SPEAKER_00 0:00

And intention, attention, and no tension is so important to me. When you put out your intention of what you want, then what is your attention that you're gonna give it? And the no tension is for me, leave it let it go.

SPEAKER_01 0:17

All right, welcome to another episode of Connections That Matter, where we have amazing conversations with Northern Colorado's best networkers and find out about the connections that they've made that have led to their success. And today I have probably one of Northern Colorado's networking royalty members. If there was a Mount Rushmore, uh Dixie would be on uh the Mount Rushmore for Northern Colorado networking. But uh I can't imagine anybody watching this hasn't met you yet, Dixie. But if they haven't, um, or even had a selfie with you because your selfie game is so strong. If they haven't met you, tell us a little bit about what you do.

SPEAKER_00 0:52

Yeah, my name is Dixie Daly, and I am the membership director in business of the Loveland Chamber of Commerce. And I also have a Tickled Pink collection that I created and collaborated because of networking.

SPEAKER_01 1:05

Well, sound good. Uh, this is the first guest to bring me a beer on the show. So, like I'm already, you're you're already my favorite guest, I think. Um, and the tickled pink, but uh every time I see you, you're in pink. Um unpack that a little bit for me. How do you why is pink such an important color for you?

SPEAKER_00 1:21

Sure, it's it's really interesting because it is about networking. I was in Dallas, Texas. 2,000 women were networking, and I was at a conference, and I would just was wearing pink and people would stop me and go, I love your pink. You look good in pink. And I just made a phrase, I'm tickled pink.

SPEAKER_01 1:37

There it is. There it is. And now it's now it's a big brand. Uh I I see, you know, your beers in in different breweries, you're in the distillering, but um talk to me about the scope of the brand and and the collabs that you're doing.

SPEAKER_00 1:51

Sure. So um it all did start out um a year ago. I went to an um event where it was like a conference too, but it was more about knowing what do you want on this in this world was what Danelle Delgado. Mm-hmm. Yeah, I love her. Yeah. Yeah. And so she just asked us a simple question what do you want? And what do you really want? So we wrote it down. And 14 years ago, I wanted to create a tickled pink beer. I don't know why, just think, hey, nobody has a pink beer out there. I think it's pretty cool. So I just reached out to Jesse, who owned Grim Brothers, and I really wanted it with Grim Brothers too. And so I do intentions, and I'm sure you do this too. Every day I write down my 10 gratitudes and I write down what I want. And I think that's important part of networking is really knowing what do you want. So when I asked Jesse, he said yes, and I went, Oh, okay. Uh-oh. I said, How cool is that? Yeah. So then, you know, tickle pink beer came to life and it just got in cans like a month ago.

SPEAKER_01 2:49

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 2:50

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 2:51

Well, uh, I think that's actually a good place to jump off because a lot of people, they don't actually ask for what they want. You know, it's like they're either their messaging is not clear or they're just not direct enough. Um I agree. What what tips would you give to somebody to to actually ask for what they really want?

SPEAKER_00 3:11

I love that you asked me that because I'm all about asking. So to me, if you don't ask, it's a no. But if you ask, it's a possibility. And that it's it is a muscle. You have to get used to asking. You have to get used to saying, this is what I want. And if you ask, you do have possibilities. I have lots of possibilities in front of me. And and I believe in like I'm a passion test facilitator. And intention, attention, and no tension is so important to me. When you put out your intention of what you want, then what is your attention that you're going to give it? And the no tension is for me, leave it, let it go. Leave it up to God. You know, let let things happen the way they're supposed to, and you don't have to rush it.

SPEAKER_01 3:53

So before you knew, or before you got the yes from Jesse, did you have much of a relationship with him? Have you warmed that up? Like, um, how did you get yourself into the position where brave and bold enough to ask the question?

