Bob O’Borne was taught by his father at the age of 5 to shoot a long bow. When he was old enough, he harvested the mighty “Wapati” and joined the United States Air Force. He traveled around seeking out different animals with his bow until he settled in Colorado. Bob has always had a desire to own his own shop but did not have the time or opportunity. He believed, “You will never rise to

“The whole idea is to keep it as local as possible,” says Matt Cudmore who started Meier Skis in 2009. “We emphasize home-grown, local wood and a product coming right out of Glenwood Springs.” Matt, who had been making skateboards for several years, began making the skis using primarily Colorado-grown beetle kill pine, working in a one-car garage. As the story goes, he gave up searching for “the next perfect ski” and decided to build

“Not only did I learn a great deal from these exercises, but I was also able to produce solid projections on productivity, which led to raising seed funding for my business. I even had the luxury of choosing the investor of my choice.” Element Pet Nutrition was born out of the love for dogs and cats and the mission to provide them a better quality of life. While working in a veterinary clinic, Marney Zafi

Aunt Helen’s Coffee House is a unique, quick service restaurant that serves specialized coffee, tea, and an array of breakfast and lunch options. Owners Aimee and Bob Hutson continue to grow their business by providing high quality products, creating unique and healthy dining options, delivering an unmatched level of customer service, and giving back to the community. Aimee was a Director in the childcare service industry for most of her career, and understands the importance

The Little Bird Bakeshop opened its doors on December 14, 2010 and in the past year has developed a loyal following. On any given morning, a passerby wandering through Old Town Square in Fort Collins can peer through the bakeshop’s inviting façade and watch customers sipping coffee and enjoying delicious chocolate croissants, chocolate walnut cookies, and other pastries. With its friendly atmosphere and fresh, creative confections, it will take only a glance before you walk

On any given morning, Snooze’s retro, 50’s-style space is jam-packed with people clamoring to get their names on a lengthy wait list. The draw? A stack of sweet potato or cinnamon roll pancakes, or what some have dubbed “the best breakfast burrito in the world.” A touch of upscale flair makes Snooze owner Jon Schlegel’s fare stand out among fellow bringers of breakfast and lunch. Offerings include “Vanilla Almond Oatmeal Brulée” or “Pork’s Benediction,” a