PROCO360 | Best Podcast for Entrepreneurs and Business Owners

“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! 

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.

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.