Behind the Counter

Ken Collins
  • 5.0 (2)
  • MANAGEMENT

Behind the Counter - Business Stories from the Four Corners: Real Businesses. Real Conversations. Right Here in Our Community. Every week, I sit down with local business owners to hear the real stories behind their work — the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Whether they run a bakery, a repair shop, or a creative studio, each of them has something powerful to share. This is more than a podcast — it’s a celebration of the hustle, heart, and humanity that keep the Four Corners thriving. 

  1. Designed To Work, Not Wear You Out

    5D AGO

    Designed To Work, Not Wear You Out

    Send us a text Want a business that works without wearing you out? We zoom out after a full season of conversations with owners across industries and pull forward the patterns that actually make small businesses resilient. The theme that rises above the rest: the strongest shops are designed on purpose. When owners could answer what kind of life the business should support, choices about pricing, hours, and growth fell into place—and stress dropped because decisions stayed aligned. We also unpack why relief never comes from heroics. It came from small, repeatable systems that moved recurring decisions out of someone’s head and into clear routines. Automated payments, cleaner order flows, and defined roles aren’t corporate fluff; they’re the difference between constant firefighting and predictable days. That clarity opens the door to the real constraint: bandwidth. Many shops weren’t cash poor; they were attention poor. We talk about handing off tasks without losing the soul of the work. Growth, as we heard again and again, doesn’t come from hacks or perfect timing on social. It comes from people. Partnerships, local community, and experiences worth talking about outlast algorithms. Even brands with big online followings rely on trust built in real places with real faces. And growth means different things to different owners—expansion for some, intentional smallness for others. Misalignment creates friction; clarity breaks it. The healthiest businesses set boundaries that protect craft and experience, saying no to paths that dilute what makes them special, and yes only where values can come along intact. If you care about building a business you can keep loving, this conversation is your blueprint: design with intent, install simple systems, invest in community, and let your values filter opportunities. New episodes drop every Monday—follow the show to get them first, and share your biggest takeaway or boundary you plan to set this season. Be sure to follow or subscribe!  And, if you're a local business owner who'd like to be featured - or know someone whose story should be told - get in touch at Ken@StrategicHorizonsConsulting.com This show is brought to you by Strategic Horizons Consulting (a division of Ken Collins Marketing). Support the show

    16 min
  2. Subscribed People Get Gifts Early, No Wrapping Required

    12/15/2025

    Subscribed People Get Gifts Early, No Wrapping Required

    Send us a text Take a breath with us. As the holidays arrive, we’re pressing pause to recharge, reflect, and set up a stronger return in January—while giving you a clear path to keep up with new stories from the Four Corners business community. We share exactly how our release flow works so you never miss an episode: new interviews go live every Monday on podcast platforms, and the companion blog posts publish the following Monday on our site, then get shared across Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. If you subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, you’ll hear every conversation a full week before social media sees it. We look back on a compact but rich season that featured Interwest Concepts, Desert River Guides, Ramon Valdez Fine Furniture, Mushroom Zen, The Happy Pear, Anne Marie’s Dance Academy, Artifacts, and Dottie Wampus Magical Chocolate Factory. Many of these guests came to us through listener tips and prior guest referrals, which tells us the Four Corners business network is alive and generous. The through line is simple: real owners, real challenges, and the practical choices that turn local shops into resilient cornerstones. This holiday break isn’t idle time—it’s strategy. We talk about giving presence as well as presents, stepping back with your team, and using the quieter days of December to clarify your why, review the year with a cool head, and sketch a realistic plan for January. You’ll hear a preview of small format tweaks we’re making next season to sharpen interviews while keeping the candid feel you love. Expect the same focus on local entrepreneurs, just with tighter questions and even more useful takeaways. If you celebrate Christmas, Merry Christmas; if you honor another tradition, happy holidays. However you mark the season, we hope you find rest, connection, and a clear mental map for the year ahead. Subscribe now to get the first episodes of the new season the moment they drop, share the show with a friend who loves small business stories, and leave a quick review to help more neighbors discover these voices. Be sure to follow or subscribe!  And, if you're a local business owner who'd like to be featured - or know someone whose story should be told - get in touch at Ken@StrategicHorizonsConsulting.com This show is brought to you by Strategic Horizons Consulting (a division of Ken Collins Marketing). Support the show

