Meet Eric Elkins

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Eric Elkins. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Eric below.

Hi Eric, thank you so much for joining us today. There are so many topics we could discuss, but perhaps one of the most relevant is empathy because it’s at the core of great leadership and so we’d love to hear about how you developed your empathy?

As an elementary school teacher, I learned to love every student — even the annoying ones. One of my self-guided methods was to look at a student who was acting out or being frustrating and saying, “Oh, that’s Joe being Joe. I love how he’s his own person.” And every time Joe would smirk or interrupt, I’d think, “I love that kid — he is who he is because of these challenges or issues in his life.” It helped me find reasons to be fond and empathetic, so I could provide the same level of caring and attention to every student.

When I started my own company, I was a terrible boss for several years. I’d forgotten about empathy and was focused on performance. I’d be critical when people made mistakes or didn’t get things quickly enough. It took losing some talented employees plus brutal honesty from my team and even my sisters to get me to remember the lessons I’d learned as a teacher — to be a coach and a servant leader, rather than a manager.

Over the years, I’ve worked hard to lead with empathy and compassion, to accept and even celebrate people for who they are, and then to help them grow with patience while maintaining high standards for performance.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I live with multitudes, but they all revolve around storytelling, connection, and making things happen.

I own WideFoc.us, a social media agency I founded back in 2007, when brands still asked, “Isn’t social media just for kids?” (Spoiler: It wasn’t.) Our focus has always been on community engagement and real-time interaction that drives revenue, using social channels to build relationships rather than just shouting into the void and hoping to get a sale. I love that we get to help businesses and organizations find their voices, grow their audiences, and make meaningful connections online.

Beyond WideFoc.us, I’ve always been a writer at heart. I’ve published some young adult novels, and I’m constantly tinkering with new book ideas. A couple years ago, I launched Denverlicious.com, a passion project that lets me combine my love of food, travel, and wordplay. It’s a collection of overwrought odes to the best eats in Denver — sometimes ridiculous, always heartfelt, and a solid excuse to keep exploring the ever-changing food scene in this city.

What excites me most? That all of these pursuits — whether it’s branding and strategy, fiction, or food writing — boil down to the same thing: telling compelling stories. Whether I’m helping a company define its voice, crafting a character that feels real, or describing the perfect bite of some delectable dish, I want people to feel something, to connect, to be inspired. And if they laugh along the way? Even better.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Making connections is the heartbeat of everything I do. Whether it’s bringing friends together over a shared meal, helping clients connect with the right partners to help them succeed, or forging lifelong friendships through spontaneous adventures, I thrive on the energy of connecting people who will make each other’s lives better. Some of the most pivotal moments in my life — career shifts, creative breakthroughs, unforgettable nights in unfamiliar cities — have come from simply saying yes to a conversation. Real connection isn’t about networking or transactional relationships; it’s about curiosity, generosity, and being fully present with the people around you.

And storytelling is one my primary modes of connection — whether it’s building brands, writing novels, or crafting over-written odes to Denver’s best. People don’t just connect with facts and features; they resonate with narratives, emotions, and the feeling that something was made just for them. Whether you’re selling a product, pitching an idea, or just trying to make someone laugh, building a connection through compelling context makes all the difference.

Curiosity has always been a driving force. Whether it was diving into social media strategy before most businesses even saw the value, obsessing over how a perfect sentence lands on the page, or hunting down the best bánh mì in Denver, curiosity keeps me moving forward. If you’re early in your journey, never stop asking questions. Read widely, explore new ideas, and don’t be afraid to be the person in the room who doesn’t have all the answers — because that’s how you get smarter.

My advice is to listen. A lot. The best way to learn, to connect, and to make leaps in your own ability is to approach everything with authentic curiosity. Ask why, and instead of composing your response in your head while the other person speaks, literally listen and then ask another question. Bring empathy and warmth into your conversations and be kind.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

When I feel overwhelmed, my first instinct is to take a deep breath and recalibrate — because panicking has never once solved a problem (though it has wasted a fair amount of my time). I remind myself that I don’t have to tackle everything at once, just the next thing. So I stop and breathe and take stock of what I know, what I can control, and what’s out of my hands.

Maybe I start a list — old-school, pen-to-paper style — because something about physically crossing off tasks makes me feel like I have a little more control over the chaos.

Then, if my brain still feels like a browser with 47 tabs open, I step away from the screen and take a walk. Movement shakes loose the mental clutter, and fresh air has a way of making problems seem a little less insurmountable. If I can’t go outside, I’ll do something small but satisfying—like loading the dishwasher or folding clothes in front of the TV — just to remind myself that I’m capable of completing something successfully.

Honestly, a 22-minute nap can do wonders for my outlook on life.

And finally, I remind myself that burnout isn’t a badge of honor. If I’m running on fumes, I won’t do good work, be present for my team, or show up for the people who matter to me. So I take care of myself — whatever that looks like in the moment. Maybe it’s eating something nourishing (like literally taking care of myself by cooking something tasty and enjoying the process) instead of grabbing whatever’s closest, maybe it’s not doom-scrolling and instead reading for 20 minutes, or crashing on the couch and watching three hours of mid TV. I’m also addicted to indulgent hot baths — with bubbles.

The work will still be there tomorrow, and I’ll be a hell of a lot better at tackling it when I’m recharged.

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