Send us a text In this episode, Alicia and George discuss their experiences with family legacy, parenting challenges, and the impact of technology on their children's lives. They explore the importance of fostering family bonds and values, the role of philanthropy in their lives, and the struggles of balancing work and personal life amidst the pres…

Send us a text In this episode, Alicia and George discuss the realities of navigating the startup landscape, emphasizing the importance of understanding market dynamics and the long-term commitment required for success. They explore the rise of fractional leadership as a viable option for startups seeking expertise without the full-time commitment,…

Send us a text In this episode of 'Married to the Startup', Alicia McKenzie and George discuss the intersection of technology and personal life, the success of their recent luncheon event, and the complex relationship between self-care and ambition. They explore how ambition can evolve over time, the challenges of maintaining a work-life balance, a…

Send us a text In this episode of 'Married to the Startup', Alicia and George McKenzie discuss the essential elements for business success, focusing on consistency and value. They share personal experiences regarding family health, particularly addressing seasonal allergies and the proactive measures taken to improve their children's well-being. Th…

Send us a text In this episode of 'Married to the Startup', Alicia and George explore the complexities of psychology, particularly the spectrum of personality traits, the intersection of religion and business, and the concept of openness in personality. They discuss how personal beliefs and experiences shape their views on religion, the challenges …

Send us a text In this episode of Married to the Startup, Alicia and George discuss the challenges of making life choices at a young age, the importance of safety while traveling as women, and the need for better education and preparation for career paths. They emphasize the significance of understanding personal passions and the risks involved in …

Send us a text In this episode, Alicia and George discuss the challenges and joys of managing family life with busy spring sports schedules, the journey of starting a new business, the importance of self-care, and their thoughts on retirement planning. They also delve into the realities of sales and networking, emphasizing the need for perseverance…

Send us a text In this episode of 'Married to the Startup', Alicia and George McKenzie discuss the evolving landscape of content creation, the decline of customer service post-COVID, the importance of passion in work, and the pitfalls of toxic productivity. They explore how the pandemic has affected service industries, the need for genuine engageme…

Send us a text In this episode, Alicia and George discuss the implications of a head coach returning to work just a week after giving birth, exploring the societal expectations placed on women and the potential impact on young girls. They delve into the challenges of balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of self-care…

Send us a text In this episode, Alicia and George McKenzie discuss their experiences over the winter, including family updates and reflections on their holiday. They delve into their goal-setting process for 2025, emphasizing the importance of travel and family experiences over material gifts. The conversation shifts to financial planning, where th…

Send us a text This week, Alicia and George dive into the challenges of balancing holiday chaos, raising kids with tech boundaries, and navigating the dynamics of structured versus unstructured time. From debating the pros and cons of gifting a PS5 to discussing how unstructured time fuels creativity and resilience in children, this candid conversa…

Send us a text In this week’s episode of Married to the Startup, we chat with Gregg Brunson-Pitts, founder of Advanced Aviation Team, to explore the world of private charter aviation and entrepreneurship. Gregg shares his journey from coordinating flights for the White House to building his own aviation company from scratch. Along the way, he revea…

Send us a text In this episode of Married to the Startup, we welcome Erin Washington, a dynamic author, entrepreneur, podcaster, and single mom, to discuss her journey of self-discovery, rebranding, and building a life rooted in authenticity and purpose. Erin shares her evolution from managing eating disorders and self-worth challenges to creating …

Send us a text In this week’s episode of Married to the Startup, Alicia and George chat about the awesome guests they’ve had on the show recently. The couple has ordered a number of peptides but have yet to go through them to try them all. Alicia discusses a number of the benefits to using peptides to increase longevity and health span; notably GLP…

Send us a text In this episode of Married to the Startup, hosts Alicia and George dive into the power of hiring moms, the journey of scaling a mom-centered community, and the importance of adaptability in entrepreneurship. They’re joined by Erika Hanafin Feldhus, CEO of Hey Mama and co-founder of Hello Mamas, who shares insights on leading organiza…

Send us a text In Episode 18 of Married to the Startup, we dive deep into the concept of being the "CEO" of your own health and longevity, featuring guest Greg Shindler, known as "The Longevity CEO." Greg shares his expertise on why taking ownership of one’s health is essential, especially as we age. By envisioning health as a business, he explains…

Send us a text Welcome to Episode 17 of Married to the Startup! Today, we’re thrilled to introduce our very first guest, Sarah Sims, a seasoned entrepreneur and wellness consultant. With two decades of experience in HR, real estate, and consulting, Sarah shares her inspiring journey from corporate life to founding a wellness-focused business and a …

