Badass Professionals

Yesterday early evening, while the light was just fading behind the mountains, we attended an immaculately executed Scout Guide Volume 13 Launch party in a beautiful room open to the outside in West End Social, a tucked-away gem of a location on the Aspen Institute campus.

We were there because sixteen Aspen Business Connect members came together to represent our network and have a collaborative ad in the magazine. People are always asking me stats on the professionals that are invited into my network. I think this blog post will answer that question. I’m absolutely blown away by the reviews and their ratings.Sixteen professionals from different industries, united by one shared understanding: that in this valley, who you know and trust in this valley matters more than almost anything else.

As with everything she does, the owner/editor of The Scout Guide Aspen, Shelly Hamill, did everything with style, including bringing in Homestead Circus to entertain with a champagne skirt.

The Sixteen of Us

Researching the ratings of my business members for this blog post I was absolutely blown away by the level of excellence that they all brought in and the 5 Star reviews they have received. I feel like a proud mama for those in my network:

Michele Cardamone of Michele Cardamone Photography is one of Aspen's most celebrated portrait photographers. She's playful and completely methodical all at once. Her backgrounds look like 19th century paintings. Her clients say working with her "feels like a form of self-love." A 5.0 on Yelp, 96% recommended on Facebook, and named one of the best local photographers around Aspen, the numbers back what everyone who knows her already knows. michelecardamonephotography.com

Roxana "Roxy" Nevarez probably delivered your baby. For real. She spent over 15 years as a Labor & Delivery nurse at Aspen Valley Hospital before channeling that same precision and care into Roxy's Aesthetics, with locations in both Basalt and Glenwood Springs. I've experienced her Fraxel firsthand. My face looked ten years younger. She's the real deal. roxysaesthetics.com

BJ Adams has been changing the face of Aspen Snowmass real estate for more than 35 years, out of a 120-year-old yellow farmhouse in Snowmass that suits her perfectly. Over 3,000 transactions. More than $4 billion in sales. Past President of the Aspen Board of Realtors. Realtor of the Year. A client once told her, "I felt as if I was Aladdin, and your firm was the lamp." That says everything. bjadams.com

Derron Cloud has been woven into the fabric of this community since 2006. His State Farm agency in Basalt, named the 2024 Best Insurance Agent around Aspen, serves the whole valley with a 5/5 Google rating and a reputation for showing up fast when it counts. He's also deeply involved in adaptive and youth sports programs here, because that's just who he is. coveredbycloud.com

Seana Goddard of Gloss + Co. brings over 30 years of hospitality, luxury retail, and design experience to home staging and vacation rental styling in the Roaring Fork Valley. What I love about Seana is her style, and her philosophy: "There is no formula or algorithm for the styling process, it is equal parts intuition and experience." In a world drowning in formulas, that's refreshing. glosscolorado.com

Danica Weappa is an AI Orchestrator and Workflow Strategist and if you're a local business that hasn't thought about what AI can do for your operations, Danica is exactly who you need to be talking to. She's one of the sharpest minds in the room on a topic that's only getting more important.

Karen Peirson operates out of the beautiful old Thompson Barn in Carbondale, and she has the accolades to match the setting. 2020 President of the Aspen Board of Realtors. 2022 Realtor of the Year. 4th highest-producing broker in the Carbondale market. A 5.0 rating and clients who say she guided them through one of the biggest decisions of their lives. Karen is someone who genuinely has your back. karenpeirson.com

Chiara Santini of Santini Studio is an architect, interior designer, and licensed general contractor born in the Italian Alps to a family of builders, trained at the Polytechnic University of Milan, and mentored by world-renowned designer Piero Lissoni. Her studio has shaped luxury properties across Aspen, Chicago, and Milan, and her Milan connections give clients direct access to Italian artisans you simply cannot get anywhere else. santinistudio.com

Jill Murphy has been dressing this valley since 1997. Her boutique Misstyx in downtown Aspen is a cornerstone of local retail: multigenerational, beloved, "small but mighty" as she puts it. Murphy Brown in Glenwood Springs carries the same magic down-valley. And beyond fashion, she and her husband Ken run Glenwood Adventure Company and H2O Ventures, working with the U.S. Forest Service to protect places like Hanging Lake and the Maroon Bells. Go into her stores and say hi! misstyx.com

Carlyn Porter balances two extraordinary careers: Founder of Carlyn & Her Closet, a sustainable fashion and personal styling brand built on slow fashion, clothing swaps, and maximalist creativity, and Epidemiologist and Emergency Preparedness Administrator for Pitkin County Public Health. She led the county's COVID-19 response and mass vaccination clinics. She's been inducted into Marquis Who's Who in America. And she'll help you clean out your closet. Honestly, she might be a superhero. carlynandhercloset.com

