Success Stories

written by Denise Leslie

Mary Tesitor, the founder of *Tesitor Consulting*, has built an inspiring career that spans both the arts and finance. A Boulder native, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music with an emphasis in Arts Management from the University of Colorado Boulder. In 1993, she relocated to Durango, where her career took a sharp turn. Initially rooted in the arts, Mary shifted gears and entered the oil and gas industry, starting as a Data Analyst. As she gained more experience, she specialized in financial analysis, budgeting, and reporting, ultimately becoming a Financial Analyst.

Throughout her career, Mary’s passion for growth led her to continuously seek new opportunities to learn. After years of professional success in the corporate world, she returned to Fort Lewis College to study accounting, further refining her expertise. Mary spent over thirty years in a high-pressure corporate environment, where she developed a strong foundation in finance, but in 2023, she decided it was time for a change. She retired from the corporate world and set her sights on entrepreneurship.

“I wanted to leverage my skills across various industries and make a more personal impact,” Mary explained. This drive led to the creation of *Tesitor Consulting*, a bookkeeping and accounting services firm she founded to provide businesses with financial clarity and the tools they need to make informed decisions. Mary’s services focus on financial analysis, custom dashboards, and budgeting—all designed to empower clients and help them manage their finances with confidence.

Despite her wealth of experience, starting her own business presented new challenges. One of the toughest hurdles, she said, was marketing her services. “The biggest hurdle is helping clients see beyond traditional bookkeeping,” Mary shared. “Many don’t realize the value of in-depth financial analysis and custom dashboards until they experience it.” She worked hard to convey the value of her services, demonstrating how they could drastically improve decision-making for businesses, big and small.

The Southwest Colorado Small Business Development Center (SBDC) played a crucial role in helping Mary navigate these early challenges. With guidance from her mentor, Terryl Peterson, she gained invaluable insights into structuring her business and connecting with potential clients in Durango and beyond. This support helped her lay the groundwork for a successful venture, ensuring her business was positioned for growth.

Reflecting on her transition from the corporate world to entrepreneurship, Mary acknowledged its transformative impact on her life. “Taking the leap was scary, but it was the best decision for my mental health and personal fulfillment,” she said. “I’m proud to deliver services that genuinely add value to my clients’ businesses. The mutual appreciation I share with my clients is incredibly rewarding.”

Now approaching its second anniversary, *Tesitor Consulting* has grown steadily, with Mary continuing to empower businesses by providing them with the financial tools and insights they need to thrive. Her passion for helping others succeed remains at the heart of her work, and she’s excited for the future.

written by Denise Leslie

Ana Smith, a South Texas native, has dedicated 22 years to the food and beverage industry, building her expertise through hands-on experience and sheer determination. Frustrated with a food system that prioritizes convenience over health, Ana saw an opportunity to make a real difference. “People aren’t always choosing fast food because they want to —they eat it often because it’s quick and easy,” she explains. Motivated to offer a better alternative, Ana founded SoCo Mountain Food Services, a business that bridges convenience with healthy eating, helping people make better choices without sacrificing time or flavor.

Instead of opening a traditional restaurant, Ana developed an innovative approach that significantly reduces overhead while focusing on client needs. She prepares meals directly in clients’ kitchens or rents unused kitchen spaces to cook in bulk. From creating custom menus and grocery shopping to cooking, cleaning, and portioning, Ana handles every step of the process. Her in-home clients are charged for groceries and her hourly rate, making the service both affordable and flexible. “It’s all about meeting people where they are,” Ana says. “I want to make healthy eating simple, so it fits seamlessly into busy lives.”

Ana’s meals are designed with practicality in mind—they’re healthy, delicious, and taste just as good the next day. This allows her clients to enjoy nutritious, home-cooked food without the stress of meal planning or prep work. For those who prefer a more flexible option, Ana also offers “mini meal preps.” These packages include large batches of three recipes sold together, allowing her to test new dishes, serve a broader audience, and train potential employees.

