Behind the Counter

Send us Fan MailA hardware store that’s lasted since 1946 has to be more than a place to grab a bolt. Sitting down with Evan Noel of Noel's Inc. in Farmington, New Mexico, we get into the real reason certain small businesses become permanent fixtures in the Four Corners: they earn trust one customer at a time, then protect it with consistency. Evan shares how he grew from working in the store as a teenager to leading a third generation, family-owned hardware business built on advice, problem solving, and relationships that span decades.We talk candidly about what modern retail feels like from the owner’s seat: customers who want expert help but also want the lowest possible price, the constant pressure from online shopping, and why word of mouth still matters in a relationship-driven community. Evan explains why being out on the floor matters for leadership, how customer service becomes a competitive edge against big box stores, and what it takes to sell solutions across a huge product mix that ranges from industrial supplies to homeowner tools.Then we go behind the scenes into operations and growth. Evan breaks down the time sink of paperwork, ordering, payroll, benefits, and compliance, plus the pain and payoff of switching ERP software to support better logistics and distribution. We also dig into a challenge many small retailers recognize instantly: major brands often hold the power on margins and support, and small businesses have to fight to be heard. The conversation closes with what success looks like next, including employee retention, sustainable growth, and expanding distribution beyond San Juan County and the Rockies region.If you care about small business, customer experience, leadership, or the future of local retail in Farmington and the Four Corners, this one is packed with practical insight. Subscribe, share this with a business owner you respect, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway. Be sure to follow or subscribe!  And, if you're a local business owner who'd like to be featured - or know someone whose story should be told - get in touch at [email protected] show is brought to you by Strategic Horizons Consulting (a division of Ken Collins Marketing).Support the show

Send us Fan MailA lot of people think running a plumbing company is all wrenches and water lines, but the real test starts when the job is done and the paperwork begins. We’re joined by Jason Judah, owner of Creative Mechanical Solutions Plumbing (CMS Plumbing) in Aztec, New Mexico, to talk about building a trusted trade business in the Four Corners and what it takes to compete when bigger names have bigger budgets.Jason shares how he got his start in plumbing in Phoenix, why he came back home, and what surprised him most once he became the owner. We dig into the unglamorous reality of estimates, commercial bids, scheduling crews, and setting up systems so the office side doesn’t drown the field work. He also breaks down how a plumber has to think mechanically and plan ahead, from stocking the right materials to handling code-heavy commercial projects.Because this is a rural market, we also talk septic system installation, leach fields, high water tables, environmental permits, and when above-ground berm systems come into play. Jason explains what marketing works in a small town, why word of mouth is everything, and how a smaller local contractor can beat big chain plumbing companies by being faster, more flexible, and more personal. We close with hard-earned lessons on pacing growth, branding, hiring and training, and why the skilled trades still offer one of the clearest paths to a strong living without a college degree.If you like honest small business stories and practical advice for contractors, subscribe, share this with a friend in the trades, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway. Be sure to follow or subscribe!  And, if you're a local business owner who'd like to be featured - or know someone whose story should be told - get in touch at [email protected] show is brought to you by Strategic Horizons Consulting (a division of Ken Collins Marketing).Support the show

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when a disaster-response leader gets pulled back home by a family tragedy and suddenly has to run a deeply regulated health care company that shows up in people’s living rooms instead of a clinic? That’s the heart of our conversation with Vince Moffitt of Basin Health Companies, the locally owned provider serving Farmington and communities across Northwest New Mexico with home health care, hospice, and caregiving. We get real about what “keeping seniors at home” actually requires: clinical standards, caregiver training, patient goals, and a documentation burden so strict that a small mistake in a chart can have massive consequences during a CMS audit. Vince also explains how breaking out of organizational silos and leaning on state and national associations helped drive a full cultural shift and earn five-star home health outcomes. Then we dig into the money and policy forces shaping care, including Medicare reimbursement cuts and the growing influence of Medicare Advantage plans. Vince shares why denials and minimal approvals can leave patients without meaningful therapy, and why advocacy in Santa Fe and Washington, DC is not optional if communities want sustainable home-based care. We also touch palliative care expansion, rural health care logistics, and the unique cultural realities of serving Navajo Nation families with respect and clarity. If you care about aging in place, hospice support, rural health care, or how local businesses survive in a world of national chains, listen now, then subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Be sure to follow or subscribe!  And, if you're a local business owner who'd like to be featured - or know someone whose story should be told - get in touch at [email protected] show is brought to you by Strategic Horizons Consulting (a division of Ken Collins Marketing).Support the show

Send us Fan MailFarmington’s streets are a living portfolio of local work, and Ram Studios has quietly shaped that look for 36 years. We sat down with Mike and Monica Mordecki to hear how a family-owned sign company goes from one early job and pure word of mouth to producing everything from vinyl decals and vehicle wraps to monument signs, pole signs, and major rebrands across the Four Corners.We get specific about what “making signs” actually means: scheduling installers across a 250 to 300 mile radius, lining up digs and concrete, managing travel, keeping crews productive, and navigating permits and municipal regulations that can change from town to town. They also share why administration often becomes the real engine of a successful custom signage business, and how they’ve had to evolve their systems and project management software as their workload and complexity grew.The conversation moves into the modern sign industry, where CNC routing, robotic letter systems, LED message centers, and subscription-based software have replaced the older hand-painted world. One of the most useful takeaways for any business owner is their marketing lens: a sign is advertising, and advertising goes invisible when it never changes. We also talk about the hardest part of leadership, the challenge of employees, and the long-game lesson of building a life that includes time away from work.If you care about small business, local branding, and what it takes to grow in Farmington NM and the Four Corners region, hit play. Subscribe, share this with a local owner who needs it, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Be sure to follow or subscribe!  And, if you're a local business owner who'd like to be featured - or know someone whose story should be told - get in touch at [email protected] show is brought to you by Strategic Horizons Consulting (a division of Ken Collins Marketing).Support the show

