PROCO360 | Best Podcast for Entrepreneurs and Business Owners

"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. 

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.

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.”

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!

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.

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!

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!