PROCO360 | Best Podcast for Entrepreneurs and Business Owners

5 Most Thought Provoking Blogs Read to You

I decided depart from the pattern of 30 minute interviews and instead share 5 blog posts that I really enjoyed writing, thinking about, then re-writing.  And for those too busy to find and read them on the website, I’ve read and recorded them – please let me know what you think!  For all my posts, go to https://proco360.com/blog.

 

 

Noodles & Company’s remarkable return from al dente

“Colorado is just a fabulous environment for entrepreneurs in general, and for the restaurant space in particular.”

Dave Boennighausen, CEO, Noodles & Company

I had no idea of how much fun I’d have interviewing Dave Boennighausen, CEO of Noodles & Company.  This is an iconic Colorado-based fast-casual concept that was suffering a downward trend when Dave took over.  In this interview, Dave shares what they’ve done to turn things around, and it left me with a ton of optimism for the brand!  Valuable business takeaways delivered with upbeat candor.

Women’s Bean Project sells products that change lives.

“Despite what I originally thought, the Bean Project is not a particularly good business model. There is constant tension between the business and the mission.”

Tamra Ryan, CEO, Women’s Bean Project – quote from her book, The Third Law

I’m a huge admirer of the Women’s Bean Project – a non-profit with the mission to change women’s lives by providing stepping stones to self-sufficiency through social enterprise.  Tamra Ryan, CEO, is nationally recognized, an author, and a speaker – her interview will inspire you.

 

Elements Massage CEO Talks Positioning

Elements Massage CEO explains a business that I’ve always been curious about – I think you’ll find it fascinating too.

“We spend most of our time end energy focused on us – I don’t spend much time worried about what the competition is doing.” Jeremy Morgan, CEO, Elements Massage

I’ve always wondered about how the massage business works, and as you’ll hear in this interview, I just couldn’t fathom how with such a proliferation of massage studios, therapists and studios can still earn a living.  Jeremy Morgan helped me see that the business isn’t what I thought.

Grower’s Organic Customers, CEO Thrive Together

Grower’s Organic Customers Refuse to Let the Business Fail – Supporting the CEO, they bring the business back from bankruptcy.

 

“Five farms from all over the country reached out and said we cannot let you fail.”

Brian Freeman, CEO and Founder, Grower’s Organic

We all know that the organic produce industry is huge, and getting bigger.  Brian Freeman is a pioneer who built Grower’s Organic too fast – he “got too far over his skis” and went bankrupt.  With the commitment of supporters and customers, Grower’s Organic has come back and is thriving in a tough market space.  Those curious about the industry will love this interview!

Punch Bowl Social CEO Takes a Punch!

“I will not create a business enterprise and a professional legacy for myself at the cost of the legacy I build inside the walls of my house.”

Robert Thompson, CEO, Punch Bowl Social

Punch Bowl Social is a restaurant concept phenomenon.  Robert Thompson, its founder and CEO, is one of those successful entrepreneurs who looks like he’s got it made – but what a story.  Robert left home at 16 to fend for himself and had a roller coaster of successes and failures before forming Punch Bowl Social.  We talk about his story, what makes some restaurant concepts work when others fail, and what sustains a concept compared to those with short lives.  Then we switch gears to talk about capitalism, family and teaching the most important lessons to our sons. 

Candid Conversation with Colorado Frac CEO

Liberty Oilfield Services CEO on industry PR, disclosure, culture and affinity for the outdoors.

 

“To build a great business you’ve got to be in a dynamic community where young people want to move and start their lives… Denver checks those boxes.”

Chris Wright, CEO, Liberty Oilfield Services

Love the oil and gas industry or hate it, you’ll love this interview with Chris Wright, CEO of Liberty Oilfield Services.  Liberty is a Colorado public company that does fracking for energy producers. Chris is its candid and outspoken CEO who leads based on a passionate philosophy about people, truth and values.  He is fascinating – so love the energy industry or not, Chris is someone you’ll admire – and someone whom you’ll want to emulate when it comes to passionate leadership.

Global War for Talent Being Won from Colorado

Graebel Companies CEO Helps Clients Win Global War for Talent from Colorado.

“There are people on this planet who are wired as extraordinary caregivers… we have to identify them, and we can train them to do the very specific things customers expect of us.”  Bill Graebel, Owner & CEO

This is an interview with a Colorado leader who exemplifies building a culture based on his core values: “Truth, Love, and Integrity.”  Graebel is a business built on what Bill Graebel calls, “duty of care.”  Most business leaders WANT to build and lead a culture they find truly gratifying… yet haven’t really committed to doing so.  Bill Graebel will inspire you to believe you can do it, and give you ideas to help.

Ball CEO All About People, Values

“If you don’t have the right people, you don’t get it right... The human spirit wants something bigger than itself.”

John Hayes, Chairman, President & CEO, Ball Corporation

Ball Corporation is a tremendous role model for our state – extremely successful, people focused, culture and values driven.  While you and I may not see ourselves as CEO of a Fortune 500 company, we CAN learn from John Hayes’s passionate style of leadership and the examples he shares.  Some great lessons and stories that will make you proud that Ball calls Colorado home!

Inscripta – GIVING AWAY tools for worldwide genetic editing is its business model! ProCO360

“The challenge before us is to build an essential tool for biologists… where they can ask questions they wanted to but never could before.”

Kevin Ness, CEO, Inscripta

Did you ever want to download a DNA sequence just to see what it looks like? Inscripta lets you do that, FREE from its website.  The company believes that researchers all over the world deserve to have tools that unlock the world of gene-editing for R&D and clinical advancements.  And they’ve received $85 million in venture funding to support that business model – amazing.  Listen to my interview with Kevin Ness, CEO, to learn how this business model works, and to learn more about how and why gene editing is so important to human advancement.