In this episode of the Loco Experience podcast, I sat down with Mark Rushing and Kathy Rushing to discuss their entrepreneurial adventures and 45-year marriage.  Mark is the Owner of Portable Restroom Solutions, while Kathy is the Founder of Loadstar Relationship Coaching.  They share their journey from their college days at Texas A&M, and into their early entrepreneurial ventures - which included a failed church plant.   We also delve into their faith journey, how it has evolved, and their struggles with finding the right church community in Colorado.

We discuss the challenges of maintaining a strong marriage in an entrepreneurial setting, and the impact of their business experiences on their relationship. Mark opens up about the difficulties of running multiple businesses, including a challenging assisted living business affected by COVID-19 which found them restarting in business and life in Northern Colorado .

Kathy emphasizes the importance of creating a vision together in maintaining a strong relationship, and Mark credits his experience with peer advisory groups like C12 and LoCo Think Tank, and how these communities have been invaluable in building skills and perspective. Throughout, the focus remains on the dignity of work, the importance of community, and the enduring strength of their partnership. There is strong wisdom from lived experience in this episode, and I know you’ll enjoy, as I did, my conversation with Mark & Kathy Rushing. 

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Music By: A Brother's Fountain

In this episode of the Loco Experience Podcast, I sat down with Chris Elder, Patrick Elder, and Austin Dodder, respectively the CEO, President, and COO - and Partners in Elder Construction, Inc.  We start by delving into their roles at Elder Construction, along with their roots in Northern Colorado - and previous to that, Colorado Springs.  Friends since birth and 1st grade, respectively, we explore together the history of their friendship and the founding and evolution of the company.  We touch upon their emphasis on building strong community relationships and focus on commercial construction projects - and the poor results when they dabbled in residential construction!

The trio shares fascinating anecdotes from their youth, including adventures and misadventures, and highlight the challenging yet rewarding path to their current success. We also discuss their personal lives, relationship-building, and deep-rooted faith, which plays a significant role in their company's ethos and leadership style.  So please join me in enjoying my conversation with Chris, Patrick, and Austin, partners in one Northern Colorado’s most highly regarded commercial construction companies, Elder Construction.  

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Music By: A Brother's Fountain

In this episode of the Loco Experience, I welcomed Travis Luther - sociologist, researcher, writer, speaker, entrepreneur, and Founder of Time to Live LLC. Travis shares his journey from a tumultuous childhood with young parents to pursuit of a music career and eventually finding his stride as an entrepreneur. He recounts his entrepreneurial ventures, including starting a successful valet advertising company and a legal tech company, as well as the Queen Anne Pillow Company, which he grew to a million-dollar business in just 18 months and exited in 2021. Travis credits peer advisory for much of his learning as an entrepreneur, and he’s a longtime member of and Past President for Entrepreneurs Organization - Colorado Chapter.  

The conversation delves deep into Travis’s personal battles, including a struggle with opioid addiction, and how he eventually overcame it through determination and support from his family and community. Travis also explores how his experiences led him back to academia, transformed his understanding of success to focus more on personal fulfillment and relationships, and the role psychedelics played in his healing journey.  You won’t want to miss his LoCo Experience at the end, involving a week-long relationship with a valet Ferrari, so please tune in and enjoy my conversation with Travis Luther.  

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Music By: A Brother's Fountain

In this episode of The LoCo Experience Podcast, I sat down with Dwight Sailer, the owner of HighCraft Builders based in Fort Collins, Colorado.  We discussed Dwight's background and the early days of his business, including his journey from apprentice craftsman in Monterey Bay to a fresh start in Colorado and how he started HighCraft with his longtime business partner Bryan Soth.  Dwight shared insights into the unique challenges and opportunities in the construction industry, including their fixed-price model and the importance of building strong client relationships. We also delved into the evolution of their office space on Mulberry Street, which serves as a physical testament to their commitment to quality and creativity in their projects.

