Show Me Yours

In this episode of Show Me Yours, Reanna and Brian sit down with Chris Wilhelmi, Co-Managing Partner at Colorado Law Group, for a real, practical, and occasionally painful conversation about what small business owners are actually up against.

Chris brings a unique perspective to the table. Before becoming an attorney, he spent years as an engineer and business professional, and that background shows up in the way he thinks about business, risk, process, people, and the many gray areas that leaders have to navigate.

This conversation digs into the messy intersection of law, HR, AI, compliance, leadership, and entrepreneurship. And the big takeaway? Google, AI, templates, and “I think I read somewhere…” are not legal strategies.

Reanna, Brian, and Chris talk about the rising temptation to use AI for business and legal questions, and why that can get dangerous fast when the tool does not understand your specific facts, your industry, your people, your state laws, or whether something is proposed legislation versus actual law. From AI-generated KPI lists that miss the point entirely to handbook feedback that can create real risk, the group breaks down why human judgment still matters.

They also get into one of the biggest lessons for small business owners: document issues when they happen. Not six months later. Not after an employee goes out on leave. Not once the problem has already turned into a legal landmine. If there is no record, no conversation, no write-up, no email, and no evidence, it becomes much harder to defend the decision you want to make later.

The conversation also pulls back the curtain on the emotional and financial reality of running a business. The highs are high. The lows are low. Processes help, but they do not magically fix people problems. Software demos can lie. Vendors matter more than you think. Cash flow can make even a successful company feel fragile. And sometimes, the law changes again before business owners have even had a chance to fully understand the last version.

This episode is for business owners, leaders, executives, nonprofit directors, and anyone who has ever thought, “Wait, was I supposed to know that changed?”

Main topics covered:

• Why AI can be helpful, but dangerous, when used without expert judgment
• The risk of relying on Google or generic templates for legal and HR decisions
• Why small businesses struggle to keep up with constantly changing employment laws
• How legal, HR, payroll, and business decisions often live in the gray area
• Why documentation matters before an employee issue becomes urgent
• The real cost of compliance for small business owners
• Why process does not solve everything when people are involved
• The emotional roller coaster of entrepreneurship
• How expensive business really is beneath the top-line revenue number
• The danger of software, vendors, and tools that promise more than they deliver
• Why communication is one of the most underrated leadership habits
• The importance of trusted advisors who understand both risk and reality

About Chris Wilhelmi:

Chris Wilhelmi is Co-Managing Partner at Colorado Law Group. His work includes civil litigation, employment law, business matters, construction, and other legal issues that affect individuals and businesses. Colorado Law Group also supports clients in areas including business transactions, wills, trusts, estates, family law, and real estate matters.

Contact Chris and Colorado Law Group:
Website: https://coloradolawgroup.com/
Phone: 719-635-4200

If you are a small business owner trying to make sense of compliance, employee issues, contracts, policies, risk, or the latest “wait, the law changed again?” moment, this episode is your reminder: do not wing it alone.

