Connections That Matter

Hiring is one of the biggest growth points and stress points for small business owners. In this episode of Connections That Matter , Andrew Johnson sits down with Tami Parker from Unicycle Business Consulting to talk about hiring smarter, avoiding costly HR mistakes, and building a team that actually fits your business. From ghosted interviews to contractor misclassification to knowing when it is...

In this episode of Connections That Matter , Andrew Johnson sits down with Taylor Bryner of Transworld Business Advisors to talk about what really goes into selling a business, how business owners can prepare for a future exit, and why trust, clean books, and strong systems matter more than most entrepreneurs realize. Taylor shares practical insight on business valuation, buyer psychology, legacy...

In this episode of Connections That Matter , Andrew Johnson sits down with Anthony Navarro of New York Life to talk about what separates average networking from relationship-driven business growth. Anthony shares how his background as a nurse, entrepreneur, and business builder shaped his approach to serving clients, following up with intention, and helping others win first. If you want to grow yo...

Episode Description + Highlights Northern Colorado business networking is about more than handing out business cards. In this episode of Connections That Matter , Andrew Johnson sits down with Lucas Gillis of SRP to talk about how genuine curiosity, leadership, and long-term relationship building open doors in business. Lucas also shares why retirement plans are often full of hidden blind spots an...

Business networking and referrals aren’t just for “business people”—they’re how trust gets built when you’re entering someone’s home and working with their family (including the dog). In this episode of Connections That Matter , I sit down with Scott and Holly from Barkbusters to talk dog behavior, client trust, and how getting active in the Northern Colorado community can outwork pure digital mar...

Clean books aren’t just about taxes—they’re about clarity, confidence, and better business decisions. In this episode of Connections That Matter , Andrew Johnson sits down with Miriam Molina of Molina Bookkeeping to talk about why organized financials are one of the most powerful tools a business owner can have. Miriam shares how she helps small business owners get their books organized, prepare f...

Richard Ross, Enrolled Agent and founder of Ross Professional Accounting & Tax, shares why relationships matter more than return on investment when it comes to business networking and referrals. From 41 years as a DJ to becoming a trusted tax professional in Northern Colorado, Richard explains how personality, accountability, and proactive tax strategy help entrepreneurs avoid costly mistakes...

Thomas Kern has been painting for decades and networking in Northern Colorado for 10–15 years. In this episode, we dig into why painting is really a people-and-prep business, how Thomas earns trust inside customers’ homes, and the relationship habits that keep referrals flowing from electricians, realtors, and property managers. Episode Highlights: 🔹 Thomas has been networking 10–15 years and has...

Jeremy Howe from Voda Cleaning & Restoration is only six months into launching in Northern Colorado, but he’s already building serious momentum through intentional networking, strong referral partnerships, and a “serve first” mindset—especially when clients are having one of the worst days of homeownership.  🔹 Why Jeremy treats his role like being “the mayor of the town”.  🔹 Building quality...

Business networking works faster when your online presence matches your reputation. In this episode, Matthew Regenie (Prospect Future) breaks down practical digital marketing strategies that help Northern Colorado business owners turn networking and referrals into real revenue—without overcomplicating SEO or tech. In This Episode 🔹  Why proactive communication beats “set it and forget it” marketi...

Business networking is easier—and more profitable—when you’re clear on what you want and confident enough to ask for it. In this episode of Connections That Matter , Andrew sits down with Dixie Daly , Membership Director at the Loveland Chamber of Commerce and creator of the Tickled Pink Collection , to unpack how authentic relationships turn into real collaborations. Dixie shares how one “ask” be...

In this episode of Connections That Matter , Andrew sits down with Timothy Lee , owner of Integrity Construction , to talk about what networking looks like for trades professionals—and why “giving” is often the fastest path to building trust, partnerships, and long-term opportunity. Tim shares the unexpected origin story of his business, including a real-world connection made in a NAPA parking lot...

Business networking and networking only work when trust comes first—and Dr. Shpendi Lluhani has built both. In this episode of Connections That Matter , Shpendi shares how he and his wife run Reconnect Chiropractic in Loveland with a family-first approach (including pediatric and prenatal care), why referrals have become their #1 growth driver, and how community-centered networking (like Hustle Ho...

