BC Signs, LLC

“I remember the first time I met Joe Keck, I was huddled by a wood stove in a 4,000 square foot building accompanied by a meager video inventory and a vinyl cutter”, said Bryce Capron, on meeting Joe in at his place of business in Dove Creek. He sat next to the fire with me and we talked. “It was my first contact with a resource that I value and rely on to this day.”

Bryce came to the area from Denver in 1978 to work with the local schools, retiring six years ago after a 29- year career in Industrial Arts and Art. His years in business overlap with a teaching career as he started the video business while still teaching.

Some years ago, the “woodshop teacher” saw the end of the video era coming. He enrolled in Leading Edge for Entrepreneurs class in 2011, laying out plans to develop a kitchen, entertainment venue and coffee shop. He remembers Cindy Dvergsten, Leading Edge Instructor, asking how many cups of coffee you could sell in Dove Creek in a day. The instructors had a way of making things clear, when he “was ready to hear it,” Bryce comments.

The owner of BC Signs llc, Bryce considers his experience with SBDC as a blessing. With no other formal business education, the classes and seminars were essential to learning to run a successful business. “Typcial art major,” he quips. The networking, education, consulting, and warm sense of community are all readily available. “There is no end to the value of being able to discuss your business with experienced business professionals.”

The business landscape in Dove Creek is tough in his estimation. “Though I haven’t been able to set in motion all my plans, SBDC has given me the tools to adapt, and shore up the foundation of my sign business. I would encourage anyone having thoughts about following a business dream to seek the services of the SBDC, make a plan, do your homework, and get to busy.”

He explains, “Yes, ‘Get to busy’ is an expression of mine.”

Dove Creek, CO

Sit-Ins

By Malia Durbano Music composer, James Bowers came up with a great idea a few years ago and formulated it more – in of all places- Trimble Hot Springs! James and his wife Lily Weisbecker had attended a string quartet concert through Music in the Mountains, which they thoroughly enjoyed. The next night, while they were at Trimble, the cello player from the ensemble also happened to be there. They began discussing how to make

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

Farm to Summit

Nothing says Durango like dehydrated meals. After all, we use them for everything…camping, backpacking, river trips, backcountry ski trips, and even lunch on busy workdays. Thanks to Farm to Summit, you can now purchase dehydrated meals made right in the heart of Durango! The company also makes instant lattes for those mornings when you don’t have time to stop by the coffee shop. “Our focus is on providing better tasting meals for the backcountry market,”

Higher Grounds

By Malia Durbano Nicki Alley, owner of Higher Grounds Coffee in Pagosa Springs was “really excited” when she won First Place for the business plan she wrote after attending the Leading Edge for Entrepreneurs training. Although her coffee house, bakery and gift shop had been open since 2004, she wanted “a refresher and to update the business plan”. She will be celebrating her 10th anniversary on August 16th & 17th. The eclectic shop features scarves,

Ski and Bow Rack

Larry Fisher greeted every customer as if they were long-lost relatives. For thirty-three years he welcomed people in the Ski and Bow Rack—until late one night, Larry confronted an intruder, who shot and killed him in his shop. His daughter, Brittany Bedtke, who worked for Pagosa’s Emergency Medical Services, knew it was her father the moment the call came in. The loss of her father hit her like a train. But on top of that,

DaLe Llama Bike Tours

Tony Martin’s business is to go downhill – fast! His business, DaLe Llama Bike Tours (DLBT), is trending uphill, but their passion is to take people down hills and mountain sides. DaLe is a play on words for a Spanish phrase meaning “let it rip,” and “go for it.” Tony leads mountain bike tours to Ecuador for big descents as they ride downhill and single track. DLBT’s purpose is to shred sick trails, stimulate local economy and share culture.