Colorado Business Podcast

Hosted by Colorado Business Podcast

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Episodes

340

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Aug 2026

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About the show

The Colorado Business Podcast is a community-driven podcast focused on the business scene in Colorado. Hosted by business owners Andrew Hazzlee & Marcus Alvarado, each episode features a different guest sharing insights and advice on topics such as marketing, finance, leadership, and innovation. The podcast is highly regarded for its engaging content, skilled interviewing, and emphasis on building a strong community of business leaders and entrepreneurs.

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60 recent

August 20, 2026Episode 3411 hr 21 min

How Colorado Springs Became Olympic City USA | Doug Price

Doug Price remembers arriving in Colorado Springs in 2011 when streetlights were dark, parks were not being watered and the city was struggling to pay its utility bill. Fifteen years later, Colorado Springs has built a national identity as Olympic City USA and the Pikes Peak region welcomes more than 25 million visitors a year. In this episode of the Colorado Business Podcast, Visit COS President & CEO Doug Price explains how tourism, civic leadership and coordinated investment helped transform Colorado Springs. Doug shares lessons from a 52-year hospitality career, the creation of City for Champions, the development of the Olympic City USA identity and the business impact of attracting visitors throughout the year. The conversation also explores destination marketing, downtown and regional growth, the local sports and live-music ecosystems, Labor Day Lift Off, Fountain Creek, smart growth and the leadership required to keep building a city where people want to visit, work and raise a family. FEATURED GUEST Doug Price President & CEO, Visit Colorado Springs https://www.visitcos.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-price-889aba34/ CHAPTERS 00:00 Colorado Springs: Then, Now and Next 01:06 Colorado Business Podcast Intro 01:16 Doug Price's 52-Year Tourism Career 03:24 Arriving in Colorado Springs in 2011 06:03 What Visit COS Actually Does 08:33 Building City for Champions 17:59 Diamond Sponsor and Sponsor Read 22:02 Creating Olympic City USA 27:54 More Than 25 Million Visitors 33:22 Growing Tourism Beyond Summer 36:18 Conventions, Downtown and Regional Growth 41:14 The Economic Impact of Tourism 44:18 Live Music, Neighborhoods and Local Pride 51:51 Sponsor Read 54:55 Andrew's Tiny House Festival Story 57:22 Sports and Labor Day Lift Off 59:23 Planning a Colorado Springs Visit 1:02:17 The Next 10 Years and Fountain Creek 1:04:28 Leadership, Government and Smart Growth 1:09:42 Community Collaboration and Legacy 1:14:02 Doug's Plans for Retirement 1:19:33 Visit COS and Closing Thoughts 1:21:39 Outro ABOUT THE COLORADO BUSINESS PODCAST The Colorado Business Podcast features entrepreneurs, founders, builders and leaders shaping Colorado's business community. Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@coloradobusinesspodcast Explore more episodes: https://coloradobusinesspodcast.com/

August 13, 2026Episode 3401 hr 20 min

From Bankruptcy to Business Acquisition: Brandon Kirk’s Story

Brandon Kirk returns to the Colorado Business Podcast with his biggest Planet Duct update yet: the Colorado Springs company has been acquired by another local home services business.In this episode, Brandon explains what selling a business actually looks like, including due diligence, financial negotiations, employment agreements, company culture, and the difficult process of giving up control over something you built.But the acquisition is only part of the story.Brandon also opens up about the fear that shaped his leadership, losing everything after 9/11, going through bankruptcy, putting his business ahead of his marriage, and finally confronting the anger and ego that were affecting his life.Whether you own a trades company, operate a home service business, or are building something you eventually hope to sell, this conversation offers a candid look at business acquisition, leadership, family, failure, and legacy.Learn more about Brandon and Planet Duct:https://planetduct.comSubscribe to the Colorado Business Podcast for conversations with the entrepreneurs, founders, and business leaders shaping Colorado.What would be harder for you as a founder: selling your company or giving up control after the sale? Let us know in the comments.CHAPTERS00:00 Welcome to the Colorado Business Podcast02:12 Planet Duct has been acquired05:05 Inside the business acquisition process09:43 Local acquisition versus private equity11:57 Lessons from joining a larger company12:30 Why Brandon stopped paying hourly18:33 Letting go of control21:32 Better systems and accountability26:11 Life after the acquisition30:36 The move that helped save his marriage32:38 Counseling, anger, and ego37:37 The cost of ignoring your well being39:50 Mentorship and paying it forward45:14 Teaching his son entrepreneurship48:32 Building a family business legacy50:10 Brandon’s next business55:07 Marriage advice for entrepreneurs59:53 Improving his health1:02:21 Bankruptcy and the root of his fear1:07:00 A message to his wife1:08:52 Closing thoughts#ColoradoBusinessPodcast #BusinessAcquisition #Entrepreneurship

