Success Story: Pateros Creek Brewery 

When Steve Jones of Pateros Creek Brewery began the journey to turn his passion for brewing beer into a business, he may not have predicted just how long that trip might take. Much like a raft trip down the Cache la Poudre River, which Pateros Creek later came to be called, the route from concept to selling beer had a few obstacles in store.

He drafted a business plan, and took that to the SBDC. "It really opened my eyes - it was not what it needed to be" Jones notes. "It needed a lot more substance, especially when it came to my financial projections."

Under the guidance of an SBDC counselor and the business plan writing class, Jones' plan went from four pages to 24 through several rounds of revisions. "Our counselor really asked the tough questions. If you believe in your idea, he expects you to back it up. That really helped in creating the plan, and it was great preparation for talking to investors. I'm still amazed at how many businesses start without a plan."

Despite the preparation and advice, raising the first round of capital was challenging. Jones found it hard to convince prospects that the numbers of beer lovers in northern Colorado would generate the demand needed to support the brewery; but as word got out about what he was up to, financing fell into place.

Jones, his wife, Cathy, and dad, Bob found a spot in Old Town Fort Collins in late 2010 that needed some TLC, and worked for six months to prepare the space for their June opening. "Our location, along College Avenue and near Old Town Square, is great. We really benefit from all the existing foot traffic in the area."

Pateros Creek is seeing better than projected financial results, and is now ramping up its brewing volume. The Jones family, along with friends and investors, are selling kegs, growlers and pints of five different brews, waiting on additional fermenting tanks to arrive, and looking forward to hiring full-time employees next year, expanding, and starting to can their beer. Pateros Creek beers can be found on 12 taps at nine area bars and restaurants, which also draws people to the tasting room.

"We just wanted to create a great place to go, hang out, and drink quality beer, and the SBDC helped us bring our vision to life."

Mayor Hancock Announces City Economic Development Team

Mayor Michael B. Hancock introduced his all-star economic development team selected to refocus and reenergize the City's Office of Economic Development (OED) to grow jobs and create a sustainable business environment in Denver.

"It's time we fundamentally change the way we do business in Denver," Mayor Hancock said. "By creating a long-term strategic plan to attract, grow and retain businesses and provide good jobs, we will help to put the Denver metro area on its rightful path to becoming a global competitor."

Paul Washington, founder and President of LJS Capital, will assume the role as Director of the Office of Economic Development.  In this capacity, he will lead the office's work to collaborate with a variety of community partners to create a sustainable business ecosystem in Denver.

Washington will be joined by Kelly Leid who will serve as the City's Director of Development Services.  Leid previously served as the Director of Operations within Denver Public Schools'. With more than 20 years of broad-based management experience, he has also been actively involved in the planning and execution of over $800 million in public facility projects, including a growing list of K-12 school facilities and the Metro Football Stadium District.

Furthermore, Mayor Hancock announced that a high caliber team of economic development professionals have volunteered to serve as advisors to Washington and his team as they formalize their strategies.

Tom Clark, executive vice president of the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation will be joined by veteran economic development professionals from around the region.  They include John Cody, president of the Longmont Area Economic Council; Mike Fitzgerald, president of the South East Business Partnership; Mike Masciola, director of economic development for the City of Thornton; and Wendy Mitchell, president and CEO of the Aurora Economic Development Council.

Read more at denvergov.org

The Starting Your Own Business Workshop offered by Southwest SBDC was featured in the Durango Herald last month. New business owner and class participant Dorothy Weigman is featured, as well as participating businesses Pass Creek Yurt, a year-round adventure company and Wolf Creek Avalanche School and Guiding, which offers multilevel avalanche training courses.

Read the full article at durangoherald.com 

The South Metro SBDC was honored by the Small Business Administration with the Small Business Development Center Service of Excellence and Innovation Award for Region VIII. The region includes Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming.

The South Metro Denver Small Business Development Center and Director Marcia Mcgilley exemplify and personify the small business development Center Service Excellence and Innovation Award. This SBDC is a true champion for small businesses. It has not only surpassed milestones, and become known as an advocate for small business, they have been innovative in creating programs and taking SBDCs into new territory. Congratulations!

This years Mother of Invention Conference will take place October 1st and will cover a number of critical phases in the inventing process. Sponsored by the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, the Inventors Roundtable and the Denver Small Business Development Center, the conference will save novice and seasoned inventors ten's of thousand's of dollars. Attendees will choose four of the eight sessions offered.

This year's keynote speaker is Jan Miller, the founder and President of Stander, Inc. The conference will run from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm.

For more information and Registration visit: themotherofinvention.org           

The Colorado Rural Development Council in Partnership with the Town of Pagosa Springs is Proud to be Hosting the Fourth Annual Colorado Entrepreneurship Marketplace. The event will run Friday Oct. 7th & Saturday Oct. 8th at Pagosa Springs High School. 

For additional information regarding the agenda, registration or becoming a sponsor or exhibitor please visit ruralcolorado.org or call Michelle Alcott at 303-934-9117.

Business Tip: Surviving and Thriving in an Economic Downturn

Upcoming SBDC Events

South Metro Denver: