Colorado A-list

What started out as a coping mechanism for fear transformed into survival, personal development, leadership as well as a livelihood AND a devotion to other human beings.  In this episode, learn what led Eliot Marshall to become a professional mixed martial arts fighter, business owner at Easton Training Center, and TEDX speaker.  He addresses the difference between running from our fears and hiding them from others versus facing our fears and having the courage to reveal them to others.  Listen, as he offers some great advice for all of us who are coping with the current events in our world. Also, Eliot has a podcast too! check out The Gospel of Fire (and his new book with the same name)! Note: Industry Alchemist is working to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. This episode was recorded on 11/6/20 during a zoom call, rather than an in-person interview using podcast equipment; therefore, you may notice a difference in the quality of sound.

Fear is one potential response to actual or perceived threats. Often it is fear that stands in the way of our potential, our desires, and our purpose. Facing our fears can be tough. It may be the hardest and darkest work we’ll ever do. Mike Valentine’s job is to help us face the fears that hold us back from what we would like to do and provide guidance to remove the obstacles from our path..... Not gonna lie, this episode is deep! Listen as Mike recalls a time in his childhood that first sparked empathy and an existential awareness. He now has over 30 years of experience in the field of human potential, leadership, and personal development. He’s an ex-ironworker, rides a Harley, and is a self-proclaimed “Fear Hunter”. Mike also has a huge empathic heart! This episode is awe-inspiring, introspective, and extraordinary and will indeed embolden you to live your life “On Purpose Now.” For additional information about Mike’s work and how to get in touch with him, please visit his website, www.onpurposenow.com.&nbs

Michael Maynes, CRO/Founder talks about life and explains the amazing possibilities of outsourcing elements of your customer journey using a BPO (Business Process Outsourcing). CIENCE is a lead generation company converting sales activities into measurable and predictable outcomes.  Listen to learn more about turning OCD into a business and how CIENCE can reduce risk and grow revenue. 

Marketing and advertising is big business.  Behind the business is an entire academic field of study focused on consumer behavior! This is where Dr. Peter McGraw thrives.  He is a Behavioral Economist and Professor of Marketing and Psychology at the University of Colorado Boulder. During Dr. McGraw’s career, he has discovered and studied the truly masterful marketers.  Who are they? Comedians! Surprised? Listen to this episode to get a glimpse of how the great comics have some of the savviest strategies for branding themselves and learn more about the effects of humor on consumer behavior.   As a scientist who studies humor within the context of consumer behavior, Dr. McGraw has founded a research lab called HuRL, the Humor Research Lab. (By the way - no comedians were harmed during his lab research). He has also co-authored a book about the study of humor titled, The Humor Code- A Global Search for What Makes Things Funny.  Just published this year is his newest book, (“a how-to” gui

In this episode, Matt speaks with Jeremy Choi, CEO & Coach at LPS Athletic Centre in Toronto, Canada! The LPS Athletic Centre is an internationally known destination program for athletes (adults and kids) striving to maximize their explosive power in sports that require intervals of extremely high exertion.  (Incidentally, they also train executive-level leaders for a slightly different arena-the boardroom). The company uses a methodology and certification process created by them, called the Athlete Activation System. The system is so effective they have trademarked the term Monstas™ to describe clients after their metamorphosis!  Jeremy not only helps coach and manage the LPS Athletic Centre, but also runs 2 other businesses! Listen as he describes his formula for staying at the top of his game as a busy entrepreneur and family man! And he has a great insight for anyone in a leadership role about being a “hero versus a coach” that you’ve got to hear!  For additional information beyond this

From creating the first Wi-Fi controlled smart lock to inventing the first universal access control platform - RemoteLock is setting the standard for how real estate professionals can kiss keys goodbye and stay in control of who comes and goes on their properties; from anywhere in the world. Listen as CEO, Nolan Mondrow describes the surfeit of applications for their universal access control platform, including remote access and locking technology in the real estate industry. One of the hurdles that the industry faced was assuring customers that the technology was secure. However, as Nolan explains, RemoteLock uses the same level of internet security that banks use to protect the money in our accounts, where most of us accede without much hesitation. And RemoteLock’s universal access control platform is extremely user friendly, empowering clients and their team to make access control a central element of their business operations with ease. Note: Industry Alchemist is working to mitigate the spread of COVID-1

In the 1990s and early 2000s, essentially all real estate schools were operating in a brick and mortar setting. Michael McAllister recognized an opportunity to leverage the internet and online education in the real estate education process to help make completing licensing education requirements more efficient and effective. In 2005 Michael founded The CE Shop, offering real estate (RE) education, exam preparation, licensing, and continuing education courses all under one roof…. Yours! In this episode, Michael speaks with Matt (the host of the show) about the challenges he and his partner faced when starting a new business during that time, including the process of getting RE industry professionals to adopt technology, stringent RE regulations, and major changes in the economy. However, he explains that with every challenge comes an opportunity to learn, grow, come up with creative solutions, and make life a little better for all of us! For additional information, please visit www.theceshop.com