    16 min
  3. Chocolate, Magic, And A Cottage Factory

    12/08/2025

    Chocolate, Magic, And A Cottage Factory

    Send us a text A cottage at the edge of a national park. A clock that dispenses chocolate. A host who can pivot from crystal structures in tempering to a groan-worthy deer joke in one beat. Meet Bryan Davis of Dotty Wampus Magical Chocolate Factory, where culinary craft collides with whimsical theater and visitors leave with a story worth retelling. We dig into how a two-person team built an immersive experience without the baggage of big-company overhead. Bryan explains why he and Joanne chose Montezuma County, Colorado—one of the rare places where creative builds don’t drown in permits—so they could ship fast, prototype freely, and keep their hands on every part of the guest journey. From distilling patents and Vegas-scale shows to bonbons and animatronics, his path is a masterclass in multidisciplinary entrepreneurship. If you care about experiential marketing, brand storytelling, and small business growth, this conversation delivers field-tested insights. You’ll hear how they tailor tours for kids and serious foodies, use tiny design details to shift reality (yes, even the bathroom is part of the show), and manage unglamorous logistics like sourcing from top chocolate co-ops without breaking the magic. We also explore the creative calculus behind growth: a bigger kitchen only makes sense if it adds to the narrative—perhaps via a cheeky submarine ride to an “underwater” production room. Expect practical takeaways on staying small to move fast, choosing the right constraints, and building recurring delight so locals bring their families back year after year. Plus, exploding bonbons featuring pear blossom honey, animated paintings that react to guests, and why understanding the “why” beats any checklist. Enjoy the episode, share it with someone who loves immersive experiences, and leave a review to tell us which moment you’d steal for your dream venue. Be sure to follow or subscribe!  And, if you're a local business owner who'd like to be featured - or know someone whose story should be told - get in touch at Ken@StrategicHorizonsConsulting.com This show is brought to you by Strategic Horizons Consulting (a division of Ken Collins Marketing). Support the show

    1h 4m
  4. We Put The “Art” In “Party” And The “Roll” In Cinnamon

    12/01/2025

    We Put The “Art” In “Party” And The “Roll” In Cinnamon

    Send us a text Step inside a 10,000-square-foot creative hub where the scent of fresh cinnamon rolls mingles with oil paint and coffee, and a century-old lumberyard has a second life as Farmington’s favorite gathering place. We sit with owner Tara Taylor to trace how a mother-daughter idea became Artifacts 302, a living room for the city where knitting circles, plein air painters, book clubs, and gamers share space—and where emerging artists get their first real shot. Tara pulls back the curtain on the real work of running a hybrid gallery and café. She talks about the early missteps, the moment hiring an accountant changed everything, and the day she let go of the pastry bench and hired a baker so she could actually run the business. We dig into the toughest challenge—reaching locals in a noisy digital world—and why human touch points, open-call themed shows, and welcoming events outperform algorithms. If you’re building a small business, you’ll appreciate her no-fluff systems: recipe cost controls, team-first culture, teen-to-confident-barista training, and the patience to grow margins without losing soul. There’s vision here, too. Tara shares plans to revive the old yard into a garden courtyard for outdoor weddings, plein air sessions, and live music that flows naturally into the indoor gallery. She’s steering the next chapter back to art—spotlighting up-and-coming local creators, hosting shows that lower barriers to entry, and making the gallery as dynamic as the espresso bar. It’s a grounded, generous roadmap for anyone who wants to turn a beloved space into a lasting community asset. If this story resonates, follow and share the show, leave a quick review, and send this episode to a friend who believes small businesses make cities feel like home. Be sure to follow or subscribe!  And, if you're a local business owner who'd like to be featured - or know someone whose story should be told - get in touch at Ken@StrategicHorizonsConsulting.com This show is brought to you by Strategic Horizons Consulting (a division of Ken Collins Marketing). Support the show