SPEAKER_00 4:05

Yes. So I did know Jesse and um I from networking. And that's why networking is so important to me is when you get to know and trust people and they get to know that you and trust you, it's a whole different ball game. And so I did have to get the nerve. I remember a couple of times going, Hey Jesse, I have a question to ask you. I didn't ask. And I'm like, hey, Jesse, I really have a question. He goes, Okay. So I the third time, I'm like, Jesse, I really need to meet with you. So I met with him, and that's when I said, I have an idea, and I'd love to know if you'd be open to it, and I would like a pink beer. And he just simply said yes. And then I came to do the sample. And the funny thing about sampling, and it wasn't really a lot of pink that I like. Well, I drink beet juice, so I took it home and I put beet powder in it. Okay. And I I send him a picture, I go, now it's pink beer. And then we ended up turning into a raspberry ale. But it's still, you know, a process, no matter what you create, you have to go through that and and asking, can I have this? And it's just like, you know, was so exciting when he said yes.

SPEAKER_01 5:08

Well, and and I think it's interesting on his side. So you you said at the the first person I wanted to talk with, I wanted to be at Grim Brothers. So there was something that he did that uh had you or attracted you to come to him. Um why was it Grim Brothers? What was the the reason of being um to having them get at least first shot at it?

SPEAKER_00 5:29

Yeah, well, I think Jesse was the main reason because of his personality, easy to get along with. And I did networking events at his uh birthday brewery over in Loveland, and I just got to know him and his dad, and and I used to go there all the time, and that just it was all about that relationship building.

SPEAKER_01 5:46

And so he he says yes. Uh you do the beet powder, so I get it the pink, the right shade of pink. And um do you have a favorite? Let me just to not uh go too much of a squirrel mode, but do you have a favorite shade of pink?

SPEAKER_00 5:59

Are they uh I actually like all pinks.

SPEAKER_01 6:01

All pinks. All right, right on.

SPEAKER_00 6:03

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 6:04

Um but and you start to develop, it turns into a raspberry ale. Um but it's not just a one thing, right? Like now it's in cans, it's distribution, it's co-promotion, it's um you know, uh, how do you how do you maintain the relationship as the deal is growing and expanding?

SPEAKER_00 6:25

Communication.

SPEAKER_01 6:26

Okay.

SPEAKER_00 6:27

Number one. I I'm a I'm all about communication, whether it's texting, whether it's an email, whether it's a phone call. I'm if something's not going right or moving right, I you know, we'll make sure communication's open. But they made me a sheet. And this it's really cool. It's a green sheet. And I put in there my contact, who it is, and then they write back, did they follow up? So we actually have a daily sheet.

SPEAKER_01 6:52

Oh, really? I know.

SPEAKER_00 6:53

It's really impressive.

SPEAKER_01 6:54

Well, uh, take me through what else is on the table. We got chocolate, we candles, uh, we got uh pecans that pecans that's part of this.

SPEAKER_00 7:04

But real quick, and I don't have it yet because it's coming in cans, but I have a cider, it's called the Pink Dragonfly. Oh, yeah. And it's my that's my second favorite product that just came out. And I was um at my friend Debbie Davis's home, and she's like, Hey, let's have a glass of wine. And I'm like, Okay, let's go to Sweetheart Winery. She goes, Well, we could sit here. I go, No, I like being around people and it's that beautiful out there. Yeah. So she said, Yes. We went there, and I have to say, Charles, the owner, comes out and he goes, Hey Dixie, you want your own cider, don't you? And I went, Debbie and I look at each other, yes. And so I was just thrown off that. And so he comes out with a bottle of wine and two glasses of toast on it. Okay. So I go home that evening and I'm like, what is it called? What's the flavor? What am I gonna do? And um, so I thought about it and I like, nobody has dragon fruit, and nobody has pears. So I made it a dragon fruit and pear. I love pink, so it's the pink.

SPEAKER_01 8:02

Sure.

SPEAKER_00 8:02

And then I wrote a poem about a dragonfly from my late husband, and so I called it the pink dragonfly.

SPEAKER_01 8:09

We both written the You got dragonflies on your hat, I see. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 8:12

So that's pretty special too.

SPEAKER_01 8:14

How cool though to take something that's internally special and now it's a product. People are enjoying relationships or whatever on a glass of wine that has a dragonfly, and you got a small part of that. Uh yeah.

SPEAKER_00 8:27

Well, that's a it's a cider, it's a pink dragonfly cider. The wine is nuts.

SPEAKER_01 8:31

That's the cider, I got you.

