Women in Business 2022

business

A

supplement from

in business

Publisher LINDA SHAPLEY

Editorial THELMA GRIMES

ELLIOTT WENZLER

Advertising Director ERIN ADDENBROOKE

Advertising Sales TERESA ALEXIS

RUTH DANIELS

MINDY NELON

DONNA REARDON

Production Manager ERIN FRANKS

Advertising Design TOM FILDEY

TINA MELTZER

Table of Contents

Content

CONFLUENCE COMMUNITIES 2

WHEAT RIDGE POULTRY 3

JOHNNY’S AMBASSADORS 4-5

MT. EVANS HOME HEALTH CARE & HOSPICE 6

SIGNARAMA BRIGHTON 6

6 WAYS TO HELP WORKING PARENTS 7

CONIFER AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 8

JCM SKINCARE 8

BERGEN PARK REALTY 9

GOLDEN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 9

DOMESTIC WORKER RIGHTS 10-11

SUPERIOR MEDICAL SOLUTIONS 11

COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA 12

IMAGINE CHOICE 13

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY 13

MAXIMIZE SMALL BUSINESS MARKETING 14

KAHANE COACHING 14

WAMBOLT & ASSOC./ROBERTS & ASSOC. 15

SOOPER CREDIT UNION 15

ASPEN PARK VET HOSPITAL 16

Creating Places That Tell A Story

When Ti any Sweeney and Candace Stange joined Con uence Cos. seven years ago, the company was just wrapping up its third project.

Since then, the Golden-based developer and general contractor has completed six multifamily communities, created a property management division to operate them and started a co-working business.

“ ere’s always something new happening, and there’s no such thing as the question, ‘Do you know how to do this?’” Sweeney said. “It’s, ‘We’re going to do this, and we need to gure out how.’”

Neither Sweeney nor Stange set out to pursue careers in construction, real estate development or property management.

Sweeney fell into her role as vice president of property management for Con uence Communities by accident. She wanted to be a real estate agent, but soon found it was a di cult profession and was struggling as a new broker.

While shopping for an apartment, a property manager asked her whether she’d considered a career in apartment leasing. Although she was reluctant at rst, she soon concluded that the job really wasn’t that di erent from selling houses — she’d still be helping people nd a home. After working at Windsor Property Management for 10 years, she joined Con uence to start its property management company.

“We started with nothing and created this amazing company with 40 employees, six communities and opened a co-working business,” Sweeney said.

And many key women on the Con uence Communities, LLC property management team are women, including all of its community managers.

Stange also was new to the construction industry when she joined Con uence Builders, LLC. She had a background in corporate accounting and accounting for hedge funds when she started at the construction rm’s new property management business.

“It was the people of Con uence that drew me to the industry,” said Stange, now the company’s controller overseeing day-today accounting operations. “When you come to work, there’s something new every day. When it comes to employees, there’s no HR department. It’s us guring out what’s best for our employees. Bene ts like exible hours for mothers to prioritize putting the needs of their kids rst. And helping team members start or grow their families with supplemental adoption and fertility treatment bene ts.”

One thing both women appreciate about Con uence Cos. is that the opportunities for growth and advancement are seemingly limitless. All employees are constantly being trained for advancement into their next role with the company.

“If you want a certain role and we don’t have it, we can create it,” Stange said.

Con uence Cos. President Tim Walsh said he is extremely proud of how Sweeney and Stange have developed into key leaders at the company he founded 15 years ago. He said he appreciates how they encourage the members of their sta s to grow with the company.

“During the seven years they’ve been with Con uence, Ti any and Candace have developed skills that are instrumental to ensuring the company’s success,” Walsh said.

“I’m so pleased with their accomplishments and know that whatever we ask them to do, they will use their creativity to gure out a way to do it.”

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5640 WEST

The COOP & Kitchen at Wheat Ridge Poultry offers local food producers a place to showcase and sell their products FREE OF CHARGE. It is our mission to see the advancement of small, family owned businesses and bring more attention to the short & long term benefits of eating locally. The COOP & Kitchen is a WOMAN OWNED BUSINESS and over 80% of their vendors are also WOMAN OWNED BUSINESSES. Stop in today and Find Your Favorite Local Product!

Founded in 1942, Wheat Ridge Poultry & Meats has a long history of offering high quality, locally sourced meats to their customers but that isn’t the only way they are serving their community.

Owner and Operator, Jessica S Bobitsky, took over the family business seven years ago and has been working tirelessly to bring more attention the benefits of eating locally and ending food insecurity in Jefferson County.

Wheat Ridge Poultry is the host of the 1st Community Fridge in Wheat Ridge. The Fridge accepts donations from members of the community who have extra food that might otherwise go to waste. The Fridge also offers food to neighbors in need, free of charge.

Since 2020, Wheat Ridge Poultry has been delivering fresh meats, eggs, milk, and cheese to over 18 food pantries weekly. These partnerships ensure that everyone in the community has access to quality local foods regardless of their financial circumstances.

Wheat Ridge Poultry continues to find ways to utilize every part of the animal. This business model respects the life given to feed people. Waste that would normally end up in a landfill is donated to local wolf and animal sanctuaries as well as the tigers at the Downtown Denver Aquarium.

Since 2015, Wheat Ridge Poultry has donated more than 4,000 free holiday meals to neighbors in need.

JOHNNYʼS AMBASSADORS

SAVING OUR YOUTH FROM THE HARMS OF MARIJUANA

“I want you to know you were right. You told me marijuana would hurt my brain. Itʼs ruined my mind and my life, and Iʼm sorry. I love you.”

— Johnny Stack to his mother, 3 days before he died.

Johnnyʼs Ambassadors is a non-partisan, non-profit, grass-roots alliance of individuals and organizations around the U.S. concerned about the harms of youth marijuana use. We are parents, coalitions, impacted family members, advocates, healthcare professionals, teachers, and nonprofits who seek to reduce marijuana use and access through education, prevention, and awareness. We use evidence-based, scientific research and experts to educate about the harms of todayʼs high-THC marijuana.

MORE AND BECOME AN AMBASSADOR

Turning tragedy into action

Laura Stack makes lifelong commitment to honor son’s spirit, expose harmful affects of ‘today’s marijuana’ use

By elma Grimes

In2019 when her son Johnny Stack died by suicide, Laura Stack said she spent six months “in the fetal position,” not knowing how she would get over it. Now, three years later, Laura is traveling the country spreading awareness and “making something good come out of a horrible tragedy.”

Laura says her son’s death could have possibly been prevented had she understood more about what she called “today’s marijuana” and how the high levels of THC can a ect children, teenagers and young adults.

Laura, calling herself naive, said when Johnny was 14, he told her he was using marijuana. For Laura, she equated that to the “ ower” she used as a teenager, saying she thought it was a normal kid thing and “no big deal.”

Laura said she never realized how wrong she was. Today’s marijuana is nothing like the generic stu earlier generations used. Instead, it is more potent and can a ect a young person’s brain a lot more.

Laura, who raised her family in Highlands Ranch, said in 2019 Johnny came to dinner where he told her, “I want you to know you were right. You told me marijuana would hurt my brain. It’s ruined my mind and my life, and I’m sorry. I love you.”

ree days later, Laura said, Johnny died by suicide.

