Networking, Community, and Authentic Marketing with Desiree Gustafson from City Lifestyle

Networking, Community, and Authentic Marketing with Desiree Gustafson from City Lifestyle

In this episode of Connections That Matter, Andrew sits down with Desiree Gustafson, publisher of Loveland + South City Lifestyle Magazine. Desiree shares how she uses storytelling, intentional networking, and authentic relationships to spotlight the people, businesses, and nonprofits making Loveland, Berthoud, and Johnstown stronger. From helping business owners clarify their “why” to bringing partners into the right rooms, Desiree offers practical insight on building a recognizable brand and becoming meaningfully connected in your community.  Episode Highlights 🔹 How Loveland + South City Lifestyle tells hyper-local stories across Loveland, Berthoud, and Johnstown.  🔹 Why consistency and relationship-building matter more than a one-time networking appearance.  🔹 The importance of building marketing around your authentic “why.”  🔹 How Desiree supports magazine partners through introductions, events, social media, and personal follow-up.  🔹 Why showing up in person can be more powerful than relying only on paid advertising.  🔹 A success story of helping a local entrepreneur grow a side business into a full-time passion.  🔹 Tips for attending networking events when you are new, introverted, or do not know anyone in the room.  🔹 How a wiener dog event can become a meaningful community-building opportunity. Why You Should Listen 🔹 Learn how to make your marketing feel more personal, memorable, and authentic.  🔹 Get practical advice for networking beyond simply handing out business cards.  🔹 Hear how community involvement can create lasting brand trust.  🔹 Find encouragement to show up consistently, build real relationships, and take opportunities outside your comfort zone.  🔹 Discover why the strongest business connections often happen outside traditional networking events. How to Contact Desiree To learn more about Loveland + South City Lifestyle Magazine, advertising opportunities, community stories, or upcoming events, connect with Desiree through the publication’s website or social-media channels. https://citylifestyle.com/lovelandandsouth desiree.gustafson@citylifestyle.com | (970) 690-1419 Timestamps 0:48 – What Loveland + South City Lifestyle Magazine is all about. 2:15 – A month in the life of a local magazine publisher. 5:00 – Keeping business partnerships personal and relational. 7:07 – Why authenticity matters in marketing and networking. 10:41 – Bringing business partners into the right rooms. 11:44 – A local-business success story: From Scratch Farm. 14:17 – Building trust through consistent Chamber involvement. 16:04 – Networking tips for people who do not know anyone in the room. 17:28 – The possible Loveland wiener dog event. 20:58 – Sharing the stories that matter most in the community.

Partnership Deep Dive: Connecting Businesses and Nonprofits with Jackie Stevens and Giuli Diaz from The Mayorettes

In this special partnership deep dive episode of Connections That Matter, Andrew sits down with Jackie Stevens and Giuli Diaz, two of the three women behind The Mayorettes. The Mayorettes are building bridges between Northern Colorado businesses and nonprofits. Through social media spotlights, relationship-building, nonprofit tours, event support, volunteer connections, and good old-fashioned coffee meetings, they are helping more people discover the organizations doing meaningful work in our community. Jackie and Giuli share how their friendship, complementary skill sets, and shared passion for giving back turned into a growing movement. They also offer practical insight for business owners, aspiring board members, nonprofit leaders, and anyone looking for a more meaningful way to get involved locally. Episode Highlights 🔹 How The Mayorettes began as a passion project between three friends with a heart for Northern Colorado.  🔹 Why nonprofit visibility and community exposure can be just as valuable as funding.  🔹 How businesses can support nonprofits beyond simply writing a check.  🔹 The importance of matching a business owner’s personal passions with the right cause.  🔹 What business owners should consider before joining a nonprofit board.  🔹 Why nonprofit collaboration matters, especially when there are so many organizations serving similar needs.  🔹 How partnerships, accountability, and complementary strengths can move a great idea into action.  🔹 Practical networking advice for people representing both their business and a nonprofit mission. Why You Should Listen 🔹 You want to get more involved in Northern Colorado but are not sure where to start.  🔹 You are a business owner looking for ways to make a genuine community impact.  🔹 You are considering joining a nonprofit board or volunteering your professional skills.  🔹 You want ideas for creating meaningful partnerships instead of one-time sponsorships.  🔹 You are passionate about supporting local nonprofits and helping their missions reach more people.  🔹 You enjoy hearing how strong relationships can turn a simple idea into a growing community movement. How to Contact The Mayorettes Instagram: @mayorettes [https://www.instagram.com/mayorettes] Website: TheMayorettes.com Email: hello@themayorettes.com Timestamps 0:14 – Introducing Jackie Stevens and Giuli Diaz from The Mayorettes. 0:45 – The mission behind The Mayorettes and how they support local nonprofits. 5:01 – The biggest challenges nonprofits are facing today. 8:15 – How business owners can give back beyond writing a check. 11:37 – What to consider before joining a nonprofit board. 15:18 – How The Mayorettes went from a napkin idea to a real community initiative. 17:20 – Advice for turning a good partnership idea into action. 20:36 – What makes nonprofit events, galas, and fundraisers successful. 24:25 – Networking tips for nonprofit leaders, board members, and business owners. 26:01 – Building a business brand around meaningful community involvement.

