Is 2020 the Year You Go Into Business?

Was your New Year’s Resolution to start your own business? January has come and gone and February is drawing to an end, too. Have you started your business yet? Statistically it’s likely that you haven’t, but why? Research has shown that Resolutions fail not because we’re all quitters but because of the way we design our resolutions. We make broad goals that feel too large and end up quitting.

So what should we do? Rather than tackle a large goal, like say “start a business,” make a smaller, more specific goal. If you’re in the 80% of Americans who have already abandoned your New Year’s Resolution don’t give up just focus on that first step. A good first step on the path to starting your own business is coming up with a business plan.

Don’t know anything about business plans? Don’t worry there are many good resources available for people who need help crafting their business plan. The Small Business Administration (SBA) has a helpful tutorial on writing a business plan on their website. The Denver Public Library allows all cardholders access to their Business Plans Handbook, which consists of a collection of business plans that will provide you with an example on how to write yours.

You can also participate in the SBDC’s many low-cost classes designed to help business owners in all stages of starting and running a business. Several of these classes focus specifically on getting started! You can find a list of all “getting started” classes on the Colorado SBDC website.

VeriClean Springs

When you meet Dee Anna Thompson, not only does she greet you with warm smile and welcoming hug, you would never know she was the President of a fast growing, award winning business based on her humble personality. Dee Anna Thompson, President of VeriClean Springs opened in 2000. At the time, Dee Anna needed to make ends meet. Given cleaning was the only experience she had coming out of high school, finding a job was

Dry Dock Brewing Company

Dry Dock Brewing Company is an award-winning microbrewery and Aurora’s first. Established in Octo-ber 2005, Dry Dock is co-owned and operated by Kevin DeLange and Michelle Reding. Dry Dock has enjoyed tremendous success and growth in a very short time. To-date, the brewery is producing al-most 20,000 barrels of beer each year. It’s the largest brewery in Colorado that’s only distributing in-state. At the brewery on Hampden and Chambers, there’s a cozy bar with casual

Southern Ute Cultural Museum

Lynn Brittner, Executive Director, started planning the Southern-Ute Cultural Center and Museum over ten years ago. The Center’s opening this past May was her reward for years of dedicatedly holding the vision. Brittner’s relationship with the Southwest Colorado Small Business Development Center started way back at the beginning. She needed help and only had three staff. A grant from the Administration for Native Americans provided funds for her to take Board members to visit other

Midwest-Masters/ Spoiler Dude

United States Army veteran Paul Hasty had already been successfully installing window tints, car bras, and spoilers in the Pikes Peak Region for almost fourteen years before reaching out to the Pikes Peak SBDC. Just call him the Spoiler Dude of Spoilerdude.com. With a strong love for cars, Paul decided to open up his business with the challenges of educating customers. Paul differentiates Spoilerdude.com by anticipating customers’ wishes and questions with answers prior to work.

Snooze

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

Power to Play Sports

With completion expected in the spring/summer of 2016, Power To Play Sports brings the first-ever Events Center of its kind for youth basketball in northern Colorado. As the premier youth organization in the Rocky Mountain region with an established clientele reaching national participation, the venture brings northern Colorado to the forefront of family-destination. Established as a full-time corporation in 2008, PTPS has quickly raised the quality of youth basketball leagues, tournaments and developmental instruction throughout