Ozobot just might have one of the coolest (and cutest) products for K-12 learning anywhere! Ozobot is an edtech company, meaning most of their customers are primary and secondary schools. Ozobot collaborated with educators and school systems around the world to design a tech tool and lessons that are integrated into core curriculum for math, reading, science, and more. Plus, with two ways to code–on screens with blocks and screen-free with colors–the company’s robots put the A in STEAM and give children the tools to create with technology. Nader Hamda, Founder and CEO of Ozobot, explains how his own children inspired the initial concept for Ozobot. To learn more, visit www.ozobot.com.  Note: Industry Alchemist is working to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. This episode was recorded on 6/23/20 during a zoom call, rather than an in-person interview using podcast equipment; therefore, you may notice a difference in the quality of sound. 

In this new era of connectivity, computer networks now have a greater strategic and economic impact than ever. Existing physical and virtual network appliances are extremely complex and are failing to meet the demands of data centers and their customers to have simple, scalable, and evolvable connectivity solutions. Stateless’ mission is to make network connectivity simple. It was founded by Murad Kablan and Eric Keller in 2017 as a spinoff of their Ph.D. research. Stateless software platform enables data center operators to easily define and build a portfolio of elegant network connectivity solutions that can be cost-effectively productized and operationalized at scale. Stateless is proudly based in Boulder, Colorado. Murad Kablan describes in layman’s terms how it all works. He also explains some of the triumphs and pitfalls of starting a new business. Learn more at www.stateless.net. Note: Industry Alchemist is working to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. This episode was created on 6/18/20 with a Zoom

Dave Bacon is the Founder and CEO of BWBacon Group, a technology staffing company niched in finding software development, mobile, systems, and product talent for many of Denver’s innovative tech companies. Dave founded BWB nineteen years ago in his basement! Since 2009, BWB has grown into the agency it is today with eleven team members housed at Battery 621. In this episode, Dave discusses some of the changes that have been implemented in his company since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of their methodologies, they have been able to quickly adjust AND help their clients adjust to the constant shifts in business practices during the pandemic. For additional information about Dave’s company, please visit bwbacon.com. Note: Industry Alchemist is working to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. This episode was recorded on 4/2/20 with a Zoom call, rather than our usual in-person interviews using podcast equipment.  However, you may notice a difference in the quality of sound and format.

What does it take to build a great business? What sort of leadership do prosperous companies have? How do you stay inspired and stay focused as an entrepreneur? Would it be better to offer more products/services or stay focused on providing the product/service that you do best?  As an entrepreneur, these puzzling questions may flash through your mind from time to time.  Liz Giorgi, Founder and CEO of both Mighteor and Soona, has contemplated those very questions herself and shares her wisdom on this episode of Industry Alchemist. But first, before you listen, let’s give you a little background about Liz’s companies.  Mighteor creates highly impactful custom video ads; conceivably containing a script, actors, animation, music, and set at a desired location. Mighteor blends the best of every detail together to create a very well-polished ad.  For a more casual, custom ad, requiring a swift turnaround that is also affordable, containing skilled photography within the studio or a less for

“I help people give themselves permission to show up exactly as they are.” -Erin Weed Erin is the Creator of The Dig and Founder of EVOSO. She is a TEDx speaker and coaches other TED and TEDx speakers. (Erin is also the Founder of Girls Fight Back, a woman's violence prevention company she launched after the murder of her college friend). Erin feels that everyone has a story and a message that the world needs to hear. The Dig is her method for finding the ONE WORD that describes your life purpose and message.  EVOSO (short for "Evolution Society") takes what is discovered through The Dig a step further for public leaders/speakers who want to lead with their words from the stage and give authentic talks. Listen as Matt (the host of the show) makes a discovery about himself while recording the interview, inspired by the conversation with Erin! She’s that good. For additional information about Erin, beyond this episode, please visit erinweed.com. Note: Industry Alchemist is working to comply with city manda

Katherine Wells is the Founder and CEO of Serenity Engage.  The inception of Serenity Engage came at a difficult time when her mother, diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, needed additional care; and her father, who had type II diabetes, leaned on Katherine for care.  Working full time, with a family of her own, and trying to care for her parents, Katherine eventually made the decision to find long term care for her parents.  She quickly experienced the massive communication gaps between herself and the senior care staff, which hindered the quality of care that was provided. It was then that she decided to borrow some concepts from the corporate world and make them domain-specific for the complex senior care industry. In this episode, Katherine tells Matt about her journey and how families and care providers can begin to connect and collaborate to improve the care of loved ones. Serenity Engage is offering free trials during the COVID-19 lockdown! Go to serenityengage.com to learn more