    52 min
  5. Gratitude, Grit, And Year-End Sales Momentum

    11/17/2025

    Gratitude, Grit, And Year-End Sales Momentum

    Send us a text A short break can be a powerful reset, and this Thanksgiving we’re using the pause to sharpen focus, build momentum, and double down on what works. Ken Collins opens up about why gratitude is more than a seasonal mood; it’s a daily operating system that rewires how you lead and sell. From the religious and spiritual frames to the brain science behind strengthened neural pathways, you’ll hear how a grateful mindset helps you notice opportunities, build stronger relationships, and steer your business through the holiday rush with clarity. We also unpack the show’s early access rhythm—episodes release on podcast platforms a full week before the blog recap goes live at Strategic Horizons Consulting—so you can catch stories and tactics sooner when they matter most. Ken shares a concise “holiday panic mode” sales plan for owners who feel late to the party, focusing on quick wins, proven channels, and simple offers that move the needle without adding chaos. The throughline is practical: amplify what already works, communicate clearly, and use the goodwill you’ve earned to finish the year strong. Community is the multiplier here. Ken offers heartfelt thanks to clients, guests, and listeners, then urges owners to support each other with sincere reviews, local purchases, and shared wins. If you want to tell your story on the show—or just grab a no-pressure chat about your business—Ken’s door is open. Take the breath, set your intentions, and meet us back on December 1 for a fresh conversation with a new guest. Subscribe for early access, share this with a fellow owner who needs a nudge, and leave a review to help more local stories reach the people who need them most. Be sure to follow or subscribe!  And, if you're a local business owner who'd like to be featured - or know someone whose story should be told - get in touch at Ken@StrategicHorizonsConsulting.com This show is brought to you by Strategic Horizons Consulting (a division of Ken Collins Marketing). Support the show

    21 min
  6. From Studio Dreams To Dance Legacy

    11/10/2025

    From Studio Dreams To Dance Legacy

    Send us a text A lot of people say “follow your passion” — few show the messy, determined work that makes it sustainable. We sit with AnnMarie Bean, owner of AnnMarie’s Dance Academy in Farmington, to talk about how a kid who grew up dancing for fun built a studio that blends serious training with a bright sense of family. From the first business license to punching through walls for more space, AnnMarie shares the moments that shaped her: believing she could run a better program, earning parents’ trust, and creating a place where newcomers feel welcomed and competitors feel challenged. We dig into the real engine of a studio: the admin grind nobody sees. Think customized costumes, edited music, guest teacher travel, and a calendar built around conventions and competitions. One simple change — automatic payments — freed hours and eliminated awkward money talks. AnnMarie also gets candid about boundaries with parents, setting consistent standards across classes, and training staff who uphold the same expectations so students hold their line anywhere they go. What makes this studio different is access and outcomes. Industry pros from LA, New York, and Vegas teach on site, giving dancers a taste of bookable skills and professional etiquette, while alumni return with experience from TV, touring shows, and major events. The focus on being coachable, taking critique, and showing up with effort builds adults who thrive beyond the stage. We also talk about the pressure of new competition deposit timelines, the reality of motherhood and evening classes, and a future vision: a multiroom studio with a dance store and coffee space that turns training into a community hub. If you care about small business, arts education, or the craft of turning passion into a livelihood, you’ll find both heart and playbook here. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves dance, and leave a review telling us the one small change you think makes the biggest difference. Be sure to follow or subscribe!  And, if you're a local business owner who'd like to be featured - or know someone whose story should be told - get in touch at Ken@StrategicHorizonsConsulting.com This show is brought to you by Strategic Horizons Consulting (a division of Ken Collins Marketing). Support the show