Show Me Yours: The RelaunchIn this episode, Re introduces a new chapter for Show Me Yours with her official new co-host, Brian.With Jason no longer part of the Savvion HQ team and stepping into his own entrepreneurial journey, the show is evolving into something deeper, richer, and more personal. Re and Brian are bringing a renewed energy to the podcast, with a focus on honest business owner conversations, vulnerable reflections, and the real lessons learned while building businesses from the inside out.Brian brings a distinct perspective to the table, blending strong financial acumen with a deep appreciation for relationships, trust, and the human side of business. Together, he and Re are creating space for conversations that go beyond strategy and surface-level success. This new version of Show Me Yours is about what it really takes to build, lead, grow, make mistakes, repair, reflect, and keep going.In this relaunch episode, Re and Brian explore the aesthetic of joy and how our environments shape the way we feel, create, connect, and belong. They reflect on how beauty, comfort, and intentional spaces can influence our sense of safety and show up in the way we do business, build community, and take care of ourselves.They also look back at the lessons they wish they could have given their younger selves, especially around mistakes. Rather than seeing mistakes as failures, they discuss the idea of mistakes as “paying tuition.” Every misstep becomes part of the education. Every hard-earned lesson becomes a little less shameful and a lot more useful.The episode also dives into one of the more complicated parts of entrepreneurship: boundaries with friends and family. Re reflects on her experience of feeling unintentionally taken for granted by a friend seeking free business advice and guidance, opening up a conversation about generosity, resentment, value, and the importance of protecting your time and expertise.This episode marks a fresh beginning for Show Me Yours. It is warmer, deeper, more honest, and rooted in the kind of conversations business owners actually need.In this episode, we talk about:The new direction of Show Me Yours and Brian stepping in as Re’s official co-host.Jason’s transition away from Savvion HQ as he pursues his own entrepreneurial path.What Brian brings to the podcast through his financial insight, relational perspective, and lived business experience.How Re and Brian want to create deeper, more vulnerable conversations with guests.The aesthetic of joy and the role environment plays in belonging, creativity, and safety.The advice Re and Brian would give their younger selves about mistakes, growth, and learning the hard way.The idea of mistakes as “paying tuition” in life and business.The challenges of setting boundaries with friends and family when your expertise becomes casually accessible.Re’s reflection on feeling unintentionally taken for granted when offering free business advice.How business owners can honor generosity without abandoning their own value.TED Talk referenced: Where Joy Hides and How to Find It | Ingrid Fetell https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_u2WFTfbcg

Mike Girard didn’t just start a business… he MacGyver’d one into existence in a war zone.

This episode is the definition of “you can’t make this up.”💥 The Origin Story - Mike’s first batch of moonshine was made in Afghanistan… using a repurposed explosive device. What started as curiosity turned into a full-blown obsession—and eventually, 3-Hundred Days of Shine.🚀 From Army to EntrepreneurAfter 23 years in the military, Mike jumped into business ownership with zero road map. Think :Doing everything himself Long hours, nonstop grind Learning business in real time His words? “Like drinking from a firehose.”🧠 Smart Positioning Instead of leaning into military branding, Mike built his brand around: Colorado history Prohibition storiesLocal prideThat shift made his product stand out in a crowded market.📖 When Your Story Starts Selling At one point, customers began telling Mike’s story for him. That’s when it clicked—your brand is working when your audience becomes your marketer.🔑 Real Talk Take away You don’t need a perfect plan.You need: Grit, Adaptability, And the ability to learn fast🎧 Raw, honest, and packed with lessons for any small business owner trying to figure it out.Go check them out:https://www.3hundreddays.com/or follow along at https://www.instagram.com/3hundreddaysdistilling/#SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #StartupLife #BusinessLessons #Podcast

This week on Show Me Yours, Reanna, Jason, and Dirk get into a conversation every Colorado Springs business owner needs to hear.Dirk Hobbs, publisher of Colorado Media Group, pulls back the curtain on a hard truth. Colorado Springs is not lacking opportunity. It is lacking storytelling.From the outside, the region is seen as underwhelming. A military town. A nice mountain backdrop. That is it. Meanwhile, right under our noses, there are thriving industries like aerospace, defense, cyber, advanced manufacturing, and a rapidly growing population that is about to outpace Denver. The problem is not the business ecosystem. The problem is how we talk about it.Dirk shares how he built a media company focused on depth over noise, why most business coverage misses what actually matters, and how small business owners can position themselves in a way that attracts real opportunity instead of just attention.This episode is a wake-up call.If you are a business owner in Colorado Springs and you are not telling your story well, you are leaving growth on the table.--- 3 Key Moments That Matter1. Colorado Springs Has a Marketing Problem, Not a Business ProblemDirk breaks down how the region is perceived nationally and why that perception is completely disconnected from reality. The opportunity is massive, but if we do not tell that story with clarity and depth, it gets overlooked.2. Why Most “Business News” Is Useless to Business OwnersSurface-level stories do not move the needle. Dirk explains why he built his publications to focus on real insights, real impact, and information that actually helps business owners make decisions. Not fluff. Not headlines. Real value.3. Small Businesses Need to Think Bigger Than Their Zip CodeOne of the most powerful shifts Dirk highlights is thinking regionally, not just locally. Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Douglas County, and surrounding areas are interconnected. When you understand that ecosystem, your opportunities expand fast.--- Learn MoreWant to learn more about Colorado Media Group?https://coloradomediagroup.com

