Small Business Episodes

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill catches up with Chris Unger, owner of Ragtown Tattoo, and tattoo artist Steve "Scuba" Iwinski. Jill, Chris, and Steve explore the history, craft, and shifting culture of body art in Southern Nevada. Chris shares how his journey from a small desert town led to founding Boulder City's first tattoo studio, while Steve reflects on growing up locally, building mechanical projects, and turning his passion for art into a lifelong career.

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill sits down with U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen to explore the unique "frontier spirit" that drives the Silver State. Senator Rosen shares how her faith and upbringing instilled a lifelong commitment to leaving her corner of the world better than she found it. This isn't just a story about political leadership; it's about a mission-driven approach to community stewardship, the booming landscape of Nevada's clean energy economy, and a collaborative approach to democracy designed to serve families for generations to come.

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill sits down with the multi-talented CJ Sattler, the strategic mastermind behind isp.net and a seasoned professional in the internet service provider industry. Together, they pull back the curtain on the world of telecommunications and explore how a basic plan of infrastructure and technical persistence can transform a chaotic, high-stress environment into a highly manageable roadmap for bringing next-generation connectivity to our community. The dis...

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill sits down with the multi-talented Allison Ruiz Shafer, the strategic mastermind behind the Dam Dog House and a seasoned professional in the veterinary field and animal behavior. Together, they pull back the curtain on the confusing world of pet care and explore how a basic plan of calm can transform a chaotic, high-stress environment into a highly manageable roadmap for rehabilitating and socializing our four-legged family members. The discussion ...

Overcoming Marketing Overwhelm: Insights from Remso Martinez - In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill sits down with the multi-talented Remso Martinez, the strategic mastermind behind Marketer on the Run and a seasoned fractional Chief Marketing Officer. Together, they pull back the curtain on the confusing world of digital marketing and explore how a basic plan can transform a chaotic, never-ending task list into a highly manageable roadmap for small business growth. The discussion di...

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill sits down with the multi-talented Holly Wittwer, the mastermind behind Events with Holly and the newly launched Home Educated Foundation. Together, they pull back the curtain on the invisible art of event planning and explore how a local need sprouted a rapidly growing national initiative to support homeschool families. The discussion dives deep into the high-stakes world of wedding and festival logistics—from managing over-the-top family emotions...

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill sits down with Celeste Interrante, the founder of Lady Lux Cleaning, a woman-owned business in Nevada built on the pillars of sustainability, non-toxic standards, and a radical commitment to second-chance hiring. Celeste shares her journey from being a construction pro and landscape contractor to applying for 500 jobs and being rejected by nearly everyone—a challenge that fueled her to build her own empire. Celeste explores the heart of her missio...

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill sits down with Olaf Stanton, the founder of Characters Unlimited, to discuss his 40-year journey as the creative force behind some of the world's most iconic animatronic figures. From his early days selling life-sized characters out of a van to trademarking the world-famous Zoltar, Olaf shares how his passion for making "dummies" evolved into an international business that turns local storefronts into major attractions. Olaf explores the evolution...

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill sits down with Joni Moss Graham, the CEO of Las Vegas Wedding Connection, to discuss her 35-year journey as a leader in the world-renowned Las Vegas wedding industry. From her early days as a florist in Houston to building a "tourism-first" wedding powerhouse, Joni shares how her career evolved from traditional floral design into managing a high-volume, multi-faceted events company. Joni explores the vital role of the wedding industry in Nevada's ...

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill sits down with Craig Cooke, the founder of C-Squared Professional Consulting and author of Business Kung Fu, to discuss his transition from a 26-year career as a digital marketing CEO to a mentor and Doctor of Chinese Energetic Medicine. From his early days as a 10-year-old dishwasher in his mother’s restaurant to leading an agency to the Inc. 5000 list five years in a row, Craig shares how he found his "divine potential" through the intersection of ...

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, our Jill sits down with Steve Pieri, the owner of Immaculate Restoration & Carpet Care, to discuss his 28-year journey as a business leader in the Las Vegas valley. From his early days as a college student running a carpet-cleaning business with a carpet scrubber to leading a specialized disaster recovery team, Steve shares how his company has evolved from a niche carpet-cleaning business into a full-scale restoration powerhouse. Steve explores the vit...

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill sits down with Jessica Whittaker, the creative force behind Silver State Stitch Shop, to discuss her journey as a homegrown entrepreneur in Boulder City. A lifelong resident with deep community roots, Jessica shares her evolution from a young quilter to the owner of a vibrant, social-centered business in the city's historic district. Jessica discusses her vision for fostering community through the heritage arts of quilting and cross-stitch, emphas...

