Countryside Disposal

Herman Rosas has worked in the trash disposal business in Cortez for twenty years. He had developed a stellar reputation amongst the customers he served over that span. In 2016, one disposal company Herman used to work for sold their business to their corporate competitor, which made them the only disposal business in town. He and his wife, Kim, started to receive calls soon after from former customers. The people asked them to start their own business. They were unhappy with the lone disposal company’s service and billing. To serve the community need, the Rosas decided to open a business.

A friend had suggested they contact the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in Durango, which they did. The Rosas were told about the Leading Edge (LE) program, a course designed for entrepreneurs to construct a business plan and learn from professionals about the various aspects of business. Herman knew all disposing of trash, but little on how to operate business within an office. They registered and took their first class soon after.

The Rosas found the class arduous. The Rosas describe themselves as “hands on business people. We learn by doing.” The business terminology and concepts were new information for them. Without having the experience for what the work entailed, there were moments when they wanted to give up. Also, the LE class in Cortez was geared primarily towards agricultural businesses. The Rosas were the only business not involved with farming.

They persevered and gleaned some useful information. Their instructor, Cindy Dvergsten, helped direct their focus to begin service in the neighboring town of Dolores. A guest speaker for one class was a certified public accountant. He and his staff member showed them how to properly set up bookkeeping software with QuickBooks and Excel. Lastly, there was support from classmates who provided encouragement as the program went on.

Countryside Disposal became operational in August 2017. They presently have over a thousand customers and receive approximately thirty calls a week from people wanting to switch to their disposal company. The Rosas have seven employees and operate four trucks. One of their employees is office manager Ellie LaLonde. She has thirty years of office experience with disposal companies. Ellie has taken the foundational lessons the Rosas learned from LE and take business operations to the next level. “With a working business, we have a better understanding of the concepts the LE program taught us. We have recommended SBDC to people we speak with.” The Rosas are thankful for the community support, wanting their customers to be happy and have a good experience. “Our customers want to work with local businesses.”

970-565-8180
25582 Road H, Cortez, CO 81321
https://countrysidedisposal.org/

Enterprise Bar & Grill

Have you heard the story about the entrepreneur who bought a business because she was looking for a job? Seriously. She bought a bar and grill in Rico, CO, with no previous business experience. A year and a half into it she sought assistance from the Small Business Development Center. This woman took a class designed for entrepreneurs, implemented the suggested practices, became business savvy, and now has a goal to buy the property her bar and grill operates

Summit Ridge Wood Designs

Tobie Beneli and Lin Grady of Summit Ridge Wood Design (SRWD) shifted their business focus from custom woodworking jobs including commercial and residential cabinetry to primarily building caskets. In 1997, Tobie’s relative passed away. The deceased’s immediate family called and asked Tobie to build a casket. The funeral home would not sell them one because they had an outstanding bill and the director suggested the family make one. Tobie acquired the specific dimensions needed and

Trip Outside

Durangoans know…there’s no better way to explore the outdoors than through human powered adventures. But, when you’re traveling out of town, that’s not always as easy as it seems. Both Reet and Julie Singh worked for Home Depot Corporate in Atlanta for a number of years. Reet served in operations, where he worked with tool rental and rental systems, and later, merchandising, where he managed service providers and home product installations. Julie worked in finance,

Gleason Bison: Raising Bison

In 2010, Sarah Gleason discovered that she wanted to raise bison. She was living in Durango and working as a marketing assistant for Zuke’s (yes, the dog treat company), and she became interested in agriculture and livestock. “I visited a bunch of bison operations,” she says, “and I was hooked.” Throughout the process, she discovered holistic management, which is a decision-making framework that works in sync with nature to raise animals in a way 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.

From Local Farms to Your Fingers

Who doesn’t love a charcuterie board? Cured meats and exotic cheeses paired with fruits, nuts, dips, and spreads . . . all displayed in a festive array. Makes your mouth water just thinking about it, doesn’t it? Alexis Saghie certainly thinks so. So much, in fact, that she built a business out of it. It all started one random evening when she and her sisters created a charcuterie board for her family. “I was inspired