SHORTS 14 | Ann Baron, Creating Community in Northern Colorado

Welcome to the Loco Shorts Podcast from Loco Think Tank. In this podcast series, Loco Business Developer Rory Shah will help unfold bite-sized business learnings through the crazy experiences the business owners face along their small business journey. Listen in and listen up because these short business stories may just have the secret ingredient to taking your business to its next level of success. We are back with another Loco Shorts episode. I'm Rory Shah your host for this moment and I am here with Ann Barron today. Ann Barron is actually a Loco Think Tank, one of our great friends. So we're happy to have her on this podcast. So Ann Barron, she is the CEO and founder of Northern Colorado Community. So this group is really special because it brings in and creates a special type of community with business owners in the Northern Colorado area. I know that was redundant, but it means a lot more so I'll let Ann explain exactly what she does and welcome. Yeah, thank you Rory and thank you for asking me to be on the podcast. I really appreciate it, grateful. So first of all, Northern Colorado Community is a professional networking group for men and women that we connect folks in person events as well as online we do Zoom and we have a Facebook group and our goal is to really help be that resource and that support and that connector for small businesses in Northern Colorado and the group was started by me over four years ago. So Ann, how did all of this get started and maybe even there's a story before that of where you came from and all these things that you've done to lead you to creating this community group? Yes, great question, Rory. So first of all, I really have always enjoyed, not always, but for a long time, I enjoyed connecting and meeting small businesses. So I've been a part of various chambers, business organizations in the business world. And one of the places I was in the business world was working with one of the local chambers. Then also I ran a networking group for professional women called Business Divas and ran that for free for four years and really loved connecting business women together for once a month, monthly networking. And then about after four years of running that group for free, I basically just woke up one day and said, I bet I can have a membership based networking group and have it available for men and women. The first event had 40 people attend and several people signed up immediately as members because they already knew me in the community and so folks that you probably know like weed in interns and Sean and Marcy and Peggy Callaway. So there was quite a few people who already knew me as a professional and were enrolled in whatever endeavor organization that I would start up. So I was really loving, I'm really excited about helping businesses and that's my goal is just to be that connector and that resource for local businesses. What do you think drives all of that? I think it's a lot of people like to see other people happy but maybe they don't know how to do that. So how did you find within yourself that you are this kind of community connector? So it probably is, again, probably was involved in being connected in different organizations and connecting and networking with other businesses for several years. And one of the things I probably attribute to being a small business type of person is my dad. He was an insurance agent. He started an agency from scratch, which means he had no customers, he had to go out and not door to door, that was in Oregon. He was an insurance agent for 31 years, supported a family of six people on one income. And we lived and we weren't rich but we had a good lifestyle. So I saw that model in my family. And then again, when just kind of new career changes or new doors were opening in my career, thought about what I really wanted to do and really being there with small businesses and networking. As you know, Rory, I like to mix in me going, I'm the miss outgoing personality. So it was really a good fit to start this group. So Ian, talking about the favorite topic of the year, the decade, how was 2020 for you being a in-person events group by imagine you had a quick pivot or, you know, some unique challenges to face? Exactly. Yes, there were definitely challenges in 2020 and I will be honest, the first week that everything was shut down, I cried for a week because I couldn't see other people in person, other than my husband and puppies. And so that was really challenging. Then I started baking, apparently everyone else in the world started making bread, making homemade bread, homemade pies, my husband's like, stop, I'm going to get in 100 pounds. And then went to pivot and change to Zoom. So that way still folks could stay connected in through a Zoom format, which has been great. It's not frankly my favorite, but it does work. And at least it gives people a way to see each other and talk to one another. So I was doing Zoom meetings about once a week for the members. And so they could talk to each other and catch up with one another and connect that way. The other thing that I did was when it was nice weather, it did events outside with small groups, like maybe 10 people at a time where we could be spread out, be outside, but still get to meet face to face. Were there any lessons that you learned that you'll continue to use today from what you experienced last year? Yes, I would say probably using the online technology, I continue to use Zoom. We have it once a month Zoom meeting with the members. And then also just looking at different ways to keep in touch with the folks in the group, for