Idaho Cutthroat Business

Idaho Cutthroat Business is joined by Todd Christensen, Chief Marketing Officer for CapEd FCU. We hear about his background and professional journey to his current role with CapEd. Todd talks about the credit union's founding during the Great Depression to provide loans to educators. Wonderfully, CapEd has taken on an educator role by developing a financial app to help kids learn financial literacy. Finally, Todd tells us about his favorite local small business.

Idaho Cutthroat Business welcomes Nick Schlekeway, founder and CEO of Amherst Madison, to visit about growing up in Eagle, Idaho. Nick also shares the lessons he learned from sports, his time with the Boise State Broncos Football Program, fighting fire, and starting in real estate. We also visit about his favorite local small business. 

Cutthroat Business is joined by Rep. John Vander Woude. We visit about his background (2:25) and some examples of when testimony changed where he was on a vote (6:22). He also talks about the pros of a citizen legislature (10:49) and the challenges of starting your freshman year in that body (13:07). Finally we ask Rep. Vander Woude about his advice for entrepreneurs (15:07) and his favorite local small business (17:38).

Cutthroat Business is joined by, Françoise Cleveland, Government Relations Public Policy Advisor for the AARP. We visited about her background (6:03), including running a small business with your spouse (10:21). Françoise lets us know what the AARP is doing to help older Idahoans (13:31) including: unpaid family caregivers, retirement security, and consumer advocacy. Finally, we visit about her favorite local small business (30:30).

Cutthroat Business is joined by Jessica Flynn. 

Cutthroat Business is joined by Mike Peña, Partner at Colliers. We learn about Mike's background (5:00) and the future of growth in the Treasure Valley (10:55). He also educates listeners about the pandemic's impact on growth (12:48). We also asked about multi-family housing as a hot product, as well as industrial growth (15:38). Finally, we asked Mike about his favorite small businesses (23:57).

Cutthroat Business is joined by Phil McGrane, Ada County Clerk and Republican candidate for Idaho's Secretary of State. We ask Phil about his background (3:20) and his impression of the primary election in general (16:23), as well as his own race (20:30). Phil tells us about his vision for the office of the Secretary of State (27:45), and gives advice for anyone considering running for office in the future (38:38). Lastly, we ask him about his favorite local small business (41:07).

Cutthroat Business is joined by Millie Hilgert, owner of Re-Pop! Gifts. Millie tells us about her background and how she started her own store (3:05). We asked Millie what drives her about her business (7:48), and how pop culture inspires her art. She shares some of her favorite films (13:35), as well as advice for other entrepreneurs (17:06). We discuss why moving downtown was a great move for her business (18:57), and finally, she shares some of her favorite local small businesses.

Cutthroat Business is joined by Kevin Bailey, President and CEO of the Idaho Nonprofit Center (INC). Kevin shares his background with us (4:15), as well as the mission of the INC (10:00). He shares the economic impact that nonprofit organizations have in Idaho (10:00) and the four key ways that INC strengthens its membership. We hear about the Idaho Gives campaign and celebrate with Kevin for another successful fundraising event (18:00). Finally, we ask Kevin about his favorite local small businesses (27:20).

Cutthroat Business is joined by Earl Sullivan, Founder and Head Winemaker at Telaya Wine. Earl visits with us about his background (2:27), and his journey from biochemistry to winemaking. He talks about his 5 core values in family and business life (8:27), and his philosophy on customer service (11:23). We ask him why he started a winery in Idaho (16:27), and why he invests in his employees they way he does (26:01). Finally, he tells us about his favorite local small businesses (39:25).

Cutthroat Business is joined by Sen Abby Lee. She tells us about her background (2:22), and how her professional and education background influence her as a policy maker (4:17). We asked about cultural differences between the Idaho Senate and House (8:01), as well as her current race for re-election (9:57). Tori and I asked about Sen Abby Lee's greatest successes as a legislator (11:06), and her favorite small businesses (19:43).