    56 min
  7. What If Serendipity Is The Best Business Plan

    11/03/2025

    What If Serendipity Is The Best Business Plan

    Send us a text A 16-acre orchard, a taxing year, and a knock from fate: that’s how Niki Hilbers found her way from selling fruit to building a year-round honey brand with real roots in the Four Corners. What began as a practical move to make the land pay its way turned into a full-hearted partnership with bees, a masterful co-op with beekeeper Kyle Harris, and a mission to keep everything organic, local, and community-first. The journey winds through caregiving and loss, a sudden delivery of 24 hives, and the kind of instinct that feels like luck but looks a lot like paying attention. We dig into the real work behind the sweetness. Niki shares how “do not spray” signs, county conversations, and no-chemical practices protect pollinators while building trust. She opens up about the systems that keep a small business alive: ditching the cash box for a POS, juggling WIC and SNAP across clunky apps, hiring her first steady team member, and carving out time to make the products people love — habanero hot honey, lemon ginger throat coat, and those thick honey sticks. There’s no gloss here, just practical tactics, messy spreadsheets, and a steady commitment to serve. Along the way, we talk honey as medicine — why daily local honey may help with seasonal allergies, and how simple, functional blends deliver comfort when sore throats hit. We explore a bigger vision: a storefront with a glass-walled extractor, a live hive observatory, mentorships for new beekeepers, and a sustainable path to 700 hives to serve San Juan County. Niki’s mindset ties it all together: collaborate instead of compete, welcome constructive criticism, and believe so deeply in the mission that setbacks become fuel. If you care about small business, local food systems, beekeeping, or just need a nudge to follow your instincts, this story will stick. Subscribe for more candid conversations, share this with a friend who loves honey, and leave a review with the one takeaway you’ll act on this week. Be sure to follow or subscribe!  And, if you're a local business owner who'd like to be featured - or know someone whose story should be told - get in touch at Ken@StrategicHorizonsConsulting.com This show is brought to you by Strategic Horizons Consulting (a division of Ken Collins Marketing). Support the show

    43 min
  8. How A Spiritual Wake-Up Led To A Community-Fueled Mushroom Business

    10/27/2025

    How A Spiritual Wake-Up Led To A Community-Fueled Mushroom Business

    Send us a text A curtain for a tablecloth and a pocket of courage—that’s how Courtney Anderson’s mushroom journey began. What followed is a rare blend of patient craft, community warmth, and customer-led innovation that transformed a flea market table into Mushroom Zen, a cozy apothecary in Aztec where the air smells like incense and conversations last as long as they need to. We walk through the awakening that set it all in motion, the disciplined work of learning to grow mushrooms without cutting corners, and the partnership that makes it sustainable—Courtney’s intuition and customer care balanced by a behind-the-scenes co-founder who handles the grow and the paperwork grind. We talk microdosing for anxiety, PTSD, and building better habits; why locally grown, tested mushrooms matter in a market flooded with questionable imports; and how authentic listening can be a more powerful strategy than any ad spend. The move from a busier Farmington location to a smaller space in Aztec seems counterintuitive until you hear the results: lower costs, stronger foot traffic, a richer sense of place, and a shop that doubles as a sanctuary. Courtney shares how product lines grew from customer requests, why she sometimes recommends riboflavin instead of selling a tincture, and what it takes to scale without losing soul—ultrasonic extraction, thoughtful wholesale partnerships, and a website that will help her spend more time in the lab while keeping local pickup and personal touch intact. If you care about medicinal mushrooms, ethical sourcing, mental health, or the kind of business that treats people like neighbors, this conversation will stick. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves community-driven craft, and leave a review with the insight that hit you hardest. Be sure to follow or subscribe!  And, if you're a local business owner who'd like to be featured - or know someone whose story should be told - get in touch at Ken@StrategicHorizonsConsulting.com This show is brought to you by Strategic Horizons Consulting (a division of Ken Collins Marketing). Support the show

    54 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Behind the Counter - Business Stories from the Four Corners: Real Businesses. Real Conversations. Right Here in Our Community. Every week, I sit down with local business owners to hear the real stories behind their work — the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Whether they run a bakery, a repair shop, or a creative studio, each of them has something powerful to share. This is more than a podcast — it’s a celebration of the hustle, heart, and humanity that keep the Four Corners thriving. 

Information

  • Creator
    Ken Collins
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Behind the Counter
  • Show Website
    Behind the Counter