Dwight's passion for his work and his team's dedication to excellence were evident throughout our conversation. We touched on various aspects of Dwight's life, from his family and personal background to his experience in Builder 20 business groups that have helped refine their business practices. The conversation was both informative and engaging, highlighting the highs and lows of running a successful construction business. From the humorous story of a barroom altercation during a business trip to a tender discussion of Dwight's family and future aspirations, this episode offers a comprehensive look at what makes HighCraft Builders tick. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or simply interested in the construction industry, this episode is packed with valuable insights and stories, so please enjoy - as I did - my conversation with Dwight Sailer. 

PS - I booked this conversation with Dwight after congratulating him on HighCraft being recognized with a BBB Torch Award for business ethics.  In his humility, and my forgetfulness, the topic never even came up in our conversation, so I thought I should at least mention it during the intro! 

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Music By: A Brother's Fountain

In this episode of the Loco Experience Podcast, I sit down with Joe and Melissa Basta, co-founders of Tellus, an outdoor apparel brand (and social enterprise) based in Fort Collins. They share their founding story, focusing on their commitment to sustainability using recycled or organic materials and donating 100% of their net profits to environmental initiatives. Melissa explains her role in overseeing marketing and the company's give-back programs, while Joe discusses his background in Outward Bound and Peace Corps, which influenced their company's mission and values. They discuss the challenges and successes of launching their flagship store in Fort Collins.  

Tellus was seeded with funds from the sale of a previous business, Rodelle, which Joe developed into a vertically integrated vanilla extract business, connecting hundreds of farmers in Madagascar with millions of shoppers in Costco and Trader Joe’s.

The conversation also delves into their personal lives, including their mutual “early life crises” that led them to meet in the Peace Corps, their family dynamics and children, and how they balance their professional and personal lives. Joe and Melissa emphasize the importance of experiences, travel, and flexibility for young people figuring out their career and life journey, and the episode wraps up with a thoughtful discussion on the future of their business and their commitment to making a positive impact on the planet.  They’ve got great gear, a wonderful mission, and strong conversation skills, and I know you’ll enjoy getting to know my latest guests, Joe & Melissa Basta.  

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Music By: A Brother's Fountain

In this episode of the Loco Experience Podcast, I welcomed Murph McIver into the Studio.  Murph is the Founder and Software Architect at Xeo Software, and moved his family from Honolulu to Fort Collins in 2021.  We discuss what brought them here, the unique attributes of Fort Collins, and the vibrant business culture. Murph shared insights into his company's founding story and mission to help businesses automate and scale, especially those that have unique needs that off-the-shelf software cannot address. 

We delve into the complexities and future of AI in software development, emphasizing its potential to level the playing field for custom software solutions. The conversation transitions to personal reflections, where Murph highlights his focus on lifestyle changes influenced by dandapani’s book - “The Power of Unwavering Focus” and his personal commitment to making significant life enhancements through the power of concentrated thought.  I’m sure you’ll enjoy, as I did, my conversation with Murph McIver.

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Music By: A Brother's Fountain

In this episode of the Local Experience Podcast, I sat down with Sjeanne Cawdry, the Director and Founder of The Center of Liberation. Sean shares her diverse background, from being born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, to moving to Fort Collins, Colorado. Her journey includes a rich history in corporate investment banking in innovative roles, along with personal experiences that led her to found her center aimed at supporting conscious business practices and leadership development.

Sjeanne highlights how she transitioned from personal training gyms to a significant role in one of South Africa's leading corporate investment banks, and how she was involved in transformative projects, particularly in the realms of cryptocurrency and digital assets. Sjeanne also touches on her approach to understanding and leveraging future trends like AI and digital currencies.

The conversation also includes Sjeanne's personal life experiences, including her two near-death experiences and how they helped shaped her perspective on life and work. She discusses her move to America, driven by an online romance during COVID, and her observations on the cultural differences between the two countries. Sjeanne concludes by offering advice for young people navigating their educational and career paths, emphasizing the importance of following one’s passions and creating value in their work.

