Sunnyside Farms

By Malia Durbano

When Holly Zink decided to open her fresh, local and organic meat and seafood business in 2002, she called Joe Keck to learn how to set up a corporation and to “make sure all my bases were covered.”

When she moved to her new location inside of Nature’s Oasis in 2007, she realized there were some issues and difficulties with profitability. In 2008, she and her husband, Jesse Villanueba, attended the NxLevel for Entrepreneurs training.

They got some marketing advice from Simon Walls and worked with advisor, Terry Tanahil, who looked at their pricing structure. “It became very obvious for the first time that we were vastly undercharging,” explained Zink. “She helped me understand mark-up and profit margins better.” Walls helped her understand pricing and value through lectures that she attended and advice gained through emails.

Zink continues to meet with Joe Keck and Joe Bishop periodically to go over her progress and numbers, set goals and to map out the future of the business.

“These classes are an amazing and valuable resource in the community. There are lots of talented people who are willing to be supportive. Jay Marqua helped us a lot with individual and collaborative branding when we moved to the new location inside Nature’s Oasis.”

“We have utilized lots of channels of help from the SBDC and we have grown personally as well as have had our business grow and prosper under their guidance. I highly recommend contacting the SBDC for assistance with any aspect of a new or existing business.”

970-375-6400
300 South Camino del Rio, Durango CO 81301
http://sunnysidefarmsmarket.com/

KB Insurance Group

Ken Brengle is the owner of KB Insurance Group, headquartered in Cortez, CO. He studied business at Fort Lewis College. Outside of class, Ken did a lot of self study and sold cell phones at a local store. He was inspired by his business professors who became successful and moved to Durango for a better quality of life. Ken learned he was a good salesman, and with a sufficient income he thought, “Why should I pay thousands of dollars

Choke Cherry Tree

By Malia Durbano Jenelle Syverson got hired at the Choke Cherry Tree as a temporary employee for the Christmas season of 2003. Still an employee, the opportunity arose for her to purchase the business in January of 2014. She loved the store and the customers, and had learned a great deal, but her Associates Degree in Micro- Computer Support from Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, didn’t prepare her for owning a retail business.

River Rim Teardrop Trailers

By Malia Durbano Tim Rossiter and his wife Peg, love to camp and hike. They bought a cargo trailer and turned it into a camper. In researching their design, they discovered a “big movement for people who wanted a small footprint.” In March of 2013, they started researching and planning a design for a teardrop camper. Their vision was to create a custom product with quality materials and craftsmanship. The Rossiters met with Joe Keck

Botanical Concepts

Botanical Concepts Garden Center (BCGC) is 1.3 miles east of north Main Avenue, at the intersection of County Roads 251 & 250. Janine Collins loves this location. She is the owner, and botanist, of BCGC. Janine views BCGC as a community where people come to immerse with nature. “I’m in a place where I am a part of the bigger picture.” Janine’s passion for botany began when she was an archeologist. She had more interest

Soundscapes International

By Malia Durbano Ross Barrable an acoustic sculptor attended the Leading Edge for Entrepreneur’s Class offered by the SBDC in the winter of 2010 because, “I wanted to learn about business and branding and how to market my wind harps.” Barrable doesn’t have a store front and recognizes that most of the sales for his high ticket items come by building relationships with potential clients. Barrable creates, “Contemporary sound sculptures, or wind harps, fabricated out

Mesa Verde Motorsports

Entrepreneurial blood runs through Jason Spruell’s veins. His grandparents opened Gene Patton Motor Company in Cortez, CO back in 1970. The business sold motorcycles, off-road vehicles, snow mobiles and snowblowers. They also had a service shop. Jason’s parents, Kelly and Dennis, currently own and operate Cortez Animal Bed & Breakfast which they opened twenty-five years ago. His brother opened a glass shop six years ago. “Everyone in the family ran a business,” Jason explained. “I worked at my grandparents’ shop when I