Why Colorado Springs Businesses Are Being Overlooked (And How to Fix It)

The Law Changed Again. Your Google Search Won’t Save You.

In this episode of Show Me Yours, Reanna and Brian sit down with Chris Wilhelmi, Co-Managing Partner at Colorado Law Group, for a real, practical, and occasionally painful conversation about what small business owners are actually up against. Chris brings a unique perspective to the table. Before becoming an attorney, he spent years as an engineer and business professional, and that background shows up in the way he thinks about business, risk, process, people, and the many gray areas that leaders have to navigate. This conversation digs into the messy intersection of law, HR, AI, compliance, leadership, and entrepreneurship. And the big takeaway? Google, AI, templates, and “I think I read somewhere…” are not legal strategies. Reanna, Brian, and Chris talk about the rising temptation to use AI for business and legal questions, and why that can get dangerous fast when the tool does not understand your specific facts, your industry, your people, your state laws, or whether something is proposed legislation versus actual law. From AI-generated KPI lists that miss the point entirely to handbook feedback that can create real risk, the group breaks down why human judgment still matters. They also get into one of the biggest lessons for small business owners: document issues when they happen. Not six months later. Not after an employee goes out on leave. Not once the problem has already turned into a legal landmine. If there is no record, no conversation, no write-up, no email, and no evidence, it becomes much harder to defend the decision you want to make later. The conversation also pulls back the curtain on the emotional and financial reality of running a business. The highs are high. The lows are low. Processes help, but they do not magically fix people problems. Software demos can lie. Vendors matter more than you think. Cash flow can make even a successful company feel fragile. And sometimes, the law changes again before business owners have even had a chance to fully understand the last version. This episode is for business owners, leaders, executives, nonprofit directors, and anyone who has ever thought, “Wait, was I supposed to know that changed?” Main topics covered: * Why AI can be helpful, but dangerous, when used without expert judgment * The risk of relying on Google or generic templates for legal and HR decisions * Why small businesses struggle to keep up with constantly changing employment laws * How legal, HR, payroll, and business decisions often live in the gray area * Why documentation matters before an employee issue becomes urgent * The real cost of compliance for small business owners * Why process does not solve everything when people are involved * The emotional roller coaster of entrepreneurship * How expensive business really is beneath the top-line revenue number * The danger of software, vendors, and tools that promise more than they deliver * Why communication is one of the most underrated leadership habits * The importance of trusted advisors who understand both risk and reality About Chris Wilhelmi: Chris Wilhelmi is Co-Managing Partner at Colorado Law Group. His work includes civil litigation, employment law, business matters, construction, and other legal issues that affect individuals and businesses. Colorado Law Group also supports clients in areas including business transactions, wills, trusts, estates, family law, and real estate matters. Contact Chris and Colorado Law Group: Website: https://coloradolawgroup.com/ [https://coloradolawgroup.com/] Phone: 719-635-4200 If you are a small business owner trying to make sense of compliance, employee issues, contracts, policies, risk, or the latest “wait, the law changed again?” moment, this episode is your reminder: do not wing it alone.

New Co-Host, Brian Has Entered the Building: Joy, Mistakes, and Business Boundaries

Show Me Yours: The RelaunchIn this episode, Re introduces a new chapter for Show Me Yours with her official new co-host, Brian.With Jason no longer part of the Savvion HQ team and stepping into his own entrepreneurial journey, the show is evolving into something deeper, richer, and more personal. Re and Brian are bringing a renewed energy to the podcast, with a focus on honest business owner conversations, vulnerable reflections, and the real lessons learned while building businesses from the inside out.Brian brings a distinct perspective to the table, blending strong financial acumen with a deep appreciation for relationships, trust, and the human side of business. Together, he and Re are creating space for conversations that go beyond strategy and surface-level success. This new version of Show Me Yours is about what it really takes to build, lead, grow, make mistakes, repair, reflect, and keep going.In this relaunch episode, Re and Brian explore the aesthetic of joy and how our environments shape the way we feel, create, connect, and belong. They reflect on how beauty, comfort, and intentional spaces can influence our sense of safety and show up in the way we do business, build community, and take care of ourselves.They also look back at the lessons they wish they could have given their younger selves, especially around mistakes. Rather than seeing mistakes as failures, they discuss the idea of mistakes as “paying tuition.” Every misstep becomes part of the education. Every hard-earned lesson becomes a little less shameful and a lot more useful.The episode also dives into one of the more complicated parts of entrepreneurship: boundaries with friends and family. Re reflects on her experience of feeling unintentionally taken for granted by a friend seeking free business advice and guidance, opening up a conversation about generosity, resentment, value, and the importance of protecting your time and expertise.This episode marks a fresh beginning for Show Me Yours. It is warmer, deeper, more honest, and rooted in the kind of conversations business owners actually need.In this episode, we talk about:The new direction of Show Me Yours and Brian stepping in as Re’s official co-host.Jason’s transition away from Savvion HQ as he pursues his own entrepreneurial path.What Brian brings to the podcast through his financial insight, relational perspective, and lived business experience.How Re and Brian want to create deeper, more vulnerable conversations with guests.The aesthetic of joy and the role environment plays in belonging, creativity, and safety.The advice Re and Brian would give their younger selves about mistakes, growth, and learning the hard way.The idea of mistakes as “paying tuition” in life and business.The challenges of setting boundaries with friends and family when your expertise becomes casually accessible.Re’s reflection on feeling unintentionally taken for granted when offering free business advice.How business owners can honor generosity without abandoning their own value.TED Talk referenced: Where Joy Hides and How to Find It | Ingrid Fetell https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_u2WFTfbcg