Send us Fan MailA lot of people think custom engraving is just pushing a button on a laser. Then you meet Bonnie Cummings, owner of Third Axis Custom Engraving in Farmington, New Mexico, and you realize the real craft is equal parts creativity, technical mastery, and staying power when life gets heavy. She shares how she starts with crystal engraving that creates 2D and 3D images inside blank crystals, then steadily expands into laser engraving on all kinds of materials, metal engraving, and full-color sublimation printing. We dig into what it takes to grow a home-based small business in the Four Corners area: multiple moves, the overhead squeeze, and the double shock of construction plus COVID. Bonnie explains why cutting fixed costs can be the difference between closing and continuing, and how she builds a customer-first approach that turns first-time buyers into people who call back years later because they remember how she made them feel. You’ll also hear the unglamorous truth behind personalized gifts and one-of-a-kind awards: pixelated logos, rushed deadlines, hours of image editing, and the importance of deposits and pricing your time. Bonnie breaks down why you’re not selling “materials” as much as you’re selling experience, design judgment, and the ability to run expensive equipment reliably. We wrap with her advice to other entrepreneurs: keep going one step at a time, learn something new every day, and let systems free you up to focus on the people and the meaning behind the work. If you enjoy stories about local business, customer service, laser engraving, crystal engraving, sublimation, and real-world entrepreneurship, subscribe, share this with a creative friend, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show. Be sure to follow or subscribe!  And, if you're a local business owner who'd like to be featured - or know someone whose story should be told - get in touch at [email protected] show is brought to you by Strategic Horizons Consulting (a division of Ken Collins Marketing).Support the show

Send us Fan MailA family restaurant can feed a town, but it also ends up raising it. We’re joined by Carrie West, third-generation owner of The Spare Rib BBQ in Farmington, New Mexico, for a candid talk about what it takes to protect a legacy while stepping fully into modern small business ownership in the Four Corners. From the early days of the shop to taking over “for real” with payroll, taxes, and nonstop responsibility, Carrie explains how the job changes when the risk has your name on it. We get into the practical side of running a successful barbecue restaurant: ordering and inventory, equipment upgrades that reduce stress in the kitchen, and why staying consistent matters more than chasing constant change. Carrie also shares the mindset that keeps her steady when the cooler breaks or the day goes sideways, plus the leadership lesson many owners learn late: your mood sets the tone, and your tone becomes the culture. Along the way, we talk customer service and community support, watching families grow up as regulars, and the “country wisdom” that keeps the team grounded in roots and gratitude. Carrie also hints at future plans, including the possibility of a pickup window, while staying committed to the same clean dining room, friendly service, and quality food people remember when they come back home. If you care about family-owned restaurants, restaurant management, and what makes local businesses last, hit play, share this with a friend who loves BBQ, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Be sure to follow or subscribe!  And, if you're a local business owner who'd like to be featured - or know someone whose story should be told - get in touch at [email protected] show is brought to you by Strategic Horizons Consulting (a division of Ken Collins Marketing).Support the show

Send us Fan MailOpportunity doesn’t always announce itself; sometimes it looks like a rent hike that forces you to choose who you really are. We sat down with Clay Jaqua, owner of 505 Motorsports in Farmington, to unpack how a near-crisis became the catalyst for a smarter move, stronger numbers, and a clearer lane. Clay’s story runs from a 20-year-old dad asked to leave college, to fourteen formative years in a Ford store, to a Dairy Queen detour that sharpened his love for the car business. Along the way he built a community-first dealership with a showroom of classics and performance gems, and a lot tuned to a $15–20K sweet spot that actually matches how locals buy.We dig into what most people get wrong about selling cars: it’s not the metal, it’s the options, the financing, the trust, and the follow-through. Clay lays out why small, nimble operations can adapt faster than big lots, how to pivot without losing your brand, and how to use consignment and bank relationships to make deals frictionless. He shares the mindset shift from “get rich quick” to “build slow, protect the downside,” plus the unsexy habits that create staying power: own your building when you can, avoid overextension, and let small margins add up. In a small town, reputation is oxygen—fix what you can, don’t duck hard conversations, and put people over the policy when it really counts.We also talk creative marketing that actually works. Clay’s viral social videos aren’t slick; they’re genuine, funny, and unmistakably local—proof that a clear voice beats a big budget. For owners chasing discoverability, we cover local SEO, Google Business Profile basics, and why consistent YouTube walkarounds plus TikTok and Instagram Reels can lift brand search for terms like “505 Motorsports,” “Farmington used cars,” and “classic cars Farmington.” Finally, Clay opens up about freedom, family, and a new bourbon venture—Burnt Tavern—as the next chapter in staying curious without overreaching. If you’re building a resilient business in a volatile market, this conversation is a field guide: stay open to opportunity, make risk survivable, take care of your people, and keep your sense of humor.Enjoy the episode? Follow, share with a friend who’s building something, and leave a quick review to help others find the show. Be sure to follow or subscribe!  And, if you're a local business owner who'd like to be featured - or know someone whose story should be told - get in touch at [email protected] show is brought to you by Strategic Horizons Consulting (a division of Ken Collins Marketing).Support the show

Send us Fan MailWhat does it look like to build a business after the kids leave home—and turn it into the heartbeat of a local running community? We sit down with Jeri Hogue, owner of Southwest Runners, for a candid conversation about risk, resilience, and the long game of showing up when no one else does. Jerry shares how a seventh-grade PE nudge became a lifelong passion, why her husband’s steady support mattered when the tears came, and how a small decision—hosting a twice-weekly trail run—grew from a family jog into a 45+ person crew.We dive into the realities most small business owners recognize: wearing every hat from buyer to bookkeeper, learning the unique tastes of a town like Farmington, and competing with the ease of online shopping. Jeri walks through practical lessons on fitting shoes to prevent injury, keeping runners on the trails safely, and creating an experience the internet can’t match. She also opens up about identity and confidence—how entrepreneurship turned an introvert into a coach who guides first marathons and cheers big life changes, from weight loss to new PRs.There’s momentum ahead, too. Jeri and Southwest Runners are partnering with Tonique Racing to support Hood Mesa trail events with 5, 9, and 15-mile options, plus brand partners like Brooks, Saucony, and Mizuno stepping in to elevate race day. The bigger takeaway: success has shifted from chasing profit to building trust, health, and community—mile by mile. If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s too late to start, or how to anchor a brick-and-mortar shop in a digital world, this story will meet you right where you are.If this resonates, follow the show, share with a friend who needs a push, and leave a quick review—what risk will you take this week? Be sure to follow or subscribe!  And, if you're a local business owner who'd like to be featured - or know someone whose story should be told - get in touch at [email protected] show is brought to you by Strategic Horizons Consulting (a division of Ken Collins Marketing).Support the show