Send us a text In this episode of Married to the Startup, Alicia and George kick things off with a conversation on the importance of prioritizing health, especially as we age. They stress that small, consistent investments in wellness can make a major difference and help avoid the long-term impacts of neglect. Next, they delve into Halloween and sh…

Send us a text In this episode of Married to the Startup, Alicia and George tackle the challenges of balancing personal and professional life. They discuss why being overly focused on work-life balance might signal a mismatch in your career, explore the benefits of prenuptial agreements in setting clear expectations for a stronger relationship, and…

Send us a text Think you have the next great idea for a unicorn startup? In this episode of Married to the Startup, Alicia and George discuss the world of venture capital, numbers, and the importance of understanding how it all works. With candid and engaging conversations, they share practical insights into managing startups while balancing family…

Send us a text How do you find meaning in a world where AI can do everything we can do and maybe even better? In this episode of Married to the Startup, hosts Alicia and George delve into the topic of finding meaning in a world where AI is advancing rapidly. They discuss the potential impact of AGI (artificial general intelligence) and how it could…

Send us a text In this week’s episode of Married to the Startup, Alicia and George talk about the differences in the technology used between the time when their oldest child was young and today, highlighting the significant changes and expressing concern about the impact on children's creativity, boredom, and addiction. They also touch on the chall…

Send us a text Is your pursuit of happiness causing you more harm than good? Join us as we delve into the equation of happiness and explore the importance of letting go of possessions and embracing a more meaningful and satisfying life. In this episode of Married to the Startup, Alicia McKenzie and her husband George discuss various topics related …

Send us a text In this episode, Alicia and George get real about some of the struggles and frustrations in the world of content creation and everyday life. From taking a critical look at the modern influencer and content creator market to decision fatigue as a founder and parent, they share how it has impacted their personal and professional lives.…

Send us a text In this episode of Married to the Startup, Alicia and George discuss various topics including defining success, choosing the right friends, private vs public school education, and the ethics of AI. They emphasize the importance of a broad definition of success that includes happiness, relationships, and personal fulfillment. They als…

Send us a text In this episode, Alicia and George discuss various topics including budgeting for business and home, financial management, and individuality for their children. They also share their experiences with teaching their kids about finance and investing. Alicia emphasizes the importance of mindset and manifestation in achieving goals and o…

Send us a text In this episode of Married to the Startup, Alicia and George discuss government-focused businesses and the challenges of starting and growing a company in the government contracting space. They also explore the role of AI in various industries and the potential impact on creativity and job markets. The conversation concludes with a d…

Send us a text In this episode, George and Alicia discuss entrepreneur pitfalls and regrets, as well as the best way to start a new company. They emphasize the importance of having the end goal in mind and making sure that the steps taken align with that goal. They also share their biggest regret in their business careers, which is giving away equi…

Send us a text The hosts discuss the importance of acknowledging success as an entrepreneur and celebrating victories along the way. They reflect on their own experiences in business and how they have sometimes overlooked the small wins in pursuit of larger goals. They emphasize the need to celebrate the little victories and appreciate the journey,…

Send us a text In this episode of Married to the Startup, Alicia and George discuss health and wellness, including their own fitness routines and experiments with biohacking. They also talk about the benefits and drawbacks of the keto diet and the rise of plant-based meat alternatives. The conversation then shifts to work-life balance and the propo…

Send us a text In this episode, Alicia and George McKenzie discuss various topics related to starting and running a business, the impact of social media on children, and financial advice for women. They emphasize the importance of follow-through and hard work in entrepreneurship and the need for consistency and persistence. They also highlight the …

Send us a text Summary In this episode, Alicia and George McKenzie discuss their experiences traveling with their five entrepreneurial children. They talk about the challenges and joys of traveling as a multiracial family and share tips for booking airline tickets and navigating airports with kids. They also discuss their love for Disney cruises an…

Send us a text Summary In this episode, Alicia and George McKenzie introduce themselves as the hosts of the podcast 'Married to the Start-Up.' They discuss their background in IT startup and health and wellness, as well as their experience in investment and real estate. They also talk about their approach to balancing entrepreneurship and family li…

Send us a text In this episode, Alicia and George McKenzie introduce themselves as the hosts of the podcast 'Married to the Start-Up.' They discuss their background in IT startup and health and wellness, as well as their experience in investment and real estate. They also talk about their approach to balancing entrepreneurship and family life, incl…

In this episode, Metaphorically Speaking hosts Joe Dudeck and Shannon Jirik reminisce on the podcast's inception and evolution over nearly three years, including the show's inaugural seasons on sharing your small business story and experiencing fear in life and work and the interim "COS in COVID" series. Mostly, they wind down the year by sharing m…

