The Best Dam Podcast

Boulder City Chamber CommunityCast Spotlight: Kayak Adventures and Tours with Evolution Expeditions

Welcome to the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce's CommunityCast. Host Howard Fox sits down with Kristin Herr, co-owner of Evolution Expeditions, to discover how this unique business is helping locals and visitors alike explore the incredible natural wonders around Boulder City and the Las Vegas Valley.You'll hear about Evolution Expeditions' origins, their range of kayaking and Hoover Dam tours, the family story behind how Kristin and her husband made the leap to buy the business, and what it takes to ensure every outing is safe, memorable, and fun. From quick sunset paddles and s’mores on Lake Mead, to full-day adventures down the Colorado River – Kristin shares both the behind-the-scenes magic and the customer experiences that make Evolution Expeditions a must-try for anyone wanting to discover, unwind, and get outside.Tune in for an inspiring conversation about community, adventure, and how small businesses are shaping Boulder City as a premier destination for experiences!CONTENTIntroduction to CommunityCast and Evolution ExpeditionsWhat is Evolution Expeditions?Evolution Expeditions’ History & Ownership JourneyRunning the Business: Operations and SafetyThe Role of Guides and Customer ExperienceRange of Excursion ExperiencesCustomer Expectations and FeedbackMarketing and Customer AcquisitionSocial Media StrategyCommunity Engagement and Chamber InvolvementMemorable Stories and Group TypesPlans for Growth and Future VisionHow to Learn More and BookLEARN MOREVisit Evolution Expeditions' website at https://www.evolutionexpeditions.com/ or on these social sites:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LasVegasKayakTours Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evolutionexpeditions Trip Advisor:  https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g45963-d1809514-Reviews-Evolution_Expeditions-Las_Vegas_Nevada.htmlNEXT STEPSVisit the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce's website at https://www.bouldercitychamber.com/KEWORDSEvolution Expeditions, Kayacking, Evolution Expeditions, Emerald Cove, Las Vegas #amily Adventure, Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, The Best Dam Podcast, Boulder City Chamber of Commerce#EvolutionExpeditions #Kayacking #EmeraldCove #LasVegas #FamilyAdventure #LakeMead #HooverDam #TheBestDamPodcast #BoulderCityChamberofCommerce

Stirring Up Success: How The Bourbon Babe Creates Experiences in Boulder City

In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill is joined by Angie Rafferty, the creative entrepreneur behind The Bourbon Babe and the current office administrator for the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce. Angie shares her journey of turning 25 years of bartending experience into a thriving mobile business that prioritizes creativity, inclusivity, and the "experience" of a private event.From designing custom "crystal kiss" cocktails with edible glitter to teaching interactive mixology classes where guests take home their own bar tools, Angie provides a look into the artistry of mobile bartending. She also discusses her background in the military, her transition from a 10-year career as a paralegal, and how the Chamber of Commerce has been a vital catalyst for her business growth.DISCUSSIONThe Experience of Mixology: Angie explains that her business is about more than just drinks; it's about catering to themes through colors, titles, and custom ingredients to create a specific "vibe" for private parties.Mobile Bartending & Mixology Classes: Angie hosts 90-minute mixology classes where she teaches small groups how to craft three distinct drinks, providing them with laminated recipe cards and their own bar kits to keep.Inclusivity through Mocktails: Angie specializes in creative non-alcoholic options like "dirty sodas" and raspberry purees to ensure children and sober guests feel fully included in the celebration.Event Concierge Services: Angie offers more than just drinks; she acts as a resource to help clients find bands, photographers, and rental equipment for their events.The Power of the Chamber: Angie discusses the tangible benefits of Chamber membership, noting that her website traffic increased significantly and she secured three ribbon-cutting events within her first four months of joining.A Family Affair: Angie shares the pride of working alongside her oldest daughter, whom she has trained to bartend and who occasionally fills in for her or joins her for mother-daughter events.Life Lessons & Integrity: Drawing on her experience as a veteran and a single mother, Angie emphasizes the importance of honesty in business, providing upfront estimates and "tips and tricks" to help clients stay within their budgets.LEARN MORETo learn more about Angie's services or to book a mixology class, you can reach out to her through the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce or contact her directly via her business, The Bourbon Babe.Boulder City Chamber of Commerce: https://www.bouldercitychamber.com/The Bourbon Babe: https://thebourbonbabeevents.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebourbonbabeeventsKEYWORDSAngie Rafferty, The Bourbon Babe, Mobile Bartending, Mixology Classes, Mocktails, Custom Cocktails, Boulder City Chamber of Commerce, Event Planning, Entrepreneurship, The Best Dam Podcast, Boulder City.#AngieRafferty #TheBourbonBabe #MobileBartending #Mixology #SupportLocal #BoulderCityChamber #TheBestDamPodcast