“I was in the fetal position for six months,” Laura said. “It was during COVID, and we were isolated and alone.”

Eventually, Laura said she does what every mother does — she started asking questions. She started investigating to nd out why Johnny took his own life.

Laura said she and her husband got someone to help gain access into Johnny’s computer and phone. is gave them insight into the hole Johnny had been going down for a long time.

Laura said she learned he had gotten a medical marijuana card and was driving to Denver for supplies for dabbing.

As she continued to research, Laura said she had no idea what dabbing was. In marijuana culture, dabbing is a slang term used for inhaling the vapor of a heated marijuana concentrate extremely high in tetrahydrocannabinol, otherwise known as THC.

Laura further learned that despite the dangers of dabbing, it is growing in popularity, especially among teenagers.

As she continued to research and investigate, Laura said she started doing what she knows best — writing. An accomplished author who has published eight books, Laura said the best therapy for her is writing.

Eventually, she posted on her Facebook page, with about 5,000 fans,

asking if they knew what dabbing was. Today, the post has been shared and commented on over 21,000 times. Like Laura, many parents have no idea what dabbing is and why it can be harmful to young brains.

As she became more educated and understanding of the symptoms and signs Johnny showed in the years leading up to his suicide, Laura said she realized what had to be done.

Johnny’s Ambassadors

Laura said she eventually gave up her career and has put all of her focus on turning Johnny’s tragedy into something that may save other lives, educate parents and reach young adults, teenagers and youth.

Laura is the founder of the nonpro t organization Johnny’s Ambassadors, which aims to save young people from the harms of marijuana.

“I just decided I wasn’t going to go be quiet about this,” she said. “I realized I could either stay in the fetal position or I could forge ahead despite my pain. I want something good to come of this. I want to keep his spirit alive.”

Laura went from being an author full time, to an ambassador who travels the country to talk to young people, teenagers and parents about what “today’s marijuana” can do.

Laura said she thinks about Johnny a lot — realizing things she thought were normal teenage boy behaviors were really him having struggles with marijuana use. She described a son who had a 4.0 GPA, scored a perfect math score on the SATs, was outgoing, fun and had passion for life.

In the year before his death, Laura said Johnny was moodier, withdrawn, no longer cared about school or doing activities. She also said he tended to sleep a lot more.

“He was my oldest son,” she said. “I did not have a lot of experience raising a teenage boy. I just didn’t know.”

Laura said Johnny slowly went from being outgoing and motivated to acting more paranoid and anxious.

Talking from Wyoming on Sept. 16, Laura said she had just nished speaking to a group of elementary school kids about her son, the tragedy and the signs of danger they should address.

Laura said the school’s principal told her incidents involving marijuana have continued to increase over the last few years primarily due to it being more accessible and legal in neighboring Colorado.

“All over the country, marijuana is more accessible than ever before,” she said. “And it’s so potent that parents really don’t know how dangerous it is.”

With research and studies just now coming out to show the impacts of marijuana use in young people, Laura said parents just do not realize that it’s not a simple drug kids are using at a party anymore.

Laura said marijuana was only listed

as an addictive drug in 2013.

Every two years, Healthy Kids Colorado conducts an anonymous survey, where marijuana use is among the questions asked. According to the most recent survey, high school students are using marijuana more often, and the use of THC through vape pens is on the rise.

Laura said this is alarming because experts say increasing substance abuse is also tied to some of the increase in mental health issues children and teenagers are having nationwide. Last year, Children’s Hospital Colorado declared a mental health crisis in the state, saying they are seeing more ER visits where children and teenagers are su ering from mental health problems or attempting suicide.

A lifelong commitment

When asked what her future looks like, Laura’s plans are clear.

“I am going to keep doing this until the day I die,” she said. “As legalization marches on, there is going to be more access and more use among children.”

Laura said besides keeping her son’s spirit alive, she is hoping to make an impact, save lives and turn the misconception that marijuana is not harmful around.

“For me, it’s all about moving the needle and changing the perception,” she said. “ ere are indicators we are changing the minds of the kids we talk to.”

In visiting schools, Laura always does a presentation to the students and then an after-hours program for parents.

“I am not out to use scare tactics. I just want to use my son’s story and share what he went through to maybe get someone to see that they may be going through something similar,” she said.

One of the best parts of her new life and career path is when she gets through to people.

Laura said she has had teenagers walk up to her after a presentation and tell her they are feeling the same issues

and need to stop.

For parents, some are realizing their own children are displaying warning signs and may need intervention.

“I do feel like in some way I am helping to prevent what happened to Johnny,” she said. “It means the world when a teenager comes up to me and says they need help.”

Beyond traveling the country, doing interviews for print media and scheduling appearances on television programs, Laura has also published the book, “ e Dangerous Truth about Today’s Marijuana.”

Those in need of help

Laura said parents or teenagers who need help recovering from marijuana use can contact the Johnny’s Ambassadors. Johnny’s Ambassadors provides a Youth Marijuana Prevention Magazine to middle and high school teachers to use in the classroom, an online curriculum, videos, toolkits, and many educational resources to help parents with addicted children.

Learn more about the nonpro t at www.johnnysambassadors.org or order a copy of the book on Amazon.

Mount Evans means love

Mount Evans Means Heart

Keri Jaeger, BSN, MBA, President & CEO of Mount Evans Home Health Care & Hospice

programs and developing new ways to care for people. It’s the art of combining clinical knowledge with sound strategies. It requires identifying and understanding the needs of the people you are trying to heal and then creating the services to meet that need. I knew that in order to build successful programs and contract with payers, I would need a strong grasp of the business side of health care,” recalls Jaeger, “so I pursued my MBA.”

guiding it to a sustainable future. “Our mission is to provide compassionate and experienced care to the mountain community’s growing number of residents without losing the personal connections and high-quality care this agency is known for,” says Jaeger.

“To successfully do this we are focusing on improving systems, processes, and e ciencies. What we do is not just about numbers, it’s about people – both the people we care for and our experienced team that is caring for our mountain community,” explains Jaeger Jaeger began her career as a nurse specializing in traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries. She transitioned from nursing to administration when she was recruited by a group of neurosurgeons to develop a program for an outpatient spinal cord injury rehabilitation program. “ at’s where I fell in love with building

Upon relocating to Colorado, Jaeger worked in leadership positions at Centura Health and e Denver Hospice, before joining Mount Evans. “I wanted to work for an agency that I greatly respected.

Mount Evans took care of my mom in 2014, so I was blessed to experience their wonderful clinical care and love of delivering hospice care,” explains Jaeger, “So when Mount Evans called, I knew it was an opportunity to be part of an incredible organization.

“Our team is connected to the mission of Mount Evans Home Health Care & Hospice. at’s what makes us great at what we do. We make a di erence every day caring for friends and neighbors in our close-knit mountain communities— whether that’s helping someone rehabilitate after surgery, or empowering them to manage a chronic illness, or endof-life care—our heart is in the home,” explains Jaeger.