SPEAKER_00 8:33

Yeah. But um, I'm just yeah, it's very it was an emotional product that I didn't know even know I was doing. So that's what's really made that one special is like, wow, it's so cool. So that that will be in cans next month.

SPEAKER_01 8:48

Um is like talk to me about legacy, right? Because I see you building like the pink, and uh people can come to one of your events and leave with that and the products. Uh, but what is the legacy that you're wanting to leave around northern Colorado?

SPEAKER_00 9:02

I think the legacy would be love. You know, um, I married my high school sweetheart, and all four of my kids married their high school sweethearts, and they all grew up in Loveland. And so to me, love is really a part of who we all are, and so that would be it.

SPEAKER_01 9:17

Love that.

SPEAKER_00 9:18

Thank you.

SPEAKER_01 9:18

Love that. Uh and then you got involved in the chamber, or you are the chamber. Uh you you've um, you know, I've met some really great people through there, but um you're part of why Loveland Chamber is such a special place to be. Thank you. How did you how did you get involved in that originally? Oh, that's a story. All right, let's get into it.

SPEAKER_00 9:37

So, you know, after losing my husband, I gave up a whole year of life and just didn't want to do anything. And I get this phone call from the chamber saying, Hey, we'd like you to be our photographer. And I'm like, Okay, what really? And I'm like confused. And so I show up and Robin and Mindy are there, and they're and I'm like, Well, who's doing your membership? And they said, Nobody, it's commission. I love commission. I'll do I'll do membership. And they both probably looked at me like, really? Who is this girl? And um, so it was part of who I am with networking. So I felt like if I can learn that position, which I did, I'll be going on 12 years next month, well, in February of being at the Loveland Chamber. And it just turned out to be where it was really made for me. I feel again, that was part of my purpose too, of sharing my expertise in networking and being part of the chamber. And yes, I probably grow 80 to 100 members a year. Yeah. Yeah, it's fun.

SPEAKER_01 10:37

And as an expert, you say I mean, I would absolutely say uh, you know, act with Mount Rushmer of networking in in Loveland, but um, what do you think has made you such a successful networker?

SPEAKER_00 10:48

Well, I just love people. Um, believe it or not, I was I think I grew up networking because I'm the 15th of 17 kids, so I've been collaborating all my life. Wow. Uh yeah, I mean, I've been collaborating all my life, and I just know the what it's like to help take care of people and and know how important they are and be a good listener. I think knowing what they do is important to me. And so yeah, the the chamber was just a big part of that for me.

SPEAKER_01 11:15

And what ways has having a very robust and profound network, like, you know, what's the advantages that you have that maybe somebody who doesn't network doesn't experience? What uh what do you feel is some of that um either access or prestige? I mean, obviously you put a lot of time into networking, but what does it give you?

SPEAKER_00 11:35

Yeah, I mean, it for me, it gives me happiness, gives me joy. And I feel that people need to know how important it is to serve on a board. So I serve on Be the Gift, which supports single moms with no cost home repairs. I serve on the board for Colorado Women of Influence, and they help women get into networking, even if they're retired. And then I serve on the board for Crew, which is commercial real estate women, and they help give scholarships to youngins who want to learn to be a realtor. So I feel that that's a big part of my networking. It's not all about just making the events, it's showing up to the events.

SPEAKER_01 12:13

I didn't have time for it all.

SPEAKER_00 12:16

Oh, I love that you asked that one too. So I tell people there's 24 hours in a day. Yeah. Okay. Eight hours goes to work, eight hours goes to me, eight hours goes to sleep. If I'm tired, I pull an hour out from my and I because I like sleep a lot. I really do. And I just and I don't watch TV. I probably haven't seen TV in years. And so I feel that I just value my time and I decide where it goes. And to me, this is where it goes, and staying on top of all my um communications, networking, helping people out. So that's a big part of it is I give my time in a valuable way.

SPEAKER_01 12:53

Well, I can just see like it feeds your soul, right? The the networking. Uh, I talked to a lot of people, networking does not feed everybody's soul, right? There's some people that would rather do anything but network, it's like a net necessary evil. Um what do you love about it and any tips you could give to somebody who doesn't love it that maybe could learn to love it?