Simon Dogbe is a CFP®, RICP®, and CLTC®-certified Wealth Management Advisor with Northwestern Mutual in Aspen, and a 2024 Finalist for Best Financial Services around Aspen. Originally from England, Simon has built a practice here that's known for translating complex financial strategy into plain language and personalized plans. If your financial future deserves attention (it does), Simon is your person. northwesternmutual.com/financial/advisor/simon-dogbe

Kaja Lundevall Rumney of KLR Baby has been supporting families through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum since 2009 with an MSN in midwifery from Marquette, a Certified Lactation Counselor credential, and a decade of clinical nursing experience in the valley. She moved here in 2017, fell in love, and never left. She also ran for Basalt Town Council because caring for her community isn't just a professional calling, it's personal. klrbaby.com

Martin Calkins taught history at Aspen High School, lived in Thailand and the Dominican Republic, and then launched The Valley Hopper in 2022, a private shuttle and tour company that's become one of the most trusted names in local transportation. His 14-passenger vans take wedding parties, tourists, and locals on everything from airport runs to scenic Crystal River tours. Clients consistently say he goes way beyond just driving. We can vouch for that. Martin shuttled us to Redstone for our inaugural supper club and he was beyond efficient and gracious. thevalleyhopper.com

Diane Utz, Esq. describes herself as "a construction professional with a law degree," and she means it. A decade of field experience in commercial construction before law school. Named to the Super Lawyers list every year from 2020 through 2026. An official arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association. If you're building, renovating, or in a dispute in this valley, Diane is the person you want in your corner. utzconstructionlaw.com

Erika Corbin of Edward Jones has been in this valley since 1975 and brings a depth of local economic understanding that no newcomer can replicate. As a former IRS Enrolled Agent who ran her own tax firm in Basalt for over 20 years, she brings a tax-smart lens to wealth management that most financial advisors simply don't have. She specializes in women, seniors, and multigenerational families, and she’s another one I can vouch for. Erika saved us thousands of dollars on our taxes. Sadly for us, she was so good at tax prep that she took it to another level with financial planning. She lives on a ranch here with her husband and daughter. edwardjones.com/us-en/financial-advisor/erika-corbin

So there you go. These professionals, and the rest of our network that you can find at aspenbusinessconnect.com were invited willy nilly. They were invited in because of their expertise and reputation, and for their desire to work alongside me meeting new professionals in an ethos of support. I’m not building this network around cold outreach and business card exchanges. I’m building it around good people doing good things. The kind of people that I want everyone else to know.

Shelly Hamill seems to be doing the same thing, giving people a chance to shine in a beautifully curated magazine.

Ready to Be in the Room?

Aspen Business Connect membership is by invitation only based on referrals from satisfied clients and fellow members. Our network has grown, our reach has expanded, and our annual membership is now $1,200 for the year, one of the least expensive, and by far the most valued, in our valley.

If you're serious about building relationships that actually move the needle in this valley, this is where they start.

Apply for Membership at aspenbusinessconnect.com

Scout Guide Photo Credit: The Scout Guide Aspen @tsgaspen and Natalia Snider @nataliasniderphotog

Homestead Circus' Rikki wearing champagne: Jillian Livingston

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Testimonials

Corneliu Fagaraşan

Architect

Aspen Business Connect completely exceeded my expectations. From the moment I showed up I felt welcomed into a community of open, curious, and genuinely supportive people. It’s not just networking—it’s real connection. I’ve built friendships, found opportunities, and gained invaluable insight simply by being part of the group. The environment Jillian has created makes it easy to show up, be yourself, and grow both personally and professionally.

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Hudson McNamee Osprey Design Studio

Owner

I came along and was immediately connected with a lot of entrepreneurs from all backgrounds. A year and a half later I have gained a plethora of connections and advice from people from all walks of the entrepreneurial journey. This valley works by word of mouth. That is the most effective way, and being a part of this has gained me the most high quality clientele that respect what I do, compensate me fairly and I don't have to go through the entire vetting process every time. I learned so much from so many different types of people. It's been invaluable to my growth as an entrepreneur and a small business owner.

Grayson Rutherford Sinclair Building Architecture Design

Director of Operations

I've been blown away by the professional connections that I've been able to make since joining Aspen Business Connect. I've even had the opportunity to make trade relationships... [and] brought multiple artists onto my company's projects that I wouldn't have otherwise found had I not been a member of ABC.

It's unmatched and unrivaled by anything else in the valley and such a special meeting and connecting place for professionals of all different backgrounds. Jillian does an incredible job making her network ours and she's the most well-connected woman in the valley, always bringing in new people from different places who have different experiences and backgrounds to share. Overall it's one of my favorite things to be part of in the valley, from our socializing events and specialized dinners to our more professional focused events , it's given me the opportunity to make great friends in the valley and even professional relationships. All of us are better off for it.

