The Partnership Podcast

In this episode, VVP's Erik Williams welcomes Katie DiGiacomo, President and Owner of Hot Jobs Staffing & Recruiting, recent honoree of Coloradobiz’s Top 100 Woman-Owned Businesses.  They talk about hiring in the high country vs the front range, retention strategies, trends in the workplace, and the future of hiring for jobs in places where housing and childcare costs have made relocation more difficult in recent years.  K...

Erik has a chance to spend time with a truly extraordinary person, Brielle Kelley.  Brielle is a school-based therapist at Homestake Peak School and Eagle Valley Elementary School as well as as working at Your Hope Center.  Her passion is for her students to succeed and it comes through loud and clear with the strategies and techniques she employs including cultural and linguistic responsivity and her case study work within familie...

Erik has a chance to sit with Ryan Santilli, Director of Sales with AVA Rafting and Zipline, for a wide-ranging discussion of trends in outdoor recreation.  They discuss the COVID "bubble" of outdoor tourism, where it stands now, and the challenges of hiring and retention in a highly seasonal business.  Ryan also teaches Erik what Via Ferrata is and why everyone wants to do it!
Learn more about all the amazing outdoor...

In this podcast Erik gets a chance to chat about HR trends, challenges and solutions on a national scale with Yutaka Takagi, Principal Product Evangelist with isolved and how that transfers to our mountain communities with local isolved Business Coach Scott Trainer.  They discuss what national trends are happening around employee engagement and retention as well as break down bridging the gap between the employee experience and the...

Erik is joined by Tony Martinez, Founder and President of Cornerstone Insurance and Financial Group to discuss the vital role that proper insurance coverage plays in owning and operating a business of any size.  Tony talks about some potential pitfalls that may occur but focuses more on the idea that working with an insurance broker is relational rather than transactional and can have so many benefits for both your long-term and sh...

It's a real "plodcast" this time with Vail Valley Mountain Trail Alliance as we hike and talk! Erik is joined by Ernest Saeger, Executive Director with VVMTA and Nicky Asselin, Development and Engagement Manager.  Join this trio as they head up Boneyard in Eagle on a cold Spring morning to talk about spring trails, hiking, protecting our resources (including wildlife!) best hiking shoes (randomly) and their second fa...

Erik gets a tour of the new medical spa in town, Apres IV, Aesthetics and Dental Haus from Dr. Hillery Oliver.  Dr. Oliver talks with Erik about their multifaceted business, from skincare to dental and more while trying not to look too closely at how Erik himself is aging.  Yes, he was invited back for a free consultation and you are too!

Dr. Oliver talks about the business community in Avon, what she sees as her target d...

Erik has a chance to visit an actual podcast room in the Slifer House, Slifer Smith and Frampton's shared workspace, with guests Jay Peterson and Kim Fritzler.
They discuss the Slifer Foundation, why community involvement is so important and the upcoming Skivenger event to benfit the Community Market.

The 4th annual Skivenger Hunt is a fun-filled day on Vail Mountain to give back to the place we call home. The SSF...

Erik has a chance to chat with Nancy Heard, GM of Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park and it's such an enlightening conversation!  From the history of the Caverns, to the creation of the first attraction, to the addition of Iron Mountain Hot Springs, this longtime local business has been growing strategically and with community in mind.  Nancy shares stories from the Caverns as well as some great business insights.
Learn more ...

Erik had a chance to take his mic on the road for another "plodcast" and couldn't be happier to visit the fabled Alliance Moving Systems warehouse.  Owner/Operator Andy Clark takes Erik on a tour of the facility that includes residential moving, document storage and shredding, what you might expect from this type of business.
Then things get a little different. T
There's also a professional recording stu...

Erik is joined by Vail Valley Partnership President and CEO Chris Romer to discuss Senate Bill 24-033 that has recently been introduced in the Colorado Senate. 

Vail Valley Partnership’s board has expressed opposition to this legislation due to the negative impacts on our economy. We believe it will essentially destroy spring, summer, and fall tourism and lead to a sizable decrease in our transient visitor bed base with no benefit t...

In this episode Erik gets a chance to sit with Barb Waters, owner and founder of Peak Business Management, to talk about the world of project management.  There is a good chance you are actively involved in project management right now (even if it may be called something else!) and Barb talks about ways to not only maximize your results but perform in an agile way.
Peak Business Management guides and inspires individuals, leade...

Erik gets a chance to sit down with SpotSurfer Founder and President James Hohenlohe and Marketing Director Marissa Selvy to talk about this incredible idea and how it came to fruition.  Not only are travelers taking aware of this new option but both businesses and homeowners are finding a simple passive income stream.
The location-based app provides ski drivers a hassle-free way to locate and secure advance parking reservation...

Erik has a chance to sit with Cam and Marcus from Mountain Youth to talk about the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey and why it's important to our students, families and businesses.

The Healthy Kids Colorado Survey is an important tool for educators, nonprofit leaders, policymakers and community program providers to truly know what issues young people are facing and how we can work together to help them learn and thrive.

Erik is happy to be joined by Sue Nikolai, the Program Director for the Land and Rivers Fund to talk about an important way to give back for businesses and consumers.
Protecting healthy rivers and open spaces in our community is simply good business. It is an investment in the future of our economy and community. We are fortunate to live in an area where the natural beauty attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year.

Eagle ...

One of Erik's favorite guests is back!  Author, speaker, coach athlete and more Holly Johnson returns with a new message and a new book!

If you’re a chief executive officer (CEO) or business owner struggling to attract and keep the employees that matter, Holly understands your frustration. Prompted by three decades of her own experiences managing two public relations (PR) and marketing firms and working with businesse...

Erik is joined by VVP's Anna Robinson to talk about the One Valley Healthcare Program, in partnership with the Small Association Leadership Alliance (SALA) Healthcare Program, is a comprehensive and cost-effective alternative to traditional plans. While not a replacement for traditional health insurance, this new program offers affordable, accessible, and effective healthcare options for Vail Valley Partnership members – both ...

It's time to talk about how we can serve others!  Brooke Skjonsby, Executive Director of Vail Valley Charitable Fund and Eagle County Gives expert talks to Erik about this important day in our community.

Founded in 2010, Eagle County Gives is a coalition of over 50 Vail Valley nonprofits dedicated to strengthening the collaboration, fundraising capacity and awareness of the non-profit sector that enhances the quality ...