Business Digest Radio

Did you know?  Colorado ranks #2 behind California for being the most onerous for employers in regards to compliance and requirements to employ, legislative burden, and yet, our business economy is chugging along nicely. So what does that tell you? Employers want to be here, but they will not keep coming if we keep piling on the requirements for employment. Tyler Johnston, Sr. Partner and VP of Sa...

Aside from the "big three" - aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and cyber, there are several industry  sectors in southeast Colorado that continue to show signs of hiring for Q2, 2025:  Healthcare Tourism & Hospitality (seasonal jobs) Tech and Deep Tech The Trades General carpentry Electricians Plumbers Earth moving Traci also discusses something called an LER - Learned Education Record. These...

Host Dirk Hobbs meets up with founder Trent Urban and his son, Gavin Urban to showcase one of the region's top Home Services businesses, WireNut on this week's TrueNORTH and The So. Colorado Business Digest.  Learn the origins of the company as a family business that is this year, celebrating it's 20th anniversary. Keeping our home's core mechanical systems in tip top shape can help avoid costly r...

Colorado Springs banking executive Brett Wyss discusses the rise of Integrity Bank from the early 2000s through the 2008 recession, covid and post-covid markets, and other hallmark seasons in the Colorado economy.  Brett explains the wisdom and disciplines gained through the more difficult seasons of banking and how those lessons shaped his leadership and keeping Integrity Bank strong for their cu...

About FLIGHTHOUND OUR MISSION Our mission is to provide innovative technologies, information and services that improve the quality and reliability of airline travel. In the event that something goes wrong, FlightHound will offer support for travelers, airlines and other parties involved to reach a fair and cost-effective resolution. PASSENGERS FlightHound will provide airline passengers with an ef...

A deep dive into several Colorado House Bills that are in this legislative session. Several of which have an impact on the physicians and health practices as explained from the lens of Legislative Action leaders from the El Paso County Medical Society, Dr. Brian Kilmartin and CEO, Natalie Myers.  Website: https://epcms.org  

Artificial Intelligence (AI) as we know of it today is here and touches nearly every aspect of our lives in some way, shape or form. But AI is not new when you look back at the tools we've used over the past half century. However, the kind of AI we talk about today does have far wider reaching implications than the "problem solving" and automation AI of the past.  Enter Motis OneAI - led by Dr. Ri...

Optum Heath's Michael Harper, DO - Family Medicine, and Kendra Robison, MD - Senior Medical Director for Primary Care, discuss the ability to identify and manage the symptoms associated with seasonal depression.  Feeling blue and sluggish during the winter months for more than a few days may indicate you fighting seasonal depression or seasonal affective disorder (SAD). But there are available sol...

Vance Brown, founder of Colorado Springs' Exponential Impact (XI) named Max Cupp as Executive Director for one of the region's top business accelerators.   “From the first cohort in 2018 to today, XI has taken a holistic approach to creating community and a culture of innovation & collaboration. We develop founders and startups by equipping them with resources and expertise, then strengthen th...

Colorado’s second-stage companies are high-performing, innovative trailblazers, driving economic growth across every industry sector and region of the state. These companies not only provide thousands of high-quality jobs but also contribute billions of dollars back to our local economies, propelling Colorado’s economic landscape to take flight. Colorado Companies to Watch (CCTW) certifies and cel...

Virtuent Wealth Management Group's Managing Director, T.H. Williams, Ph. D., CFP®  joins host Dirk Hobbs on Business Digest Weekly to discuss his popular article, "De-Dollarization: Should We be Concerned?" Williams lends an academic and practical perspective to any concerns about the value of the U.S. dollar falling into jeopardy anytime soon.  Williams explains what it takes to be a currency and...

In fall 2024, the Comcast RISE program selected 100 small businesses in El Paso and Pueblo Counties to receive a generous tech and media package as well as a $5000 grant to strengthen their businesses.  Now in it’s fourth year, 14,000 recipients in 1,410 cities across 38 states were selected as Comcast RISE recipients, including a diverse roster from restaurants and barber shops, to professional s...