Send us Fan MailWhat does it take to turn a family pub into a community anchor that thrives on and off-site? Louie McMullen, co-owner of Clancy’s Pub, opens up about the long game: honoring a legacy that began in 1978 while building a modern operation that wins at events, navigates complex liquor laws, and keeps a small town coming back for more. From the first days serving under his parents to signing the paperwork, Louie explains how ownership sharpened his decision-making, filtered risky ideas, and turned a controversial bet—a 20-foot mobile bar trailer—into a profit engine that paid for itself in a year.We walk through the hidden skill set of hospitality leadership: studying special dispenser permits to outmaneuver confusion, training a team of 57 to stay compliant as rules shift, and designing a customer experience that outshines the menu’s wild range—sushi, tacos, burgers, and steak alongside live music and wildly popular Singo Thursdays. Louie shares why consistency is everything, how “A1 emergencies” start with skipped details, and the routines that keep a high-volume restaurant from tipping into chaos. He also gets candid about fear of back-office logistics and how the right people made it manageable without losing sight of the numbers.The heart of Clancy’s is culture. We talk benefits uncommon for local restaurants, including a 401(k), team trips to food shows, and a genuine safety net when life falls apart. Quiet giving—funeral meals, donations, shelter support—has built deep trust, and partnerships like the Farmington Civic Center liquor contract now function like a second business line. Looking ahead, a mobile kitchen will extend Clancy’s reach to big events and oilfield jobs, while the five-year vision stays grounded: be the place people feel at home across the Four Corners.If you care about small business growth, restaurant realities, and how community-driven brands scale without losing their soul, this story will stick with you. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves hospitality, and leave a review with your favorite takeaway. Be sure to follow or subscribe!  And, if you're a local business owner who'd like to be featured - or know someone whose story should be told - get in touch at [email protected] show is brought to you by Strategic Horizons Consulting (a division of Ken Collins Marketing).Support the show

Send us Fan MailThe conversation starts with a candid pivot: we turned the mic on our own shop to explain why we stepped back from day-to-day marketing, spent two years pressure-testing AI, and then chose to expand with a human-first, full-service model. Not to wage war on technology, but to fix the widening gap between fast output and real strategy. As leaders embraced DIY tools and automation, sameness crept in — copy with the same cadence, visuals with the same gloss, funnels without context. We name the problem, map how it happened, and lay out a better way forward.You’ll hear a quick tour through AI’s long arc — from Turing to transformers — and why mainstream access didn’t suddenly grant machines judgment. We share what our clients actually struggled with during the noisy years: operations, cash flow, hiring, and decision fatigue. That’s the hinge most growth turns on. When the inside is messy, no channel can save it. When the core is clear, every campaign gets lighter and more effective. That’s why we fuse consulting with creative: brand identity with depth, search visibility that compounds, and advertising built from positioning rather than templates.We get specific about how we use AI — and how we don’t. Tools help us research faster, think wider, and evaluate options. Humans do the architecture. Strategy, creative direction, message/market fit, and judgment stays in human hands. The result is marketing that carries identity, operations that can deliver the promise, and campaigns that convert because they’re rooted in reality, not generic patterns. If you’re experimenting with AI, keep going, but ask the hard question: is it building strategy or just producing output?If you’re ready for signal over noise and a partner who rolls up sleeves, explores your constraints, and ships work with a point of view, we’d love to connect. Subscribe for more candid conversations, share this with a fellow owner who’s feeling the AI fatigue, and leave a review to tell us what part hit home. Be sure to follow or subscribe!  And, if you're a local business owner who'd like to be featured - or know someone whose story should be told - get in touch at [email protected] show is brought to you by Strategic Horizons Consulting (a division of Ken Collins Marketing).Support the show

Send us Fan MailBeauty doesn’t happen by accident; it’s stitched from patience, problem solving, and a little glitter that somehow gets everywhere. We sit with Jamie Goodwin, the heart behind JG Cross Creations, to trace how a single wooden cross turned into a steady stream of custom wreaths, bows, gift baskets, wedding florals, and decor that people can’t stop talking about. Jamie’s story starts at home—learning from her mom, juggling kids’ schedules, then rediscovering craft when the house got quiet—and unfolds into a practice built on reliability, fair pricing, and the pure joy of handing over something that makes a face light up.Pull back the curtain on what handmade really costs. Jamie breaks down the hours inside a mesh wreath, the mountain of “small” supplies that make or break a design, and the reality of price hikes that forced her to rethink sourcing without cutting corners. She shares the systems that now guide her pricing and protect quality, the improvisation skills that turned tablecloths and extension cords into elegant wedding decor, and the discipline of meeting deadlines even when life gets complicated. Along the way, she reveals how each project became a quiet vote of confidence, transforming early doubts into a grounded belief in her craft.We also explore the power of community: makers who refer work to each other, customers who return with fresh ideas, and the unexpected tenderness of creating a funeral keepsake that comforts a family. From Highland cow wreaths that flew off the table to the signature bows that give her pieces away at a glance, Jamie’s work is equal parts artistry and heart. If you care about small business, creativity under pressure, and the kind of local craftsmanship that makes a home feel like yours, this conversation will stick with you long after the glitter settles.Enjoyed the conversation? Follow and subscribe, share this episode with a friend who loves handmade goods, and leave a review to help more people find stories like Jamie’s. Be sure to follow or subscribe!  And, if you're a local business owner who'd like to be featured - or know someone whose story should be told - get in touch at [email protected] show is brought to you by Strategic Horizons Consulting (a division of Ken Collins Marketing).Support the show