As President and CEO at Mount Evans Home Health Care & Hospice, Keri Jaeger, BSN, MBA focuses on maintaining the heart of the agency while

small and midsize businesses can set working parents up for success6 ways

(BPT)

The pandemic has dramatically altered the workplace, resulting in remote work becoming more fluid and flexible in the small and midsize business (SMB) ecosystem and beyond. Hybrid and work-fromhome experiences are evolving into “work-fromanywhere” models for many organizations - with workers and companies alike thinking beyond the office. According to a recent American Opportunity Survey by McKinsey, 58% of Americans are now able to work from home at least one day per week, while 35% can

work remotely five days per week. This shift is especially important for parents wanting to spend more time with family rather than using those hours for commuting.

As companies of all sizes consider their roles in supporting employees, they must continue thinking outside the box to better support work/ life balance needs that in turn attract and retain top talent. Offering the structure and resources to support parents and other employees who value personal time is crucial, as it empowers employees to create the most realistic and functional conditions for themselves and their team(s). Prioritizing unique offerings for

employees not only leads to business stability and continuity, but it ultimately allows employees greater autonomy to manage their time so they can be more impactful and effective.

“Business leaders need to adjust their perception of what employees need to be successful and productive - but also wellrounded human beings. It all starts with open conversations and a creative, solution-oriented approach,” said Lindsey Greathouse, director of Global SMB Marketing, Lenovo.

Here are six crucial ways SMBs can accommodate and support the needs of their working parent employees.

1. Maintain an open dialogue by encouraging transparency

Communication is a two-way street. Provide employees with opportunities to freely express their concerns as well as ideas and goals.

Employ the best tech tools available to make communication effortless, from video conferencing and messaging to occasional engagement surveys. Encourage employees to share their thoughts in large and small group settings as well as anonymously, fostering a frequent exchange

of ideas to benefi t the entire organization. Additionally, receiving timely, thorough and straightforward information from leadership helps employees feel included and part of the business. This is especially crucial for working parents who need advance notice for changes as it relates to scheduling, staffi ng or any other impactful shifts so they can fi nd a solution to minimize any impact to their work and day-to-day lifestyle.

Furthermore, with teams being more dispersed than ever before, clear communication is key to ensure the workforce is aligned and aware of any and all changes that affect individuals as well as the broader team. As everyone has learned over the past few years, change is inevitable - but is more welcome when employees know what to expect. Being fully informed about organizational changes helps alleviate anxiety or concerns.

2. Offer customized or flexible hours

Thanks to today’s advanced technology, employees can truly work from anywhere. Allowing employees to determine their best scheduling solutions helps improve productivity while letting them know your company cares about their well-being. In a 2021 Gartner Digital

Worker Experience Survey, 43% of respondents said flex hours helped boost productivity, and nearly one-third (30%) found the reduction in commuting time helped them be more productive at work. To ensure employees remain productive, provide up-to-date smarter technology tools

and software, like the best laptops and mobile devices for effective collaboration as well as tools that offer edge computing, secure cloud computing capabilities - and sufficient training to guarantee secure connectivity, wherever they’re working.

3. Build positive practices and a healthy culture

There’s a reason employees (and prospective employees) care about corporate culture at companies of all sizes - it reflects not only how

management views employees, but also makes a real difference in employee well-being. Working toward collective goals within a positive work culture and

developing proactive policies around diversity, equity and inclusion will promote a feeling of belonging for all employees, whether they are working parents or not.

4. Work with employees to find creative solutions

Rather than thinking of problem-solving as topdown, collaborating with employees to explore creative solutions that can accommodate the schedule of even the busiest working parent not only

opens up the possibility for innovation, but also gives your employees more opportunities for personal advocacy and accountability. In fact, those who are more involved in decision-making or discussions

related to improving processes and products will often feel more valued by their employer and therefore, more invested in the success of the organization and their role in the company.

5. Ensure new and current employees have the same benefits/opportunities

As business leaders work with working parents to ensure they are set up for success, it’s imperative to ensure the opportunities are consistent between new hires and current

Understanding your employees’ needs and concerns is the first step toward creating an ideal work environment that works for a diverse team

“Today’s employees - whether they are working parents or recent graduates - have many priorities outside their careers, but that doesn’t have to be detrimental to their success,” said Eric Yu, senior vice president, Lenovo SMB and Commercial Product

employees. If you’re offering a new benefit to attract talent, make sure current employees also have that opportunity. This ensures no one, regardless of if they are a working parent

6. Lead with empathy

of people in various stages of life. Once you’ve allowed employees ample opportunities to discuss their concerns with leadership and work together

Center. “There’s a lot that businesses small and large can do to make a difference and it starts with communication. Understanding and supporting employee needs for personal and family time shows team members they’re valued not only for the results they produce

or not, feels excluded from opportunities or options that would be beneficial to their growth, development, well-being or overall success.

on identifying a remedy for the challenge, business leaders must take the next step by exploring and implementing creative and practical solutions.

at work but for the people they are outside of work. Businesses small and large can make an impact by listening to what matters most and implementing creative solutions as we adapt to new needs, challenges and advancements in this fast-changing world.”

Women in Business at the Conifer Area Chamber of Commerce

Women in business are always looking for new opportunities to network, meet other like-minded women business owners, and expand their business networks. One great way to do this is to become a member of your local Chamber of Commerce! Many small women-owned businesses increase their business exposure and grow revenues through involvement in the Chamber.

Here are some great reasons for women-owned businesses to join the Conifer Area Chamber of Commerce:

1. Make business contacts: e chamber initiates numerous monthly business-to-business opportunities for networking and connecting with other local business professionals.

2. Receive chamber newsletters: Newsletters provide new member information, interesting information about operating a local business, articles about the local business community, and details about up-andcoming chamber events and the community.

3. Acquire customer referrals: Your local chamber receives calls from individuals and businesses looking for referrals of local businesses, and that information is shared with members.

4. Bring credibility to your business: You increase the positive perception among consumers and business owners when you’re identi ed as a chamber of commerce member. Consider these statistics from American Business Magazine: 44% of consumers are more likely to think favorably of businesses that are members of their local chamber. 63% of consumers are more likely to buy products or services from businesses that are local chamber members. Consumers view chamber of commerce members as trustworthy and are 12% more likely to believe their products or services are better than competitors.

5. Increase your visibility in the community: As a member of the chamber of commerce, you will be listed in the chamber newsletter and online directory and will have the opportunity to be highlighted in other chamber publications. You also can grow your business by advertising with the chamber and sponsoring events. e chamber may also promote your grand opening with ribbon-cutting ceremonies.

6. Networking opportunities: Chambers have numerous committees and serving on one of them provides additional

networking opportunities as well as professional leadership development.

Forming strong, healthy relationships women to women is key to our emotional, mental, and physical well-being. Our chamber connections are the foundation for everything we do. Collaboration among women is vital and is what humans are wired for because evolutionarily, that’s how we’ve survived. Women as well as all humans thrive on social interaction. In fact, forming strong, healthy relationships between fellow women is vital to our emotional and physical well-being, with bene ts that range from reduced stress and anxiety to a stronger immune system and increased longevity. With strategies for nding ful llment in self and nurturing bonds with other women, showing how connection truly is the key to living your best life.

With that said, joining and being involved in the Conifer Area Chamber is healthy for you as a woman on a personal and professional business level. You can contact us at goconifer. com, and we can help you through the process. You can also contact Tamm DeAun Masoner, Executive Director, at director@goconifer.com or call her at 303-838-5711. She truly believes “babes support babes” and “it’s the important things that matter, let all that small stu go.”