Building Referral Relationships Across State Lines with Michelle Gould from The Gould Agency

In this episode of Connections That Matter, Andrew sits down with Michelle Gould from The Gould Agency, an insurance professional based in Casper, Wyoming, who serves clients across Wyoming, Colorado, and several surrounding states. Michelle shares how she has built a strong referral network across multiple communities by consistently showing up, staying involved, and being responsive to the people who trust her with their clients. From chambers of commerce and women’s networking groups to realtor, mortgage, and builder associations, Michelle gives a great look at what it takes to build meaningful business relationships across state lines. She also breaks down practical insurance topics every business owner should think about, including auto coverage, liability limits, uninsured drivers, commercial policies, umbrella coverage, and why business insurance should be reviewed as your company grows. Episode Highlights *  How Michelle built a referral network across Wyoming, Colorado, and surrounding states.  *  Why getting involved in local communities creates stronger business relationships.  *  How insurance costs have changed due to accidents, hail, wind, and uninsured drivers.  *  Why liability limits matter when protecting your home, income, savings, and business assets.  *  The difference between personal auto coverage, commercial auto coverage, and umbrella policies.  *  How Michelle builds long-term referral partnerships through responsiveness and consistency.  *  Why business owners should regularly review their insurance coverage as they grow.  *  Key coverages business owners may need, including general liability, cyber coverage, business property, signage, and industry-specific protections.  Why You Should Listen If you are a business owner, homeowner, driver, or referral-based professional, this episode is a great reminder that relationships and protection both matter. Michelle brings a practical perspective on insurance while also showing how consistent follow-through can turn a simple connection into a long-term referral relationship. She also shares helpful insight for anyone trying to grow their business in multiple markets, build trust with referral partners, or make sure their coverage is keeping up with their life and business. Businesses Michelle Recommends * Legacy Lending Group — Michelle highlights her long-standing referral relationship with mortgage lender Laura Edwards Iverson.  How to Contact Michelle Michelle Gould The Gould Agency Phone: 307-285-2527 Email: michelle.gould@goosehead.com Timestamps 0:57 — Michelle shares her agency location, coverage area, and multi-state reach. 1:38 — How Michelle builds referral relationships through networking groups and community involvement. 2:59 — Why auto insurance costs have increased in recent years. 4:37 — How to think about liability limits and protecting your assets. 6:06 — Personal vs. commercial auto insurance and when umbrella coverage matters. 7:21 — Michelle’s strategy for networking in different communities. 9:32 — A referral relationship that has grown over seven to eight years. 11:22 — Why responsiveness and follow-through help win referral partners. 14:00 — Insurance coverages business owners should review as they grow. 15:57 — How to contact Michelle for an insurance review.

