Business Digest Radio

What Sectors Are Hiring in S. Colorado? Pikes Peak Workforce Center CEO Traci Marques Explains

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 are the skills we learn along the way that are transferable from one industry to another. 
Learn more about these topics and far more at the Pikes Peak Workforce Center website: https://ppwfc.org/ 

Family-owned WireNut Home Services Helps Homeowners Keep their Infrastructure up to Par

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 repairs downstream and even keep our home values up when resale time comes around. 
Looking for an opportunity? Hear about their desire to develop a locally based workforce in Pueblo. 
Website: https://thewirenut.com/ 

Brett Wyss, President & CEO of Integrity Bank & Trust

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 customers regardless of external influences. 
Wyss also shares some of his perspectives on the current economic climate, as well as the next 12-18 months for interest rates, the housing market, and more. 
Website: https://www.integritybankandtrust.com/ 

David Handy & Strings Kozisek Founder of FlightHound - The end of lost baggage

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 efficient, transparent disruption claims process and improve their overall travel experience.  Providing immediate accurate delay compensation options will reduce financial consequences for passengers.
AIRLINES
FlightHound will provide airlines with real-time, quantifiable visibility to disruption analytics. Our claims submission process will give airlines immediate access to real-time actionable analytics.  This “service forward” strategy will bolster corporate responsibility, improve customer satisfaction and mitigate disruption impacts.
PARTNERS
FlightHound will provide online travel agencies(OTAs) disruption claim services creating additional revenue opportunities. Partnering with FlightHound will be highly advantageous to growing their customer base and offerings.
 
https://flighthound.app/about-us

Natalie Myers, CEO & Brian Kilmartin, MD - El Paso County Medical Society

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 

Rick Beaton, Ph.D., and AnneMarie Artzen, Ph.D. - Motis OneAI

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. Rick Beaton and Dr. AnneMarie Artzen. Motis OneAI is a Strategy Consulting firm specializing in Human-Centered Change Solutions for workforce efficiency.
​We work with senior leaders to leverage the Power of AI, while integrating their Business, Technology, and Human Systems to improve productivity and optimize performance.
This rich conversation will provide powerful insights into how organizations can prepare themselves for the intended and unintended consequences and change dynamics associated with the the installation of various artificial intelligence tools.  
Motis OneAI. Experts in Business & People.
Website: https://www.motisone.ai/ 

Drs. Robison and Harper Discuss Seasonal Affective Disorder and How to Manage

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 solutions to help mitigate and even avoid intense bouts with SAD. 
Listen in as Harper and Robison provide validating insights into how you may be feeling during the longer winter nights and mornings, and ideas to help manage the disorder to help improve work and home life interactions. And we'll also understand where the disorder may be an indication of something more substantial in your mental health. 
Website: https://optum.com/colorado 

Exponential Impact - Business Accelerator for S. Colorado Businesses

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 their connections to create exponential growth & enduring impact for their business. ”
This informative interview with Cupp expounds on what XI is positioned to do for early stage companies located in the region. Here, we'll learn more about XI Accelerator offers multiple rigorous, holistic 12-week programs to support founders at every stage for emerging technology startups, from start to scale. At XI, we don’t just value profit - we value people., and XI Survive & Thrive a funding, mentorship, and programming for Colorado Springs-based entrepreneurs. To date, XI has infused $4 million into local businesses to spur economic growth in our region.
Website: https://www.exponentialimpact.com/ 

CO. Companies to Watch aims to grow momentum for S.E. Colorado's growing ecosystem of second-stage companies

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 celebrates these transformative contributions. Since its inception, CCTW has honored nearly 800 companies, generating billions of dollars in economic impact and helping businesses soar to new heights of success.
Launched in 2009 by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) in partnership with the Edward Lowe Foundation, community partners, and dedicated volunteers, CCTW continues to elevate its alumni network. By fostering collaboration, strategic partnerships, and leveraging vital resources, CCTW ensures these exceptional companies continue to grow, thrive, and take flight in shaping Colorado’s vibrant economic future.
Business Digest Weekly welcomes guest, Jon-Michael Horst, Program Manager for CCTW to how CCTW is intentionally seeking out Stage II companies located in El Paso and Pueblo counties to create and develop further momentum for southeast Colorado business ecosystem.  Learn more about the Pikes Peak Chapter of Colorado Companies to Watch and how to get involved. 
WEBSITE:  https://coloradocompaniestowatch.org/ 

De-Dollarization: Should We be Concerned? T.H. Williams, Ph.D., CFP®

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 why the U.S. dollar is uniquely positioned to reign supreme for the foreseeable future. Hear about: 
Store of Value,
Medium of Exchange,
Unit of Measure, and
Reliability & Stability
Also: What About The BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India* (Iran), and China)? These nations continue to attempt to formulate a global currency in order to become less reliant on the U.S. dollar. Their common interest driving this ambition? Their mutual distain for the United States. 
Enjoy this rich, educational piece with Dr. T.H. Williams and gain a more robust understanding of why and how the U.S. dollar is positioned well. 
See full article here: https://issuu.com/healthycoloradanmediagroup/docs/north_oct-nov_rev_1032023 (Pages 10-11)
*The nation of India has become far less defamatory in relation to the U.S. and its status as the standard for most global commerce infrastructure and value measurement. However, the nation of Iran has become far more defamatory and hostile to U.S. interest and its role in global markets. 
NOTE: This interview and article are NOT financial advice. The contents of this interview are offered for educational purposes only and are specific the article offered above. For more information about your specific financial situation and goals, consult a certified financial planner (CFP®). To learn more about Virtuent, visit www.virtuentwmg.com