Supports Women in Business

Licensed Medical Aesthetician Jess Cain Provides Services and Products To Help You ‘Love’ Your Skin

By Jo Ann M. Colton

Locally sourced, produced, and manufactured (in Denver, Colorado), the Jess Cain Skin Care line is made without ingredients shown or suspected to harm human health. In addition, all products are luxurious, high-performance, and all-out enchanting. Whether it’s a facewash, one of our youth-boosting superserums, or moisturizers with CBD, there’s absolutely no compromise.

The Jess Cain Skincare

BUSINESS HOURS

Monday 8 AM - 8 PM

Tuesday 8 AM - 7 PM

Wednesday CLOSED

Thursday 8:30 AM - 3 PM

Friday 8 AM - 3 PM

Saturday CLOSED

Sunday CLOSED

For over 20 years, licensed medical aesthetician Jess Cain has been helping women (and men) from teens to those in their golden years, love the “skin they are in” and teaching them how to keep it looking fresh, clean, and healthy.

Like many teens, Jess su ered from terrible breakouts of acne, the results of which can seriously a ect quality of life causing anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Her skin-and-beauty passion to make women look and feel good developed through her studies at Colorado University and Englewood Beauty School.

Jess has earned certi cations in Microneedling (a minimally invasive skin treatment to help improve the appearance of ne lines, wrinkles, and scars), Dermaplaning (a skin resurfacing procedure that removes dead skin and gives skin a smoother appearance), Chemical Peels (a noninvasive treatment for facial blemishes, wrinkles, and uneven skin pigmentation that rejuvenates skin and stimulates new growth), and Waxing, including Brazilian, which is very popular with her clients. In addition to her certi cations, Jess has written/ taught classes for Sanitas Wellness in Boulder, completing advanced training with Elemis and La erapie and earning her Master designation in Waxing and Training.

Besides o ering a wide selection of medically based services, her salon also features her own skin care product line. rough her career, Jess was disenchanted with available on-themarket products. With the help of a dedicated team of scientists, Jess Cain Skin Care, infused with natural ingredients (free of shown or suspected harm to human health), was developed to help users see real and noticeable results. All Jess Cain Skin Care products are clean, hypoallergenic, 100% plantbased (vegan), and cruelty and irritant/ carcinogen-free.

Whether it’s a face wash, youth-boosting super serums, or moisturizers with CBD, there is no compromise. Her locally sourced, produced, and Denvermanufactured products were previously available only to her clients. But because of their proven e ectiveness she has grown her brand and now ships products throughout the United States.

“No matter your age, or skin care needs, we have a product formulation to help you love your skin,” says Jess Cain. For services/products, or to make an appointment, visit the Jess Cain website (jesscain.com). Jess is always available to help. If you want personal product recommendations, just complete the form on the “Contact Us” page and take your rst step to lovelier, healthier skin. Jess Cain can also be reached by phone; simply text her at: (303) 717-2714.

Valli Crockett, Owner of Bergen Peak Realty, Is ‘Your Real Estate Concierge’

By Jo Ann M. Colton

Born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, Valli Crockett married her childhood sweetheart in 1997, and together share two adult children. Since 2008, she and her family have made Evergreen home. In 2020, Valli became owner and principal broker of Bergen Peak Realty (http:// bergenpeakrealty.com), 1524 Belford Court in Evergreen.

“Concierge,” usually refers to a problemsolver who knows how to get things done quickly and professionally. at word certainly describes residential and commercial real estate agent Valli Crockett, (CMAS) Certi ed Mountain Area Specialist, (GRI) a nationally recognized higher-level Graduate Realtor Institute designation, and (PSA) Pricing Strategy Advisor.

Valli assists Evergreen-area clients, both residential and commercial, and has shown property from Drake (north), Hartsel (south), Elizabeth (east), and Breckenridge (west). ere are numerous di erences between buying/selling commercial versus residential real estate. Yet, no matter what her clients’ real estate wants and needs, Valli works tirelessly with them all, paying attention to every detail and walking them through each step of the process.

“Residential property values are primarily in uenced by comparable neighboring properties and they sell and close quickly, but fair market values of commercial real estate are determined mainly by their

revenue generation, and transactions can take 90-120 days to complete,” said Valli.

Valli Crockett serves as Board Secretary for Mountain Metro Association of REALTORS® and is a member/volunteer of its Community Outreach Committee.

A member of Evergreen Chamber of Commerce since 2015, she is a membership coordinator, ambassador, and volunteer. She was nominated as Chamber Honoree Celebration Volunteer of the Year in 2017 and also nominated for Volunteer and Ambassador of the Year in 2019 and 2020.

No matter what event is taking place in our foothills community, Valli Crockett is always there to lend a hand; from Evergreen Jazz Festival, Father’s Day Rodeo Parade BBQ, and others too numerous to detail. An active member/ volunteer of the Evergreen Elks Lodge, she served as Lodge Esquire (2015-2018), and was named Elk of the Year (2016), and Queen of the Charity Ball (2019).

Valli is a graduate of Leadership Evergreen (2019-2020) and sits on its Board of Directors. Her class project brought the Water Bottle Filling Station to downtown Evergreen. Currently, she is helping plan and run education modules for the Class of 2022.

Whether you are looking to buy and/ or sell land, residential, or commercial property, Valli Crockett (303.956.2437), “your real estate concierge,” can help you with all your transactions.

Leading the Golden Business Community for over 100 Years

e Golden Chamber of Commerce has proudly been a leader in the Golden business community for over 100 years. Our mission is to enhance and promote the economic environment of the Greater Golden Area through supporting our chamber members, collaborating with businesses, city, county, state and community resources; and putting forth e orts to enhance the quality of life for the community at large.

Behind our mission is a team of women that understand the needs of our Golden business community because we are a part of that community. We are, or have been, entrepreneurs, business owners, leaders, volunteers, go-getters, problemsolvers, party-planners, and community connectors. We are also partners and parents, Scout moms, team moms, room moms, grandparents, sisters, and more.

We know what it takes to build businesses, to build families, to build communities, and to build relationships. It is what we do every day.

As said by one of our favorite female leaders and entrepreneurs: “If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then, you are an excellent leader.” - Dolly Parton

ank you to the women leading from behind-the-scenes to help our businesses dream more, learn more, do more, and become more:

• Nola Krajewski, Executive Director- guiding the organization to help local businesses thrive.

• Sheree Landwehr, O ce Administrator- keeping our organization running smoothly.

• Lora Knowlton, Programs & Events Manager- bringing our members and community together.

• Ali Sto et, Membership & Communication Manager- building relationships and providing resources.

• Jaeryn Smith, Market Manager, Golden Farmers Market- supporting our local growers and makers.

Learn more about the Golden Chamber of Commerce at GoldenChamber.org

Domestic workers, long excluded from labor protections, call for codified rights

Over Labor Day weekend, President Joe Biden addressed steelworkers at a rally in Milwaukee. He lauded American laborers, including “electricians, ironworkers, letter carriers, Teamsters, laborers, brick layers transit workers, plumbers, pipefi tters, steelworkers.”

Not in the president’s mentions: America’s 2.2 million domestic workers, who include house cleaners, home care workers and nannies, among others. These workers, mostly women, disproportionately immigrants and women of color, have long been left out of conversations about labor and the legal protections afforded to other workers.

