PROCO360 | Best Podcast for Entrepreneurs and Business Owners

Finding Pockets of Superfans

“We deploy data and technology to find pockets of opportunity we call Superfans.”

Greg Sobiech, Founder & CEO, DELVE

How REI and Colorado Propelled Geyser Systems

“THE STATE OF COLORADO INCENTIVIZED ME TO MOVE HERE FROM AUSTIN, AND THAT WAS THE VERY BEST DECISION I’VE MADE IN THE HISTORY OF THE COMPANY.”

Jonathan Ballesteros, Geyser Systems

Why Liberty Puzzles Thrives in a Digital World

“In that year (Covid) we turned down Ellen Oprah and Martha Stewart… because we were so committed to our direct customer.”

Jeff Eldridge, Liberty Puzzles

Harmony as a CEO, Author & Speaker

“My #1 job is to run this great company… and (create a brand) that helps me get this message out there that there’s a different way to lead a company.”

Kerry Siggins, CEO of StoneAge… Author and Speaker

I’ve been skeptical and bewildered as I’ve watched Kerry Siggins mature as the CEO of StoneAge while simultaneously leaning in to becoming an author and speaker on leadership.  My skepticism comes from wondering how one can seemingly focus on two careers simultaneously and do them both WELL.  A deeper question in my mind was how those she leads feel about their CEO directing so much energy at things not specific to running their company.  I was amazed at how Kerry took these questions head on, and that her answers made sense to me on several levels.

 

Laser Tweezers Make Atoms Do Math

“This is a once in a generation paradigm shift in computing performance… We’re all jockeying to one of the 3-5 winners at the end of the day.”

Rob Hays, President & CEO, Atom Computing

 

”Name-Image-Likeness” Matchmaker

“I would say (to athletes), you know why you get paid?  You’ve got to be able to bring value and sell products.”

Chase Garrett, Founder & CEO, Icon Source

“NIL” – Name, Image, and Likeness” – the idea that “amateur” athletes now get paid for helping to products, has upended amateur sports. Chase Garrett, with a background working with prominent athletes and brands, saw this, and created what I’ve labeled the “Match.com styled marketplace for athletes and brands.”  I was so excited to explore this topic with Chase – what a great conversation!

Passion-Based Retailer a Spicy Success

“We have customers tell us that we’ve helped them become better chefs.”

Janet Johnston, Co-founder, Savory Spice Shops

I begin this interview with a bit of a rant about how so many passion-based retailers fail, barely holding on long enough to save their pride after working 80-hour weeks for less than minimum wage.  Savory Spice, now with 30 locations, is a clear exception.  Husband and wife Mike and Janet Johnston share ideas that reveal what made their results different!

Peeing Outside is Patented, Branded

“We always had a method to capture demand... we established a waitlist of over 5,000 people.”

GG Edwards, Co-founder & CEO Gnara (formerly SheFly)

20% off PROMO CODE below in show notes!

Successful startup stories based on an “OMG, what a great idea!” product are always fun.  When I spoke with GG Edwards, it was a day before she was set to announce the expanded branding of what was then called SheFly – a company formed around ONE product.  Something that often makes the sharks on Shark Tank say, “That’s a product, not a business.”  So, while GG and I talked about the aha moment and then the process of creating the initial product – and that’s inspiring – we also talked about moving from a single product to a broader business, now called Gnara.  

Want to try Gnara?  Use Promo Code:  GNARA360 for 20% off!

 

Performance Fabric Breakthrough

“We believe that big boxes stifle innovation because you start chasing volume.”

Dustin English, Chief Experience Officer, Voormi

I was interested in speaking with Dan English, Founder and CEO of Voormi because I saw a few Voormi  garments in specialty retailers and thought it would be interesting to explore competing against the big name brands.  This interview fascinated me because of the strategy that Dan and his son Dustin laid out.  It’s a strategy of innovation and licensing as much as – well, maybe more than – selling products.  You’ll hear my surprise and keen interest as this interview goes a direction I hadn’t planned.

Journey to Getting Med Device to Market

“I was taken under the wing of one of the most prolific surgeon entrepreneurs of the 20^th century.”

Dr. James Mault, Founder and CEO, BioIntellisense

I’ve had a little visibility into the world of medical devices.  It’s not for the faint of heart (a bit of a pun).  The road is so long, so slow, so arduous, and SO expensive – and potentially impactful and lucrative.

I was introduced to Dr. James Mault by my friends at the Colorado Bioscience Association after BioIntelliSense won the award as Bioscience Company of the Year, 2022.  Happy to have Jim in the studio with me – what a great story of a very relatable product that will improve outcomes and reduce costs.