Send us Fan MailA quiet studio, a steady hand, and a young owner who chose peace over perfection—this is the story of Blooming Ember Massage through the eyes of its founder, Callie Frost. She walked away from nursing, learned the craft of touch, and turned a backyard “shed” into a three-room sanctuary that clients now seek out for its calm. What began as a leap of faith became a blueprint for sustainable small business: start, listen, refine, and let word of mouth do the heavy lifting.We get into the decisions that mattered: saying yes before everything was polished, then taming the chaos with better bookkeeping and licensing. Callie shares how authenticity outperformed social media, why she treats feedback as a gift, and how she balances modalities—deep tissue, cupping, and lymphatic drainage—to protect her body while improving outcomes. The conversation opens up around boundaries and energy too. From weekend work to daily routines, she now measures success by consistency, low stress, and a client experience that ends in relief and that floaty “massage drunk” glow.Community plays a starring role. An expo booth with her massage school sparked dozens of loyal clients, and regular trades with seasoned therapists became the best continuing education. We also explore the heart inside the brand: Blooming Ember nods to Callie’s resilience as a burn survivor and her belief that healing can grow from hard heat. If you’re curious about building a service business that lasts—one rooted in presence, clear communication, and smart systems—you’ll find practical takeaways and inspiration in equal measure.Want more stories like this? Follow the show, share this episode with a friend who needs it, and leave a quick review to help others discover the pod. Be sure to follow or subscribe!  And, if you're a local business owner who'd like to be featured - or know someone whose story should be told - get in touch at [email protected] show is brought to you by Strategic Horizons Consulting (a division of Ken Collins Marketing).Support the show

Send us Fan MailA quiet field can feel like a heartbeat when life gets loud. That’s the energy Heather Martinez brings to Desert Bunny Blooms—a flower farm born from a job loss, tempered by a cancer battle, and sustained by a deep love for soil, seasons, and community. We unpack how a scrappy COVID experiment turned into a steady practice of patience and discovery, where each bed taught new lessons about microclimates, irrigation, and the wildlife that refuses to read the plant tags.Heather shares how chemo shifted her pace but didn’t drown her purpose, and why tending seedlings became a lifeline. We get practical about the gritty parts—deer fences, prairie dog deterrents, weeds that never quit, and irrigation mishaps that teach more than any manual. She explains why collaboration beats competition in a small market, how “cooperation” with other growers fills orders and expands variety, and what it means to deliver flowers yourself and see a room lift as the bouquet arrives.We also explore the art of inclusive florals—palettes that feel bold, textured, and not boxed in by gender stereotypes—and how to guide customers toward seasonal options that fit the story and the climate. If you’ve ever wondered how to balance a demanding day job with dawn harvests, or how to redefine success when a late frost wipes out your best crop, Heather’s mindset will meet you where you are: start with what you have, learn fast, and let the seasons teach you. Ready to rethink growth as resilience and joy? Tap play, then subscribe, share with a friend who needs a nudge to start, and leave a review with the flower that makes you smile most. Be sure to follow or subscribe!  And, if you're a local business owner who'd like to be featured - or know someone whose story should be told - get in touch at [email protected] show is brought to you by Strategic Horizons Consulting (a division of Ken Collins Marketing).Support the show

Send us Fan MailWhat does it take to turn a weekend candle hobby into a fast-growing brand that ships across the country and overseas? We sit down with Josh Velasquez, founder of Dark Wick Candle Co, to unpack the leap from farmers markets to wholesale orders, the messy middle of supply snafus, and the surprising truth that men might love candles more than you think. Josh shares how he built a masculine, place-driven brand rooted in Farmington’s identity and why scent is the most powerful way to make a place unforgettable.We dig into the craft and the science: how wax type, wick size, vessel shape, dye, and fragrance load interact to create a safe, consistent burn and a strong hot throw. Josh opens up about building a bench-top “lab,” blending base, heart, and top notes, and testing until the melt pool and performance are right. From candles to wax melts, diffuser oils, room sprays, and early perfume work, he shows how product lines can evolve when you listen to real customer data instead of ego. Along the way, we talk about marketing as an introvert’s superpower, balancing inventory with awareness, and the discipline it takes to say no to cheap shortcuts.Community is the backbone of Dark Wick’s momentum, and Josh treats every share, critique, and sourcing tip as support. That mindset helped him weather wrong-size wicks, learn import rules for an Australian order, and set a vision for longevity: a brand that serves people, not just shelves. If you’re building a product company, you’ll hear practical strategies for data-driven decisions, resilient operations, and scaling without losing your soul.If this conversation sparked ideas, follow, subscribe, and leave a review. Share the episode with a friend who loves great scent or great brand-building, and tell us the fragrance you’d design for your hometown. Be sure to follow or subscribe!  And, if you're a local business owner who'd like to be featured - or know someone whose story should be told - get in touch at [email protected] show is brought to you by Strategic Horizons Consulting (a division of Ken Collins Marketing).Support the show

Send us Fan MailWhat if peace — not profit — became your definition of success? That’s where we land as Deborah and Sandra share how a lifetime of friendship turned into two distinct, purpose-led paths: handmade crystal jewelry with a signature style, and a healing practice that makes meditation and Reiki feel simple and doable for anyone.Deborah walks us through the craft behind The Lost Faery: moving from radio and newsrooms to wire wrapping, learning lapidary, and discovering why materials and engineering matter. She talks candidly about early missteps, the value of good wire, sturdy bales, and stress-testing every piece, and the leap from craft fairs to commissions to a gallery invitation. We explore the power of provenance as Sandra brings back “virgin” Arkansas quartz — stones only two sets of hands have touched — connecting wearers directly to the earth and the maker’s eye.Sandra opens the door to Sacred Spiral Healing with a clear message: meditation doesn’t have to be complicated and Reiki can be taught, practiced, and felt by people of many backgrounds. She describes the joy of attunements, how teaching dissolves competition, and why helping one person deeply can be a greater win than chasing a crowd. Together, we navigate belief and practice — how metaphysical experiences can sit alongside Catholic faith, how folklore can inspire real-world herbal balms, and why curiosity beats fear of the unknown.We also celebrate place. From petrified wood and jasper to dinosaur bone, the Four Corners hold minerals that polish into striking cabochons and meaningful keepsakes. Rockhounding becomes education, local pride, and a way to keep value in the community. If you’re drawn to crystal jewelry with intention, curious about Reiki or sound therapy, or simply looking for a steadier way to move through your week, this conversation offers practical insights, honest stories, and a warm invitation to slow down and create.Enjoyed the conversation? Follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review to help others find it. Tell us: what practice helps you feel grounded right now? Be sure to follow or subscribe!  And, if you're a local business owner who'd like to be featured - or know someone whose story should be told - get in touch at [email protected] show is brought to you by Strategic Horizons Consulting (a division of Ken Collins Marketing).Support the show