Domestic workers and other labor advocates are pushing to change that through a measure known as the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights Act. It would extend protections currently enjoyed by most workers in America, including against workplace sexual harassment, to domestic workers. Their exclusion from these civil rights protections stem from the country’s legacy of racism and the fact that most are in workplaces of one, working independently or through an agency.

Ten states have passed Domestic Workers Bill of Rights legislation, but there is currently no similar legislation at the federal level. The Domestic Workers Bill of Rights Act was fi rst introduced in 2019, but it was never referred to committee. The bill was reintroduced in 2021 by Democrats Rep. Pramila Jayapal in the House. Sens. Kristen Gillibrand and Ben Ray Luján did the same in their chamber. The House Education and Labor Committee held a hearing about the bill in July, about a year after the bill was introduced.

Ai-jen Poo, president of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, pointed out to The 19th that the American workforce today is different from a century ago. “Since Labor Day was established, who we think of as working class and who workers are has really changed. At one point, our image of a working-class hero might have been as a factory worker or a mine worker. But I think in the 21st century, the Labor Day hero is a she-ro in the care sector,” Poo said.

The people who do that work also have special concerns because of how their employment is structured, Poo said. Domestic workers are often the only employees in their workplaces, making organizing more diffi cult. She described the current labor situation for domestic workers as a “free-for-all.”

“You might fi nd a family to work for who respect you and treat you as a professional, give you paid sick days and vacation time. But then there’s the other end of the spectrum, where there’s cases of human traffi cking and sexual assault and harassment. There’s no guidelines, no standards,” she told The 19th. Language in the proposed measure would extend

Domestic workers, spreading through a variety of industries, continue to be ignored in state and federal policies.

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protections around issues like wages, being paid in full and on time, and harassment to all workplaces, not just workplaces with at least fi fteen employees.

That’s why she and other advocates have pushed for legislative action.

“The federal Domestic Workers Bill of Rights would establish fair and equal protections for the domestic workforce and account for the specifi c challenges workers face,” Poo said.

According to Eileen Boris, a historian and professor of feminist studies at University of California Santa Barbara, this change has been a long time coming, and the lag has to do with the origins of how these workers’ jobs are perceived.

“Care workers and other domestic workers had been excluded up until the Obama administration from the Fair Labor Standards Act,” Boris said, referring to a 1938 law that she called the “gold standard” of labor regulation. The law was the fi rst to set a federal minimum wage, among other protections.

The reason for this exclusion, as well as the exclusion from other labor protections, is the legacy of slavery, according to Boris.

“The Fair Labor Standards Act was passed as part of the second New Deal. It had major exclusions, as did other New Deal measures. Why? Because the Democratic Party at that time was a coalition that relied on the South. White Southern legislators did not want to pay their maids the same, equal wages as other workers,” Boris said.

According to Poo, “that legacy has defi ned the conditions for domestic workers. It’s always been treated as less than real work, always excluded from the basic protections that other workers take for granted.”

Boris told The 19th that the legacy of slavery also feeds into sexual harassment and domestic workers’ fi ght against it. Historically, because of the lack of labor protections, women have fought back by quitting. This was, of course, not an option for enslaved women.

“Enslaved women found themselves subjected to sexual coercion. And the labor takes place in the private home, so there’s this idea that what happens in the home stays in the home,” Boris said.

It is diffi cult to know how widespread sexual harassment of domestic workers is, as there is no federal recording or registry of offi cial data. A 2021 poll from the National Domestic Workers Alliance found that a quarter of domestic workers reported feeling unsafe in their workplaces.

“Right now, federal anti-harassment protections require workplaces to have a certain number of employees to be covered,” Poo said. But the majority of domestic workers are in workplaces of one.

“[The Domestic Workers Bill of Rights] would change the threshold, so any workplace with one employee or more would be covered by anti-harassment and anti-discrimination protection,” Poo said.

That could give greater legal recourse to people like June Barrett, a “proud, queer Jamaican immigrant” and a domestic worker. They have worked in people’s homes for over two decades, as both a nanny and as a home

care worker. They have also been personally impacted by the lack of protections available to domestic workers.

While working as a live-in home care worker for an older man, they were sexually harassed, repeatedly. On the fi rst night working with him, the man asked Barrett to get into bed with him.

“He said all of the other girls slept in the bed with him. I couldn’t believe it. I told him it’s not professional,” Barrett told The 19th.

Barrett also described multiple situations in which the man grabbed their breasts. Beyond the violation itself, Barrett was frustrated by the seeming lack of concern for their wellbeing and the wellbeing of their colleagues from employers – Both agencies and families.

“The family knows it’s happening. The agency knows it’s happening. They send woman after woman after woman, and nobody gives a damn. They just change out the woman,” they told The 19th.

Barrett says disrespect is endemic to the profession.

“I’m still referred to as ‘the girl.’ I’m almost 60 years old. But I don’t get angry or do sloppy care. I still put empathy and compassion in my work. I’m a professional,” Barrett said.

Barrett described national Domestic Workers Bill of Rights legislation as necessary and long overdue.

“We are workers just like anybody else. We should get the same protections. Domestic workers are the fabric, the thread that weaves society together. We do real work,” Barrett told The 19th.

This story was originally published by The 19th. Read more at 19thnews.org.

A New Approach To An Age Old Problem

A women owned erectile dysfunction clinic? at’s right! Who would have known that a simple request to help out a friend would end in owning the very business they set out to help? at is exactly what happened 14 years ago when the former owner of Superior Medical Solutions reached out to Wendy Spaulding to assist with phones and front desk operations on Saturdays, his busiest day of the week. Shortly after, Wendy in turn, asked for help from her dear friend Kolleen Hulyk and the wheels were set in motion. e team was then fortunate to have McKenzie Hulyk come aboard. McKenzie, the daughter of Kolleen, is a young, ambitious business major, who brings a wealth of energy and is a master at customer relations.

ese ladies got so excited about pursuing this business because they quickly realized that assisting men with their erectile dysfunction was a catalyst for making positive impacts on lives in many ways, such as bringing intimacy back into relationships, allowing men to gain more self- esteem, whether with their lifelong partner or in the dating arena. Recently, the team has been doing outreach in the community helping to educate people on erectile dysfunction treatments and sharing the many success stories. ey have presented at the Elks Clubs and other various 55+ communities

around the Denver area focusing on current treatments, general knowledge of sexual health and answering any questions related to the topic.

is dynamic trio, along with their licensed physician, Dr. Copeland, has shaken up the Erectile Dysfunction arena by o ering specialized treatment packages, but more importantly, by taking time and care with each patient to understand their needs and desires. Couples are encouraged to come together to get all their questions answered and determine together if our personalized treatments are right for them. is woman owned company’s aim is to help people through the entire process of treating ED but also addresses men’s health in general. eir streamlined approach has taken out unnecessary testing and gets straight to the issue. is dynamic team has taken a new approach to an age old problem and has truly made many men, and women’s, dreams come true!

CCM publisher leads with empathy, authenticity

By Elliott Wenzler Colorado Community Media

Vulnerability may not be a quality many leaders emphasize, but it’s something Colorado Community Media publisher Linda Shapley thinks about daily.