August 6, 2026Episode 3391 hr 34 min

The Business Behind the Pioneer Rodeo with Jay Dial

Jay Dial spent years pursuing an idea he could never get off the ground. Six years into building the Pioneer Rodeo, he opens up about the disastrous decisions, hard earned lessons, and deeper purpose that kept him moving forward.Jay joins Marcus and Chris on the Colorado Business Podcast for an honest conversation about what it takes to turn passion into a sustainable business. They break down event marketing, budgeting, cash flow, business systems, leadership, community partnerships, and why many entrepreneurs quit before momentum finally begins working in their favor.Jay also previews the Pioneer Rodeo experience, including bull riding, barrel racing, mutton busting, family entertainment, and scheduled appearances from Denver football legends Terrell Davis and Ed McCaffrey and Yellowstone actor Forrie Smith.CURRENT EVENT SCHEDULEPioneer Rodeo performances: August 14 and 15, 2026Location: Norris Penrose Event Center in Colorado SpringsPioneer Demolition Derby Crash or Treat: October 17, 2026Pioneer Rodeo tickets and information:https://www.pioneerrodeo.com/tickets/Updated Demolition Derby information:https://norrispenrose.ticketspice.com/the-pioneer-demolition-derby-august-16-2026CHAPTERS00:00 Jay Dial and the Pioneer Rodeo02:09 The pressure of producing live events03:28 Why loving the work matters08:18 What makes the Pioneer different14:30 Bringing new audiences into rodeo22:58 Why people crave real experiences30:25 The business behind major events35:09 Expensive lessons and smarter marketing38:34 Passion, profit, and sustainable systems45:37 The hard truth about entrepreneurship51:23 Why success can take ten years57:39 Ideas are common, execution is rare1:01:17 Creating value in the marketplace1:06:55 Jay’s vision for the future1:11:05 Collaboration across Colorado rodeo1:18:31 What the Pioneer means to Jay1:23:51 The Ride and Raise nonprofit programSubscribe for more conversations with Colorado business owners, entrepreneurs, and community leaders.The Colorado Business Podcast is the show where Colorado business owners go to see who’s winning and how they can win too.#ColoradoBusinessPodcast #PioneerRodeo #ColoradoSprings

July 23, 2026Episode 3381 hr 16 min

The $20 Million Investment That Never Arrived | Taylor Draper

What happens when the business you built becomes the foundation of your identity? Taylor Draper appeared to be on the verge of a breakthrough. His menswear company reached New York Fashion Week, attracted major industry attention, and secured paperwork for a promised $20 million investment. But the money never arrived. Two years later, Taylor was facing approximately $1 million in debt, the collapse of his business, a divorce, and a complete loss of identity. In this deeply honest conversation, Taylor joins Andrew Hazzlee and Marcus Alvarado to explain identity fusion, the psychological trap that causes entrepreneurs to tie their self worth to their work. Taylor shares the philosophy behind his upcoming book, Work Hard, Let Go , and explains how business owners can remain ambitious without allowing success, failure, clients, or money to determine their value. Connect with Taylor Draper Instagram: @TaylorJayDraper Website: TaylorJayDraper.com Marketing company: Draper Company Subscribe to the Colorado Business Podcast for honest conversations with Colorado entrepreneurs, founders, and business leaders.

July 16, 2026Episode 3371 hr 22 min

Why Trust Wins in Construction | Preston Tucker of Red Rock Construction

Preston Tucker’s story is built on grit, responsibility, family, and a relentless commitment to doing things the right way. In this episode of the Colorado Business Podcast, Marcus and Chris sit down with Preston Tucker, founder of Red Rock Construction, to talk about his journey from growing up between Mexico and Colorado to working construction at a young age, building trust in the industry, leading teams, and creating a company culture where people are treated like family. Preston shares the life experiences that shaped him, including his father’s accident, stepping into responsibility early, learning the construction business from the ground up, and eventually building Red Rock into a company known for relationships, customer service, accountability, and follow-through. This conversation goes far beyond construction. It is about leadership, work ethic, family, mentorship, taking care of your people, teaching the next generation to dream bigger, and finding purpose through the people you impact along the way. If you are a Colorado business owner, contractor, entrepreneur, leader, or anyone trying to build something that lasts, this episode is packed with perspective you can use. Subscribe to the Colorado Business Podcast for conversations with Colorado entrepreneurs, business owners, builders, and leaders who are winning, sharing what they have learned, and helping others win too.