SPEAKER_00 13:13

Yes. So for I I used to work too for the Coward Rockies baseball team. So I was one of the um, I did top sales. I love sales. So I think sales is a and I was one of the first females to play in the fantasy camp with Don Baylor and Clint Hurdle and Don P Dante Bichette, and and I love energy that people give me. And I feel that that's what they're gonna need is they have to set. So I have a formula for people who want to network. There's I could take do two days a week and set it on your um set it, you know, 2026. This is what I'm gonna do. Two appointments a week. There's 52 weeks in the year. That's 104 new people you just met, that's gonna change your life. The key part is you have to have them pick a day and a time. So when you send them an email, you give them two days, two different times, one in the morning, one in the afternoon. And then let them choose. And then the biggest part is the day before, you have to remind them I'm gonna see you at this place, this time, and let them know the coffee's on you. Because that is a game changer, is when you really do the follow-ups and let them know you're gonna take care of them at that meeting, give the fifth first 15 minutes to them, and then it just opens up so many doors. For me, I'll do four of those. So I do 208 instead of instead of 104. Yeah. I probably do 12 to 15 events a week. Uh-huh. But that's just my who I am. I love networking and the people who know me know, you know, that that's what I like to do. But that's important to set that um rhythm and make it a commitment to yourself in 2026 to do two a week only. Start small. If it's if that's too much, do one, but that's better than nothing.

SPEAKER_01 14:57

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 14:58

Like they always say, something's better than nothing.

SPEAKER_01 15:00

And I in you just never know who's going to change your life, right? Like one person that you can meet for coffee, build a relationship, is going to be somebody that could totally transform your business. What are what are some people that have changed your life that you've met networking that looking back, you don't know how you'd be able to do it without them?

SPEAKER_00 15:17

Well, uh the Calado Rockies was huge. I learned a lot from them, not only from because I had I networked with them also. I would help do all the fundraising and get the um get all the people in the seats. And I would say when my kids were little, the schools, um, there's a few teachers that really touched my heart um that had my kids. And I was the PTO mom and the fundraising person who ran the school store. And and then that led into a job. It led into I was running the magazine sales and I would raise $1.5 million a year and selling for Time Warner and Reader's Digest. And I was volunteering. And so they came up to me and said, Hey, would you like this as a job? And I'm like, doing something I love. So for 16 years, I just ra I helped raise money for all the school districts, from Windsor to Older, Fort Collins, Loveland. And I just did that all the time. And I just love that, you know, when you do something, people will notice you. You just have to show up. It's really important to show up.

SPEAKER_01 16:22

Uh when you say show up, um, what does that mean? Like when you say like, because some people like make an appearance, but they don't show up. I think probably how you're meaning it. Describe what you mean by showing up.

SPEAKER_00 16:33

A couple of things, and I'll use some of my newest products. Like when I I asked Debbie, let's go to Sweetheart Winery instead of sitting in the house. Yes. That was showing up. And now I have a product. 477 Matt, um, we had last it was January this year, we had our year-round um chamber, 10 chamber event at Blue Arena. Afterwards, the night owls went over and had something to um to eat. And I happened to sit next to Matt and I was joking with him. I said, Hey Matt, I want my own vodka. He goes, Okay. I love cotton candy as a kid, and that'd be so cool to have it as a vodka. Two weeks later, he goes, Hey, your three samples are ready. What would you would you like to come pick them out? I'm like, sure. Really? So I go the four, seven, seven in Loveland. He has one in Greeley, too.

SPEAKER_01 17:24

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 17:24

And I'm like, he had three samples, and this is really interesting, is that the cider, Charles had three samples, they don't even know each other. So they must do these three samples that like when they do things because it was like a shock to me that they both did the same thing. And so I picked the flavor I like, the color I thought was beautiful. I mean, and then he says, We're gonna put your name on their co-created by Dixie. That is a god thing. Yeah, I mean, and I know Charles and Matt are both very faithful, you know, like they they believe like I do. And I just feel that that's what happens in life when you show up. You know, I didn't know. I mean, if I didn't go to that dinner that night, I wouldn't have it. If I didn't show up the sweetheart winery, I wouldn't have had that. So then I when I'm at um sweetheart winery, I'm like, who does your chocolate? I would love to have my chocolate bar back. I had the same wrapper 15 years ago.