instance, I would send them a handmade greeting card, just a hi, how are you, just touching base, make a phone call. They also have the Facebook group, which I actually had that group before a COVID, but just making use of that, reminding folks that's a great way to keep in touch and let folks know what they're doing. So there was just a lot more trying to reach out to actively reaching out to the members, just to see how they are that I'm here as a resource and a support if they need to touch base or talk to someone. I imagine that was a key and critical thing that some people needed during that time. So on behalf of them, thank you for providing that, Ann. That's a big deal. Thank you. And thinking about growing your business or moving forward with your business, what milestones are in front of you? I've actually thought about that and I will say, local think tank has helped me think about those types of questions. So one of the things that you may or may not know worries that I'm almost 61. So in three months, I will be 61. So thank you. So you start thinking about what do you want to do with your career, with your group, with your life. And first, I was kind of thinking about, oh, I'm going to coast into retirement. But then I thought, I really love the group. I really feel like it's a very important group to have in this community and that is needed. And some of them was just feeling like I didn't want to always be tied down to being at every single event that I have, because I have three to five events a month. Wow. So actually, people in the group are starting to step up to the plate to help me with running events. And I'm looking at doing something where there's volunteers or ambassadors where they can occasionally help run an event or be an event facilitated, because it gives them some visibility, gives them responsibility and ownership in the group as well. And then I don't feel like I have to be there to every event personally. And then I probably can just run the group for 20 years or something. Yeah, I keep going, because it is different from a lot of other groups, because it's regional. So chambers, which are great organizations, but chambers are only meet in the town that they are the chamber in. So for Collins chamber, only as are events in for college. But a lot of the members might be in Windsor, Greeley, or Loveland, Johnstown, whereas my events are all over North and Colorado. But go ahead. Well, it sounds like there's probably some key lessons learned within that, because you're creating this thing that didn't exist prior to this network for business owners and all these different communities. Like you just said, they're all parsed out in their own respective place, but you kind of created a new area for them. So I guess my question for you, I mean, were there any challenges or hurdles that you had to overcome and making all of this, your vision come to life? Surprisingly, there wasn't really challenges at the beginning, because I had already built up a really good sphere of influence, really great connections with professionals. And that is one thing I would advise to folks is don't burn your bridges. If you leave a job or you're not working with a company, just leave on really good terms, then that way, if you're with another company or you have your own business, then you can go back and just touch base with that business or business owner again. So really, like I shared earlier, the first event, I had 40 people show up. And I only gave them, like, I think I gave them two weeks notice. I didn't give them very much advanced notice, said, we're going to have it here. This is time, place, come join us. And 40 people attended. And then I started having my regular events, like after hours, lunch and lunch. And they were pretty, even in the beginning, pretty well attended, probably at least 10 or 15 people, even at the beginning. Yeah, that's amazing, kind of starts with a lot of attendance and force, I'd say. And what's something that people don't know about you, because I think a lot of people know you, but what's something that they don't know about you? Oh my gosh, it's a good. Ah, I would have said in the past that I'm adopted and raised in America, certainly age four, but since I'm writing my autobiography, a lot of people have been hearing about that. Well, let's talk about that for a minute, autobiography, writing a book. Let's tell us more. What the hell am I doing? That's what my thought is. So the first book that I've written and what started it or got me thinking about writing a book was I turned 60 last year, but just rather a milestone in the Asian culture. So I wanted to write my book, didn't get it done last year, but then getting it completed this year. And the goal was to inspire people, have people learn from my mistakes, learn from my successes. The other thing was I was in a very abusive, dysfunctional marriage before. So learn that signs of what an abusive person would be. It could be a spouse, even a friend or a boss, co-worker, so the signs of abusive people. And also the multi culture. So in my family, my parents are Caucasian. Great people love them. They were wonderful folks. And then my brothers were Korean, and then one brother was also Caucasian. They were raised in a multi-cultural family. And that was back in the 60s when that really was not the norm. So what it was like being raised in mostly a white culture. And I don't feel bad about it. I think I had a great life and I had a great upbringing, but it is a little different. So those were just other things too about awareness. So an example would be Rory. People would ask my mom and they would ask us