Meet Dave Tabor of ProCO360 Podcast in Littleton

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dave Tabor.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’m a former technology entrepreneur, and currently an executive at the state chamber of commerce. I work with business leaders who love Colorado, who are focused on innovation, partnering and providing opportunities for employees to advance and achieve their dreams.

By way of family background, in the 1920’s my great grandfather came from Europe as a tailor, built a business, and created a future for his family, and for me. His story is a story about free enterprise – not the free enterprise that has been under attack because of the few who have built their wealth at the expense of others – I mean the system by which ambitious entrepreneurs can take risk, apply creativity, and doggedly overcome obstacles to achieve their vision and create opportunities for their communities – virtuous free enterprise.

I’ve tried to follow in my family’s footsteps, although it’s been a circuitous route. My first job out of Drake University was selling life insurance – the worst year of my life. As much as I hated it, the selling process I learned served me well throughout my career.

I’d been to Colorado and felt drawn back, so I gladly quit my job and moved to Denver with a car full of stuff and just enough money for an apartment deposit, sleeping on the floor for two months until I could afford a bed. I worked in a family business for two years to save money for an MBA at CU Denver. While completing grad school, I was selected to be the mascot for the Denver Broncos – a job I loved but was so exhausting that I couldn’t function on Mondays, so I had to give it up in favor of a career for which I was going to school. How I got that job is a story of perseverance intersecting with luck – a lot of what life is about.

Coming out of grad school, I was fortunate to be hired by the cable television legend Bill Daniels. He and the company taught me management skills for which I’ll be forever grateful.

Finally, with a new baby at home, I convinced my wife that it was time to start a business – Tabor Interactive. It was a tough go and Cheryl was extremely supportive. Year 1 revenue was $63,000, and profit $3,000. I rode the tech surge and seven years later, with revenue tracking at $3 million and with 25 employees, I sold the company. Timing was bad: the dot-com bubble was bursting, and my payment was in shares of public company, so I didn’t ride off into the sunset. Instead, I moved on from tech and joined the Colorado Chamber of Commerce as Vice President of membership, now Senior Vice President.

In 2017, I started the PROCO360 podcast featuring world-class entrepreneurs who choose Colorado™. It’s a way for me to stay involved in the entrepreneurial world, and support the work I do at the Colorado Chamber. PROCO360 was chosen by Westword Readers as “Best Denver Podcast” in 2018, 2019, and 2020 and is a Top 15 Colorado Podcast on Feedspot. I owe thanks to Gayle Dendinger and Jeff Wasden for getting me started in radio, and on this path.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I doubt the road is smooth for any entrepreneur. Building a business is tough. I’ve mortgaged my house to make payroll and worked many weeks of over 100 hours. Once, while sleeping a few hours a night on the floor of my office, I logged a week with 120 hours – yes, that’s possible if you don’t see your family and are up against a make-or-break-your-company client deadline.

Now, as the host and owner of PROCO360, I spend nights working on that, after working days in my role for the Colorado Chamber of Commerce, so it still takes commitment.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
The PROCO360 podcast featuring world-class entrepreneurs who choose Colorado™. This is a specific niche that I’ve stuck to and have avoided opportunities to venture beyond. Feedback from listeners is very positive and gratifying. 100% of guests and they include very notable, very respected entrepreneurs, give their experience on the podcast “5 stars,” remarking that they enjoyed the conversations, appreciated the stimulating conversation. I strive to use my background as an entrepreneur to explore specific aspects of a guest’s business and leadership. My interviews do not follow the same line of questions from one episode to the next, instead, with preparation, they follow what makes me curious. The show is supported by generous sponsors who align with the mission and audience.

What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was fairly quiet, enjoying nature, riding my 3-speed bike through the woods before mountain biking was a thing. I had a small group of good friends and stayed out of trouble. I became more outgoing at Drake University where I became active in fitness, sports and was selected as the mascot.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ProCO360.com
• Phone: 3035205525
• Email: Dave@ProCO360.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProBusinessColorado
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ProBusinessCO
• Other: Search “ProCO360” in your podcast app

Image Credit:
Chris Clark

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