When the cannabis industry was beginning to boom in Colorado, Josh Whitaker, already a seasoned marketing pro and entrepreneur, recognized this new industry had a critical need for his skill and experience.  So, in 2015, Josh launched Team Maryjane, a company focused on developing and promoting cannabis brands, offering full-scale and fractional marketing packages.  Team Maryjane soon managed to learn savvy tricks-of-the-trade to assist with sales, distribution, and order fulfillment specifically for CBD brands.  Thus, Josh launched another company in 2019 dedicated exclusively to handling CBD clients. Fully Amplified is the first fully outsourced operations company for CBD brands! They have cultivated the best way to maximize their clients’ revenues and minimize expenses, hence “fully amplifying” every CBD brand.  In this episode, Josh imparts how he plowed through the last several years of hard work building both niche marketing companies, navigated by his passion for marketing and incre

Businesses come in all different sizes and stages. It doesn’t always make sense to have a full-time CFO or accountant on staff. Therefore, fractional CFO services are a great option for many companies because the services can be tailored specifically to each company and save them money.  In this episode, Matt speaks with Dan DeGolier, Founder and CEO of Ascent CFO Solutions. Ascent CFO provides parceled services such as financial modeling, cash flow forecasting, funding/capital strategy, outsourced CFO services, general accounting, and M&A support for early-stage and established businesses. (Please note: This episode was recorded on 2/26/20 and references the novel coronavirus, when there were only 15 confirmed cases in the US and there was not yet a major effect on the public or the economy). For additional information about Ascent CFO beyond this podcast episode, please visit ascentcfo.com.   #FractionalCFO #CFOForHire #startups #scaleups #strategy #growthCFO

There are several ways to price professional services rendered and charging customers or clients for the time spent is a common approach. However, placing value on time rather than the service itself, often provokes us to ration every cent and consequently we may not receive optimum services. Stan Doida, Founder and Attorney at Doida Law Group is working to reframe the value of legal services so that clients can reap the maximum benefits of legal counsel, rather than fragmented or inaccurate counsel based on a very limited scope of information provided to the attorney. Stan's firm offers fixed fees which gives clients price certainty from the start and allows for a deeper, more strategic relationship. In this episode, Stan points out that taking time out of the equation of billing is mutually beneficial for the client and attorney because it encourages the client to provide the entire scope of a situation and as a result, the attorney can offer exceptional counsel. Listen to learn more about how the Doida Law

Today’s guest is a business owner in the survivalist industry and an author of a new book called, “The Turnaround Gift.” His company, Survival Frog, provides information about emergency preparedness as well as a source for survival and outdoor gear (for times like the present COVID-19 pandemic). Several years ago, the survivalist industry experienced a downturn in sales and he had to quickly adapt to the changes. During this time, he learned invaluable lessons about how to make quick strategic decisions, scrutinize every area of operations to improve efficiency, as well as how to remain objective during a time when emotions are running high. And he came out on the other side of the downturn, confident that his company is able to weather any storm, economic or otherwise. Listen as Byron Walker, Founder and CEO of Survival Frog, outlines several suggestions for entrepreneurs currently struck with a massive downturn in business due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For additional information about Survival Frog and emer

This week’s amazing guest is Leslie Jones, CEO and Founder of SpiralMethod. As an executive coach for over 25 years, Leslie has worked with major corporations such as Starbucks, Microsoft, Accenture, Comcast, and small to mid-sized businesses, CEOs and C-suite teams across the World. Leslie helps leaders of leaders learn new ways to create, communicate, understand and collaborate. She is on a mission to end the “disconnection gap” that suppresses innovation, productivity and engagement in groups, families, communities and companies. Her company, SpiralMethod, offers a holistic leadership training ecosystem for communities and companies. This system rapidly clears space for deep collaboration that produces extraordinary results; accessing and cultivating the wisdom of the people, especially at a time when we need it most. For additional information about the SpiralMethod, visit www.spiralmethod.com.

Meet Steve Jenkins, CEO and Co-Founder of 3CO. To comprehend what he and his business partner do, you first have to understand what augmented reality is. Simply put, augmented reality is the integration of the real world and computer-generated sensory information. 3CO uses 3D scanners and augmented reality technology to help businesses digitize their inventory and virtually install anything from the inventory into your smartphone camera viewfinder. From there, the applications are endless! Listen as Steve tells us more about www.3co.ai and how their augmented reality technology works!

Traditionally, or perhaps stereotypically, employers have recognized dedicated employees’ milestone tenure with the cliched gold watch or placard. Wishlist provides employers with a more creative and meaningful way to recognize and reward valued employees for their continuous hard work. Our episode this week is an interview with Daniel Kasper, CEO of Wishlist. Listen as Daniel describes Wishlist’s highly desirable selection of experiential gifts such as live events, spa treatments, travel getaways, skydiving, recreational classes, the list goes on! Wishlist uses software technology to seamlessly connect with corporate human resources and tailors rewards/gifts to each organization’s unique employee demographics, company budget, and core values. Through recognition, Wishlist helps to increase employee retention and job performance - and they track it! Learn how the company got its start and has quickly grown and evolved!