July 9, 2026Episode 3361 hr 47 min

Victor Marx on Character, Business, and Running for Governor

Victor Marx joins the Colorado Business Podcast for a powerful conversation about leadership, faith, character, business, and the future of Colorado. In this episode, Victor opens up about his life story, growing up in chaos, finding faith, serving in the Marine Corps, building a life of service, and stepping into the Colorado governor’s race. He shares how he has handled criticism, why he believes character matters more than image, and why business owners play a major role in solving real problems in our communities. This conversation goes beyond politics. It is about what it takes to lead under pressure, stay grounded when people attack your name, and build a life that is driven by purpose instead of ego. If you are a Colorado business owner, entrepreneur, leader, or someone who cares about where the state is headed, this episode is worth watching. Listen to more episodes of the Colorado Business Podcast:YouTube: @ColoradoBusinessPodcastSpotify: Colorado Business PodcastApple Podcasts: Colorado Business Podcast #ColoradoBusinessPodcast #VictorMarx #ColoradoBusiness #Leadership #Entrepreneurship

July 2, 2026Episode 3351 hr 15 min

More Than a Shelter: Inside Springs Rescue Mission with Travis Williams

What does it really take to help someone move from homelessness toward stability, purpose, work, healing, and restored relationships? In this episode of the Colorado Business Podcast, Marcus and Chris sit down with Travis Williams, CEO of Springs Rescue Mission, to talk about the work happening behind the scenes at one of Colorado Springs’ most important community organizations. Travis shares how Springs Rescue Mission has grown from a small outreach effort into a life transformational campus serving people experiencing homelessness, addiction, broken relationships, and deep personal challenges. This conversation goes beyond charity. It explores dignity, personal agency, faith, community responsibility, vocational training, family restoration, and why local business owners should understand the role SRM plays in the health of the city. If you have ever wondered what actually happens at Springs Rescue Mission, how Colorado Springs is addressing homelessness, or how everyday people and businesses can help, this episode is worth your time. Featuring:Travis Williams, CEO of Springs Rescue MissionHosted by Marcus and Chris on the Colorado Business Podcast Topics covered:Springs Rescue MissionColorado Springs homelessnessHomeless outreachNonprofit leadershipFaith based serviceCommunity transformationVocational trainingAddiction recoveryFamily restorationSocial enterpriseColorado Springs business communityHow local businesses can help Subscribe to the Colorado Business Podcast for conversations with the entrepreneurs, leaders, builders, and community voices shaping Colorado.

June 25, 2026Episode 3341 hr 38 min

The Future of Colorado Springs with Yemi Mobolade

Colorado Springs, Yemi Mobolade returns to the Colorado Business Podcast for a powerful conversation about leadership, health, public service, and the future of Colorado Springs. In this episode, Yemi opens up about the serious health scare that forced him to slow down, reevaluate his pace, and rethink what sustainable leadership actually looks like. He shares how that experience changed his perspective on family, faith, work, delegation, and the responsibility that comes with serving a growing city. We also get into what the mayor actually does, what falls inside and outside the role, how Colorado Springs is approaching public safety, infrastructure, homelessness, economic development, potholes, utilities, city budget challenges, and responsible growth. This is a wide ranging and deeply personal conversation about what it takes to lead Colorado Springs during a season of change. Chapters: 00:00 Welcome back to the Colorado Business Podcast 00:42 Why the podcast rebranded to Colorado Business Podcast 02:44 Yemi opens up about his health scare 05:48 The heart blockage discovery 07:26 Second chances, purpose, and slowing down 10:25 “Half is 40 hours” and the cost of overworking 13:19 Delegation, leadership, and building a stronger team 18:15 Why men need to take their health seriously 21:50 Why Colorado Springs matters 22:32 What does the mayor actually do? 25:20 The core responsibilities of the mayor 29:19 Strategic planning and city priorities 31:32 Potholes, roads, and infrastructure 35:07 Taxes, trust, and city budget realities 40:46 Wayne Williams joining Yemi’s team 46:43 What Yemi wants residents to know before reelection 47:22 Public safety progress in Colorado Springs 49:02 Economic development and new jobs 49:22 Airport upgrades and city infrastructure 54:33 Responsible growth in Colorado Springs 56:21 What Yemi wants to improve as a leader 59:24 A personal story about Yemi’s character 1:01:18 Politics, humanity, and public service 1:14:18 Family, faith, and staying grounded 1:18:24 Colorado Springs Utilities CEO salary discussion 1:23:27 What public service means for Yemi’s family 1:27:16 The cost of leadership and family sacrifice Listen in for a candid conversation about Colorado Springs, leadership, public safety, infrastructure, growth, family, and what it means to serve a city that is changing fast. Subscribe to the Colorado Business Podcast for more conversations with entrepreneurs, builders, leaders, and community voices shaping the future of Colorado.