Alicia Klausmeier is the founder and president of Dream Accounting Solutions, a full service bookkeeping firm in Colorado Springs. With a passion for serving small business owners, the Dream team also provides process and payroll management, one-on-one support, and training. In this episode, Alicia shares how her entrepreneurial spirit and problem-…

Daniel Byrd is the executive director of Kids on Bikes, a non-profit organization bringing joy and freedom to kids and families in the Colorado Springs community “one bike, one ride, and one mile at a time.” With a mission to inspire and empower all kids to lead healthy, active, and happy lives, Kids on Bikes sets out to combat childhood obesity, e…

Lauren McKenzie is the owner of REN Creativ, a Colorado Springs creative studio that offers branding, web design, and photography services. Armed with "contagious creativity and boundless originality," Lauren's stamp can be found in bars, breweries, and other small businesses across the local landscape. In this episode, hear how Lauren's journey of…

Nikki McComsey is the founder of Gather Mountain Blooms, an urban flower farm on the historic Venetucci Farm in Colorado Springs. Together with her sisters, Leah Remacle and Abby Remacle, a mission to "promote community, creativity and healing in a field of beautiful flowers" is cultivated. Nature lovers can flock to the farm to pick fresh blooms, …

Lisa Tsarowitz is the founder and owner of Epicentral Coworking, a shared space for working nomads, including freelancers, small business owners, entrepreneurs, and commuters. With two locations in Colorado Springs, members can access meeting rooms, private offices, and a range of amenities. At Epicentral, "Work Hard, Do Good" means more than sitti…

Timothy (T.H.) Gillis is a managing partner at KPMG accounting firm in Washington D.C. and a two-time self-published poet. Despite a successful professional career in accounting and tax law, Tim sought an outlet for self-discovery, mindfulness, and contemplation, eventually trying his hand at poetry as a way to process life and preserve experiences…

Architect Scott Schuster and Interior Designer Courtney Wilson are partners at Echo Architecture + Interiors, a design studio based in Colorado Springs. Echo is in the art of telling stories through design — creating timeless, yet unexpected, spaces that enrich the community, embody local culture, and emphasize sustainability. That mission comes to…

Bobby and Brooke Mikulas are the founders and owners of Kinship Landing, a boutique hotel, cafe/bar, and event space in downtown Colorado Springs. "Built with exploring in mind," Kinship Landing is more than just a place to spend the night. Acting as a personalized resource hub for both tourists and townies, the Kinship Landing team provides recomm…

Gayla Bustos and Brittany Winn are the real estate agents behind Property Mommies, a team serving homebuyers and military families in the Colorado Springs area. Together, they strive to create a positive, transparent, and stress-free experience for clients as they settle them into their dream homes. In this episode, get a glimpse into what makes th…

Aubrey Day and Stacy Poore are the owners and curators of Bread & Butter Neighborhood Market in downtown Colorado Springs. This bodega-inspired space boasts walkability, a welcoming environment, and a wide selection of purposeful foods and spirits — many of which are sourced from local vendors. In this episode, enjoy the origin story of Bread & But…

Rachel Richards is a professional speaker, finance guru, and bestselling author of Money Honey: A Simple 7-Step Guide for Getting Your Financial $hit Together. At the age of 27, she retired from corporate life and now spends her life in Colorado Springs empowering others to take control of their financial future and achieve their dreams. In this ep…

Dirk Draper is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Colorado Springs Chamber and Economic Development Council. The Chamber's mission is to serve and support the Colorado Springs business climate and military community by providing education, events, resources, and funding. In addition, they represent COS as a key voice in public policy.…

Pete Heiniger is an executive pastor at Discovery Church Colorado in Colorado Springs. With an open-door, "come-as-you-are" philosophy, Discovery Church is committed to a mission of rescue, where any person who walks in the doors knows that their story is safe — no matter their past or previous experience in the church. Like many other churches imp…

Erik Van Horn is the owner of Outside the Breadbox — a family-owned, gluten-free bakery in Colorado Springs — committed to quality cooking and clean ingredients. The bakery is open for locals to purchase fresh bread, cookies, pies, and more, but their nut, soy, allergy, and dairy-free products can also be found in grocery stores across Colorado and…

Erin Poovey is the owner of Camino Massage Therapy in Colorado Springs. With a unique variety of techniques at their disposal, she and her team of massage therapists provide personalized, therapeutic care to subdue or eliminate longstanding pain. In this episode, Erin discusses how being deemed a "non-essential" business during the COVID-19 quarant…