From rusty car frames to smoke-damaged heirlooms, Jim Ford of Bison Laser Cleaning is using high-tech laser cleaning to bring metal, wood, concrete, and more back to life—without harsh chemicals or mess. In this episode, we talk about how Jim carved out a niche with a truly unique service, how he partners with other trades, and why old-school, door-to-door sales still works in 2025. Why You Should...

Serial entrepreneur Tim Jordan has bought six businesses, started three more, and sold five of them—most in the service space. In this episode, he shares how he went from a 21-year-old buying a small window tint shop to leading 100+ employees at Palmer Flowers and now building Service Catalyst, a national peer community for service-based business owners. Tim breaks down how he uses systems, scorec...

What’s the difference between “pretty clean” and Cleanspot clean ? In this episode of Connections That Matter , Andrew sits down with Ninoska Mallory , owner of Cleanspot , to talk about top-to-bottom cleaning, unforgettable client experiences, and how she went from shy networker in the corner to one of Northern Colorado’s most generous referral givers. Ninoska shares how she built a reputation th...

What if your team’s “people problems” are actually genius problems? In this episode, Andrew sits down with HR consultant and Working Genius facilitator Robin Baker of The People Factor to talk about building teams that actually work well together. Why You Should Listen 🔹 You lead (or want to lead) a small team and feel like things keep falling through the cracks. 🔹 You’re curious how the Working...

When someone finally says “I can’t deal with this garage/estate/basement anymore,” Michael Kane is often the first call. In this episode of Connections That Matter , Andrew sits down with Michael, owner of Rubbish Works of Northern Colorado , to talk about what really happens behind the scenes of “junk removal” — and how he’s built a five-star, relationship-driven business in a competitive market....

In this episode of Connections That Matter, Andrew sits down with mortgage advisor Austin Foss , who moved from the Texas heat to Northern Colorado—and brought his lending business with him. Austin specializes in helping veterans, first-time homebuyers, and relocating families actually understand the mortgage process so they feel confident instead of overwhelmed. From navigating two very different...

In this episode of Connections That Matter, Andrew sits down with independent financial advisor Ben Voss of Raymond James to talk about the human side of money: life transitions, trust, and the power of showing up in your community. Ben shares how he built his book of business the hard way—knocking on doors for three years—then rebuilt momentum after COVID by anchoring himself in co-working spaces...

In this episode of Connections That Matter , Andrew sits down with Christina Gressianu , award-winning photographer and owner of Christina Gressianu Photo Studio in downtown Loveland. Christina is known for creating portraits that go far beyond the surface—images that help people feel confident, capable, and genuinely seen. Over her 25-year journey behind the camera, Christina has built a process...

In this episode of Connections That Matter , Andrew sits down with Jen Peterson , founder of Slay Social with Jen , to talk about how business owners can stop hiding behind their logo and start showing up confidently on camera. Jen helps entrepreneurs figure out what to post, how to say it, and how to turn views into paying clients—without needing thousands of followers or fancy gear. She shares r...

In this uplifting episode of Connections That Matter , Andrew sits down with Misty Dockins , publisher and owner of Windsor City Lifestyle , to talk about how she’s turned local storytelling into a movement of connection, collaboration, and community pride. From starting with zero advertisers to now leading a 90%+ retention rate and a thriving calendar of events, Misty shares how networking, inten...

In this episode of Connections That Matter, Northern Colorado business leader Steve Martin, owner of Charisma Construction, shares how being authentic (and a little silly) can be your superpower in business. From knocking on every door in downtown Loveland to building a 100% referral-based commercial construction company, Steve’s story is all about relationships, resilience, and doing right by peo...

About This Episode: Kelli Vaughan turned franchised systems + intentional networking into a launch plan for success. In this episode, she shares how TeamLogic IT Fort Collins built a trusted name in Northern Colorado by focusing on community visibility, layered cybersecurity, and authentic relationships that keep businesses safe and connected. 💡 Why You Should Listen ✨ A real-world playbook for...