Send us Fan MailA single painting can hold a lifetime — joy, grief, and the courage to start again. That’s the energy we explore with painter Karen Ellsbury, co-owner of HEart Gallery in downtown Farmington, as she shares how her work evolved from luminous “color in motion” canvases to raw abstraction after widowhood, and then into vibrant collaborations with her husband, photographer Patrick Hazen. Their “photo fusions” — his images extended by her brush — have turned heads, including a collector who made wall space by moving a Salvador Dalí. The story isn’t about bragging rights; it’s about believing you belong.We talk about building a gallery on a shoestring, reshaping a backyard into an event space with a tiny grant and community muscle, and saying “yes” when a local musician asked to start jazz jams. That “place-making” spark drew neighbors, free press, and a rhythm that helped the creative economy hum. Karen opens up about imposter syndrome, boundaries that protect the creative flow, and why accessible pricing matters as much as museum-level work. She’s honest about the hard parts too: Covid closures, fewer tourists, the pivot to fairs and First Fridays, and the ongoing work to make Farmington an art destination without forcing artists to leave for Santa Fe.If you’re a creative, a small business owner, or a fan of community-powered revitalization, you’ll find practical ideas and emotional fuel here — defining success on your terms, laughing at the missteps, and keeping the brush moving when uncertainty looms. We also preview what’s next at HEart Gallery: an outdoor deck, a 1,000-square-foot back building, and plans for an immersive Airbnb-style art retreat with hikes, photo tours, and plein air sessions. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves local art, and leave a review with your favorite takeaway—what would you build in your town? Be sure to follow or subscribe!  And, if you're a local business owner who'd like to be featured - or know someone whose story should be told - get in touch at [email protected] show is brought to you by Strategic Horizons Consulting (a division of Ken Collins Marketing).Support the show

Send us Fan MailWant a business that works without wearing you out? We zoom out after a full season of conversations with owners across industries and pull forward the patterns that actually make small businesses resilient. The theme that rises above the rest: the strongest shops are designed on purpose. When owners could answer what kind of life the business should support, choices about pricing, hours, and growth fell into place—and stress dropped because decisions stayed aligned.We also unpack why relief never comes from heroics. It came from small, repeatable systems that moved recurring decisions out of someone’s head and into clear routines. Automated payments, cleaner order flows, and defined roles aren’t corporate fluff; they’re the difference between constant firefighting and predictable days. That clarity opens the door to the real constraint: bandwidth. Many shops weren’t cash poor; they were attention poor. We talk about handing off tasks without losing the soul of the work.Growth, as we heard again and again, doesn’t come from hacks or perfect timing on social. It comes from people. Partnerships, local community, and experiences worth talking about outlast algorithms. Even brands with big online followings rely on trust built in real places with real faces. And growth means different things to different owners—expansion for some, intentional smallness for others. Misalignment creates friction; clarity breaks it. The healthiest businesses set boundaries that protect craft and experience, saying no to paths that dilute what makes them special, and yes only where values can come along intact.If you care about building a business you can keep loving, this conversation is your blueprint: design with intent, install simple systems, invest in community, and let your values filter opportunities. New episodes drop every Monday—follow the show to get them first, and share your biggest takeaway or boundary you plan to set this season. Be sure to follow or subscribe!  And, if you're a local business owner who'd like to be featured - or know someone whose story should be told - get in touch at [email protected] show is brought to you by Strategic Horizons Consulting (a division of Ken Collins Marketing).Support the show

Send us Fan MailTake a breath with us. As the holidays arrive, we’re pressing pause to recharge, reflect, and set up a stronger return in January—while giving you a clear path to keep up with new stories from the Four Corners business community. We share exactly how our release flow works so you never miss an episode: new interviews go live every Monday on podcast platforms, and the companion blog posts publish the following Monday on our site, then get shared across Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. If you subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, you’ll hear every conversation a full week before social media sees it.We look back on a compact but rich season that featured Interwest Concepts, Desert River Guides, Ramon Valdez Fine Furniture, Mushroom Zen, The Happy Pear, Anne Marie’s Dance Academy, Artifacts, and Dottie Wampus Magical Chocolate Factory. Many of these guests came to us through listener tips and prior guest referrals, which tells us the Four Corners business network is alive and generous. The through line is simple: real owners, real challenges, and the practical choices that turn local shops into resilient cornerstones.This holiday break isn’t idle time—it’s strategy. We talk about giving presence as well as presents, stepping back with your team, and using the quieter days of December to clarify your why, review the year with a cool head, and sketch a realistic plan for January. You’ll hear a preview of small format tweaks we’re making next season to sharpen interviews while keeping the candid feel you love. Expect the same focus on local entrepreneurs, just with tighter questions and even more useful takeaways.If you celebrate Christmas, Merry Christmas; if you honor another tradition, happy holidays. However you mark the season, we hope you find rest, connection, and a clear mental map for the year ahead. Subscribe now to get the first episodes of the new season the moment they drop, share the show with a friend who loves small business stories, and leave a quick review to help more neighbors discover these voices. Be sure to follow or subscribe!  And, if you're a local business owner who'd like to be featured - or know someone whose story should be told - get in touch at [email protected] show is brought to you by Strategic Horizons Consulting (a division of Ken Collins Marketing).Support the show

