What does it take to build a business from scratch, grow it across 15 states, and then know when it's time to walk away?

In this episode of the Mile High Success Podcast, host Nick Elder sits down with Brenda Steele, a natural food industry leader, business owner, and recording artist with more than 30 years of experience.

Brenda shares how she went from working in natural food stores to building Independent Natural Food Brokers, a company that grew to serve brands across the western United States.

What started as a way to support her three children while having more control over her time became a successful business with 30 employees and 70 brands.

But success came with challenges.

After losing three people close to her in a short period, Brenda began to look at her life and business in a new way. She made the difficult choice to sell her company in 2024 and start a new chapter.

Today, Brenda is helping smaller food brands and independent retailers through Daily Bread Consulting and Independent Natural Food Distribution. She's also making time for something she's loved since childhood: writing and recording music.

Nick and Brenda discuss what helped her business grow, why building a great team matters, and what business owners should think about before trying to land major retail accounts.

Brenda also shares valuable advice for food entrepreneurs about starting small, understanding profit margins, and growing at a pace their business can support.

This conversation is about much more than business. It's about hard work, family, loss, change, and finding joy in what comes next.

Brenda Steele has spent more than 30 years working in the natural food industry.

She founded Independent Natural Food Brokers in 2008 and grew the company into a brokerage serving 15 states before selling it in 2024.

Today, she works with emerging food brands and independent retailers through Daily Bread Consulting and Independent Natural Food Distribution.

Brenda is also a lifelong musician and songwriter who has returned to recording and releasing her music.

What makes a great leader? And how can businesses stay safe as AI changes the way we work?

In this episode of the Mile High Success Podcast, host Nick Elder sits down with Craig Patterson, Senior Vice President of Global Channels and Marketing at Exabeam.

Craig shares how he went from planning to become a lawyer to building a successful career in technology sales and leadership. With more than 20 years of experience, he has learned that great results start with great people.

Nick and Craig talk about what it takes to build a strong team culture. Craig explains why clear goals, trust, accountability, and celebrating small wins can make a big difference. He also shares why good leaders must be ready to learn and change as their businesses grow.

The conversation then turns to one of today's biggest business challenges: artificial intelligence.

Craig explains how AI can help companies work faster, but also create new risks. He shares an amazing story about how his company discovered that a new employee had used AI to fake their identity during the hiring process.

They also discuss how businesses can protect private data, keep people in control of AI tools, and spot warning signs before serious problems happen.

Craig closes with advice for anyone looking to grow as a leader. He explains why building your personal brand, finding great mentors, and learning from others can help shape your future.

From NASA to Nursing at 50: Finding Purpose Through Compassion | Lora Flinn

What if your next big chapter started at age 50?

In this episode of the Mile High Success Podcast, host Nick Elder talks with Lora Flinn, a former NASA employee who made a bold career change and became a nurse at age 50.

Lora spent nearly 20 years working at NASA. She was part of mission control and helped create a video used to introduce the International Space Station to Mikhail Gorbachev. But after years in the space program, she felt ready for something new.

She went back to school, earned her nursing degree, and began a new career helping others.

Her path took her from the operating room to the emergency room and then into travel nursing and hospice care. Along the way, she learned that some of life's greatest rewards come from helping people when they need it most.

Lora shares why it's never too late to start over, how being honest builds trust, and what makes a great leader. She also talks about the special bonds she forms with patients and families during their final days together.

For Lora, success isn't about a job title or how much money you make. It's about making a real difference in someone's life.

As she looks ahead to retirement and trips to national parks with her grandchildren, Lora reminds us that life is full of new chapters.

Whether you're thinking about a career change, leading a team, or looking for more meaning in your work, Lora's story has something for you.