From Bomb Squad to Business Owner

Mike Girard didn’t just start a business… he MacGyver’d one into existence in a war zone. This episode is the definition of “you can’t make this up.”💥 The Origin Story - Mike’s first batch of moonshine was made in Afghanistan… using a repurposed explosive device. What started as curiosity turned into a full-blown obsession—and eventually, 3-Hundred Days of Shine.🚀 From Army to EntrepreneurAfter 23 years in the military, Mike jumped into business ownership with zero road map. Think :Doing everything himself Long hours, nonstop grind Learning business in real time His words? “Like drinking from a firehose.”🧠 Smart Positioning Instead of leaning into military branding, Mike built his brand around: Colorado history Prohibition storiesLocal prideThat shift made his product stand out in a crowded market.📖 When Your Story Starts Selling At one point, customers began telling Mike’s story for him. That’s when it clicked—your brand is working when your audience becomes your marketer.🔑 Real Talk Take away You don’t need a perfect plan.You need: Grit, Adaptability, And the ability to learn fast🎧 Raw, honest, and packed with lessons for any small business owner trying to figure it out.Go check them out:https://www.3hundreddays.com/or follow along at https://www.instagram.com/3hundreddaysdistilling/#SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #StartupLife #BusinessLessons #Podcast

Why Colorado Springs Businesses Are Being Overlooked (And How to Fix It)

This week on Show Me Yours, Reanna, Jason, and Dirk get into a conversation every Colorado Springs business owner needs to hear.Dirk Hobbs, publisher of Colorado Media Group, pulls back the curtain on a hard truth. Colorado Springs is not lacking opportunity. It is lacking storytelling.From the outside, the region is seen as underwhelming. A military town. A nice mountain backdrop. That is it. Meanwhile, right under our noses, there are thriving industries like aerospace, defense, cyber, advanced manufacturing, and a rapidly growing population that is about to outpace Denver. The problem is not the business ecosystem. The problem is how we talk about it.Dirk shares how he built a media company focused on depth over noise, why most business coverage misses what actually matters, and how small business owners can position themselves in a way that attracts real opportunity instead of just attention.This episode is a wake-up call.If you are a business owner in Colorado Springs and you are not telling your story well, you are leaving growth on the table.--- 3 Key Moments That Matter1. Colorado Springs Has a Marketing Problem, Not a Business ProblemDirk breaks down how the region is perceived nationally and why that perception is completely disconnected from reality. The opportunity is massive, but if we do not tell that story with clarity and depth, it gets overlooked.2. Why Most “Business News” Is Useless to Business OwnersSurface-level stories do not move the needle. Dirk explains why he built his publications to focus on real insights, real impact, and information that actually helps business owners make decisions. Not fluff. Not headlines. Real value.3. Small Businesses Need to Think Bigger Than Their Zip CodeOne of the most powerful shifts Dirk highlights is thinking regionally, not just locally. Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Douglas County, and surrounding areas are interconnected. When you understand that ecosystem, your opportunities expand fast.--- Learn MoreWant to learn more about Colorado Media Group?https://coloradomediagroup.com

When “Showing Up” Is the Strategy (Even When It Sucks)

What happens when two serial entrepreneurs pull back the curtain on what it really takes to build multiple businesses at once?In this episode of Show Me Yours, we sit down with Andrew Hazzlee and Marcus Alvarado—founders, marketers, podcast builders, and the brains behind Booth Bingo—to unpack the messy middle of entrepreneurship.We’re talking:Building businesses that actually solve problems (like turning boring vendor events into lead-generating machines)The long, unsexy grind of growing a podcast (300+ episodes, years of little traction, and no shortcuts)Why consistency beats “genius ideas” every timeAnd the hard truth: even successful entrepreneurs regularly question if they should just go get a jobBut the real gold? Their failures.From public event flops and financial hits… to 400+ job applications with no offers… to betting big on ideas that barely break even—this episode is a masterclass in what it costs to stay in the game.Big takeaways for small business owners:💡 If your marketing isn’t driving results, it’s not “branding”—it’s broken🎯 The best ideas come from solving real, painful problems (not chasing trends)🔁 Consistency and iteration will outperform talent 10 out of 10 times💥 Public failure isn’t the end—it’s often the turning point🧠 The “wisdom phase” only comes after you push through the hard stuffAnd maybe the most important reminder:Every successful business owner you admire? They’ve had moments where they wanted to quit.They just didn’t.Go check out their work:https://boothbingo.com/https://coloradobusinesspodcast.com/