like, where are you from? Are you from here? What is your nationality all the time? They would ask us those questions. And I didn't feel bad about it. I did not feel like they were rude. I just felt like they were curious. But that's things that my husband, who's white, does not get asked. And so it's just one of those little interesting things when you're not a white person. And mostly a white culture. Yeah, that's an experience. Definitely worth sharing. I'm curious like how this kind of puts on my business hat again or my business lens. And so like how do you go about helping more people understand that story? So maybe that looks like marketing or like how do you promote that? Well, I would say first of all, don't let that prevent you from moving forward in your life or doing what you are. What is your plan in your life? I don't look as a crutch. I don't think you ever, whether people have, you know, disabilities or their different race or something. But look at it to be more empathetic and be more aware. So one of the things too, my dad, my dad died when I was pretty young. And so that helped me be empathetic to people who lose someone, you know, very close to them when they're younger. So I think every experience in life builds your character and makes you the person that you are. So don't use it as an excuse or be a victim or why things will hold you back. You can do with your life and you can be a success and you can achieve things. Just need to move forward and just not let that, you know, pull you down. Do you see yourself speaking in front of people to also share this message? That's a great question. So I do not consider myself a speaker, but I've been asked several times to speak. So I have spoken two times at start of week. I have spoken to the million cops have spoken at elevations credit union for a workshop. And that isn't really a goal. I'm not against it. I do enjoy sharing if I'm asked. And it may be something just again to build awareness and also to bring people together. I think if we can really use what is going on, whether it's our differences or what's unique about ourselves. But we're all in this together. And it's not to split and diverse by and and put people into little boxes. I think it's to how it brings together being pathetic, be aware and just really be kind to one another too. And I think it's taken some people like to have a global pandemic to realize what's essential or some things that weren't serving them in their lives or some maybe some things they were doing. To have an opportunity to take stock of a lot of different things or maybe their personal health or wellness, their perspectives and also their career is their business, their goals where they want to point their lives. I think a lot of people have that chance and space to kind of reevaluate and I think maybe some good things came from it last year. Yes, that is true. And again, looking at my business, I was thinking, well, I'm getting towards retirement age. I realized I really love what I do. I would really miss seeing the professionals and a lot of the professional business people and my friends as well. And I do really feel like it is serving a gap or a need that's not out there now. There are a lot of networking groups and that's very true. But again, I really specialize in the smaller groups and really being that support and giving them a lot more attention, hands on type of attention resources. Do you have a fun member story that you can share with us? Do I have a fun member story? Do you have any cool connections that came from it or that ways that impacted their business? Yes, one of the folks I would say is Chris, you probably know him with Compissar IT. And I think he's maybe going to join local think tanks. That's what he was saying. But in a way, we have two other IT people. They are terrible, they didn't show up, they charged way over charged as didn't fix the computer. And then I could met Chris through another networking organization and we hired him to work on our computers and keep it updated. And he actually has become a really good friend and he's happy me run my mastermind now, which is great. And he's just been a really reliable person. So it's just one of those things if where you kind of have not great experiences, maybe with other professionals, but then you look for who could actually fill the service or the product or need. And he comes and updates our computers on a monthly basis and it's been great. It's wonderful. So that's a success story. Yeah, it seems like you would get that opportunity to build a relationship to know someone what they're actually like, you know, they don't have to have their business had on. But then you can trust them more. I think that community aspect is, you know, where that really shines through. And even your mastermind are so are there more services that are available through northern Colorado community? So there so the events that we offer are this is after hours, which is pretty easy to understand. It's an evening networking. It's more low key relaxed. And then we have the lunch and learn lunch and learns where there's a speaker each month at different speaker. And the mastermind is I really run it differently than the local think tank. The masterminds are one hour long and they're once a month. And folks have a few minutes to share about a question they have and then other folks give them feedback, resources, ideas on their question. But folks really enjoy it. And I'm just trying to just try to keep a mind people's time. So that's why we have it at one hour limit. So you have a lot of different ways that people can engage different times during month, different