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill sits down with Lynette Porter, a certified Infant Swimming Resource (ISR) instructor based in Boulder City. With drowning being the leading cause of accidental death for children under four, Lynette’s mission is more than just teaching kids to swim—it’s about providing them with the vital skills to self-rescue. Lynette breaks down the science of the "Swim-Float-Swim" method and explains why even a six-month-old can be trained to save their own lif...

Welcome to the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce's CommunityCast. Host Howard Fox sits down with Kristin Herr, co-owner of Evolution Expeditions, to discover how this unique business is helping locals and visitors alike explore the incredible natural wonders around Boulder City and the Las Vegas Valley. You'll hear about Evolution Expeditions' origins, their range of kayaking and Hoover Dam tours, the family story behind how Kristin and her husband made the leap to buy the business, and what i...

Behind the Design: How Valiant Supply Serves the First Responder Community In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill is joined by Justin Lomprey, the creative force behind Valiant Supply. Justin shares his journey from serving in law enforcement to launching a grassroots branding and design powerhouse that caters specifically to the unique needs of first responders and public safety agencies. From the technical artistry required to design patches that actually work on fabric to stories of...

In a typically "off-the-rails" session on The Best Dam Podcast, Jill chats with Alex Raffi, the creative force behind Imagine Communications. Alex, a self-proclaimed impulsive idea hunter, shares his fascinating philosophy on brainstorming, human intuition, communication, and the art of storytelling in business. If you’ve ever wondered why your marketing isn't resonating or how to truly connect with your audience, Alex’s insights—from the power of the subconscious to why humility can sometime...

Roger Devine: Empowering Community Fundraising with SchoolAuction In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill is joined by Roger Devine, a partner at SchoolAuction.net. As a former PTA president who saw vital school programs go underfunded, Roger breaks down his 18-year mission to stop "burning out" volunteers. He explains how the SchoolAuction.net platform provides not just the software, but the 20 years of data-driven wisdom that grassroots nonprofits need to run efficient, successful, an...

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill is joined by Tim Knifton of RSVP Las Vegas. Tim breaks down the powerful and surprisingly effective world of targeted direct mail. He explains how his company helps businesses reach the top 30% of homeowners with a luxury postcard pack that gets opened, used, and appreciated. From astonishing success stories of clients achieving multi-million dollar returns to the science behind why even Gen Z loves tangible mail, Tim provides a masterclass in cre...

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill sits down with Heather Sabatello, a dedicated financial advisor with Edward Jones in Boulder City, to discuss Wealth Management. Heather shares insights from her second career, explaining her passion for helping clients achieve their financial dreams and build generational wealth. From the importance of starting to invest at a young age to the profound "aha" moments that define her career, Heather demystifies the world of wealth management and emp...

In today's episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill chats with Remso Martinez, CEO of Marketer on the Run, about Relationship-driven Marketing. Jill & Remso dive into the innovative world of digital marketing and small business growth. Remso shares a refreshing perspective on building authentic client relationships, the evolving role of AI in marketing, and the unique challenges small businesses face in today’s landscape. DISCUSSION Absolutely! Here’s a comprehensive sequence of topics covered in the episode, organized w...

Local Pet Care Excellence: Boulder City Critter Sitter. In today's episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill has the pleasure of chatting with Michelle Carroll, the owner of Boulder City Critter Sitter. Michelle shares her journey of turning a lifelong love for animals into a thriving business. From pet sitting to professional training, Michelle offers invaluable insights into the world of animal care and how her dedicated critter crew is enhancing the lives of both pets and their owners in Bould...

Celebrating a Life of Service: Education, Tourism, and Mary Kay. In today's episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill has the pleasure of chatting with Denise Senko, affectionately known as "Dee Dee." A former dean and teacher at Boulder City High School, Dee Dee has a wealth of experience both in education and as a dedicated member of the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce. Currently thriving as an independent Sales Director for Mary Kay , she empowers individuals by enhancing their confidence and...

Supporting Boulder City's Law Enforcement: Behind the Scenes with Protective Force International Welcome to "The Best Dam Podcast." In today's episode, Jill chats with Jonathan Alvarez, CCTP - CEO/Chief of Security for Protective Force International. Jonathan shares the vital role his organization plays in ensuring the safety and security of Boulder City, highlighting his and his team's passion for serving both urban and rural communities. Together, they explore how Protective Force Intern...

Boulder City's Hidden Gem: Fashion and Community at Mohave Gold Boutique. Welcome to "The Best Dam Podcast." In today's episode, our host, Jill Lagan, chats with Amber Graham, the owner of Mohave Gold Boutique. Join us as Amber shares her journey of turning a long-standing dream into reality with her charming boutique that offers women's lifestyle clothing, unique accessories, and exciting gifts right in Boulder City. Discover how Amber and her husband decided to plant their roots in this vib...