BUnconventional's Podcast

John Peer, owner of High Plateau Truss, says that earning his customers trust has been one of the main ingredients that has allowed his Commerce City, Colorado-based business to weather the economic slump that has plagued the construction and remodeling industry since 2008.

“We don’t take our responsibility lightly,” Peer tells co-hosts David Biondo and Dean Rotbart.  “We do things that are very difficult and we do them well.”

Peer is the first guest on a special “Business of Home Improvement” edition of Business Unconventional.  He was also interviewed in Segment #1 of this week’s program.

Also on this segment is Tony Hahn, a landscape care consultant with Swingle Lawn, Tree & Landscape Care. Hahn discusses the role his company, established in 1947, plays in helping property owners enjoy their space and raise their homes’ value.  Swingle has locations in Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley, Longmont, Monument, Boulder, Castle Rock and, of course, Denver.

Business Unconventional airs each Sunday morning at 8 a.m. (Mountain Time).  The program is also streamed over the Internet at www.710KNUS.com.

Original Air Date: May 27, 2012
Photo: Tony Hahn, Swingle

There is good money to be made helping homeowners spruce up their homes and boost their property values.  This week Business Unconventional examines ‘The Business of Home Improvement.’

Our first guest is John Peer, owner of High Plateau Truss, which has been serving satisfied contractors, builders and homeowners for more than 20 years.  Peer, who acquired the business in 2008, explains the important role trusses play in creating a unique roofline for custom homes; restoring an outdated or damaged home, and quality remodeling.

This is the first of a two-part interview with Peer. 

Business Unconventional airs each Sunday morning at 8 a.m. (Mountain Time).  The program is also streamed over the Internet at www.710KNUS.com.

B. Unconventional is sponsored in part by Signal Butte Financial Corp., which provides individuals and businesses no-risk, proven methods to safely grow their wealth and wave goodbye to conventional banks and other lenders.  For more information, click here or phone David Biondo for a free, zero-obligation personal briefing.  His number is 303-800-6420.

Original Air Date: May 27, 2012
Photo: John Peer (l) and David Biondo

Dr. James Ehrlich, a nationally renowned preventative medicine expert based in Denver, leads a discussion with three distinguished guests: Dr. Suren Dutia, senior fellow at the Kauffman Foundation and the Skandalaris Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at the Washington University in St. Louis; Richard Miles, vice president of the Cade Museum, and former North American director of the National Security Council; and Edward Currie, co-founder of PC Magazine.

Ehrlich, Dutia and Currie served as judges for this year’s Cade Museum Prize, a $50,000 cash award designed to promote creativity and innovation in the State of Florida.

Based in Gainesville, Florida, the Cade Museum aims to inspire creative thinking, future inventors and early entrepreneurs.  The museum is named for Dr. James Robert Cade, best known as the creator of Gatorade.  Dr. Cade was also an accomplished physician, musician and researcher.

Business Unconventional is hosted by David Biondo and Dean Rotbart and airs each Sunday morning at 8 a.m. (Mountain Time).  The program is also streamed over the Internet at www.710KNUS.com.

Original Air Date: May 20, 2012 

Environmental Learning for Kids (ELK) is the first of six winners of the 2012 Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce Small Business Awards to be featured as part of Business Unconventional’s media partnership with the Chamber.  ELK was this year’s recipent of the Chamber’s Small Non-Profit of the Year award.

Stacie Gilmore, executive director of ELK, joins Craig Murray, a spokesman for Sam’s Club, and Rob Rose, the Chamber’s engagement manager, discussing the honor.  Sam’s Club sponsored this specific awards category.

Ms. Gilmore and her husband started ELK in 1996 to help minority and underprivileged children learn about science, the environment, and career options.

The five other Chamber award winners will be featured on B. Unconventional in the weeks to come.

Business Unconventional airs each Sunday morning at 8 a.m. (Mountain Time).  The program is also streamed over the Internet at www.710KNUS.com. The program is hosted by David Biondo and Dean Rotbart.

Innovative business owners and entrepreneurs who would like to share their stories with B. Unconventional listeners are invited to contact the program at: 303-800-6081.  Sponsorship opportunities are also available for those seeking to reach small business decision makers.

Original Air Date: May 20, 2012
Photo: (L-R): Rose, Gilmore and Murray

Craig Piper, President and CEO of The Denver Zoo, discusses the many new trails that the Zoo is forging in environmental education and sustainability, thanks to support from Denver taxpayers, nonprofit foundations and area businesses.

Joining Mr. Piper are two Toyota dealers - Timothy Van Binsbergen of Mountain States Toyota and Brion Stapp of Stapp Interstate Toyota. Van Binsbergen and Stapp speak about their partnership with the Zoo and how all seven Denver-area Toyota dealers joined forces to help fund the new, $50 million Toyota Elephant Passage.

Business Unconventional is hosted by David Biondo and Dean Rotbart and airs each Sunday morning at 8 a.m. (Mountain Time).  The program is also streamed over the Internet at www.710KNUS.com.

This is the second of a two-part interview.

Original Air Date: May 20, 2012
Photo: (L-R) Van Binsbergen, Piper and Stapp

Celebrating the wonderful community contributions from a variety of local and national businesses and nonprofits, Business Unconventional dedicates each of its segments this week to the topic. Those highlighted include: The Denver Zoo; Denver-area Toyota dealers; the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce; Sam’s Club; Environmental Learning for Kids; and the Cade Museum in Florida.