Send us Fan MailA cottage at the edge of a national park. A clock that dispenses chocolate. A host who can pivot from crystal structures in tempering to a groan-worthy deer joke in one beat. Meet Bryan Davis of Dotty Wampus Magical Chocolate Factory, where culinary craft collides with whimsical theater and visitors leave with a story worth retelling.We dig into how a two-person team built an immersive experience without the baggage of big-company overhead. Bryan explains why he and Joanne chose Montezuma County, Colorado—one of the rare places where creative builds don’t drown in permits—so they could ship fast, prototype freely, and keep their hands on every part of the guest journey. From distilling patents and Vegas-scale shows to bonbons and animatronics, his path is a masterclass in multidisciplinary entrepreneurship.If you care about experiential marketing, brand storytelling, and small business growth, this conversation delivers field-tested insights. You’ll hear how they tailor tours for kids and serious foodies, use tiny design details to shift reality (yes, even the bathroom is part of the show), and manage unglamorous logistics like sourcing from top chocolate co-ops without breaking the magic. We also explore the creative calculus behind growth: a bigger kitchen only makes sense if it adds to the narrative—perhaps via a cheeky submarine ride to an “underwater” production room.Expect practical takeaways on staying small to move fast, choosing the right constraints, and building recurring delight so locals bring their families back year after year. Plus, exploding bonbons featuring pear blossom honey, animated paintings that react to guests, and why understanding the “why” beats any checklist.Enjoy the episode, share it with someone who loves immersive experiences, and leave a review to tell us which moment you’d steal for your dream venue. Be sure to follow or subscribe!  And, if you're a local business owner who'd like to be featured - or know someone whose story should be told - get in touch at [email protected] show is brought to you by Strategic Horizons Consulting (a division of Ken Collins Marketing).Support the show

Send us Fan MailStep inside a 10,000-square-foot creative hub where the scent of fresh cinnamon rolls mingles with oil paint and coffee, and a century-old lumberyard has a second life as Farmington’s favorite gathering place. We sit with owner Tara Taylor to trace how a mother-daughter idea became Artifacts 302, a living room for the city where knitting circles, plein air painters, book clubs, and gamers share space—and where emerging artists get their first real shot.Tara pulls back the curtain on the real work of running a hybrid gallery and café. She talks about the early missteps, the moment hiring an accountant changed everything, and the day she let go of the pastry bench and hired a baker so she could actually run the business. We dig into the toughest challenge—reaching locals in a noisy digital world—and why human touch points, open-call themed shows, and welcoming events outperform algorithms. If you’re building a small business, you’ll appreciate her no-fluff systems: recipe cost controls, team-first culture, teen-to-confident-barista training, and the patience to grow margins without losing soul.There’s vision here, too. Tara shares plans to revive the old yard into a garden courtyard for outdoor weddings, plein air sessions, and live music that flows naturally into the indoor gallery. She’s steering the next chapter back to art—spotlighting up-and-coming local creators, hosting shows that lower barriers to entry, and making the gallery as dynamic as the espresso bar. It’s a grounded, generous roadmap for anyone who wants to turn a beloved space into a lasting community asset.If this story resonates, follow and share the show, leave a quick review, and send this episode to a friend who believes small businesses make cities feel like home. Be sure to follow or subscribe!  And, if you're a local business owner who'd like to be featured - or know someone whose story should be told - get in touch at [email protected] show is brought to you by Strategic Horizons Consulting (a division of Ken Collins Marketing).Support the show

Send us Fan MailA short break can be a powerful reset, and this Thanksgiving we’re using the pause to sharpen focus, build momentum, and double down on what works. Ken Collins opens up about why gratitude is more than a seasonal mood; it’s a daily operating system that rewires how you lead and sell. From the religious and spiritual frames to the brain science behind strengthened neural pathways, you’ll hear how a grateful mindset helps you notice opportunities, build stronger relationships, and steer your business through the holiday rush with clarity.We also unpack the show’s early access rhythm—episodes release on podcast platforms a full week before the blog recap goes live at Strategic Horizons Consulting—so you can catch stories and tactics sooner when they matter most. Ken shares a concise “holiday panic mode” sales plan for owners who feel late to the party, focusing on quick wins, proven channels, and simple offers that move the needle without adding chaos. The throughline is practical: amplify what already works, communicate clearly, and use the goodwill you’ve earned to finish the year strong.Community is the multiplier here. Ken offers heartfelt thanks to clients, guests, and listeners, then urges owners to support each other with sincere reviews, local purchases, and shared wins. If you want to tell your story on the show—or just grab a no-pressure chat about your business—Ken’s door is open. Take the breath, set your intentions, and meet us back on December 1 for a fresh conversation with a new guest. Subscribe for early access, share this with a fellow owner who needs a nudge, and leave a review to help more local stories reach the people who need them most. Be sure to follow or subscribe!  And, if you're a local business owner who'd like to be featured - or know someone whose story should be told - get in touch at [email protected] show is brought to you by Strategic Horizons Consulting (a division of Ken Collins Marketing).Support the show

Send us Fan MailA lot of people say “follow your passion” — few show the messy, determined work that makes it sustainable. We sit with AnnMarie Bean, owner of AnnMarie’s Dance Academy in Farmington, to talk about how a kid who grew up dancing for fun built a studio that blends serious training with a bright sense of family. From the first business license to punching through walls for more space, AnnMarie shares the moments that shaped her: believing she could run a better program, earning parents’ trust, and creating a place where newcomers feel welcomed and competitors feel challenged.We dig into the real engine of a studio: the admin grind nobody sees. Think customized costumes, edited music, guest teacher travel, and a calendar built around conventions and competitions. One simple change — automatic payments — freed hours and eliminated awkward money talks. AnnMarie also gets candid about boundaries with parents, setting consistent standards across classes, and training staff who uphold the same expectations so students hold their line anywhere they go.What makes this studio different is access and outcomes. Industry pros from LA, New York, and Vegas teach on site, giving dancers a taste of bookable skills and professional etiquette, while alumni return with experience from TV, touring shows, and major events. The focus on being coachable, taking critique, and showing up with effort builds adults who thrive beyond the stage. We also talk about the pressure of new competition deposit timelines, the reality of motherhood and evening classes, and a future vision: a multiroom studio with a dance store and coffee space that turns training into a community hub.If you care about small business, arts education, or the craft of turning passion into a livelihood, you’ll find both heart and playbook here. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves dance, and leave a review telling us the one small change you think makes the biggest difference. Be sure to follow or subscribe!  And, if you're a local business owner who'd like to be featured - or know someone whose story should be told - get in touch at [email protected] show is brought to you by Strategic Horizons Consulting (a division of Ken Collins Marketing).Support the show

