entrepreneurism Archives - The Jackson Hole Connection

Episode 238 – From Cowboy to Chocolatier: Crafting Single-Origin Chocolate in Wyoming with Tim Kellogg

By Michael Moeri | 04/19/2023 |

Tim Kellogg is a former rodeo competitor and wrangler turned chocolatier, living in the beautiful community of Meeteetse, Wyoming.

In this episode, Tim shares the journey from growing up in his grandmother’s kitchen to handcrafting gourmet chocolate at his business, Meeteetse Chocolatier. Originally created as a side hustle to earn money for a new saddle, Tim now makes high-quality chocolates without additives, preservatives, or stabilizers as a full-time business.
Tim talks about sourcing beans directly from Belize, where he visits farms and meets the families, ensuring they receive a fair share of the profits. This direct support of farmers not only provides them with a better income but also guarantees that the chocolates produced at Meeteetse Chocolatier are of the highest quality. Stephan and Tim then discuss the terroir of cacao, and its similarity to wine and how it affects the taste of the chocolate and why he chooses not to blend beans from different countries.

The world of single-origin chocolate may be lesser-known, but thanks to dedicated individuals like Tim, more people can experience the unique and complex flavors that each variety of cacao has to offer.

Episode 235 – Preserving the Diamond Cross Legacy with Lauren Long

By Michael Moeri | 03/29/2023 |

Lauren Long is the Head of Events at Diamond Cross Ranch and is raising the 5th generation of stewards. Lauren shares her journey from New York to Jackson Hole, as well as the ranch’s origins, evolution and its serenity.

Discover the rich history of the Diamond Cross Ranch, which has been maintained by the same family for over a century. Stephan and Lauren explore the ranch’s past, present, and future, and the family’s commitment to preserving its natural beauty and history while meeting changing needs. Lauren also dives into the unique experiences and events hosted at the ranch, such as weddings, photoshoots, and celebrations of life, and the hand-built log cabins that have been part of the ranch for 30 years.

Episode 231 – Flying Our Furry Friends to Their Forever Home with Peter Rork

By Michael Moeri | 03/02/2023 |

Peter Rork is a retired orthopedic surgeon and co-founder and pilot for Dog is My CoPilot. In this episode, Peter shares his inspiring journey of finding purpose in his life after his wife passed away.

In 2012, he teamed up with Judy Zimet, a Scottsdale real estate attorney and animal lover, to start Dog Is My CoPilot. Over the past decade, Dog is My CoPilot has grown from flying 20-30 pets at a time to now rescuing 1,000 dogs and cats a month all across the country.

Peter and Stephan talk about the dedication of the volunteers at the animal shelters and the hard work and logistics that goes into transporting hundreds of animals at a time. In 2023, their volunteer pilot team has grown, and they now have ten pilots helping to fly their rescue missions.

Dog is My CoPilot works collaboratively with city shelters, local animal welfare organizations, and individuals to save the lives of pets abandoned in animal shelters. They reduce animal euthanasia in overcrowded shelters by ensuring that each pet has the chance to find a safe and loving home.

Episode 228 – Inspiring Women to Lead featuring Christie Watts

By Michael Moeri | 02/08/2023 |

Christie Watts is a mother, wife, globetrotter, and life coach. With a background rooted in Michigan, she relocated to Jackson Hole in 1998 with aspirations of becoming a professional snowboarder.

In this episode, she shares her journey of discovery and personal growth with Stephan. After leaving the world of corporate advertising in Seattle, she delved into Chinese medicine which led her to discover her true passion of being a life coach. Through her work, Christie has impacted the lives of hundreds of individuals, guiding them towards finding their purpose and living a fulfilling life.

Stephan and Christie also explore how technology has transformed the life coaching industry, and Christie shares her entrepreneurial ventures, including her ultimate goal of becoming a digital nomad. With her unique perspectives and wealth of experience, she is poised to continue making a positive impact on the world.

Episode 222 – Learning to Take Care of Yourself with Jacob Urban

By Michael Moeri | 12/29/2022 |

Jacob Urban is the founder of the Jackson Hole Outdoor Leadership Institute, and he has an inspiring and multifaceted career in the outdoor industry. Jacob started out in Pennsylvania, but he set out to find his own path as soon as he was an adult. That path led him to study audio and video production in Florida, and then to Vermont, where he studied recreation resource management and began to build a career in the outdoors. After 15 years in Vermont, Jacob made the decision to move to Jackson Hole, where he took on a variety of roles and responsibilities, including teaching at Central Wyoming College, working on Search and Rescue, and founding the Jackson Hole Outdoor Leadership Institute.

Despite these achievements, Jacob has also faced challenges, including addiction, debt, taking on too many roles and not implementing enough self care. He shares his story of how he took a step back to focus on rebuilding himself and taking care of his mental and physical health in order to thrive. Through finding his tribe and overcoming obstacles, Jacob has transformed himself into the person he wanted to become.

In their conversation, Jacob and Stephan also explore the importance of disconnecting from technology, connecting with nature, and understanding the ways in which we are all connected as humans.