hours. So that's really helpful. Exactly. Go ahead. So, and as explained before us, we do a Zoom call once a month. It's one hour long. This last topic that for this month was creativity. How do you use creativity to increase productivity, improve your mindset. And it was great. There ought to be some really great ideas of what they did to be more creative with their business. Oh, yeah, I would be curious to know more about that what people took away. Oh, it's always nice to get the lessons that people have learned. Maybe the hard way or you know, get that information faster when people share it back to you. Yeah, yeah, it was interesting to see what folks feedback was about creativity. And then I did record the Zoom so I can send it to you if you want to watch it. And it's about 40 minutes long, worry. But it was interesting and finding out what people do to be creative in their business. Yeah. That's good. And what does 2021 and beyond look like for you? So, the, well, one of the goals is growing the business, growing the members or how many folks are joining our members and that is that's already happening. There's actually been some good traction with meeting with folks and new members joining. And then as well as continuing to offer the events that I am offering on a regular basis. Also, an awards banquet in October, which Kurt has been the MC for the last few ones. We did not do one last year, but we will do an awards banquet, which is called the ordinary extraordinary awards banquet recognizing those folks who give back to the community and live in Northern Colorado. And then we also have a women's conference in September. So continuing with the regular events and then offering special events. And then continuing to keep in contact with the members and the professionals. I know you're so good at networking. I'm wondering if you have any favorite tips or tricks that you use just kind of inherently that you could share with our business owner audience of like meeting new people and networking good questions to ask anything like that. Certainly. So one of the things I say when folks are at my networking groups is try to schedule either a coffee get together or a phone or zoom meeting later on to get to know the other business person. Because then you get more out of the networking not only met someone for a few minutes, but you also learn more about their business about what makes them tick. So really schedule that with someone else that you know you're going to meet later on after the networking meeting. And then the second thing is when you do me with that person, whether it's in person, zoom, phone call, remember it's not about you. It's about them. It's about learning about their business service product, what they specialize in and even maybe it could be personal. Do they have hobbies or interests? Enjoy. Do they like to go skiing? Do they have pets? Just things that it's you're trying to get to know them as a person. And it's not a sales meeting. It may turn into a sale later on, but it's really not a sales meeting. It's just getting to know them as a professional. Excuse me. And when you do that, then people will be more open to maybe hearing what you do, but it folks again do business with folks they know like and trust. And if you do that, then if they do need to service a product, then down the road, they may seek you out and then become your client. But the first the first get together meeting is not about you trying to sell them something. It's about getting to know them. I think that's spot on. And I know some people are more introverted. Some people more extroverted. I know it's also been hard to adjust on both sides of that spectrum in COVID when you're having a show digitally. Some people are creating more than ever to see people. So I've heard different stories of people on the end of the spectrum flipping to being extroverted from introverted or introverted extroverted. And they're kind of personality is slow. So have you any advice for people who may feel a little bit more timid to network or the introverts of the world, like you have them any hope or ways that they can still reach out to people and have that genuine connection with other business owners. That's a great one. So usually so my husband's an introvert as well. So usually introverts are not going to go over to that other person at that network and group and say, hi, I'm and and what, what is your name or what do you do. But sometimes even commenting, for instance, someone might say, you have, you know, you have great, you know, beautiful hair that looks really great on you or you look like a really interesting person, just something where you compliment the other person. And again, be genuine. You don't want to be, you know, surface ear or fake people will spot that right away, but just be genuine, if you do comment or give a compliment. Normally, if people have a pulse, they will respond. And they will reply and maybe ask you something or start the conversation. The other thing too, for introverts is, I'm looking to see who looks more inviting or open to conversation. You can tell sometimes with body language. If you see three people all huddled together and just facing each other and there's no place to get in the group. That's probably not a group you can just kind of get yourself maneuvered into to talk to. But perhaps it's another person like you who's sitting over there by the food table, eating the snacks, not talking to anyone and just run over and maybe say, wow, these look like these are, you know, great, great choice of cheese plates or something and kind of get the conversation going. So there's just different