SPEAKER_01 18:15

Really?

SPEAKER_00 18:15

And so I'm like, I really would love it back. And they go, Adam's chocolate. Where are they located at? And he goes, Loveland. I go, what? 25 years they've been in Loveland. Um Sonny Jims used to make my chocolate. Do you ever hear Sonny Jims? They're right there in Eisenhower. Oh yeah, they're right by um Sweetheart Winery, but they're they're gone now. And so I call Christy and I'm like, and there's an ask. I'm like, can I please have my pink chocolate? I would love for you to create this with me. And she's like, I don't know if I want anyone else. I don't know if I could take any more clients. I'm like, I just kept saying, please, please, please. And so she finally said yes. And so we made our meetings. I gifted her a bottle of this vodka, and she's next time I go back, she goes, I she made these pecans. She goes, I infused your vodka because I have pecans and I infuse whiskey, but I did your vodka. You can have another product. She decided that.

SPEAKER_01 19:07

Wow.

SPEAKER_00 19:07

I didn't even decide that product. So that's what I'm saying. You know, like just being open to show up and and just let people help you. You know, you they're the catalyst for you, and you don't even know it because I didn't.

SPEAKER_01 19:21

Well, I think too, the like I'm just seeing the snowball effect. Like you get the first yes. Now you got a now you got a pink product that's out in there. And Loveland is not a very big place. Like, you know, the people from Sweetheart Rhiner talked to Rim Brothers, like everybody kind of knows of each other. But how have you seen after getting the first yes, that the second, third, fourth yes was a lot easier?

SPEAKER_00 19:42

Yeah, it really is. So once you get that yes, your confidence just goes up.

SPEAKER_01 19:47

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 19:47

And you're like, oh, that they like this. That you know, it's it's really working. And I honestly don't know if anyone's doing what I'm doing.

SPEAKER_01 19:55

I don't I don't know.

SPEAKER_00 19:56

Collaborating with a business. Yeah, I do their marketing, I I let people know. We we we made like 40 cases of this beer in two months ago. They had to make 50 more. So it must be doing good, you know? And then same with the vodka, Matt can't keep up with me. Yeah. And um, so yeah, it gets easier the more you ask. And then I'd like to share a little bit of a story on this candle. It's a little it's a little 11-year-old. Her name is Kenzie. So she made she's making my first makes the candles. Yeah, Kenzie's candles. And she's making my first batch right now of a hundred candles. And I gave her a pink scent. So pink had a scent, this would be it.

SPEAKER_01 20:35

Yeah, hold on, I got a smell.

SPEAKER_00 20:37

Mm-hmm. It's pink.

SPEAKER_01 20:38

Wow. I like it. I don't I don't know if I've ever smelled pink before, but uh that's my tagline.

SPEAKER_00 20:45

If it's pink had a scent, this would be it. And it's a pretty pink too.

SPEAKER_01 20:48

And so I like the curiosity of that because people are like, what does pink smell like? So now they're picking the candle up and I do get that.

SPEAKER_00 20:55

They're gonna, what does pink smell like? I go, right there. Just smell it. And so I had that designed in New York like 15 years ago when I had my I used to own Tickle Pink Boutique and I had the same, kind of the same product line, but not a collaborations. It's a whole different business now than what I used to do. I did a lot of gifting and so, but I wanted a few of them uh back that I really had a sensitive touch to that I wanted. I'm like, so I was fill, I was I'm a photographer too. So I took pictures at her grandma's party, and I said, Hey, would you like to make my pink candles? I'd love to have them back. And again, I'm asking.

SPEAKER_01 21:32

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 21:32

And she's like, Yes, you know. So I went to her home. It was so cute. She's telling me how how she does it and giving me the pricing, the sizes. So adorable.

SPEAKER_01 21:44

So then the What an entrepreneur she is. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 21:47

And so then she brings the candles to my home and I put the order in and I I videoed her. She's like, Okay, they cost this, they do that. And I'm it was just the cutest ever to see an eleven year old have that entrepreneurial heart. Like

SPEAKER_01 22:00

Do it an adult? Yeah, we talk about like asking for what you want.

