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Southern

Empowering Business to Thrive in Pueblo, 
Fremont, Custer, and Huerfano Counties

The Southern Colorado Small Business Development Center is located in the heart of downtown Pueblo within the business community. This physical site serves as the main office for the Southern Colorado service area, which includes Pueblo, Fremont, Custer and Huerfano Counties. The Southern Colorado SBDC is staffed by Pueblo Community College personnel dedicated to delivering SBDC programs and services. The goal of the SBDC Downtown Studio location is to provide a true one stop shop for business development needs and access to resources.

We welcome client appointments via phone or Webex, and we are happy to meet with clients in-person on a case-by-case basis. Please call us to set up an appointment.

719-549-3245
southernco@coloradosbdc.org
 

See Address and Hours

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No-Cost, Confidential, One-on-One Business Advising and No-or-Low-Cost Training

  • Each of our SBDC centers have business advisors ready to serve you with local, regional knowledge and whose experience and areas of expertise will best assist you
  • Advising is not only no-cost and confidential; it is tailored to your business needs 
  • Our advisors can discuss a wide range of business opportunities and challenges, and provide specific, in-depth assistance
  • All advising sessions are by appointment only
  • Trainings, events, and workshops are either no-cost or low-cost

Initial Advising Session

New to the SBDC? To request your first advising appointment please click the button below.

Request Advising Session

Follow-Up

If you’ve already met with an SBDC advisor, click the button to request a follow-up appointment.

Request Follow-Up

Training

Check out all training, programs, networking, events, workshops, and on-demand classes.

Events/Workshops

Success Stories

Headshot of Kat

Kat Fox Design

Kat Fox, the founder of Kat Fox Design LLC, never envisaged a career in web design until her natural affinity for computers and art merged seamlessly during her formative years. From experimenting with HTML code since kindergarten to tinkering with social media platforms, her initial interest gravitated towards art and jewelry design rather than the digital realm.  

Her trajectory took an unexpected turn however when she attended jewelry school in New York City, where she adeptly incorporated graphic design tools into her craft. Despite the school's emphasis on traditional techniques, Kat found herself leveraging design software to streamline her work, recognizing its efficiency and time-saving capabilities.

After relocating to Canyon City, Colorado, Kat fully embraced her inclination toward marketing, website design, and graphic design, and in 2020 she transitioned her skills into the full-fledged business venture, Kat Fox Design LLC.

As she ventured into freelancing, Kat explains that her “big break” came through her work with the Southern Colorado Small Business Development Center. According to Kat, “I went from trying to find a client here and there to running a successful, full-time business thanks to the SBDC.” 

Specializing in website design tailored for e-commerce and brand identity development, Kat focuses on empowering small businesses to establish a strong online presence. Her commitment lies in simplifying the process for clients while ensuring their online platforms resonate with their target audiences.

The growth of Kat Fox Design has been remarkable and with her vision for the future involving continuous learning, multitasking, and serving as a go-to resource for businesses, we are excited to see this growth continue.

SoCo SBDC is over joyed to share the story of Kat Fox Design LLC and how Kat’s commitment, resourcefulness, and innate ability to navigate the evolving landscape of digital entrepreneurship has yielded small business success.

Tamara in the gym

Fervour Fitness

Tamara Bowman, founder of Fervour Fitness LLC, envisioned an all-woman workout space, free from distractions found in co-ed gyms. "At Fervour, it's about competing against ourselves, becoming better every day while lifting one another up. We are our own competition, striving to be the best version of ourselves, stronger every day...inside & out," Tamara passionately states.

An integral part of Tamara’s success story is her participation in the SoCo SBDC’s Female Founders Program. Reflecting on her experience, Bowman shared, "I didn't know what to expect from the program but found myself on the edge of my seat every week while learning new things." The guidance and insights gained through the SBDC program played a pivotal role in shaping Fervour Fitness into the business Tamara had dreamed of. Starting as a personal trainer in 2019, Bowman grew quickly into opening her own studio fitness center in Pueblo, Colorado and settled into her current location in 2021. 

Bowman's future goals involve expanding services while staying true to her mission of empowering women through fitness and community. Her journey from trainer to Fervour Fitness founder stands as an inspiring testament to dedication to one’s entrepreneurial dreams.

Visuospatial Education Center

Dr. Theresa Ferg is a trailblazer in the realm of educational research and technology. Her company, a 100% woman-owned business formally known as the Visuospatial Education Center, or VEC EDU for short, has garnered national attention for its groundbreaking contributions to educational methodology.

Utilizing her background as a research scientist, Dr. Ferg works to shift the focus of curriculum development from a text-oriented logical approach to a visuospatial objective emotional approach for teaching and learning. At VEC EDU, Dr. Ferg and her team are pioneering educational tools that focus on understanding the affective symmetry gauging (ASG) response. This natural visualization ability nurtures creativity and problem-solving skills in students, aligning perfectly with the ever-crucial social-emotional learning (SEL) standards.

In 2022, VEC EDU received the National Science Foundation (NSF) Small Business Innovation Award (SBIR) Merit Award and grant. This major accomplishment not only reflects the social value and importance of VEC EDU but also honors the city of Pueblo by being the first company in the city to accomplish such a feat. Having successfully completed phase one of the grant, Dr. Ferg is working hard to complete the necessary steps to secure the phase two grant, which is awarded to very few businesses nationwide.

Dr. Ferg has emphasized the pivotal role of organizations like the SoCo SBDC in realizing VEC EDU's vision and credits the SBDC's support as instrumental in making VEC EDU a reality. Actively engaging in various SBDC classes and programs, including the Female Founder course, Dr. Ferg has diligently honed her entrepreneurial skills.

Looking ahead, VEC EDU envisions a future that revolutionizes educational paradigms. Dr. Theresa Ferg's unwavering commitment to educational innovation, coupled with the support of organizations like the SoCo SBDC and the NSF, signals a promising trajectory for VEC EDU. The team at SoCo SBDC wishes Dr. Ferg and VEC EDU all the best in securing phase 2 and all of their ambitus endeavors.  

Our Team

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Brian Estrada
Executive Director
Email Brian

Headshot for Catherine O'Grady
Catherine O’Grady
Education and Specialty Project Coordinator
Email Catherine

Headshot for Jackie Jimenez
Jackie Jimenez
Office Assistant
Email Jackie

Headshot for Prudence Aragon
Prudence Aragon
Work Study
Email Prudence

Proud to Support Southern Colorado

Our Location

Southern Colorado Main | Pueblo

Pueblo Community College - Downtown Studio
121 W City Center Drive, #150
Pueblo, CO 81003
719-549-3245

Monday-Friday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Appointment recommended. Walk-ins welcome.
 

Thank You to Our Partners

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