ways you can do it. Yeah, I think finding that like neutral commonality. I think that's perfect. You know, like, is this have already deal? Yeah. That is one of the things that I really keep an eye on at at events because there are the introverts that are standing by themselves or just eating their food or drinking their beverage by themselves. And if they make a point to be aware of that watch for it. And if I see that, I might say, Rory, you need to meet John over here or Susan, you need to meet Mike over here. You two might have an interest in each other's business or just like to get to know each other better. So I do a little introduction with the folks at the groups. I think that always feels nice to be included like that. And that's just again your nature being a connector and creating a space for people to feel welcome. So Ann, do you have a crazy story, a crazy business story or a crazy personal story that you'd like to share with our audience? Oh my gosh. What would I say? Oh my gosh. Oh, I do. I do have a good one. So I used to be a school teacher. I taught eighth graders in inner city for an Oregon. So that was an experience. It was my first year of teaching. The kids were pretty pretty difficult to handle. I have to say. So one of the things I did was assign seating assignments to each student. They had to sit at a certain desk. I didn't want them just to sit wherever they wanted because then they would usually get together. And the dynamics weren't good if they were always with their friends sitting next to their friends. So one day I'm giving them their new seating assignments and this one gal who we knew was very heavily involved in gangs. She has everyone pounding on their table, 30 students pounding on their table, no more seating arrangements, no more assigned seating. They were just pounding on their desk, 30 students at once, all of them. It was mutiny. So I'm like, oh my god, what the hell do I do? So I went out in the hallway and I looked for my vice principal like, can you come in here and help me? So he did. And then I had a master teacher or mentor and she gave me and how upon what to do. So what she said is figure out the ring leaders, parcel them out to different classrooms. So they weren't in my classroom. They're all in a different classroom separated in different classrooms. And then the other students that were left just basically work them really hard, give them all assignments. You don't want to give them any free time during the day. They just work, work, work. They get out of that classroom and it worked. They were fine after that. There was not a mutiny again. That would be so intimidating. It's funny that people younger than you with less life experience can be daunting. Yeah, I have 30 students pounding on their desk. It's kind of, it is pretty intimidating. No, no, I laugh at it, but at the time I was pretty, pretty stressed out. Maybe it's a reference point when you're coming to those crossroads in your business, you're like, well, I got through that one time. That's so true. So what I say to folks is my worst day and whatever my business is now will work is never as bad. It's my worst day teaching eighth graders. Yeah, that was a good perspective shift. Yeah, there was a lot of rough days that no one goes through all of those. And then maybe another fun story was I was in between different jobs and my girlfriend owned fireworks stands. So I ran three fireworks stands for her one summer. For two weeks, she paid me $3,000. I'm like, heck yeah, I can do this for $3,000. So I would hire and fire the employees, handle the cash, handle the fireworks stand. We had one guy with ankle shackles come up to the fireworks stand one day. So he was apparently a prisoner that was out on parole or something. So that was interesting. I always had another person working with me. I was never by myself. It was an interesting experience. Huh. So what what happened then did they just just bought fireworks and they left. I had another person there in the town with me, but yeah, it was kind of weird. And yeah, started hand generators. So we'd have light at night. So I cranked that generator and get started at night and. It was an experience. Did that kind of push you into some. Understanding of like being a business owner or like the dynamics of all of those things that you were doing like handling cash and getting this thing set up. Well, it I've been like, I don't want to do that on a month from base. The fire techniques are for me. Yeah, it's. It was a very different from anything I'd done because I had done a lot of different careers. I don't know if it was just it was just kind of one of those quirky little jobs that murdered a laugh for a couple of weeks. Yeah. I wouldn't do it again. I just. Not too much. You have too much risk because you're out there late at night and there's so much cash going through those fireworks. I'm surprised. I'm surprised. I'm surprised we won't ever robbed. Oh gosh. Well, in my my final question for you would be, um, do you have any advice or anything you'd like to impart on our audience before you go. The couple of points I would make is always make sure that you keep your contacts positive. And that if you do leave or do something different, you keep the door open so that people feel like they can come back or they can communicate or interact with you again. So a good example is I used to be an insurance agent and people would leave the insurance agency to go to a different insurance agent. I was pretty common. They got a lower insurance rate or something. And I would say to folks, if you want to come back and check out the insurance again, you're welcome to, you know, I'm not going to feel bad that you left. If you want to come back and check out our insurance again, you certainly can. So you just keep that door open and keep in touch with folks. So a good example is a person I used to work with in an insurance office and we kept in contact with one another over about 20 years. Now she's one of my members. So keep in contact with folks over the time period and you're not going to be able to keep in contact with everyone. It's just people that you really like and you want to make sure you just keep that continuous contact and interaction with them. It may be a text, a phone call, email, because there is a lot of folks who became members in my group that I have known for sometimes 10, 15, 20 years. And they weren't business owners when I knew them 20 years ago. They weren't appropriate working for someone else, but then they became a business owner. So you just don't, you don't ever know who's going to be your client down the road. Another good example I use is with Eric Whedon, who I'm sure you know, he works with Whedon insurance. He's a great person. He's our insurance agent. And he did a great job as always keeping in contact with me. We were talking insurance when we were both insurance agents. Then when I left being an insurance agent, he asked to quote my insurance and then we took our insurance over there to him. But it's so sensual. You sometimes think that person's a competition, but really they aren't. Just look at them as a fellow professional and you don't know when down the road, they actually might be one of your clients. I became his client and he became my client when I started that networking group. So keep the relationships positive, keep the doors open, keep connected to others, especially those that you really want to know and you want to keep connected to them. And just I'd say probably also I don't want to use the word out thinking outside the box. It's overuse. I would just say just keep thinking creatively, thinking things that are different that maybe other people aren't offering or not doing. So with this group, there wasn't a regional networking group. All of them are, if you look at them, every single group is city located. Rotaries are being eyes, chambers, all the groups are by a location. So think about where there is a gap in and a possible need and that could be your business or that could be your service that you could offer to people. And don't treat people like numbers, always treat them, even when I was an insurance agent, always treat them like a person and really go over and beyond. And I, you hear people say that a lot, but I really mean it for one of the things is when a person joins and they become a member, I do a one-on-one meeting with them in person or on Zoom, get to know them better, talk to them about all the benefits, talk about the connections that I will make for them, introducing them to other professionals, buy an email, introduction, send them a handmade thank you card. So really just do those over and beyond things and that will actually really keep your customers very loyal to you because then when there's rough times like the COVID, they don't go away, they don't leave because really even during COVID, I had an 80% renewal rate with my members, 80% of first renewed. And a couple aren't in business anymore so that's why they did not renew but most of the members did renew and I think that was one of the reasons is because say saw what I did was very personal, individualized and really cared about them as a business person and as a person. I love all of that. Thank you for sharing that. I think that advice was extremely useful, easily applicable. So I hope that people can put that to practice and think the biggest overall message is just be a good person and just share that with other people in the most authentic human way possible. And thank you for being on the podcast and then also thank you for being a local member. So and then with us for a little under a year now or yes. Okay. So thank you for being in our builder chapter. But before you go, can you let people know how to get a hold of you? Yes, definitely the easiest way is probably my website, which is www.NorthernColoradoCommunity.com. And if you're on Facebook, you can message me probably the website. There's a contact us. So that is an also Facebook. I have a Facebook page too. That sounds great. Well, Anne, thank you for your time and thank you for everything that you've done for our Northern Colorado community and being that connector and that glue to other business owners. Thank you for listening to today's episode of the local experience podcast. This is Kurt Baer, founder of the local think tank and host of the local experience. And I'm here with Rory Shah, local business developer and host of the local shorts episodes. We hope you heard some new ideas and business perspectives in this episode. Our mission and all that we do including this podcast is to share collaborative business ideas and solutions that uplift the business community. Subscribe and follow us where you listen to podcasts to get new episodes as they are released. Curious about local? You can learn more about us at localthinktank.com where you'll find more information about our chapters, business resources and events for business owners and key leaders. If you're looking for perspective, accountability and encouragement along your business journey, why not apply for a chapter near you today? Why not? Why not? Why not? We'll catch you next time on the in-depth local experience podcast with me, Kurt. And with me, Rory for Bite Size Business Lessons in the local shorts. Bye! You