Send us Fan MailA 16-acre orchard, a taxing year, and a knock from fate: that’s how Niki Hilbers found her way from selling fruit to building a year-round honey brand with real roots in the Four Corners. What began as a practical move to make the land pay its way turned into a full-hearted partnership with bees, a masterful co-op with beekeeper Kyle Harris, and a mission to keep everything organic, local, and community-first. The journey winds through caregiving and loss, a sudden delivery of 24 hives, and the kind of instinct that feels like luck but looks a lot like paying attention.We dig into the real work behind the sweetness. Niki shares how “do not spray” signs, county conversations, and no-chemical practices protect pollinators while building trust. She opens up about the systems that keep a small business alive: ditching the cash box for a POS, juggling WIC and SNAP across clunky apps, hiring her first steady team member, and carving out time to make the products people love — habanero hot honey, lemon ginger throat coat, and those thick honey sticks. There’s no gloss here, just practical tactics, messy spreadsheets, and a steady commitment to serve.Along the way, we talk honey as medicine — why daily local honey may help with seasonal allergies, and how simple, functional blends deliver comfort when sore throats hit. We explore a bigger vision: a storefront with a glass-walled extractor, a live hive observatory, mentorships for new beekeepers, and a sustainable path to 700 hives to serve San Juan County. Niki’s mindset ties it all together: collaborate instead of compete, welcome constructive criticism, and believe so deeply in the mission that setbacks become fuel.If you care about small business, local food systems, beekeeping, or just need a nudge to follow your instincts, this story will stick. Subscribe for more candid conversations, share this with a friend who loves honey, and leave a review with the one takeaway you’ll act on this week. Be sure to follow or subscribe!  And, if you're a local business owner who'd like to be featured - or know someone whose story should be told - get in touch at [email protected] show is brought to you by Strategic Horizons Consulting (a division of Ken Collins Marketing).Support the show

Send us Fan MailA curtain for a tablecloth and a pocket of courage—that’s how Courtney Anderson’s mushroom journey began. What followed is a rare blend of patient craft, community warmth, and customer-led innovation that transformed a flea market table into Mushroom Zen, a cozy apothecary in Aztec where the air smells like incense and conversations last as long as they need to.We walk through the awakening that set it all in motion, the disciplined work of learning to grow mushrooms without cutting corners, and the partnership that makes it sustainable—Courtney’s intuition and customer care balanced by a behind-the-scenes co-founder who handles the grow and the paperwork grind. We talk microdosing for anxiety, PTSD, and building better habits; why locally grown, tested mushrooms matter in a market flooded with questionable imports; and how authentic listening can be a more powerful strategy than any ad spend.The move from a busier Farmington location to a smaller space in Aztec seems counterintuitive until you hear the results: lower costs, stronger foot traffic, a richer sense of place, and a shop that doubles as a sanctuary. Courtney shares how product lines grew from customer requests, why she sometimes recommends riboflavin instead of selling a tincture, and what it takes to scale without losing soul—ultrasonic extraction, thoughtful wholesale partnerships, and a website that will help her spend more time in the lab while keeping local pickup and personal touch intact.If you care about medicinal mushrooms, ethical sourcing, mental health, or the kind of business that treats people like neighbors, this conversation will stick. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves community-driven craft, and leave a review with the insight that hit you hardest. Be sure to follow or subscribe!  And, if you're a local business owner who'd like to be featured - or know someone whose story should be told - get in touch at [email protected] show is brought to you by Strategic Horizons Consulting (a division of Ken Collins Marketing).Support the show

Send us Fan MailThe best furniture tells a story you can feel in your hands—and sometimes hides a secret. We sit with master maker Ramon Valdez to unpack how marquetry, tight joinery, and magnetic hidden compartments evolved into a resilient business that reaches customers around the world. Ramon traces his journey from cabinet shops and gallery floors to a modern model fueled by Instagram, community, and products that keep earning—plans, ebooks, and 3D‑printed tools designed for real shops.You’ll hear how a single jig request turned into a product line, why the Domino Dock jumped from plywood to 3D printing for true shelf appeal, and what it really takes to bring a tool to market—from Fusion drawings and iterations to packaging and shipping. Ramon explains the systems that make craft repeatable: jigs built on a simple promise of faster, safer, more accurate; a bench layout where every tool has a home; and an ecommerce flow with WooCommerce that replaces messy DMs with clean orders and global labels in a tap.We also dig into the hard choices behind growth without hiring, the role of outsourcing while guarding quality, and the power of digital products as genuine passive income. Ramon’s take on trends, pivots, and process will resonate with makers and entrepreneurs alike: build what sells, keep your pivot ready, and let small, disciplined systems unlock big creative wins. If you’re curious about turning craftsmanship into a sustainable business—without sanding the soul off the work—this conversation is your blueprint.Enjoyed the episode? Follow the show, share it with a friend who loves woodworking or small business, and leave a quick review to help more makers find us. Be sure to follow or subscribe!  And, if you're a local business owner who'd like to be featured - or know someone whose story should be told - get in touch at [email protected] show is brought to you by Strategic Horizons Consulting (a division of Ken Collins Marketing).Support the show

Send us Fan MailA confession with teeth. We missed a week, and instead of glossing over it, we break down why new projects fall through the cracks—and how to build systems that keep your work on track when life gets loud. I walk through my path from Farmington kid to Air Force process junkie, from executive support at Langley to the IT bust that knocked me flat, and the hard climb back through city marketing, a messy agency breakup, and the rebuild that became Ken Collins Marketing and Strategic Horizons Consulting.Across the story, I share the frameworks that actually help small business owners in the Four Corners and beyond: why automation is a lifeline for teams wearing too many hats, how to schedule content without sounding robotic, and where AI fits—useful, but never on autopilot. We get honest about sales being my weakest muscle and how I’ve learned to keep explanations simple, stack detail only as needed, and earn trust by telling the truth, even when it stings. If you’ve ever been overwhelmed by process, partnerships, or priorities, you’ll hear exactly how I structure onboarding, audits, and playbooks so they scale with a tiny team.What makes this conversation different is the mix of local roots and global context. I’ve worked with mom‑and‑pop shops scraping for a hundred-dollar bill and with international organizations navigating heavy bureaucracy, and that range shapes how I solve problems here at home. I also share a dream I can’t shake: building a real pipeline for youth entrepreneurship so students with hustle get coaching, sprints, and launch support, not just a pat on the back. Until then, the plan is simple—keep serving owners, tighten the systems, and make this podcast a reliable window into how leaders in our community build, stumble, and get back up.If this resonates, share it with a business owner who needs the lift, hit follow so you never miss the next story, and leave a quick review with your biggest takeaway—what will you automate first? Be sure to follow or subscribe!  And, if you're a local business owner who'd like to be featured - or know someone whose story should be told - get in touch at [email protected] show is brought to you by Strategic Horizons Consulting (a division of Ken Collins Marketing).Support the show