Behind the Design: How Valiant Supply Serves the First Responder Community

Behind the Design: How Valiant Supply Serves the First Responder CommunityIn this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill is joined by Justin Lomprey, the creative force behind Valiant Supply. Justin shares his journey from serving in law enforcement to launching a grassroots branding and design powerhouse that caters specifically to the unique needs of first responders and public safety agencies.From the technical artistry required to design patches that actually work on fabric to stories of brainstorming iconic designs like the "Vegas Vicki" house arrest patch in under 15 minutes, Justin provides a masterclass in niche branding. He also discusses the family legacy that led him to public service, his "no excuses" work ethic, and how Valiant Supply has grown into a national entity solely through the power of word-of-mouth.DISCUSSIONFrom Law Enforcement to Design: Justin discusses how his background in law enforcement and a childhood passion for art merged to create Valiant Supply, a company built on trust and a deep understanding of first responder culture.The Art of the Patch: Justin explains the importance of "designing for a physical element," ensuring that graphic designs translate perfectly into embroidery or patches rather than just looking good on a screen.The"Vegas Vicki" Success: Hear the story behind one of Valiant’s most popular designs—a custom patch for Metro’s house arrest unit featuring the iconic Vegas Vicki with a neon-style ankle brace.A Family Business: Justin shares what it’s like working with his mother, who serves as the office manager, and how his father and grandfather’s careers in law enforcement inspired the "cop shop" atmosphere of his studio.On-Site Production & Privacy: Because Valiant Supply handles screen printing, embroidery, and laser work all on-site, first responder clients trust that their sensitive gear stays "under lock and key".No Excuses, Just Solutions: Justin highlights a core philosophy passed down from his parents: never come to the table with a problem without having a solution in mind.Community & Philanthropy: Learn about Valiant’s long-term involvement with the UNLV hockey team, including designing their uniforms and supporting local holiday toy drives.From Logging to Landscaping: Justin reflects on his early "hard work" roots, from digging ditches for his uncle’s landscaping business to a high-stakes stint in the logging industry.LEARN MORETo see Justin’s work or inquire about custom branding, visit www.valiantsupply.com or follow them on Instagram and Facebook at @ValiantSupply.KEYWORDSJustin Lomprey, Valiant Supply, First Responders, Graphic Design, Custom Patches, Branding, Law Enforcement, UNLV Hockey, The Best Dam Podcast, Boulder City Chamber, Boulder City#JustinLomprey #ValiantSupply #FirstResponders #GraphicDesign #PublicSafety #TheBestDamPodcast #SupportLocal #BoulderCityChamber

