Durango Car Care

After 20 years, Bryan Hill decided it was time to make his dream come true.

He’d been working as an auto mechanic in a local shop but had always dreamed of owning his own business.

When Durango Car Care came up for sale, he and his wife, Jenn, knew this was the opportunity they had been waiting for. They jumped on it. Shortly thereafter, they realized that they needed help.

They reached out to the SBDC and were connected with Bob Jagdfeld. “He was amazing,” Jenn says. “He met with us after hours and helped us hash things over. He asked very direct questions and brought his expertise from years in lending practices. We were perfect candidates for an SBA loan, but without Bob, we never would have gotten the funding.”

In addition, Bob prepared them for every step of the purchase and launch process. “He helped us get our paperwork in order without ever giving his own opinion. He taught us how to help ourselves.”

The shop has been open under its new owners for almost a month, and it has been a resounding success. Durango Car Care offers full-service automotive repair, and they already have two full-time employees. Word of mouth advertising has kept them plenty busy while they settle in.

“Bob was so instrumental in helping us get through funding; to have Region 9 and Bob behind you . . . wow! It really feels like it’s been a group effort, and we think of Bob as an ‘honorary owner.’”

As the business grows, the Hills want to be excellent owners. They see their employees as family and want to foster growth. They hope to hire a full office staff, so Bryan can work more directly with clients. In addition, they are looking into purchasing equipment that will allow them to provide full services for diesel vehicles. They’ve already set up quarterly meetings with Bob to ensure they stay on that track.

If you’ve bent thinking about purchasing a business, Bryan and Jenn offer this advice: “The SBDC is priceless; you’d be crazy not to call them . . . and it’s free! There are so many things you can get hung up on as a new business and so many hurdles to tackle; they clean it up for you. After we went there, we were stunned with all the ways they offered to help. They are invaluable. Call them!”

Love Untamed Collective

Meg Roberts is the owner of Love Untamed Collective.  She specializes in elopement, wedding and event planning.  Meg first fell in love with the wedding industry back when she was a stylist.  During that time, Meg planned events at home, putting together parties for herself and friends.  Her husband then encouraged her to get into the wedding planning business for herself.  Meg said, “I did.  I started by marketing myself as a bridesmaid for hire.” As her experience grew and creative

Read More »
The Painted Playground

A few years ago, Heather Freeman started a paint party business. She set up painting workshops in local restaurants and created an artistic experience for those in attendance. Then, about a year ago, she dove into creating her own art and realized how much she loved it. She decided to become a full-time, professional artist. As she shifted to a new business model, she realized that she needed to learn how to sell her art.

Read More »
Pagosa Mountain Sports: Go Find Your Adventure

A community outdoor shop with a heavy focus on bikes. Doesn’t that sound like a dream? Jake and Janine Emmets, Amanda Gadomski, and Coquette Collins all thought so. So, in 2015, they launched Pagosa Mountain Sports in a tiny house in Downtown Pagosa Springs. And for the past seven years, their business has continued to grow. They sell and provide rentals of stand-up paddle boards, skis, snowshoes, and of course, bikes. They also carry supplies

Read More »
Desert Sun Coffee Company: Making the World a Better Place

Durango has seen its fair share of coffee shops and roasteries. So, what makes Desert Sun Coffee Roasters any different from the others? New owner Zachary Ray says it best, “At Desert Sun, we’re committed to relationships with our small-scale farmer partners. We work directly with them on environmental initiatives, supporting: regenerative-organic practices, reforestation projects, and tracking and rewarding carbon sequestration in their fields. This relationship-focused model guarantees the highest quality sustainable coffee on the

Read More »
Rx Grazing Services : Targeted Grazing

What would you do with 750 nanny goats? How about using them for fire mitigation, controlling woody encroachment, and treating oak brush and invasive species? For the past three years, Rx Grazing Services LLC has been moving their herd of goats across the Four Corners Region to do just that. The company has had projects from the La Sals in Utah to the San Juans in Southwest Colorado. Rx Grazing Services LLC requires a minimum

Read More »
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

Read More »
Skip to content