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.

In this episode of the Mile High Success Podcast, host Nick Elder sits down with Melissa Aarskaug, founder of Executive Connect, to talk about leadership, career change, and the power of human connection.

Melissa has spent more than 20 years working in engineering, finance, gaming, cybersecurity, and business leadership. Her path has been full of twists and turns. She has built a successful career, faced hard times, and even experienced homelessness. Through it all, she learned that every challenge can teach us something new.

Melissa shares why changing careers does not mean starting over. Every job, mistake, and life lesson helps us grow into who we are today.

Nick and Melissa also talk about how leaders can solve the right problems instead of just staying busy. Melissa shares her simple "See It, Solve It, Move It" approach to helping businesses move forward.

They also explore why trust, kindness, and empathy are so important as AI and technology become a bigger part of our lives.

Melissa reminds us that success is not just about money or job titles. It's about doing work that matters, building real relationships, and staying true to who you are.

Whether you're starting a new career, leading a team, or looking for your next chapter, this conversation is full of lessons you can use in your own life.

Leadership That Lasts: Juana Bordas on Building Community, Inspiring Others & Leaving a Legacy

What makes someone a great leader? Is it their job title, their success, or the lives they change along the way?

In this episode of the Mile High Success Podcast, host Nick Elder sits down with Juana Bordas, also known as Tia Juana, to talk about what it means to lead with heart, help others grow, and build strong communities.

Juana has spent decades helping people become better leaders. Her story began when she came to America from Nicaragua as a young child. She became the first in her family to attend college and later joined the Peace Corps. These early years helped shape her love for service, culture, and leadership.

Juana shares why great leaders don't just think about today. They think about the people who will come after them. She explains how generosity, kindness, and strong relationships can help teams and communities grow.

Nick and Juana also talk about the power of mentorship, why young leaders need patience, and how people from different backgrounds can learn from each other.

You'll hear why leadership is not about having the biggest title or making the most money. It's about helping people see what they can become.

Juana also shares lessons from her own life, including why she wishes she had spent more time enjoying the journey and why it's so important to make time for family.

Whether you lead a business, work with a team, or simply want to make a difference, this conversation offers ideas you can use in your own life.

What does it take to become a licensed engineer without going to college? Kevin Rohr did just that, and his story shows what hard work, good habits, and great mentors can help you achieve.

In this episode of the Mile High Success Podcast, host Nick Elder sits down with Kevin Rohr, a U.S. Army veteran and electrical design professional at Encore Electric.

Kevin grew up on a small farm in Southern Colorado before serving six years in the Army. After leaving the military, he started as a first-year electrical apprentice. Over the next 26 years, he worked his way through the trades, from electrician to superintendent, project manager, and electrical design leader.

Then Kevin took on a new challenge. He wanted to become a licensed Professional Engineer, even though he had never attended college. With years of hands-on experience, help from mentors, and many hours of study, he passed both engineering exams and earned his Colorado Professional Engineer license.

Kevin also shares how he trained for seven marathons and four 50K races while helping raise about $40,000 for charity.

Nick and Kevin talk about the power of daily habits, lessons from military service, and why great leaders do more than tell people what to do. They help people understand why their work matters.

You'll also hear how mentors helped Kevin through tough times, why listening is a key part of leadership, and how small steps can lead to big wins.

Kevin's story is a great reminder that success does not always follow a straight path. With the right people, tools, and effort, new doors can open at any stage of your career.

About Kevin Rohr

Kevin Rohr is a U.S. Army veteran, licensed electrical Professional Engineer, and electrical design professional with Encore Electric. He works on complex commercial projects, including hospitals and healthcare facilities. His career is built on hands-on experience, steady learning, and a passion for helping others grow.

What if you could grow your business, save money, and help people build better lives at the same time?

In this episode of the Mile High Success Podcast, host Nick Elder sits down with Crystal Ware, founder of DOXA Talent, to talk about a smarter way to hire great people from around the world.

Crystal started DOXA Talent because she saw a problem with the way many companies hire workers overseas. Too often, the focus was only on finding the lowest cost. Crystal wanted to do things differently.

Her company uses a model called "conscious outsourcing." It helps U.S. businesses find skilled workers in countries like the Philippines and Colombia while giving those workers fair pay, stable jobs, and a chance to grow.

Crystal shares how businesses can save on labor costs and use those savings to hire more staff, grow faster, and serve more customers.

She also talks about why global workers should be part of the whole team, not treated like a separate group. Good communication, trust, and respect can make all the difference.

Nick and Crystal explore how AI is changing the way people work and why business owners may need to look beyond their local area to find the right talent.

Crystal also opens up about growing up in Appalachia, facing unfair judgments because of her Southern accent, and building a business that gives her freedom and purpose.

This episode is full of useful ideas for business owners who want to grow while making a positive impact.

Protecting Small Businesses: Cybersecurity, AI & Entrepreneurship with Steve Felsen

Could one cyberattack put your small business at risk? And how can AI help you save time and grow?

In this episode of the Mile High Success Podcast, host Nick Elder talks with Steve Felsen, founder of Acceleration Solutions. Steve has spent more than 20 years working in technology. Now, he helps small and medium-sized businesses stay safe online, save money, and find tools that make work easier.

Steve shares how losing his job after a company buyout led him to start a new business. He wanted to use his skills to help small business owners who may not have the money or staff that big companies have.

Nick and Steve talk about why hackers can target even the smallest businesses. Steve shares the story of an auto repair shop that lost $40,000 in a ransomware attack. He also explains how simple steps can make it harder for hackers to get into a business.

They also explore how AI can help business owners save hours of work, cut down on daily tasks, and give their teams more time to focus on what matters most.

Steve shares what it was like to leave the corporate world, build a new network, and become his own boss. He also talks about the value of work-life balance and having more control over his time.

If you own a small business, want to use AI, or are thinking about starting your own company, this episode is full of ideas you can use.