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 was a teenager. I loved the industry. After working at the shop for a few years my grandmother told me I needed to learn about the corporate world.”

He took a few business classes and managed restaurants. For twenty years Jason worked in law enforcement in Montezuma County and the Town of Mancos. Jason said, “I had always wanted to have my own business. My grandfather sold his business thirteen years ago.” The owner did not have family ties. “I wanted to buy it and bring it back into the family.”

In April 2018, Jason contacted the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Fort Lewis College through their website. His parents used SBDC and Region 9 before they opened their bed and breakfast. Jason knew how useful SBDC had been to his parents. Current SBDC director Mary Shepherd replied to Jason’s request and informed him that Joe Keck, a former director, would be in touch.

“I reached out to SBDC because I didn’t know what to do. Would purchasing the business be feasible for me? Was the price right? Would the business be able to support itself? When I spoke with Joe, he gave me all I needed to get the process going.” Joe provided him with guidance, industry information to research and analyze, and financial spreadsheet software. Jason studied the industry standards and what related businesses were doing. The two also talked about different scenarios Jason could encounter during the buying process. “We met and spoke over the phone several times. The research I had done matched what Joe had found.” Their analysis concluded conditions were favorable to proceed with the purchase.

The most important bit of guidance from Joe came as a suggestion. Joe believed Jason should do franchise specific research to help him obtain financing. Honda, Yamaha, and Kawasaki were the vehicle manufactures Jason’s business would sell. Once the business was registered with Colorado’s Secretary of State, he could apply for financing from the franchises. The standard practice in this industry requires a business owner to obtain a financial loan from the manufacturer if capital wasn’t available to purchase the vehicles outright. Financing would allow the vehicles to be delivered, then showcased for sale on the showroom floor. Jason took Joe’s suggestion. He submitted the necessary information and was eventually approved by all three franchises. In November, almost three weeks afterwards, Jason opened Mesa Verde Motorsports. He realized his dream and brought the business back home.

Mesa Verde Motorsports has been open for two months. “I just want to help people get into the vehicle or toy that they need or want. I would tell everyone SBDC is a great organization. They listen and do the necessary research. Joe knows his stuff and has been at it for years. I am appreciative to Joe and Mary for helping people get into business.”

970-565-9322
2120 S Broadway, Cortez, CO 81321

WildEdge Brewing

Tucker Robinson once worked as an archaeologist who brewed his own beer at home in his spare time. His affinity for making quality microbrews eventually led Tucker to pursue craft brewing as a profession. In 2013, he wrote an initial business plan with the goal of opening his own microbrewery in Cortez, CO. Several years later as his business plan seemed close to completion, Tucker interned at his friend’s brew pub in Rochester, NY. He

PJ’s Fine Bamboo Rods

There’s nothing like serving a niche of a niche industry . . . which is exactly what PJ and Rosanna Dufour have set out to do. Paul “PJ” Dufour has been an avid fly fisherman all his life. A retired carpenter by trade, he discovered the art of handcrafting custom bamboo fly rods years ago. What began as a hobby turned into a business in 2020, and PJ’s Fine Bamboo Rods was born. “Fly fishing is already a

Studio B: A Place to “B”

Coworking, or flexspace, is all the rage in the era of remote work. After all, what better way to build professional relationships than by sharing a workspace? But, what if there was a flexspace designed specifically for coaches and therapists? And, what if that coworking space had a full team who could provide mental and physical health services? To make it even better, what if it had a full time administrative assistant who managed all

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.

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,

Freenotes Harmony Park

By Malia Durbano Richard and Christy Cooke are so grateful to the SW Colorado Small Business Development Center for consulting with them and putting them in touch with valuable resources to assist them in growing and expanding their business. Thanks to the help of the SW CO SBDC their company is experiencing 100% growth in 2011. Originally, a small cottage industry business, started by Richard Cooke in 1990 in Moab, Utah, FHP was at capacity