June 18, 2026Episode 3331 hr 53 min

Art, Hospitality, and the Future of Downtown Colorado Springs

What does it really take to build a local business in downtown Colorado Springs right now?In this roundtable episode of the Colorado Business Podcast, Clay Ross of Yobel and The Look Up Gallery joins David “Nova” Nowakowski of The Brit Pub and NovaMeets for a real conversation about resilience, risk, community, and the changing landscape of downtown business.Clay shares the story of rebuilding after the fire, searching through 23 possible spaces, and creating a home for artists, ethical fashion, drinks, galleries, and First Friday community.Nova opens up about leaving morning television, stepping into hospitality, helping build The Brit Pub, bringing football culture to downtown Colorado Springs, and learning just how hard the restaurant and pub business really is.This episode goes deeper than business updates. It is a conversation about what downtown needs, why local businesses need support, how community spaces are built, and why the future of Colorado Springs depends on people actually showing up.If you care about Colorado Springs, downtown business, local art, hospitality, entrepreneurship, or the future of the city, this episode is worth watching.Chapters:00:00 Welcome to the Roundtable02:00 Clay Ross on Rebuilding Yobel and The Look Up Gallery06:22 Resilience After the Fire09:56 Working with Your Spouse in Business11:07 First Fridays and Building an Art Community13:07 David “Nova” Nowakowski and The Brit Pub Story21:26 The Reality of the Hospitality Industry27:45 What a Weekend at The Brit Pub Looks Like30:33 Football, Regulars, and Building Community38:05 First Friday at The Look Up Gallery47:37 What Downtown Colorado Springs Needs Next58:52 Why People Need to Show Up Locally01:11:25 Supporting Independent Businesses Downtown01:19:11 Nova’s New TV Show Inside The PubFeatured Guests:Clay RossYobelThe Look Up GalleryDavid “Nova” NowakowskiThe Brit PubNovaMeets

June 11, 2026Episode 3321 hr 38 min

We’re Building Colorado’s Next Great Media Company

In this special internal episode of the Colorado Business Podcast, Andrew Hazzlee of Vehement Visuals, Marcus Alvarado of Red Mojo Marketing, and Chris Seegers of Exceptional Business Advisors sit down for a rare host roundtable. Instead of interviewing a guest, the team turns the microphones inward to talk about what they are building, what they are learning, and where business is headed in Colorado. Chris breaks down the idea behind his life, wealth, and business operating systems, why business owners need a real plan for more than just revenue, and why building a company should not come at the expense of your family, health, faith, or future. Marcus shares updates on Red Mojo, the growth of his digital marketing agency, SEO, paid ads, web design, strategic partnerships, and how the podcast continues to fuel deeper relationships with entrepreneurs across Colorado. Andrew opens up about the evolution from the Colorado Springs Business Podcast to the Colorado Business Podcast, the future vision for building a larger media company, and why the best marketing still comes down to telling real human stories. The conversation also dives into AI in business, customer service, sales, community building, Colorado Springs, long-term thinking, and why human connection may become even more valuable as technology moves faster. If you are a business owner, entrepreneur, marketer, creator, or someone who cares about the future of Colorado business, this episode is for you. Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to a rare internal episode02:40 Why this episode matters03:11 Chris shares updates from Exceptional Business Advisors04:35 Life, wealth, and business operating systems07:00 The book trilogy behind the operating system08:02 Building a business without losing your life08:55 Acquisitions, security, and business growth11:35 Why cities need better operating systems15:00 Managing multiple businesses at once22:15 The growth of the Colorado Business Podcast25:42 From Colorado Springs Business Podcast to Colorado Business Podcast26:19 Why story is still the best marketing29:41 Building a better future for Colorado30:49 Why Colorado Springs still matters38:08 Marcus shares updates from Red Mojo41:37 What Red Mojo does43:14 The bigger media company vision45:22 AI, sales, and human connection01:02:39 Alignment, faith, and congruence01:13:30 Dream guests and the future of the show01:28:39 Final thoughts Subscribe for more conversations with Colorado entrepreneurs, founders, business owners, and leaders building what comes next.