Send us Fan MailImagine floating past sunlit bluffs while otters slip through willow shadows and a guide turns river science into basketballs-per-second. That’s the unexpected magic Cody Dudgeon and Desert River Guides bring to Farmington—a city more famous for oil and gas than river tourism. We talk with Cody about building a thriving rafting culture where no one was searching for it, training teachers as guides, and crafting five-star experiences that blend geology, history, and wildlife with calm-water serenity.The journey starts with the hard parts: weekend-only guide schools while teaching full-time, figuring out billboards and social posts that actually convert in a non-tourist town, and keeping old buses and trailers alive to make shuttles hum. Cody shares how partnerships with Three Rivers Brewing and Wines of the San Juan expanded their reach, why a family-first approach keeps 90-year-old grandparents and five-year-olds smiling on the same raft, and how consistent stewardship—like pulling 70+ tires from the San Juan and Animas—changes community behavior. We unpack the systems that matter most: training guides to read the room and the river, matching crew strengths to trip types, and translating cubic feet per second into visuals anyone can feel.Looking ahead, Cody lays out an exciting plan for multi-day trips from Shiprock toward Four Corners, plus winery shuttles and a dream “bar boat” cataraft powered by solar-assisted electric. We get honest about last-minute bookings, no-shows, deposits, accounting routines, and the constant dance of vehicles, lunches, and put-ins. Through it all, a clear theme emerges: deliver an experience that deepens connection to place, and word of mouth will carry you farther than any ad. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves rivers or local business stories, and leave a review with your favorite moment—what part of the journey should Cody scale next? Be sure to follow or subscribe!  And, if you're a local business owner who'd like to be featured - or know someone whose story should be told - get in touch at [email protected] show is brought to you by Strategic Horizons Consulting (a division of Ken Collins Marketing).Support the show

Send us Fan MailIt's all about InterWest ConceptsWe trace how a radio lifer (David Mills) and a systems-savvy producer (Ren Harris) built a genre-hopping Sunday show on KSJE by mixing curiosity, comfort, and live-to-tape honesty. Partnership, process, and community ties fuel a steady climb past 135K downloads while keeping the joy intact.• origin story from bakery to broadcast• KSJE partnership as music licensing workaround• why a new genre each week keeps curiosity high• planning in small bursts to beat burnout• minimal editing for authenticity and pace• community roots, sponsors, and local pride• navigating Sunday-morning-friendly playlists• vulnerability, nerves, and trusting the process• advice for new creators: iterate and don’t quit• goals for 10 seasons, guest hosts, and fresh themesWhat happens when a radio veteran and an old-soul producer refuse to pick a lane? You get a Sunday morning staple that flips formats on purpose, blends radio’s warmth with podcast freedom, and keeps growing because curiosity is the point — not the problem.We sit down with David and Ren of InterWest Concepts to unpack a story that zigzags from high school radio to a hometown bakery and back into broadcast — this time as a hybrid radio-podcast airing first on KSJE. They share the savvy workaround that lets them play the music they love without breaking the bank on licensing, and why their “KSJE’s Sunday Morning Wake Up Call” never repeats the same genre twice in a row. One week it’s ’70s country, the next it’s punk, then glam, then Japanese City Pop — and somehow the throughline still feels like home.Behind the scenes, the engine is a real partnership: equal say, small-but-mighty systems, and a commitment to record like it’s live. They map five new show ideas after each session, spend ten minutes every other day seeding playlists, and only edit for hard errors. The rest stays in — the missed cues, the laughter, the unexpected pivots — because authenticity beats polish when you’re building trust. Community threads through everything: local sponsors, listener emails, and the joy of being a familiar voice on a station that knows your name. They’re honest about burnout and nerves, too, and how they keep momentum when ideas run dry (including a standing offer: pitch a fresh theme they haven’t done and earn $100 if it makes the cut).If you love radio that feels alive, podcasting that respects your time, and music discovery that stretches your taste without snapping it, this one’s for you. Hear how a format-agnostic show crossed 135K downloads, why Sunday-morning playlists still find an edge, and what it takes to build a legacy you’d be proud to leave your grandkids. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves music rabbit holes, and leave a review with the next genre you want them to explore. Your idea might be the next opening track. Be sure to follow or subscribe!  And, if you're a local business owner who'd like to be featured - or know someone whose story should be told - get in touch at [email protected] show is brought to you by Strategic Horizons Consulting (a division of Ken Collins Marketing).Support the show

Send us Fan MailWelcome to the inaugural episode of Behind the Counter, a podcast that explores the authentic stories of small businesses in the Four Corners region. Host Ken Collins introduces the show's mission to uncover the real narratives of local entrepreneurs—their grit, growth, setbacks, and creativity that don't make it into their marketing.• Weekly conversations with business owners about their behind-the-scenes experiences• Focus on startup stories, motivations, systems, strategies, and ongoing challenges• Authentic discussions without polish or performance—just real people doing real work• Content for both business owners and community members who value local enterprises• Opportunity to learn about the people behind the businesses you frequentIf you know a business that deserves to be featured, or if that business is yours, visit strategichorizonsconsulting.com or betterbizhelp.com and find the podcast link in the main menu to get in touch. Be sure to follow or subscribe!  And, if you're a local business owner who'd like to be featured - or know someone whose story should be told - get in touch at [email protected] show is brought to you by Strategic Horizons Consulting (a division of Ken Collins Marketing).Support the show