Auto TLC is a consumer advocate for those going through an auto insurance claim. In September 2023 I hit 20 years of service with a large insurance carrier. In October 2023 I was laid off due to a reduction in force. I decided to use my vast knowledge to help the general public. I specialize in total loss settlement negotiations and diminished value settlements. Auto TLC works as a consumer advocate helping the vehicle owner navigate the complexities of an insurance claim. We help negotiate your claim while alleviating the stress and frustrations that come with an insurance claim so you can get on with your life!

I have met with several advisors that have been invaluable to me during my business set up process. I also am currently taking the Leading Edge Strategic Planning course that is helping me understand the complexities of running a business and better preparing me for success. SBDC has provided me with the tools to run a small business that I would not have had otherwise!

The SBDC has helped me learn how to run a small business. I would not have had these tools had I not used these resources. I have met with advisors on copyright law, patent law, marketing, social media, and advertising. I am currently taking a course called Leading Strategic Planning. This course is helping me learn not only how to run a small business, but how to make it successful and thriving!

Visit the Auto TLC website to learn more. 

What started as a clever idea by a Northern Colorado dog lover has grown into Canine Candy Biscuits, a thriving business built on spent grain from local breweries, a surprisingly nutritious ingredient. Their unique spent grain biscuits are crafted in collaboration with breweries and homebrewers across Northern Colorado. This upcycled treasure creates all-natural, protein-rich treats that dogs love and sensitive stomachs tolerate. With a focus on minimal, purposeful ingredients, each biscuit embodies their "Biscuits with Benefits" motto, supporting dogs with allergies, sensitive stomachs, and specialized diets.

One of the key challenges Canine Candy Biscuits owners Juliana Knopp & Cody Boterman faced was educating consumers about the nutritional value of spent grain. The company worked to address this through outreach at farmers’ markets, local events, and partnerships with retailers, emphasizing the gentle yet beneficial nature of their treats for discerning pet owners. While the company was able to make headway, they realized they needed more help to move the company forward.

Enter the Colorado Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Larimer. Through free one-on-one advising sessions with industry experts, the Colorado SBDC at Larimer provided invaluable insights into various aspects of the business. This tailored guidance offered reassurance and stability during the critical transition to full-time operations. The comprehensive support they provided equipped Canine Candy Biscuits with the tools and expertise needed to navigate strategic planning and operational challenges and strengthened their foundation, empowering them to pursue their vision with clarity.

This partnership has yielded actionable insights, fueled growth through strategically timed moves and helped secure partnerships with respected local retailers. The Colorado SBDC at Larimer’s guidance also facilitated key operational milestones, including hiring their first employee and engaging a bookkeeper for financial clarity. The tailored support Candy Canine Biscuits received has been a gamechanger, transforming vision into measurable success by enabling strategic, impactful choices in team building, retail relationships, and expert mentorship. 

Visit Canine Candy Biscuits to learn more.

Scaling DO Boxing Academy after a successful school pilot required a new approach, which became clear when founder Danny O’Connor connected with the Larimer Colorado Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Bill Dieterich of SAGE and a Colorado SBDC community partner recognized Danny’s potential and referred him to Hope Hartman, executive director at the Larimer Colorado SBDC. During her one-on-one session with Danny, she shared marketing strategies that shifted his focus to school districts, youth enrichment programs, and parents instead of directly targeting schools. She then connected him with Colorado SBDC advisors Roger Funke, Marley LeClair, and Gabby Lopez, who helped him further refine his business, marketing, and funding models. 

Combining the Colorado SBDC’s advice with their professional backgrounds, Danny and his wife and business partner, Diane, unveiled a mobile boxing and wellness program. Danny, a U.S. Olympian and former boxing champion, brings Olympic-level discipline to the program. Diane, a certified yoga instructor, integrates holistic wellness practices. Together, they created an inclusive program combining elite athletic training with restorative wellness for comprehensive personal development.

Today, DO Boxing Academy partners with schools, community groups, and youth programs, delivering a curriculum that blends non-contact fitness boxing, mindfulness, and yoga. This approach fosters physical, emotional, and mental well-being, cultivating resilience, focus, discipline, and emotional regulation in a supportive environment. The "you vs. you" philosophy eliminates competition, creating a safe space for individual growth and empowerment.

More than just fitness, DO Boxing Academy offers a transformative experience that merges physical activity with mindfulness, equipping young people with essential life skills to thrive.

For more info, visit DO Boxing Academy.