Cutthroat Business is joined by U.S. Senator James E. Risch. We ask the Senator why he started the Local Gems program (2:42) and his advice from his career in small business (4:45). We also get to hear about the senator's greatest partnership, that with his wife Vicki (5:53).

Ep 14 Elizabeth Bowen

Cutthroat Business is joined by Elizabeth Bowen. She tells us about growing up in Pocatello, ID and her educational and professional journey to the Idaho Legislative Service Office (3:50). We asked Elizabeth what redistricting is, and why we do it (11:34). Elizabeth explains how Idaho goes about redistricting (13:51), and what it was like being in the middle of what can be a very contentious issue (26:08). Of course, we ask her about her favorite local business (29:40).

Cutthroat Business is joined by District 15 Senator Fred Martin. We visited about his growing up in Idaho and professional background (3:59). Also, we discussed what made Senator Martin take the leap into entrepreneurship (11:03), the value of mentors (12:16), and how he defines success as a policy maker (14:53). He explains how his assignment to the Health and Welfare Committee led to many of his legislative achievements (21:46) and his impressions of the latest legislative session (26:38). The chamber thanks Senator Martin for his strong voting record on business friendly policies (30:43). He also shares his favorite local business with us (34:03).

Cutthroat Business is joined by Jennifer Swindell, Founder of Idaho EdNews. We talked about her growing up in Boise and her professional background (4:07). Jennifer tells us how her idea for ID EdNews came about (7:46), how much work went into starting it up (10:10), and how things changed as the readership grew (14:42). She shares advice on taking a concept to reality (15:22), and pursuing a career in journalism (19:07). We also discuss how Idaho did on education in the 2022 legislative session (28:00). Finally, we ask her about her favorite small business (34:44).

Cutthroat Business is joined by Mike Fong, Regional Administrator for the Small Business Administration in the Pacific Northwest. Mike spoke about where he grew up and his education and professional background (5:44). We talk about the importance of city government and what he loved about it (8:20). He shares his professional experience and a key takeaway he had working in public policy (11:20). Mike also talks about the mission of the Small Business Administration and why entrepreneurs should take advantage of the programs it provides (22:18).

Cutthroat Business is joined by Logan Smyser Griffin, GM Director of Operations for Capitol Cellars. Logan tells us about where she grew up and a little bit about her background (4:40). We visit about the wine scene in Snake River Valley (18:56), Capitol Cellars products (23:00), and how important it is to have a good team around you (26:00). She shares how the pandemic brought a change to their High Tea events that will endure (27:50). Finally, I asked Logan about her favorite local businesses (34:55).

Cutthroat Business is joined by Susan Buxton, the Director of The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (3:15). Susan talks about becoming a partner early in her legal career (8:58), and the entrepreneurial experience of being a managing partner (11:59). She shares career highlights and lessons learned from over twenty years in private practice; including managing to people's strengths, seizing opportunities, and not being afraid to try new things (14:37). We visit with Susan about her transition to public service (20:08), what she was most proud of during her time running HR for the State of Idaho (26:04), and what the state Department of Parks and Recreation is focusing on right now (28:22). Finally, we ask Susan if she's more of a Leslie Knope or Ron Swanson (36:30); and about her favorite small businesses in the area (37:10).

Cutthroat Business is joined by former U.S. Senator Larry Craig about growing up in South Western Idaho (6:40), and how Congress operated when he was first elected in 1980 as a "Reagan Baby" (9:00). Senator Craig shares how congressional budgeting works and how Congress lost the ability to pass a budget (18:15). We also learn about how Congress could do its job again (24:25), Senators Craig and Harry Reid bridged their political differences (27:58), and even hear about how CSPAN taught Afghani's about Uncle Joe Biden's story telling style (36:50). Finally we ask Larry about his favorite local business in Boise (41:37).