Jeremy Joseph

Jeremy Joseph Photography

I opened a gallery called Jeremy Joseph Photography, which was a place to display my fine art prints of the Colorado Wilderness and Wildlife. Shortly after opening that space, I started to realize the need for me to be more integrated into the local community. After a short meeting with Jillian, I realized really quickly how valuable her network could be to get more integrated into the community. The amount of people and relationship building you can do is pretty impressive. Every time that I show up I always have a bit of a vibrationally tingly inspiration because of everyone's stories and what they're doing. Just a great place to be a part of the community and get inspired for your small business.

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Derron Cloud, State Farm Agent in Basalt and Aspen.

Agent

What I have enjoyed from Jillian's group, Aspen Business Connect, is I've met lots of different people, different individuals. There's great events. I have probably not only gained clients but I’ve also been able to provide clients to those other folks that I've met. I've also made friends. Several people that I met in the first meeting that I went to, I've played golf with and our families hang out together. I have also had many, many referrals from those people. This group has been fantastic for networking and learning and just meeting lots of great and wonderful, interesting people.

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Dominic Del Signore Homestead Circus Productions

Founder

Being a member hasn't just grown my business; it has fundamentally changed my life in the Roaring Fork Valley.

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Jillian is a master at the art of connection, and her dedication to this community is nothing short of brilliant. She understands that when you connect local businesses as genuine resources for one another, you aren't just facilitating 'transactions', you are proliferating a culture of friendship, growth, and playful engagement that makes our community thrive... Great organizations only succeed with great leaders, and Jillian’s mission to foster an environment where we all succeed together is incredibly effective.

Marisa de Lempicka Tamara de Lempicka Estate Foundation

Owner

I've been a member with Aspen Business Connect for about five years now and it's been wonderful. Jillian does an amazing job at connecting people. I always leave the events inspired, empowered, with new ideas. It's really really been a great addition to my life here in Aspen, and it's a great reason to hear what other people are doing in the community, to feel part of this amazing community. The people in this group are amazing. I've /made some really lifelong friendships.

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Shari Havroud of Aetio Health

Nutritionist

I am so grateful for Jillian and Aspen Business Connect, for introducing my work to the team at Aspen Strong where we created a successful Food/Mood kids series. From there, I have been given the opportunity to work with the Aspen Youth Center, Aspen Family Connections and the City of Aspen!”

All of these engagements have helped me expand awareness about the benefits of medical nutrition therapy. Just one introduction led to many more. I would highly recommend joining the Aspen Business Connect network!"

Diane Utz, ESQ Ferguson Shindler Law Firm

Construction Litigation

Thank you once again! You’ve created something really special and have done an amazing job pulling together the movers and shakers in this Valley. I’ve lived all over the country but have never witnessed a network like the one you’ve built and are continuing to build. You are such an inspiration!

Eric Amyot Keystone Species CO

Instigator of Change | Generative Community Builder

ABC makes networking easy. More than that, the intention and energy, mood, and support for every entrepreneur and business regardless of their scale or industry, is always positive.

Harry Teague - Harry Teague Architects

Owner

Thank you Aspen Real Life and your team. Very informative and well organized panel discussion. Wonderful to network with such smart, fun crowd. Keep up the good work.

Jerome Osentowski Central Rocky Mountain Permaculture Institute

Founder & Director

Last week Jerome, Eden, and Brook melted our minds with their wisdom on the state of our food systems, what they're doing about it, and what we can all do to improve the health of ourselves and the Earth. Thanks Aspen Business Connect for organizing this great event!

Thanks so much Jillian for putting these together. We were glad to see so many people who care about their food, we got so many business cards! Amazing

Rose LeVan Sustainable Settings

Co-Founder & Office Manager

Thank you Jillian for giving us the opportunity to talk with our community via Aspen Business Connect! Your crew is amazing.

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Michele Cardamone - Michele Cardamone Photography

Owner

I just went to Jillian's Aspen Business Connect meeting at Aspen Kitchen with a panel discussing the importance of eating local and nutritious food without pesticides. There was so much positive energy in the room and such an eclectic mix of local business representatives. It was such a perfect way to connect with members of our community. Bravo, Jillian! I can't wait for more!

Molly Dodge Bosque Aspen

Such an amazing event, Jillian!! Thank you for including us and for everything that you're doing for this community and beyond. You're an inspiration and connecting people is the most satisfying thing. Xoxox

Bill Infante, Hangai Mountain Textiles, Co-Founder & President at Breakthrough Communications, Basalt Town Council Member.

Principal & Co-Founder

Great evening. Great initiative. Great connections. Thanks Jillian Livingston for bringing the business community together!

Marisa Hallsted The Mindful Vine

Founder

We thought you’d love that we all connected over a fabulous dinner. Turned into a blog post, a mastermind group, a newly designed ring from gems from my ancestors and who knows great collaborations between some of us in the future! Thanks for being our connector and for all you do!!

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