On this first segment, co-hosts David Biondo and Dean Rotbart begin their conversation with Craig Piper, President and CEO of the Denver Zoo; Timothy Van Binsbergen of Mountain States Toyota; and Brion Stapp of Stapp Interstate Toyota.  Specifically, the show explores the partnerships behind the Zoo’s new $50 million Toyota Elephant Passage, scheduled to open on June 1, 2012. 

This is the first of a two-part interview.

Business Unconventional airs each Sunday morning at 8 a.m. (Mountain Time).  The program is also streamed over the Internet at www.710KNUS.com.

B. Unconventional is sponsored in part by Signal Butte Financial Corp., which provides individuals and businesses no-risk, proven methods to safely grow their wealth and wave goodbye to conventional banks and other lenders.  For more information, click here or phone David Biondo for a free, zero-obligation personal briefing.  His number is 303-800-6420.

Original Air Date: May 20, 2012
Photo: Great Ape at The Denver Zoo

Rotbart, Biondo, Small Business, Entrepreneurs, Consultants, Professionals, Radio, Newsmagazines, KNUS

Dr. Arlen D. Meyers, founder of the Society of Physician Entrepreneurs, returns to Business Unconventional to discuss his forthcoming book, The Life Science Innovation Roadmap: Getting Your Ideas to Market. Dr. Meyers was first a guest on our February 12, 2012 program.

In the words of one of B. Unconventional's producers, "Dr. Meyers may very well be 'The Most Interesting Man in the World.'"  Dr. Meyers is a Fulbright Scholar, a university professor with an MD and MBA, a serial entrepreneur, and a champion for health care innovation.  

On B. Unconventional, Dr. Meyers shares his vision for transforming Colorado into the Digital Health Capital of the World.  His mission is to speed health care innovation from concept to the patient bedside.

Business Unconventional is hosted by David Biondo and Dean Rotbart and airs each Sunday morning at 8 a.m. (Mountain Time).  The program is also streamed over the Internet at www.710KNUS.com.  

Rotbart is managing editor of Medical Backbone and serves as the volunteer director of communications for SoPE.

Original Air Date:  May 13, 2012
Photo:  Dr. Arlen D. Meyers, SoPE 

Lynn Bronikowski, head of communications for The Denver Hospice and spokesperson for The 2012 Mask Project, discusses the history of the every-other-year fundraiser and the ways in which area businesses participate.

The Mask Project is one of the most innovative - and successful - charity fundraisers held in Colorado.  Begun in 1998, it has already raised more than $4 million and Bronikowski says the Denver Hospice hopes to add another $500,000 to the total this year.

On Saturday, May 12th, the Mask Project held its gala part at the Cherry Creek Shopping Center. Dependable Cleaners was the project's presenting sponsor.

Business Unconventional airs each Sunday morning at 8 a.m. (Mountain Time).  The program is also streamed over the Internet at www.710KNUS.com. The program is hosted by David Biondo and Dean Rotbart.

Innovative business owners and entrepreneurs who would like to share their stories with B. Unconventional listeners are invited to contact the program at: 303-800-6081.  Sponsorship opportunities are also available for those seeking to reach small business decision makers.

Original Air Date: May 13, 2012 
Photo: Lynn Bronikowski, The Denver Hospice/Mask Project

Alicia Vargo, owner of Pampered Passions Fine Lingerie and Pampered Passions Care Wear Boutique, continues her conversation about serving the breast cancer survivor marketplace and her commitment to supporting cancer-related charities.

Among the multiple charities that Alicia supports are the American Cancer Society and the AMC Cancer Fund.

Since Alicia last appeared as a guest on our Valentine’s Day edition, she has opened her first Pampered Passions Care Wear Boutique, located in Porter Adventist Hospital in Denver, at 2555 Downing Street.

This is the second of a two-part interview.

Also on this segment, Homer Hudson Hillis Jr., B. Unconventional's Certified Entrepreneur #1, shares his thoughts on the topic of customer acquistion.  Among his Homerisdom's:  "There is not a lot of competition on the second mile. So you just have got to go the second mile."

Business Unconventional is hosted by David Biondo and Dean Rotbart and airs each Sunday morning at 8 a.m. (Mountain Time).  The program is also streamed over the Internet at www.710KNUS.com.

Homer’s regular segments on B. Unconventional are sponsored in part by NewsBios.com – where you’ll find in-depth, unauthorized dossiers on more than 7,000 of the world’s most influential journalists.  Get to know the journalists who interview you better than their own newsroom colleagues know them.

Original Air Date: May 13, 2012
Photo: Alicia Vargo, Pampered Passions Care Wear

Business Unconventional welcomed Alicia Vargo back to our studios this week to discuss the important work that she and her team at Pampered Passions Fine Lingerie have been engaged in: retailing care wear for breast cancer survivors and other women following surgery.

Since Alicia appeared as a guest on our Valentine’s Day edition, she has opened her first Pampered Passions Care Wear Boutique, located in Porter Adventist Hospital in Denver, at 2555 Downing Street.

Alicia discusses her plans for other Pampered Passions Care Wear Boutiques, as well as her company’s involvement with several local cancer-related charities.

This is the first of a two-part interview.

Business Unconventional is hosted by David Biondo and Dean Rotbart and airs each Sunday morning at 8 a.m. (Mountain Time).  The program is also streamed over the Internet at www.710KNUS.com.

B. Unconventional is sponsored in part by Signal Butte Financial Corp., which provides individuals and businesses no-risk, proven methods to safely grow their wealth and wave goodbye to conventional banks and other lenders.  For more information, click here or phone David Biondo for a free, zero-obligation personal briefing.  His number is 303-800-6420.

Original Air Date: May 13, 2012
Photo: Interior of Pampered Passions Care Wear at Porter Adventist Hospital