue Mission, how Colorado Springs is addressing homelessness, or how everyday people and businesses can help, this episode is worth your time.

Featuring:Travis Williams, CEO of Springs Rescue MissionHosted by Marcus and Chris on the Colorado Business Podcast

Topics covered:Springs Rescue MissionColorado Springs homelessnessHomeless outreachNonprofit leadershipFaith based serviceCommunity transformationVocational trainingAddiction recoveryFamily restorationSocial enterpriseColorado Springs business communityHow local businesses can help

Subscribe to the Colorado Business Podcast for conversations with the entrepreneurs, leaders, builders, and community voices shaping Colorado.