As the head of a local news organization, Shapley sees it as a vital part of gaining the trust of readers and employees alike.

“Vulnerability is a hidden superpower for people,” she said. “Authenticity often comes from a sense of vulnerability, of being open about yourself.”

While in the early days of her career, Shapley saw newsrooms full of hard-charging, argumentative personalities, she found strength in approaching the job with the opposite demeanor. By focusing on sharing genuine parts of herself and listening to others, she’s grown from a copy editor to a managing editor to publisher, slashing through stereotypes along the way.

“It makes room for women, or anyone who says ‘I don’t want to be that kind of person,’” she said. “It’s been a real joy to just be a caring and empathetic boss.”

Not just a job

In kindergarten, Shapley showed her first hints of leadership aspirations when she volunteered to take attendance and lead her fellow 5-year-olds in the Pledge of Allegiance. She went on to be the president of her 4-H and FFA clubs in rural Weld County and moved into leadership positions in her student newspaper.

At Colorado State University, she served as a copy editor and eventually editor-in-chief for the Rocky Mountain Collegian. From there, she worked tirelessly to secure an internship in West Virginia, where she found herself going above and beyond by assigning work for a special section on the county fair.

After more internships and a position at her hometown newspaper in Greeley, she settled into a job at The Denver Post, where she again sought out opportunities to improve her own work along with that of the organization. As a copy editor and designer, she again went beyond her typical duties to help organize annual election coverage.

“I was somebody who was like, ‘This needs to get done; I’ll just do it,’” she said.

As a mother of two, she and her husband, Ed, had to make a difficult decision about who would sacrifice

their work to create the at-home environment they wanted for their children.

“He said, ‘Well you have a career, I just have a job. Why don’t I stay home with the kids?’” she said.

Shapley went on to be the sole breadwinner in her home, raising eyebrows from a few relatives but giving her family the right solution for their situation.

“I’m lucky that I had someone supportive enough to get that and not feel threatened by it at all,” she said.

During that time, she was instrumental in several major news events for The Denver Post. From designing the front page following the 9/11 attacks to coordinating a special section on the Iraq War, her career continued to be a powerful anchor in her life.

“This job has never been just a job for me,” she said. “I’m somebody who dives wholeheartedly into this, and I want to make sure everybody feels that same level of satisfaction. Whether that’s a byproduct of being a woman leader, I don’t know, but it’s certainly what makes me really happy about being here.”

Always learning

For most of her career as various types of editors, Shapley has been charged with executing someone else’s vision for the organization. Now, as publisher, she’s exhilarated by the opportunity to use her years of experience to create her own workplace culture. And as the top person in charge, she’s adopted a

philosophy of servant leadership.

“I’m here to help you do what you need to do in order to be successful at whatever it is you want to be,” she said. “That goes for our businesses, our readers, the people who work at CCM. It’s really important to me that people feel they have an opportunity to do their best work.”

She also focuses on incorporating hearing from her employees about changes and major decisions. While hiring for a new editor-in-chief, Shapley formed a task force of various internal stakeholders to help with interviews and provide feedback on candidates.

“As much as I need to be the leader and the decision maker, I know that doesn’t happen without listening to all the people who have been here longer than me,” she said. “I’m never going to be that kind of leader that is just like ‘It’s my way and I don’t care what you think’ because it’s not how my brain works. I do care what you think.”

Throughout her career, she’s maintained the attitude that whatever opportunity presents itself to her, she can grow into it and learn the necessary skills to thrive. When she learned about the role as CCM’s publisher, she wasn’t sure if she had the skills required but she knew one thing: she could figure it out.

“That’s my strength — or my hubris. I figure I’m always learning,” she said. “I want everyone to feel that same level of satisfaction of learning.”

Proud supporter of business women everywhere.

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‘I’m somebody who dives wholeheartedly into this, and I want to make sure everybody feels that same level of satisfaction. Whether that’s a byproduct of being a woman leader, I don’t know, but it’s certainly what makes me really happy about being here.’

Linda Shapley, publisher Colorado Community Media

Health Insurance: You’ve got decisions to make

by Jacqueline Scott

With rates going up and open enrollment around the corner, shouldn’t choosing the right insurance agent and the right insurance plan, be at the top of your priority list? Words like dependable, economical, and secure come to mind as priorities.

Debra Salmans, owner of Imagine Choice, has been selling insurance for the past 22 years. In her opinion, shopping plans that have the option to be underwritten, such as United Healthcare private plans have the best choices for coverage that fit her client’s needs as well as their budget.

“Prior to opening my business as a licensed Insurance Agent, I was in human resources management for many years, advising employees on how to best care for themselves and their families. During my professional career, my number one aspiration has always been to provide the greatest possible aid to those planning for their future. I look forward to providing my clients with personal service and assistance. People make important decisions every day and choosing health, dental, vision, and life insurance certainly should be one of them” Debra said.

Her mission is to “protect customers from financial hardship due to unforeseen illness or injury. We help provide peace of mind through the financial protection afforded

by our insurance coverage” Deb added, “Our vision is to build the premier insurance organization in America, committed to delivering unparalleled value and service to our customers.”

Because everyone’s needs are different, Debra believes insurance coverage should be flexible enough to fit individual lifestyles and budgets, yet dependable enough to cover unexpected medical expenses.

“We want to be the customers’ company of choice, whether they are individuals, families, owners of small businesses, or employees.

Through our licensed life, health, dental, and vision insurance companies, we offer quality coverage to policy holders, including health care coverage tailored to fit their needs and their budget,” Debra said.

“Your insurance decision is a personal choice. We believe in choice, and we believe our customers truly value the array of options we provide. This allows them to choose value over being captive by price. Our innovative line of coverages helps our customers avoid paying for coverage they don’t want or need,” she mentioned.

Text or Call: (303) 5252-0494

Email: imaginechoicellc@gmail.com

imaginechoiceforhealthcare. dudaone.com

Local Realtor Rooted in Community

by Jo Ann M. Colton

Brenda Davis “married into Ever green” when she wed her husband in 2013. Brenda, a Coloradan since 1992, and a licensed Realtor since 2007, immediately began cultivating roots in her new foothills community and focused on developing relationships, both personally and professionally.

Brenda Davis is a Certified Moun tain Area Specialist with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Colorado Real Estate at 2460 West 26th Avenue, Denver. With clients in Evergreen and beyond, helping her clients find a place they can call “home” is very important to Brenda.

Brenda’s father was an Army doctor so they moved frequently. She remembers being enrolled in 6 different schools in 12 years. Because Brenda did not have the opportunity to form deep community relation ships, the importance of being root ed in community drives her.

Brenda Davis is a member of the Mountain Metro Association of REALTORS®. As a past member of its Community Outreach Committee, she co-chaired the Goldilocks and The Little Bear fundraiser for moun tain area libraries.

As a member of the Evergreen Chamber of Commerce, serving as Board Director from 2017-to present and as Chair in 2021, she has worked on Chamber Committees for annual Women in Business Luncheon, Taste of Evergreen and other events. She graduated Leadership Ever

green 2017 and currently serves on its Board. She has run numerous marathons for Leukemia and Lym phoma Society’s Team in Training.

“Real estate sales/purchases can be very emotional, with each client and every situation being unique. I view my role as ‘part Realtor/part therapist’ to help my clients under stand the process and be the calming presence for them throughout their real estate journey,” said Brenda.

