Meet Ben Madden | Owner & Pitmaster

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ben Madden and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ben, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
For years I had been interested in starting my own business, specifically a restaurant. I am passionate about connecting with people through food and building my business around that gives me immense energy.

Over time, I realized that I wasn’t ready to stomach the risk of starting my own restaurant concept, so I explored acquisition entrepreneurship where my skills could help grow an existing business that aligned with my interests. This helped me reduce my initial risk and I could more systematically transform the business and introduce more of my style of cuisine over time vs. having to do it all up front.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m currently the owner and pitmaster of the Blue Sky Bistro in Broomfield, CO. My journey here was definitely not a straight line. I began in engineering and product development and always had a passion for cooking. As I transitioned companies over a 20+ year “corporate” career, I developed a diverse business skill set that I feel set me up for success in owning a business.

Along the way, I’ve learned that you’re more than just a career or the job you hold at the time. You’re the compilation of your work, how you treat people, and more than anything, how you feel about yourself. All of this takes time and has ups and downs. It’s important to focus on what you can control and continue to improve.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
As a nature lover, I’d have to start with something in the mountains like Buffalo Creek, where the crowds are low and there’s little to no cell service. Great hiking and mountain biking on the Colorado Trail with spectacular views, creek access, and wildlife.

A day downtown day drinking around LoDo (Swanky’s playing shuffleboard is a favorite) followed by a Rockies game. I’m a die-hard Yankee fan, but I love baseball. Coors Field is one of the best stadiums in the league, so it’s always fun to take in a game, even if the Yankees aren’t playing,

Rent a bike and ride the miles and miles of trails around the region. There are so many breweries to visit as well not far off the Platte River Trail, Clear Creek Trail, or Cherry Creek Trail.

Grab a nice dinner at the Fort. I love game meat and this place has the vibe to make a memorable night in Colorado. Also great if you’re taking in a Red Rocks concert that evening.

Last would be the Blue Sky Bistro at the Rocky Mountain Metro Airport (no ticket required!). I know it’s a shameless plug, but we have an amazing view of the front range, Boulder Flatirons, and the Denver cityscape from our patio, which is directly adjacent to the airfield. We’ll soon be expanding our offering and hours so patrons can come enjoy a beer and watch the sunset over the Rockies. It’s really a hidden gem in the north Denver suburbs.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family is #1 in supporting me in this journey. My wife and I work side by side everyday and I couldn’t do this without her. My kids have also been part of the business, so it’s a real family affair. My parents have also been instrumental. Being self-employed themselves, they’ve provided guidance, support, and a philosophy of life to give me the confidence to take this leap.

I also followed the steps in the book Buy Then Build which laid out a gameplan to follow with acquisition entrepreneurship. This wasn’t an easy topic for me to find resources on until I came across this book and learned of other resources available in the entrepreneurship community.

Website: https://www.blueskybistro.com

Instagram: blue_sky_bistro_co

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-sky-bistro

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063615696518

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/blue-sky-bistro-broomfield