Creating Momentum in Windsor with Norma Perez from Windsor Area Chamber of Commerce

In this episode of Connections That Matter, Andrew Johnson sits down with Norma Perez, Executive Director of the Windsor Area Chamber of Commerce, for a conversation about intentional connection, community leadership, and the momentum happening in Windsor. Norma shares her journey into the chamber world, her passion for advocacy, and how she is bringing fresh energy to the Windsor business community. From launching new groups to revamping the ambassador program, Norma is focused on helping business owners find their place, build meaningful relationships, and become more visible in the community. Episode Highlights • Why Norma prefers “connectability” over networking.  • How the Windsor Area Chamber helps businesses gain visibility and build community relationships.  • Why intentional involvement matters more than simply showing up.  • How Norma is creating opportunities for different groups within the business community.  • The role ambassadors play in helping members feel seen, supported, and connected.  • How new members can plug in quickly and get more value from their chamber membership.  • Why businesses need to be humanized, especially in a world of generic marketing.  • Norma’s simple LinkedIn strategy for strengthening relationships after events.  • Practical advice for anyone who feels nervous walking into a networking room. Why You Should Listen Norma brings a powerful reminder that people do business with people they like, trust, and feel connected to. Her approach to chamber leadership is rooted in listening, creating value, and helping business owners make sincere, intentional connections. Whether you are a new business owner, an established business looking to re-engage with the community, or someone who feels uncomfortable at networking events, this episode offers practical advice on how to show up with purpose, stay curious, and build relationships that lead to real opportunity. How to Contact Website: WindsorChamber.net [http://windsorchamber.net/] Organization: Windsor Area Chamber of Commerce Connect with Norma Perez on LinkedIn or follow the Windsor Area Chamber of Commerce on social media to learn more about upcoming events, ribbon cuttings, and membership opportunities. Timestamps 1:06 – How Norma became Executive Director of the Windsor Area Chamber.  2:33 – Why Norma uses the word “connectability.”  4:20 – Creating chamber opportunities for every business demographic.  5:35 – Revamping the ambassador program and empowering leaders.  7:44 – How new members can plug in quickly.  10:05 – Helping established businesses re-engage with the community.  15:29 – Norma’s LinkedIn strategy for building relationships.  18:32 – Advice for people who feel nervous attending events.

Business Networking and Community Trust with Eric Weedin from Weedin Agency

In this episode of Connections That Matter, Andrew Johnson sits down with Eric Weedin from Weedin Agency, a multi-generational Loveland insurance agency with deep roots in Northern Colorado business networking, referrals, and community service. Eric shares how Weedin Agency has grown from his grandfather’s start in 1956 to a 70-year family-owned business known for relationships, trust, and helping clients get coverage right. He also explains why successful networking is not about pitching immediately, but about asking better questions, building real relationships, and becoming a trusted referral resource. Episode Highlights 🔹 How Weedin Agency became a 70-year Loveland business staple. 🔹 Why Eric never planned to go into insurance, but found purpose in the family business. 🔹 The role of trust, consistency, and relationship-building in business networking. 🔹 Eric’s networking advice: play the game of “let’s not talk about insurance.” 🔹 How Weedin Agency trains new agents to build confidence and meaningful connections. 🔹 Why strong businesses need clear roles, repeatable processes, and consistent customer experience. 🔹 How referral relationships help clients during claims, losses, and difficult moments. 🔹 Why Weedin Agency uses referrals to support local nonprofits and strengthen the community. Why You Should Listen 🔹 You will learn how a legacy business continues to evolve without losing its relationship-driven foundation. 🔹 You will hear practical networking advice that applies to insurance, professional services, and local business growth. 🔹 You will understand why referrals work best when they are built on trust, empathy, and consistency. 🔹 You will get insight into how successful business owners use community involvement as a long-term growth strategy. 🔹 You will walk away with a better framework for becoming a trusted resource in your own network. How to Contact Eric Weedin Agency Website: weedinagency.com Phone: 970-667-2145 Eric welcomes conversations with business owners, homeowners, and anyone interested in networking or reviewing their insurance coverage for business, home, auto, life, or disability insurance. Timestamps 2:53 – Eric’s unexpected path into the family insurance business. 5:18 – How Weedin Agency trains new agents and builds confidence. 7:53 – Why trust takes time in networking relationships. 10:50 – What long-lasting businesses do differently. 14:17 – Building strong relationships with insurance carriers and vendors. 16:19 – Using referrals and community marketing to support local nonprofits. 20:08 – How Weedin Agency builds trusted referral partner lists. 22:26 – Helping clients find hope when bad things happen. 23:41 – How to connect with Eric and Weedin Agency.