In this episode of What It Takes: Business Owners Tell All, host Jamie Seeker talks with award-winning architect and sustainability leader Scott Rodwin. From starting his firm after spontaneously quitting a job in 1999 to building a nationally recognized design/build company, Scott shares how community, collaboration, and bold thinking have shaped his journey.

He opens up about:

• The early days of hustling for projects
• How he built two thriving businesses in tandem
• The philosophy behind taking full responsibility for the client experience
• Lessons from surviving economic downturns
• Why teaching, service, and advocacy are part of his business DNA

Scott’s insights are a blueprint for what it means to build with both purpose and precision.

Scott left a job without a plan but found his first client through a neighbor — and his next through a friend in the community. These early, small projects became award-winning and launched his firm.

“I didn’t have a plan. It was totally spontaneous and accidental… but I had a community, and that’s what saved me.”

Scott explains why his firm embraces the architect-led design/build model — to ensure quality, reduce risk, and give clients a single point of responsibility.

“We take full responsibility for everything. Our clients love the idea of single-point responsibility — and in our industry, that’s unusual.”

“In 25 years of doing business, we’ve never been sued. That’s practically unheard of in this industry.”

Scott has been a sustainability advocate since before “green building” was a common term. His first project used straw bale construction and earned national awards.

“We didn’t call it green building then. We just did it because it felt right.”

From hiring a seasoned construction expert to partnering with a younger team member with drive, Scott shares how complementary skills build strong businesses.

“The most important thing when looking for a partner is not finding someone like you. It’s finding someone who complements your weak areas — and who you trust.”

“We call it peanut butter and jelly. Very different, but it works.”

Scott’s service as AIA Colorado President and as a teacher and speaker stems from his belief in lifting others up.

“We all do better when we share knowledge. Scarcity and fear have no place in our industry.”

“One of our competitors said, ‘We’ve learned so much from you over the years. I’m just giving back.’”

Scott reveals how his firm survived the 2008 crash by cutting hours, not people — and why collective sacrifice built long-term loyalty.

“We rise together, we sink together. No one got laid off. Everyone took a hit — together.”

Scott’s signature advice is practical, generous, and powerful:

“Find your passion. Build your community. And create true partnerships inside your business.”

“Our culture is one for all, all for one — and we haven’t had a single internal political issue in over 20 years.”

• “Your first jobs come from your social network — not your website.”
• “If we’re going to be sued for it anyway, we might as well be in control of...

In this emotional and eye-opening episode of What It Takes: Business Owners Tell All, host Jamie Seeker sits down with Derek Du Chesne, co-founder and CEO of Better U, a telehealth company offering at-home psychedelic therapy. Derek shares his deeply personal journey—from achieving outward success to hitting rock bottom after a mental health crisis. He opens up about how a single ketamine therapy session saved his life, shifted his inner dialogue, and inspired him to start a mission-driven company focused on making mental health treatment more accessible, affordable, and holistic.

Listeners will hear firsthand about Derek’s transformation, how Better U was born, and why he's committed to disrupting the current mental health care model. The conversation offers hope, insight, and a candid look at what it really takes to create something that matters.

• At the height of career success in cannabis and wellness industries, Derek faced a personal collapse: career severance, heartbreak, and deep depression.
• Despite financial security, he felt empty and experienced suicidal ideation.
• Traditional therapies (psychiatric meds, talk therapy, even seeing a shaman) weren’t helping.

• A friend intervened during Derek’s lowest point and introduced him to ketamine therapy.
• After one session, he experienced a profound mental “reset.”
• He describes the experience as the first time in months he could breathe and feel connected again.

• Inspired by his transformation and time spent with psychedelic researchers at Stanford, Derek felt a responsibility to help others.
• Noted barriers to ketamine therapy: stigma, cost ($1,500/session), and lack of aftercare.
• Launched Better U in 2021 with Dr. Sam Zand to offer more affordable, supported, at-home treatments.

• Better U has now delivered 200,000+ sessions across 35 states.
• Leveraged telehealth innovations post-pandemic to offer oral ketamine therapy safely at home.
• Reduced cost to ~$100 per session—making it 10x more accessible.

• Better U now offers a broader platform including:
• Ketamine-assisted therapy
• Functional medicine
• Weight loss programs
• Sexual health
• Holistic psychiatry & soon, talk therapy
• Focused on helping patients find multiple tools for healing—not just a single pill.

“Relentless commitment to the mission… and to your own self-love and mental health. You need to be able to live with yourself through the highs and the lows.”

“Nobody takes their own life because they’re thinking clearly. It goes against everything in our nature—we’re wired to survive.”

“Ketamine therapy created space between me and my thoughts. It quieted that inner critic.”

“We started Better U to help prevent suicide. Now, we’re building a platform for full-spectrum mental wellness.”

“If it’s not your why, you’re not going to survive the lows that come with building something that matters.”

In this episode of What It Takes: Business Owners Tell All, Jamie Seeker sits down with Jill Gustavson, Co-Founder and Executive Vice President of Topaz Services, LLC — a hospitality contact center that’s grown from a bootstrapped startup into a nationwide operation serving over 80 hotels.

Jill shares her remarkable 40+ year journey, beginning in the early days of tech publishing, where she started her career at Byte Magazine in the 1970s. With a deep background in publishing, project management, and advertising, Jill took the leap into entrepreneurship in 1986, co-founding San Francisco Reservations with her husband, Eric. Over the decades, they evolved their business into Topaz Services, embracing new technology while staying true to their people-first philosophy.

Jill opens up about what it was like to be a woman in leadership during a time when few others were in the room, how culture and mindset played a key role in her business’s longevity, and why staying anchored to your mission and core values is what it truly takes to succeed — and stay in business for four decades.

Jill’s Background & Start:

• Fell into publishing serendipitously — hired at Byte Magazine because she “walked with purpose.”
• Worked across multiple departments, eventually managing special projects and launching a new tech magazine.
• Moved to San Francisco for a sales role, met her husband/business partner, and launched their company together.

The Launch of San Francisco Reservations (1986):

• Identified a gap: no central source for hotel referrals when properties were sold out.
• Launched a single 800-number hotel reservation service — quickly gained traction.
• Coined their business values early on: “fast, effective, and efficient”.

Growth into Topaz Services:

• From whiteboards and faxes to AI, omnichannel contact systems, and proprietary booking software.
• Today, Topaz integrates with major PMS and CRS platforms (like Mews and StayNTouch).
• Maintains a hybrid team model, with remote staff long before the pandemic normalized it.

Leadership Philosophy & Company Culture:

• People-first mindset: hired for personality and communication skills, not just experience.
• Prioritized strong internal culture: friendly, courteous, and connected.
• Balanced innovation with intentional, human-driven service.

Challenges Faced:

• Major shifts in technology required constant reinvention.
• Economic downturns and global events (Gulf War, 9/11, COVID) deeply impacted the travel industry.
• Learned to scale back, adapt, and stay connected with staff during hard times.

On Being a Woman in Leadership:

• Often the only woman (and youngest) in the room early in her career — but never saw it as a limitation.
• Focused on being results-driven, project-oriented, and purpose-focused.

What It Takes – Jill’s Final Wisdom:

• Keep your core mission and values front and center.
• Use technology as a tool, not a crutch.
• Stay grounded in your purpose and adapt with the times.
• Support both your team and your clients — and serve them equally well.