Brenda’s clients appreciate her warm, friendly, and easy-to-workwith demeanor. She exudes patience, thoroughly explaining all documents (contracts, disclosures, title commit ments, etc.) throughout the entire real estate process.

“In every real estate deal, my goal is to create a win-win situation for all parties (buyers, sellers, lender, and other agents), where everyone walks away from the closing table satis fied” said Brenda.

With a BS in Marketing and also an earned Masters in Management Degree from University of Denver, Brenda gained prior experience as a real estate/corporate law paralegal, human resources trainer, personal banker, adjunct professor, and a title company closing assistant. Brenda Davis believes her varied education al/professional background gives her a unique depth and breadth of knowledge that benefits her clients.

Contact Brenda Davis, Certified Mountain Area Specialist, at (303) 829-3099 or at: Brenda@BrendaDav isHomes.com.

3

tips to maximize your small business marketing budget

(BPT) - The effects of the global pandemic have led to economic uncertainty, and small businesses are the most vulnerable due to their lack of resources. According to a survey by Goldman Sachs, 89% of small business owners say broader economic trends, such as inflation, supply chain issues and labor shortages are having a negative impact on their business. Due to a variety of issues related to these trends, consumers are also spending less.

With consumer spending trending downward and operational costs going up, small businesses will need to reduce costs and attract new customers to stay competitive. Digital advertising is a cost-effective way to achieve these goals and you don’t need to be an expert to get impactful results. Here are three tips to make the most of your marketing budget:

Modern consumer behaviors have changed drastically over the last few years, including how people shop and make purchasing decisions. Whether your customers have switched to working from home or embraced new tools and technologies, it is important to understand these trends.

Put yourself in your customer’s shoes. Where are they spending their time - and are they making purchase decisions at different times of the day? What do they care about most in today’s environment?

Small businesses need to be strategic about how and where they advertise to reach those most likely to purchase their product or service by showing up at key points in the decision-making process. These can often span more than a dozen points across devices (PC and mobile) and websites or apps and take place over days, weeks or months. This requires businesses to take a multi-channel approach to their digital advertising, placing advertisements across search engines, websites, video and social to reach people at different points in their

1. UNDERSTAND YOUR CUSTOMER

For example, 85% of consumers say they’ll only consider a brand if they trust the brand. As you think about your ad strategy, look beyond just product features and pricing. Using advertising tactics that reflect your values helps create meaningful connections with potential customers. This could include everything from audience targeting to keyword selection to ad copy. And staying connected to your customer also means incorporating social media into your strategy. Having a social media presence

2. TAKE A MULTI-CHANNEL APPROACH

shopping journeys. Building and managing campaigns across these different types of ad products and sites, not to mention learning the ad tools that power these, may sound complex. However, it can be a lot easier than you expect thanks to modern tools that help you build and manage campaigns across different websites and apps.

You can save time and run multi-channel campaigns with a one-stop solution like Smart Campaigns from Microsoft Advertising, which helps small businesses get started with digital advertising and

and creating a schedule to post regularly will allow you to reach your customers where they are spending time.

To learn more about your customers, ask for feedback through surveys, inperson, email or even social communities. Also, leverage insights from sources like your own website traffic reports and industry reports on consumer trends.

Keeping these learnings in mind will help you make more informed decisions on what messaging will resonate and where your marketing dollars should be spent.

connect with the right customers online. Its new redesign provides a simple and efficient way for advertisers of all sizes and budgets to run ads across devices on Microsoft properties such as MSN, Bing and Outlook.com, and partner properties, including sites like Yahoo, AOL, DuckDuckGo and more. Plus, the new Multi-platform feature makes it easy to run ads across leading advertising and social media platforms, including Google Ads, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, all managed from one convenient place.

3. USE AUTOMATED TOOLS TO SAVE TIME

that

help streamline the process. These tools often work within a certain set of parameters that you define, along with your desired outcomes. They use various signals and machine learning capabilities to make adjustments in real time to give your ad the best chances of

showing to the right person at the right time in the right place. Tools that use automation take the complexity out of daily advertising campaign management to allow you to focus on other business priorities like quality, customer satisfaction and retention,

Christine Kahane of Kahane Coaching Advocates ‘Living Your Life on Purpose’

By Jo Ann M. Colton

“

Living your life on purpose is about bringing your dreams and goals faceto-face with your physical, mental, and emotional life so that you can integrate them and unleash your greatest potential,” says Christine Kahane, a nationally Board-Certi ed Executive Coach and Health & Wellness Coach and owner of Kahane Coaching, 30792 Southview Drive, Suite 206, Evergreen.

Christine Kahane graduated from Wheat Ridge High School and has lived in Evergreen for 8-years. Her family ancestors were Colorado hard rock miners in the early 1800s. She is a dog lover and Yorkie rescuer, and an avid gardener of pollinator gardens.

Christine works with people who are looking to re-direct their lives. Using a number of techniques that integrate your communication styles, behavior patterns, and preferences she helps you discover the best answers to your most perplexing questions so you can move forward and harness your greatest strengths for a deeply purposeful life.

“My goal is to provide my clients with a toolkit for their personal growth to transform any conditioning and limiting beliefs into powerful competencies that are uniquely their own,” said Christine who coaches individuals through the job-search process, career changes, or other obstacles that can block their life’s full potential to thrive. Her Health and Wellness coaching can help her

clients achieve whatever it is they seek... from better sleep, organization of their calendar, help through an illness diagnosis, and more.

Christine transitioned into the coaching eld in 2002 after working in New York for fteen years in Branding and Marketing. She noticed how frequently leaders were disconnected from the values in the brands they were responsible for building. Often her work would focus on “coaching” leaders on how they could put their values into action, so they were operating from a shared purpose. Today, Christine still coaches corporate leaders and small business owners in team building. She also derives great satisfaction from assisting womenowned business entrepreneurs nd their niche in their speci c industry. Her mentoring and coaching techniques have helped real estate professionals, sales teams, insurance, construction and manufacturing personnel, and other companies and industries too numerous to detail herein.

Kahane Coaching (303-589-5456/www. kahanecoaching.com) o ers a 30-minute complimentary coaching introduction in-person, by telephone, or on Zoom. Christine builds client relationships standing alongside her clients on a oneon-one basis or in small groups. Take that rst step to “living your life on purpose” and contact Christine today.

A Collaboration Built on Putting Clients FirstCollaborative Partners in Meeting Your Tax Needs

Collaboration comes naturally to Wambolt & Associates Wealth Management owner Cindy Alvarez and Robert & Associates Certi ed Public Accounting Managing Member Susanne Robert. eir professional partnership stems from the desire to deliver outstanding outcomes for clients seeking expertise in tax consultation and tax preparation services.

Wambolt & Associates: A Multi-Advisory Approach to Wealth Management

Wambolt’s family o ce model o ers clients a team of advisors representing investment, nancial, planning, tax, legal and estate services all integrated and accessible under one roof. is boutique-style approach to wealth management has been the norm for high wealth families for decades. Wambolt’s goal is to ensure that those who’ve built a substantial nest egg and those who’ve just begun their nancial journey have equal access to this multi-advisory model.