Larry Plummer, Ph. D. joins host Dirk Hobbs to discuss the El Pomar Institute for Innovation and Commercialization (EPIIC) and some of the program's recent developments and successes.  Dr. Plummer shares valuable insights into the economic strengths and vulnerabilities of the southern Colorado employer ecosystem. Plummer also shares how overemphasis in specific sectors can lead to increased failur...

An experienced leader with a passion for business growth and development, Catalyst Campus Sr. Executive Director, Dawn Conley has a strong history of  success in her career. Dawn joins The Business Digest Weekly with host Dirk Hobbs to share how this unique innovation and entrepreneurial incubator and accelerator is further galvanizing the region's reputation as a magnet hub for organizations that...

Pueblo born Jeff Crank joins the Business Digest Weekly to present his case for the votes of El Paso County residents to be sent to Washington, D.C. to take the seat currently being held by long-time Congressman, Doug Lamborn. With just a few weeks remaining in the campaign, Crank has visited the U.S./Mexico border twice, to gain a first hand account of the challenges the failed policies of the Bi...

Actively disengaged workers cost the U.S. upwards of $550 billion in lost productivity annually. This statistic is staggering — and one leaders should be paying attention to. Kerry Siggins is the CEO of StoneAge Tools, the leading global high-pressure industrial cleaning equipment manufacturer. Under her leadership, StoneAge transformed into a powerhouse in the industrial cleaning industry, disrup...

What's the buzz around the Hotel Polaris at the U.S. Air Force Academy ? The Hotel Polaris (website) Find out from Director of Marketing & Sales, Kevin Barosso what makes this world-class facility at the Northgate entrance of the United States Air Force Academy extraordinary. Learn more about job opportunities, and the anticipated economic impact the hotel will have on the region's north end a...

Executive Director, Dr. William (Bill) Craighead discusses this year's 28th Annual Economic Forum being held September 26, 2024 at the ENT Center for Performing Arts from 12pm to 5pm. Registration is required: https://web.cvent.com/event/711a169b-e9a5-441c-b629-38e8833d395f/summary     The UCCS Economic Forum is the most widely attended expert economic overview in the region held annually in the f...

Colorado College is marking a significant milestone this year as it celebrates its sesquicentennial anniversary! Join Interim President, Dr. Manya Whitaker on #BusinessDigestWeekly as she sheds light on the college's array of access programs tailored for students aspiring to attain one of the finest liberal arts degrees in the nation. CC Website: https://coloradocollege.edu   Tune in to discover h...

We hear about Crowdstrike, Target, United Airlines, and even UnitedHealth falling prey to cyber attacks in the news all the time.  What we don't hear so much about are the minions of small business owners that also find themselves sideways in a data-breech or outright ransom situation.  This army of cloaked criminals is growing at an astronomical rate and will continue create havoc on those busine...

Executive Director, Jill Gaebler explains the organization's mission in fostering innovative and collaborative solutions that advance housing affordability, access, and production in the Pikes Peak Region. Understanding Housing Affordability & Attainability Economically, the more a household has to spend on housing the less money they have to spend on other products and services that contribut...

Colorado Springs Community Cultural Collective and Opus Creative Industries founder and CEO, Linda Weise shares how three unique creative workforce programs are making a significant impact in three key areas, all of which have wide-ranging implications for those in 1) the hospitality and 2) early childhood educator and care industries, and a third program for those who are passionate about the 3)...

We're on a bit of a marketing kick lately on Business Digest Weekly. It can be one of the most elusive topics for small business owners who struggle to find a balance between marketing and running the business. Then, what is good marketing? Targeting the right audiences? Using media? How much should I budget? And the list goes on.  Dawn Dawson, local marketing executive and Chief Marketing Officer...

What do you call a 109-layer pastry?  A delicious treat from Dad's Donuts! From Woodland Park to Hollywood, and back to COS, entrepreneur and partner at Colorado Springs' newest delectable retail spot, Dad's Donuts, James Anderson unpacks how this newest take on the all-American treat has been elevated to a near art form.  The Springs' downtown food options scene has been growing steadily for near...

Small Business support has never been more accessible than in today's world. Most small business owners are excellent at their specific niche or skill. But where does one go when help is needed for required business tasks with which a business owner is not well informed? Financials - Permitting - Real Estate - Marketing - Media - Legal issues, and the list goes on... Today's U.S. Small Business Ad...