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 in the indigenous plants than the archeological sites themselves. Janine left archeology to purchase a landscape business with a focus on botany. Her most recent career change came in 2016 as she began the purchase of an existing nursery (owned by a botanist), which is now BCGC. The transitions brought her closer to doing what she loved.

Janine’s friend recommended the Small Business Development Center, (SBDC) at Fort Lewis College, for guidance to obtain a loan. SBDC could also teach her how to construct a business plan. How a loan applicant presents information to a bank’s loan officer is very important. Janine followed through on the recommendation and signed up for SBDC’s Leading Edge program. The program was just about to start as Janine was in the initial stages of buying the nursery. The LE program provides a model for entrepreneurs learning how to take their idea, develop it, and finish with a complete business plan. “I learned things about marketing, accounting, and insurance that were extremely helpful. The class was invaluable with information. I learned how to negotiate the customer price (a monetary amount a customer base provides a business, which is included in the sale price) when calculating my offer for Botanical Concepts.”

Janine finished the LE program with a completed plan and qualified for a loan. She keeps abreast on the programs and classes SBDC offers. Janine has taken classes on marketing and QuickBooks. QuickBooks helped simplify her day schedule. Janine spends less time in the office and more time with the plants. “That’s where I want to be, outside with the plants and customers. I can’t just hire out jobs. I can learn how to do this myself.”

Janine is very happy SBDC is available to her. “If I have a question about anything, all I have to do is pick up the phone and call them. SBDC works as a hub; connecting people with businesses and community. They just want to help you.”

High Desert Conservation District

The High Desert Conservation District is one of 76 special Districts throughout Colorado formed for specific purposes. Started in 1942 as the Dolores Soil Conservation District, the name was recently changed. “Our name didn’t accurately describe the area we serve and was very confusing to the public,” explains District Manager, Judy Garrigues. Garrigues explained how the SBDC assisted in the name change. “We do not just serve Dolores and we oversee more than just soil.

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The Ring of Champions

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Milt Wiley was a local paddling legend. Even in the 1980s, when whitewater sports were still coming on the scene, everyone in Durango had heard of the Wiley’s. In 1983, he and his daughters opened 4 Corners Riversports (4CRS). Since that time, 4CRS has become Southwest Colorado’s iconic river supply store. With everything from stand up paddle boards (SUPs) to cookstoves to PFDs, the shop supplies river goers with everything they need for their outdoor

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Desert Sun Coffee Roasters

In the eight years since Glenn Lathrop started Desert Sun Coffee Roasters, he has reached out for help to Joe Keck and the SW Colorado SBDC numerous times. “I’ve worked with them since the beginning,” he explains. Lathrop, President and owner of Desert Sun, asked Keck to generate lists of potential customers for his coffee. Desert Sun is a wholesale coffee roaster. Lathrop buys imported green coffee beans, then roasts them creating custom blends. They

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Chimayo

Michael Lutfy and his wife, Biergitte, did research for years before they purchased, renovated and opened the Chimayo Restaurant on Main Avenue in Durango. Michael started working in his Uncle’s restaurant when he was 12 years old. He worked his way through college as a chef, and then worked as an Executive Chef for a large restaurant in downtown Los Angeles for many years. Desiring to change careers and become a writer, and then an

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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

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