SPEAKER_00 22:03

She might maybe your next little show for sure. So that that's how my candle, I mean, it's not even here yet, it'll be here this week.

SPEAKER_01 22:11

Cool, cool.

SPEAKER_00 22:12

But I can't leave out my daughter Tiffany, who makes all these labels. She makes she makes my labels, and I'm like, because she used to make them before she owns her own marketing business. And I and she must think, oh boy, there's mom again. Okay, hey, I have another idea. But she does them for me in love.

SPEAKER_01 22:31

Yeah. Well, how cool that you're doing this, but also get to include your daughter. Um you know, and I and everybody who shops or buys a product, they're not just helping one business owner, they're helping multiple.

SPEAKER_00 22:43

Yeah, the um Crow Hop and beer with Grim Brothers, they're um for 2026, they're giving a portion of all the tap cider and the beer to Hope Lives in Fort Collins as a breast cancer foundation. They're giving a portion to everyone that's um on tap that they sell. So that's so, and I've seen a lot of my products go into that where it's people are using it to help people. A lot of my stores give a dollar of every candy bar sold, and they choose the nonprofit they want to give to. So I didn't see all that. See, things just show up that you don't know too when you create.

SPEAKER_01 23:18

Uh the one thing I have to ask you about too is your selfie game is so strong. Like I'll see an event and uh all the who's who's gotta get their picture with Dixie and stuff like that. But uh I'm bad about it, Dixie. I like I should have taken way more photos of the Dixie.

SPEAKER_00 23:35

We'll do one when we when we hear it. Well, I'll get your selfie. But yeah, I have um 310,000 photos on the phone right now for this year and 37,000 selfies.

SPEAKER_01 23:45

Wow. Okay.

SPEAKER_00 23:46

So people go, you're good at that. I'm like, I know, I got you. And then then they'll give me their phone to do their selfies.

SPEAKER_01 23:53

But I think you know, being seen, it's one thing to be in the event. You talked about that, but there's people who watch you or see you at an event, and even if they weren't at the event, they see that you were there. It's probably a great way to stay in front of people.

SPEAKER_00 24:04

It is, and I don't, I I really just do it because that's what I like to do. Well, as a photographer, right? Yeah, and as a person who likes a network. So I'm there because I love it. And then you're right, people go, can we do a selfie? I'm like, absolutely. It's cute.

SPEAKER_01 24:20

Well, Dixie, I this was awesome. This was such a great discussion. Um, you know, any any tickled pink, definitely make sure that they uh um we did an event actually at uh Grim Brothers and I saw a lot of pink beer uh going around or pink uh cider go uh going around.

SPEAKER_00 24:35

And you smiled.

SPEAKER_01 24:36

That's right. Yeah, that's right. Uh but um how can they find all your stuff? Uh how can they get in touch with you or how can they join the chamber?

SPEAKER_00 24:44

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 24:44

Um share, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 24:46

Sure. Um for the chamber, they just have to visit um lovelin.org. It's pretty simple. When you go to that um homepage, it says join us now. And then guess who gets it? I do. Yeah. And then um for me, um right now, I would just say reach out to my email Dixie at Dixie Daily.com. The website is being built as we speak. It's gonna it is, it's it's out there, but it's I noticed it wasn't up yet. But it is the tickledpinkcollection.com.

SPEAKER_01 25:12

Right on. Well, uh, we'll make sure to highlight all those in the show. But uh Dixie, thanks so much for coming on, sharing that, and uh can't wait to get that selfie with you. But we'll see you networking around northern Colorado.

SPEAKER_00 25:23

Thank you so much, and I'm so grateful that you had me as your guests.

SPEAKER_01 25:27

Hey all, thanks for watching. I love networking and building relationships with other Northern Colorado business leaders. So if you want to come meet some of these podcast guests, meet me, or meet some other amazing entrepreneurs in Northern Colorado, I would love to have you attend one of our next events. Uh, go in the podcast description. There's a way so you can see our upcoming schedule. And maybe you could be a future podcast guest as well. Thanks.