Respecting the fact that no two clients are alike, Susanne Robert and her team provide a customized experience for the families and businesses they serve.

Business owners recognize Robert & Associates as an integral part of their enterprise: the rm provides a full suite of accounting services including bookkeeping, nancial reporting, tax compliance and preparation of tax returns. e rm also specializes in helping new businesses become established entities under the most advantageous tax structure.

Cindy Alvarez

When it comes to tax-related issues, Wambolt advisors educate their clients that “every nancial decision has a tax implication.” at’s where the partnership with Robert & Associates comes into play. Wambolt’s in-house CPA provides high-level consultation on tax strategies to clients who are referred to Robert & Associates for the preparation of their tax return – a seamless transition designed to address clients’ tax needs in a comprehensive fashion.

Robert & Associates: Providing Customized Client Services

roughout the year, Robert & Associates maintains close contact with clients to help ensure that their decisions will not adversely impact their tax situation. When the complexity of a client’s nancial picture requires tax consultation from a wealth management perspective, the rm has complete con dence in referring them to the professionals at Wambolt & Associates.

A “Win” for Clients

e professional alliance between Cindy Alvarez, Susanne Robert and their teams has elevated the level of service they o er clients. e synergistic partnership of wealth management and certi ed public accounting is designed to empower clients to make strategic nancial decisions for the bene t of their businesses and families for years to come. For more information, visit www.wamboltwealth.com or www.robert-associates.com.

Sooper Credit Union is a fullservice, not-for-profit institution serving nearly 36,000 members with five branches located throughout Colorado. Its mission is to financially empower its members’ life journeys.

The credit union prides itself on its mission, vision, and values, including diversity, equity, and inclusion. At the forefront of this social cause is Carrie Langgard, Sooper’s first female president and chief executive officer. Langgard has held several senior and executive leadership roles at Denver-area credit unions. She is currently on multiple boards for credit union and philanthropic organizations including Aux, CU Prodigy, InNetwork, and the Porter-Billups Leadership Academy.

Langgard is a second-generation Asian Canadian American, a heritage that motivated her to advance her career. Growing up in a culture where arranged marriages and male decision-making were commonplace; she attributes her success to her grandmother. “Her sacrifices were so that I could have choices in my life. In many ways, my life is an extension of hers. I have the ability to fulfill the hopes and dreams she was not able to have,” she said.

Langgard’s first encounter with a C-Level woman was Carla Hedrick, a former CEO of a Denver-based credit union. She describes Hedrick as a remarkable, down-to-earth

leader and mentor. “She was the first person who saw a future leader in me!” Langgard is now at the helm of her organization and inspiring other women who aspire to climb the corporate ladder.

She wants women to know positions traditionally held by men are attainable. She encourages women to empower each other and advocate for themselves by asking for the opportunities they deserve. “Sometimes, women don’t see their own value. If you’re in a leadership role, start pointing out the skills and gifts your team members bring to the table. If you’re seeking growth opportunities, start acknowledging your own talents.”

When it comes to the next generation of female leaders, Langgard advises, “Don’t limit yourself – take every opportunity to learn and work hard. Honor the women who have paved the way by providing us with the opportunities we have today.” She also reassures, “It’s okay to be who you are. When you are authentic, people will see you, and people will follow you.”

In addition to fully supporting women-owned businesses, over 50% of Sooper Credit Union’s managers are women.

Meet Dr. Jena Questen, DVM, CertAqV 2022 SBA Recipient of the ‘Colorado Small Business Person of the Year’ Award

By Jo Ann M. Colton

Because everyone wants the best medical care for their pets, now is the perfect time to get acquainted with Aspen Park Vet (303.838.3771 / https:// www.aspenparkvet.com). Located at 25871 Duran Avenue in Conifer, its staff provides compassionate care for all animals—dogs, cats, horses, goats, fish—and everything in-between!

The hospital’s owner, Dr. Jena Questen, DVM, CertAqV, seized an unexpected opportunity five years ago and purchased the hospital almost sight unseen. She has been involved in veterinary medicine for more than 20 years. However, there are several things about her that set her apart from others in her field…

Dr. Jena Questen is a holistic vet and a “life coach” for people with pets. She is also a Professional Animal Trainer certified through the Dolphin Research Center, a Veterinary Acupuncturist certified by Colorado State University, and one of the only certified aquatic veterinarians in this part of the country. Learning the science involved in animal training through the world of dolphins and marveling at how much a person can love a pet fish have fueled her greater understanding and appreciation of

the human-animal bond.

Involved with aquatic medicine for many years, “Dr. Q” who is definitely considered a fish expert, was the 2020 President of the World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Association. She sees fish patients from all over the state several times a week in the hospital, and even has a room full of tanks dedicated to her aquatic patients, some of which might require hospitalization.

Chinese herbs and other disciplines that are very nontraditional, like acupuncture, also set her apart. Dr. Questen has had a keen interest in plant-based nutrition and healthy lifestyle choices for a long time and she is here to help you and your animals live longer, happier, and healthier!

Her experience includes everything from horse racing and dog training to emergency medicine for fish and yaks. In the human realm, she is involved with health/wellness projects (even yoga and cooking classes) for children and adults.

In May 2022, Dr. Jena Questen received the Colorado Small Businessperson of the Year Award from the Small Business Association.

“There are about 165,000 small businesses in Colorado and winners are

based on different criteria, which include, but are not limited to financial business health and an increase in employees, which creates jobs for the community,” said Dr. Q.

The SBA became aware of Dr. Jena Questen and her business in 2021 when she was selected as one of a handful of applicants to participate in the SBA “Emerging Leaders Program,” a yearlong commitment loosely based on a condensed “CliffsNotes” version of an MBA program. The SBA program culminated with participants doing a 3-year growth study to project what their businesses might look like in that timeframe (i.e., adding employees, increasing revenue, etc.).

When she is not taking care of animal and aquatic patients or traveling nationwide to different universities speaking and teaching other veterinarians about fish/veterinary medicine, Dr. Questen spends her “spare time” rescuing horses.

“I have been rescuing cast-off racehorses and other animals on my own for over 20 years without any help,” said Dr. Q, who stated that the USDA estimates that annually nearly 2,000 horses a week are shipped for slaughter.

“I now have an official Colorado Registered (501C3) charity called The ResqRanch (https://www.resqranch. org) to help me generate funds so I can continue to rescue, retrain, and rehome these animals.”

Prior to purchasing Aspen Park Vet Hospital and growing her Conifer practice each year, Dr. Questen concentrated on doing lots of online training/informational programs. Moving forward, her goal is not only to reestablish her online presence, but also to more actively pursue speaking engagements. Being a certified animal acupuncturist and animal trainer with a keen interest in veterinary behavior medicine she is fully qualified to offer insight into improving health/behavior for both humans and animals.

Dr. Jena Questen, 2022 Colorado Small Businessperson of the Year, encourages women entrepreneurs to follow their dreams. She welcomes opportunities to speak at business and organizational events. For more information about Dr. Questen, tips about healthcare and training for horses, cats, dogs, and fish or to book speaking engagements, please visit her YouTube channel The1DrQ, website (https://drqandu.org/) or contact her at 303-838-3771.

COLORADO SMALL BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR! Congratulations!

DR. JENA QUESTEN - ASPEN PARK VET HOSPITAL