What happens when two serial entrepreneurs pull back the curtain on what it really takes to build multiple businesses at once?In this episode of Show Me Yours, we sit down with Andrew Hazzlee and Marcus Alvarado—founders, marketers, podcast builders, and the brains behind Booth Bingo—to unpack the messy middle of entrepreneurship.We’re talking:Building businesses that actually solve problems (like turning boring vendor events into lead-generating machines)The long, unsexy grind of growing a podcast (300+ episodes, years of little traction, and no shortcuts)Why consistency beats “genius ideas” every timeAnd the hard truth: even successful entrepreneurs regularly question if they should just go get a jobBut the real gold? Their failures.From public event flops and financial hits… to 400+ job applications with no offers… to betting big on ideas that barely break even—this episode is a masterclass in what it costs to stay in the game.Big takeaways for small business owners:💡 If your marketing isn’t driving results, it’s not “branding”—it’s broken🎯 The best ideas come from solving real, painful problems (not chasing trends)🔁 Consistency and iteration will outperform talent 10 out of 10 times💥 Public failure isn’t the end—it’s often the turning point🧠 The “wisdom phase” only comes after you push through the hard stuffAnd maybe the most important reminder:Every successful business owner you admire? They’ve had moments where they wanted to quit.They just didn’t.Go check out their work:https://boothbingo.com/https://coloradobusinesspodcast.com/

In this episode, Reanna Werner and Jason Sheffield sit down virtually with sisters Alison and Ariel Johnston, the duo behind Everything Colorado. What started as a single shop in Summit County has grown into four thriving retail stores, all focused on celebrating Colorado through locally inspired products and designs.

They share the wild origin story of their family’s snow-themed business, the lessons they learned from early retail mistakes, and how leaning on mentors, community, and each other helped them grow from first-time entrepreneurs into confident leaders.In this episode 👇

🏔️ The Johnston sisters’ journey from a family snow business to four Colorado retail shops

🛍️ How they create their own products and partner with local artists

📈 The moment tourism exploded after COVID and changed their business overnight

📚 Business lessons from books, mentors, and asking for help

💡 A marketing fail involving a mud-covered bus ad

👯‍♀️ The power of building a business with someone who shares your vision

🎯 Overcoming imposter syndrome and growing into leadership

Connect with Everything Colorado

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everythingcoloradoco/

🌐 Website: https://everythingcoloradoco.com/

If you're headed to the mountains, check out their shops in Dillon, Silverthorne, Frisco, and Copper Mountain and bring home a piece of Colorado. 🏔️🧢

Season 2 kicks off with Reanna and Jason reintroducing The Bucket (aka the third co-host) and welcoming Clay & Emily Ross, the powerhouse duo behind Yobel and the Look Up Gallery. Over bourbon and real talk, they unpack what it actually takes to survive as a small business: a pandemic shutdown, a devastating fire that wiped out everything, skyrocketing rent, and a relentless search for the “right” space (spoiler: it was space #23).But this episode isn’t just a comeback story, it’s also a mission story. Clay shares the hard math behind the “starving artist” reality and how it inspired Primer, a nonprofit that subsidizes studio rent so artists can keep creating without drowning.If you’ve ever thought, “Maybe it’s over,” this episode is your sign: community shows up, if you let them.What you’ll hear in this episode:In this episode 👇🔥 The 2023 fire that wiped out everything and the comeback plan🏙️ Why they toured 23 spaces before finding “the one”🎨 The truth about the “starving artist” math (even after a big sale)💛 Primer’s mission: rent subsidies to support studio artists🍸 Why modern retail needs experiences, not just transactions🤝 Community as the secret weapon for surviving small business chaosSupport + Visit ✅💛 Support Primer: primer.art👕 Shop Yobel at 517 S Cascade Ave, Suite E (alley-side), Colorado Springs📷 Check out Yobel instagram - https://www.instagram.com/shopyobel/ & The Look Up Gallery - https://www.instagram.com/thelookupgallery/🎉 Best night to go: First Fridays (5–9pm)“Get your asses down, grab a drink, and meet our friends.” 🍻😄