Cutthroat Business is joined by Micron's own Joel Poppen. Tori and Jeremy ask Joel about growing up on dairy farm in Illinois (3:31). He shares his professional journey from electrical engineer to attorney for a Fortune 500 company in Boise, ID (5:53). Jeremy asks Joel's advice for attorneys interested in working for a large corporation (13:08), Micron's interest in the CHIPS for American and FABS Acts (15:48), as well as the Idaho Semiconductors for America Act (26:54). Without divulging corporate secrets, Joel fills us in on the variables that Micron weighs when considering its future investments (29:40). We also ask him to share his favorite local business (32:34).

Cutthroat Business is joined by Beth Ineck, Director of Economic Development at the Boise Valley Economic Partnership (BVEP). Tori and I visited with her about her background on our very first "dogcast" (5:36). Beth tells us about BVEP and its success bringing a Meta (formerly Facebook) data center to Kuna (10:21). She shares her experience watching economic development trends along the I-84 corridor (14:16), the challenges she has seen over her career (16:49), and shares advice for anyone considering a similar career (20:11). We also ask her about where economic development and city budgeting collide (22:40). Finally, Beth shares her favorite local small businesses with us (28:54).

Cutthroat Business is joined by Allison Bruce, Partner at TalentSpark here in Boise. Allison tells us about growing up in Boulder and running track at the University of Colorado (5:40). During university, she got involved in nonprofit volunteer recruiting, loved it, and her career moved that direction (9:00). Allison came back to Boise and became a partner at TalentSpark (12:30), beginning her career as an entrepreneur (13:35). We asked her how recruiting has changed over her career (14:54), and how Idaho's recruit marketing has evolved (18:10). TalentSpark practices creative work/life balance at their company (19:32). We also learn about the historical phenomenon of Boise, Idaho's work force compensation (25:45). Finally, we also asked Allison about her favorite local small businesses (31:22).

Cutthroat Business is joined by Governor Brad Little to discuss Idaho’s current Legislative session (6:49). We asked the governor how his experience as a rancher influences him as a policy maker (12:27), advice for entrepreneurs starting out (14:30), and how his business and policy instincts serve him as Idaho’s CEO (16:57). Governor Little also discusses his first term as Governor reacting to Idaho’s economic and social circumstances, being sure to give credit to his predecessors (18:48), his favorite small business in Emmett, Idaho (22:40), and his goal to achieve the trifecta of record investments in education, record tax relief, and large investments in the infrastructure (24:19).

Cutthroat Business is joined by Representative Dustin Manwaring to discuss his work representing District 29 in the Idaho Legislature (3:23). We asked Dustin how he got interested in politics (5:56), what questions he asks himself when considering Idaho policy (10:32), and how the Idaho legislature can attract younger professionals to get involved in public office (12:37). He also gives us an introduction to the Digital Asset Act which lays a foundation for the state to deal with a growing area of law (13:42). Last, but not least, we get to hear about his favorite small business in Pocatello, Idaho (16:45).

Cutthroat Business is joined by Senator Mark Harris to discuss his work representing District 32 in the Idaho Legislature (4:40). We asked Mark about his biggest surprise after he was appointed to the Senate (7:26), legislative communication across the aisle (9:29), and the biggest issue facing small businesses this legislative session (11:16). His life changed when he became a public servant (15:09), and even that service evolved as leadership opportunities came (21:40). Listeners will enjoy Senator Harris’s advise to not take criticisms personally (27:09), insights into the coalition forming (31:02), and his favorite small businesses in Montpelier, ID (32:37).

Cutthroat Business is joined by Andy Scoggin to discuss his career at Albertsons. Andy has been a business leader in Idaho since the early nineties (5:05), when grocery retail began to experience an industry disruption by big box stores (12:03). Listeners will enjoy learning some of the history of Idaho's iconic Joe Albertson (17:45), the corporation's merger meltdown (27:02), and CEO Bob Miller's incredible rescue of the company (31:31). If you believe in the power of your people like Albertsons does, you'll learn about how the company decentralized and immediately realized quarterly gains (40:59). Andy shares Bob Miller's dedication to putting people first (54:54), and we learn how Andy is working to invest in Idaho's next "Joe Albertson" success stories (1:00:52).

Tori and Jeremy invite the chamber faithful to the podcast.