In addition to her meal prep services, Ana sells baked goods and ready-to-eat items at local farmers markets. These markets not only help her connect with the community but also provide a platform to showcase her dedication to fresh, wholesome ingredients. This multifaceted approach has allowed her to steadily grow SoCo Mountain Food Services into a thriving business.

Ana has achieved this growth without loans or financial backing, relying instead on reinvestment and an incredible work ethic. For four years, she balanced her full-time restaurant job while building her business from the ground up. While the journey hasn’t been without challenges, she credits the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for its support. Ana’s consultant, Rich, has been instrumental in helping her navigate critical business decisions, from hiring employees to fine-tuning contracts. “Rich has been a lifesaver,” Ana shares. “He’s helped me figure out the business side of things and given me the confidence to keep pushing forward.”

Ana’s mission extends beyond her clients’ dinner tables. She’s passionate about improving working conditions for food industry professionals and creating opportunities for others to earn a living wage in a healthier work environment. “I want to be part of the solution to our food crisis,” she says. “Helping people eat better and supporting others in the industry is what drives me every day.”

Through her innovation, determination, and a deep passion for change, Ana Smith is reshaping the way people approach food—one meal at a time.

By Denise Leslie

Matthew Betts, a lifelong resident of Cortez, Colorado, has always been passionate about youth sports. With 18 years of coaching experience, from tee ball to varsity baseball, he saw a clear need in his community for a dedicated space where young athletes could train year-round. He turned this vision into reality two months ago, opening a youth sports facility at 1 East Main Street, Cortez, Colorado. His facility caters to underserved communities and offers training in various sports, including baseball, softball, volleyball, basketball, soccer, and wrestling.

Matthew’s dream of opening a sports facility had been with him for many years. He says, ” I have been working on a sports facility in Cortez focused on the youth. This dream has been with me for many years.” Initially, the idea was to build a batting cage, but as he explored the needs of the Montezuma County youth, he realized there was a broader opportunity. The county didn’t have a facility prioritizing youth and their athletic pursuits, so he created something much bigger instead of just a batting cage.

Along the way, Matthew encountered his fair share of challenges. “This journey has had some bumps, turns, and mountains, but we closed in on it,” he reflects. One of the ongoing hurdles has been getting the word out to parents and helping them see the benefits of consistent training and physical activity. Matthew is committed to making his vision known and showing families how important it is for young athletes to have a space to train and grow in their sports.

Matthew and his wife, Taylor Betts, have officially named the facility Off the Bench LLC. “Taylor Betts and I have created Off the Bench LLC. OTB will work with young athletes to hone their skills in their athletic endeavors,” he shares. The facility will offer upcoming clinics focusing on hitting, fielding, and other core sports skills and at-home training videos for the off-season.

Matthew’s path to opening Off the Bench was not something he did alone. The Southwest Colorado Small Business Development Center (SBDC) was crucial in guiding him through the process. “Without the guidance from SBDC, I would never have been able to open the doors,” Matthew acknowledges. The SBDC provided support every step of the way, from developing his business plan to helping him navigate the complexities of starting and sustaining a business. Now, Off the Bench LLC is positioned as a cornerstone for youth athletic development in Cortez, giving local children and teens a place to develop their skills, stay active, and have fun. With a focus on community and youth development, Matthew Betts and his facility are poised to make a lasting impact on the athletic landscape in Montezuma County.

By Denise Leslie

Brody Kunz, a Colorado native, has a passion for the outdoors that dates back to his childhood in Colorado Springs. After moving to Durango to attend Fort Lewis College, where he studied Geology, Brody’s love for nature and the environment deepened. This passion ultimately led him to establish Forestry & Trail Solutions in 2019, a trail design and construction company focused on creating bike parks.

While Forestry & Trail Solutions is still a relatively new company, having only been in operation for a year, it is already making waves in the Western United States. Based out of Durango, Colorado, the business serves clients across public land agencies, non-profits, and private sectors. Brody and his team specialize in creating trails that connect people with the natural environment, allowing them to enjoy outdoor recreation sustainably and meaningfully.