Empowering the Next Generation of Young Women

Empowering the Next Generation of Young WomenIn this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, host Jill Lagan is joined by Michaela Taylor, the current Mrs. Las Vegas America and a contestant for the upcoming Mrs. Nevada America title. Michaela pulls back the curtain on the modern pageant world, dispelling myths of "cattiness" and explaining how the competition serves as a powerful vehicle for personal growth and community leadership.Michaela shares her journey of building resilience and her own marketing business. She discusses her platform, "Confidently You," which focuses on empowering young girls and women to step out of their comfort zones. Whether she is speaking to high school dance teams or preparing for the state stage, Michaela’s story is a testament to the power of daily, small acts of courage.DISCUSSION1. Pageantry Unmasked: Michaela clarifies the structure of the Mrs. America system, noting that the competition is judged on interview (50%), swimsuit (25%), and evening gown (25%), with no talent portion required for the Mrs. division.    2. Confidently You: Michaela explains the heart of her platform, which encourages women to rewire negative mindsets and perform daily "courage acts" to build authentic self-esteem and reach their full potential.    3. The Power of First Runner-Up: Reflecting on her first-ever pageant, Michaela discusses the mental shift required to turn a second-place finish into a motivating lesson in pride and persistence.    4. Business and Grit: As the owner of Michaela Starr Marketing, Michaela draws parallels between the discipline of pageantry and the challenges of entrepreneurship, emphasizing that both require the courage to be "seen" and the grit to never quit.    5. Lessons from Kansas: Michaela credits her upbringing in a family of five for her strong work ethic, specifically her parents' rule of finishing every "season" or commitment before being allowed to move on to the next thing.    6. A Moment in the Spotlight: Michaela shares a touching story of her 11-year-old son being moved to tears while watching her on stage, highlighting her goal of being a living example of bravery for her children.    7. Jailhouse Reality Check: In a humorous exchange, Michaela and Jill bond over their shared history of working in detention centers—Michaela's stint lasted less than a full shift before she realized her path lay elsewhere.    8. The Path to State: With the Mrs. Nevada America pageant approaching in May at the Aliante Casino, Michaela outlines her goals for the upcoming year, specifically focusing on mastering public speaking to better serve her community.LEARN MORETo follow Michaela’s journey to the crown and learn more about her "Confidently You" platform, follow her on social media at @michaela_s_taylor. For information on the pageant system or how to compete, visit the Mrs. Nevada America website at https://www.mrsnevadaamericapageant.com/.KEYWORDSMichaela Taylor, Mrs. Las Vegas America, Mrs. Nevada America, Confidently You, Pageant Life, Women's Empowerment, The Best Dam Podcast, Boulder City Chamber of Commerce#MichaelaTaylor #MrsLasVegasAmerica #MrsNevadaAmerica #ConfidentlyYou #Pageantry #WomenInBusiness #Empowerment #TheBestDamPodcast #BoulderCity

Live Your Bold: The Making of Sierra 914 with Will Turner & Ryan Dugger

 In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, your Host, Jill Lagan, is joined by ultra-endurance athlete Will Turner and filmmaker Ryan Dugger. Will and Ryan break down the making of Sierra 914, an award-winning documentary capturing Will's grueling 914-mile triathlon through the Sierra Nevada mountains. From the extreme mental fortitude required to push through sleep deprivation to the chaotic reality of filming a non-stop moving target, they provide an inspiring look at what it means to "Live Your Bold". They also discuss the profound impact of support teams, the unexpected beauty of the journey, and why age should never be an excuse for stopping.DISCUSSION914 Miles of Grit: Will and Ryan discuss the logistics of an 8-day, non-stop ultra-triathlon that wasn't a looped course but a continuous point-to-point journey, requiring the film crew to live on the road right alongside the athlete.Hacking the Mind: Will shares his mental strategies for enduring extreme pain, including a specific technique of counting to eight while climbing Benton to distract himself and focus on what he could control in the moment.Filming on the Move: Ryan reveals the production challenges of a small crew constantly moving with no base camp, dealing with dust, exhaustion, and weather changes, resulting in a film that authentically mirrors the raw, gritty nature of the race.The Storm and the Rainbow: Will recounts a pivotal moment where a freezing downpour nearly broke his spirit, only to be followed immediately by a double rainbow that reset the team's morale for the final push.Live Your Bold: The origin story of Will's mantra is revealed, which began with a goal to do 60 Ironmans at age 60, evolving into a mission to encourage students and adults alike to reach their full potential.The Power of Connection: The team shares the heartwarming story of Jose Gomez, a stranger on a grocery run who ended up cycling 100 miles out of his way just to share the road and energy with Will.Roots of Resilience: Both guests reflect on how their parents—Will's hard-working father and supportive mother, and Ryan's integrity-driven father—shaped the character traits necessary to complete such a monumental project.Award-Winning Storytelling: The duo discusses the reception of the film, including winning the Audience Choice and Maverick Awards at the Richmond International Film Festival, and the surreal experience of receiving a massive standing ovation.LEARN MORETo learn more about the film and Will's journey, visit the Sierra 914 website at https://www.sierra914.com/ or learn about "Live Your Bold" initiatives on their website at https://www.liveyourbold.com/.KEYWORDSWill Turner, Ryan Dugger, Sierra 914, Ultra Triathlon, Documentary Filmmaking, Live Your Bold, Endurance Sports, The Best Dam Podcast, Boulder City Chamber of Commerce #WillTurner #RyanDugger #Sierra914 #UltraAthlete #Documentary #LiveYourBold #TheBestDamPodcast #BoulderCityChamberofCommerce