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Colorado Collaboration

Colorado Collaboration, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Miscellaneous Thoughts, Sales, Self Development

Can Colorado’s Brand have a CAUSE?

This is a big question.  

It came to me after my interview with Johnny Le Coq, founder and CEO of Fishpond.  Patagonia is a products company that supports the environment.  Athleta is a products company that supports the advancement of women.  Both companies are examples of authentic and effective support for a cause that aligns with customers.  Fishpond seems to go further – Fishpond seems to be coming very close to using sales of its products as a mechanism to support river conservation.   

 Image courtesy of the Fishpond website 

Johnny: “Our brand has become a voice for the environment… It’s not what we sell that I’m most proud of – it’s what we stand for.”  He means it. 

 That made me think about Colorado.  Can Colorado have a CAUSE that ultimately becomes interwoven with our brand?  That’s tough, but I think Colorado’s entrepreneurial community DOES – it STANDS FOR supporting opportunity for those who strive, collaborate, innovate, and mutually appreciate the rich lives that people wish to have in our great state.  

Colorado Collaboration, Marketing, Miscellaneous Thoughts

I am in the Tribe: “Buffaloes”

I was following a car driven by someone who wasn’t particularly focused on moving along.  Clearly, the driver was texting, or in some other way distracted from the business of getting where she was going.

I was miffed.  Then I saw a CU Buffs sticker on her car and I relaxed.  I’m a Buffs football season ticket holder and both my sons, my wife and I have degrees from CU.  I recognized my dismissal of frustration because of the sticker – and thought, “this is weird.”

Maybe not.  Coincidentally at the time this happened I was (really!) re-listening to the book, Marketing Rebellion: The Most Human Company Wins by Mark Schaefer.  And as I write this, I recall Seth Godin’s book, Tribes, and I’m reminded that as I seek to do business with someone new, it’s so important, and gratifying, to explore how we can authentically connect. Go Buffs!  #GoBuffs  @CUBuffs

 

 

Colorado Collaboration, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Personal Development, Self Development

We Aren’t Our Best Yet

In contemplating my most recent podcast with Matt Hyder, Founder of Recoup Fitness, it occurred to me that he’s come such a LONG way.  He graduated from high school with a 1.9 GPA and failed at four businesses.  Now, still in his twenties, Matt has a company that will grow from $850K in sales in 2018 to over $6 Million in 2019.  Matt’s focus remains on learning and getting better – good thing. 

His early career – Fresh Prince of Bellaire.  Later in his career, brilliant, poignant acting.   

Now that I have experience and improved skills, I have to remind myself that people don’t start out at their best and sometimes not even close to their best.  Even harder than that, is the painful truth that I still make mistakes that beg, “shouldn’t you be better than THAT” by now?”

 

Colorado Collaboration, Entrepreneurship, Miscellaneous Thoughts

A great example of Colorado business spirit(s)

My friend Brian Freeman of Growers Organic (left) hosts the radio show The Modern Eater with Greg Hollenback (right) and Jay Parker on Saturday evenings from 6 PM to 8 PM on 630 KHOW.  The show invites chefs, restaurateurs, bar owners and alcohol producers to come on the air and talk about their creations which they cook and serve LIVE in the studio.  Friends and collaborators are invited to attend and enjoy the festivities, food and drink.  Brian’s instructions to me upon arrival… (pointing) “The walk-in fridge is over there.  The food is served over here.  Take whatever you want.  Talk with everyone.  Have fun.”

I know, this sounds like an ad for Brian and the team, or maybe a public thank-you note.  No, I’m writing this because I’m inspired by this example of the Colorado spirit of entrepreneurial collaboration and generosity.

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