We’re back from hiatus and celebrating a milestone episode—our first time recording under our new name Savvion! And what better way to mark the occasion than with longtime client, leader, and unapologetic powerhouse Rebecca Moore, co-founder of Kaaum Enterprises. Rebecca has grown her business from 20 employees to well over 120 while navigating the messy, human side of entrepreneurship.This conversation gets real fast—mistakes, fears, million-dollar lessons—and Rebecca brings her signature mix of honesty, grit, and humor to every story.3 Key Moments Small Business Owners Can’t Miss:The $80,000 Meth House Mistake (25:00)Yes, you read that right. Rebecca shares the wildest (and most expensive) mistake her business has ever faced—how a client turned a leased house into a meth lab, and the ripple effect it had. It’s a masterclass in risk management, oversight, and why “boring” details like insurance really matter for small business owners.Leadership Fears & Growing Into the Role (47:00)Rebecca opens up about her biggest fear: leading people without ever having managed before. From trying to be the “cool boss” to realizing the importance of boundaries, she delivers raw insight into how leadership maturity is forged through trial, error, and tough lessons.The Courage to Be Disliked (18:00 & 59:00)Rebecca’s personal growth journey—including her MBA and a pivotal book recommendation—sparks a conversation about intuition, resilience, and why sometimes saying the hard thing (even when unpopular) is the most important leadership move you can make.Why This Episode is Gold for Small Business Owners:This isn’t just theory—it’s the messy, unfiltered side of entrepreneurship most leaders don’t talk about. You’ll walk away with practical reminders about protecting your business from costly mistakes, leading through vulnerability, and trusting your instincts even when it’s uncomfortable.Oh, and there’s plenty of laughter—because if you can’t laugh at an $80,000 meth house disaster, what can you laugh at?

Welcome back to another episode of "Show Me Yours," the podcast where we get real and bare it all! This week, we’re joined by Jonathan Liebert, the CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Southern Colorado, who’s unlocking the secrets to merging purpose with profit. He’s spilling the tea on the biggest mistakes he's made and the hard-earned lessons that followed. This is the episode you can't afford to miss. In this candid conversation, you’ll discover:

➡️ The brutal truth about navigating a crisis. Jonathan shares a powerful story about delivering tough news to small business owners during the COVID-19 pandemic and the profound lessons he learned about empathy, brutal honesty, and navigating secondary trauma.

🤖 Why AI is the ultimate gut-check. Jonathan challenges the idea that AI is just another tool. He calls it a "thought accelerator" that acts as a digital mirror, reflecting and amplifying your critical thinking skills—for better or for worse.

🔪 The one thing that could kill your business. Jonathan gives a powerful, no-BS warning to every small business owner who’s afraid of AI. He explains why the biggest danger isn't the technology itself, but "the person who knows AI better than you."

This is your wake-up call to get off the sidelines and into the game. Small business owners, don't miss Jonathan's valuable insights into AI adoption and its transformative impact on businesses. As we dissect common fears about AI, Jonathan emphasizes the tool's potential to enhance human efforts rather than replace them.

Ready to ditch the business plan for something with a little more soul? This week on Show Me Yours, we're pulling back the curtain and getting into the nitty-gritty with our guest, Brandon Eldridge, the executive director of the Pikes Peak SBDC. We're talking about his biggest mistakes and the hard-earned lessons that followed.In this episode, Brandon gets real, vulnerable, and yes—we're making it fun. Tune in to discover:Your "Why" vs. Your Business Plan: Stop getting bogged down in rigid plans and start tapping into the true purpose that drives your business. Brandon shares the difference between a passion-driven entrepreneur and a business owner, and why your "why" is the only thing that will get you through the tough times.A Wild Ride of Honest Confessions: Think you’re the only one who’s messed up royally? Brandon admits to a major case of burnout during the pandemic, working 14-15 hour days on PPP loans while others were taking time off. He shares his "Fish Philosophy" for getting his groove back. Plus, he reveals a new mental health initiative for entrepreneurs that you won't want to miss.The Power of a Not-So-Secret Weapon: Brandon gets candid about his biggest mistake: trying to do it all himself. He reveals the pivotal moment he realized he couldn’t succeed without a strong team and why asking for help is a superpower, not a weakness.Learn more about the SBDC and the resources available to small business owners athttps://sbdc.colorado.gov/pikespeak