Brody’s inspiration for starting Forestry and Trail Solutions was rooted in his early experiences volunteering on trail projects. This hands-on work gave him a deep appreciation for the art and science of trail construction. He found joy in the physical labor of shaping trails and the knowledge that he was crafting spaces where others could connect with nature. “This is the most rewarding work I have done,” Brody says, “and it’s a true privilege to be able to shape how people experience the outdoors.”

That drive to enhance outdoor experiences became the cornerstone of his business philosophy. Whether working on a public park, a non-profit project, or a private venture, Brody aims to leave a lasting, positive impact on the land and its people. For him, trail design is more than a job—it’s an opportunity to shape people’s interactions with nature in safe, enjoyable, and environmentally responsible ways.

Like many entrepreneurs, Brody faced several hurdles when starting his business. “Getting started was the hardest part,” he admits. Finding skilled staff, managing contracts, and learning the intricacies of regulations across multiple states were significant challenges during the early months of operation.

Brody credits mentor guidance and the support of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for helping him navigate these challenges. Through consultations with industry experts, he’s gained valuable insights into construction management and other essential business practices. “I’d like to give a shout-out, especially to SBDC consultant Rich Lindblad, as he has been incredibly helpful, and I plan to continue using SBDC services as the business expands,” he shares.

As Forestry and Trail Solutions continues establishing itself, Brody is excited about the future. His vision for the company is to expand beyond bike parks, taking on more diverse projects that will enhance outdoor recreation in all its forms. With a deep commitment to sustainability and a desire to positively impact the lives of outdoor enthusiasts, Brody is poised to lead his company toward continued success.

In a region where outdoor adventure is woven into the fabric of everyday life, Brody Kunz and Forestry and Trail Solutions are helping to ensure that future generations can experience the natural beauty of the Western United States in thrilling and sustainable ways.

By Denise Leslie

You might think someone who runs a tree service business always knew they wanted to work with trees. However, for Roman Jefferson, owner of Legacy Tree Solutions, his journey to becoming an arborist was far from straightforward. As Roman himself says, “I had no idea what I was going to do with my biology degree. When an arborist visited my class, I thought it sounded boring!” Little did he know that trees would soon become his passion and career.

Born in Northwest Arkansas but having spent significant time in Northern Arizona, the Middle East, and Botswana, Roman’s childhood was anything but ordinary. He finished high school in Botswana and later returned to the U.S. to study biology in Flagstaff, Arizona. His path took a unique turn when he joined AmeriCorps, where he worked in fuel reduction and trail work, even leading a crew for a while. However, the spark that would ignite his career came when he worked with Woodchuck Tree Service in Durango. Here, Roman learned how to climb trees and discovered the intricate science behind arboriculture.

Roman’s love for trees and the environment grew after working with David Temple at Trees of Trail Canyon and becoming certified through the International Society of Arboriculture. His mission? “More Trees. Better Trees.” Roman aims to improve his town’s urban forest by planting trees and taking care of existing ones through expert care, pesticide use, and proper fertilization. His passion for leadership and his love of trees converged, inspiring him to start his own business—Legacy Tree Solutions—in its fourth season.

Running a business, however, was a whole new adventure. Roman admits, “I knew nothing about running a business and was woefully naive! Thankfully, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) stepped in.” Through business classes and mentorship, Roman gained the tools to create a working business model and plan his company’s future. “I learned the importance of ‘bootstrapping’ and starting small, which kept us grounded,” Roman says. By sticking to the fundamentals of lean manufacturing, Legacy Tree Solutions has grown sustainably, allowing Roman to remain hands-on with his clients and trees while also managing the company’s expansion.

From installing irrigation systems to designing landscapes and providing comprehensive tree services, Legacy Tree Solutions is now an essential part of the community, both economically and ecologically. Roman’s business offers expert tree care and jobs to hardworking individuals, positively impacting their lives.

Of course, the journey hasn’t been without challenges. Learning how to run the business has been tough, but Roman describes it as rewarding: “The stress of being in charge is easily alleviated by the reward of knowing I am making my own destiny.”

Roman’s story is one of growth—both personal and professional—and a testament to his dedication to trees, people, and his community. With a commitment to planting more and better trees, Legacy Tree Solutions is helping to shape a greener future, one tree at a time.