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Music By: A Brother's Fountain

In this episode of the LoCo Experience, I welcomed accomplished author, speaker, and teacher Gregg Vanourek into the studio.  We discuss his recent book 'Triple Crown Leadership,' which he co-wrote with his father. The book uses the metaphor of the Triple Crown in horse racing to describe the triple crown of leadership: excellence, ethics, and endurance.  We discussed the extensive research and interviews involved in developing their book and leadership model - which aims to help leaders achieve exceptional results with integrity and sustainability.

Gregg shares insights into his diverse professional journey, including his experience with think tanks and founding a startup foundation focused on education reform, which ultimately led him to move their family to Sweden.  There, he taught entrepreneurship and leadership at the Royal Institute of Technology - Sweden’s equivalent to MIT.   

The conversation delves into the significance of understanding oneself and discovering one's passions and strengths, especially for young adults. Greg offers advice on trusting oneself, paying attention to one's interests, and taking action to experiment and learn. He underscores the value of being in community with others to gain insights and support in navigating life's transitions.  Gregg also reflects on his family life, including the challenges and rewards of moving from Sweden back to the U.S. with his wife and daughters. He highlights the importance of finding balance and joy in both professional and personal endeavors.

The episode concludes with a light-hearted discussion about memorable life moments, such as Gregg's adventurous trip to the Netherlands without a passport, and the role of music in his life.   He’ll be our keynote speaker and workshop leader at the LoCo member event this fall - Aim to Thrive - and I know you’ll enjoy getting to know my new friend, Gregg Vanourek.

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Music By: A Brother's Fountain

In this episode of the LoCo Experience Podcast, I hosted Constantin Gurdgiev, Ph.D. and Associate Professor of Finance at the Monfort College of Business. Constantin outlines his work in the fields of economics, geopolitics, and finance, sharing insights from his research on geopolitical risks, tariff impacts, and financial market volatility. He also discusses his teaching and research positions in the United States and Ireland, emphasizing his efforts to integrate real-world applications into academia through internships and student engagement.  

Constantin delves into the complexities of the Ukraine-Russia conflict, drawing on his expertise in Russian and Irish economics. He discusses the historical and geopolitical context that has contributed to the ongoing tension, and critiques the western approach to handling the situation. The conversation also touches on broader themes like the weaponization of economic systems, challenges to U.S. economic hegemony, and the multidimensional nature of modern global conflicts.

Constantin also reflects on regional development issues specific to Northern Colorado, including regulatory burdens, the high cost of living, and the need for regional cooperation between cities to maintain competitive advantage. He suggests practical steps such as reducing state-level taxes and regulatory burdens to foster business growth. The episode concludes with personal reflections on his family and life experiences.  It’s an intriguing journey, and I hope you’ll join me in enjoying my conversation with Constantin Gurdgiev.

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Music By: A Brother's Fountain

In today’s episode of The LoCo Experience, I was joined by Teres Lambert and David Haase - fellow members of the Breakfast Rotary Club in Fort Collins - which meets every Thursday morning at 7 am at Ginger & Baker!  They were here in part to talk about a pair of significant Rotary events upcoming this spring and summer - the Field of Honor  - May 23 - 26 - spearheaded by Teres, and talk with David about The Peach Festival - which will be held August 16th this year at Civic Center Park in Old Town Fort Collins - one of the few remaining downtown festivals!  

The Field of Honor is a service to the community, to honor heroes of all stripes on Memorial Day Weekend.  With 500 flags flying adjacent to the Veterans Plaza and Travelling Memorial Wall, this project allows community members to honor a veteran, a first responder, a foster parent, a teacher - or any other hero of their lives with medallions attached to each flag.  The Peach Festival is all things peachy and community and Rotary - with peach beers, live music, peach pie eating contests - and much much more.  

And - we get to learn about what makes a great Rotarian, and what inspires a career professional to take the plunge into community service.  Teres is a gifted writer, and a topical expert in anything beef or dairy! - and David is a veteran financial planner, who gives dozens of hours each year to the cause of building community.  This episode is all about service, career, and community, and I loved sharing a bit of the journey with Teres Lambert and David Haase.

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Music By: A Brother's Fountain