Small Business Summit
Connect, Learn, & Grow with Fellow Entrepreneurs
Rooted in Community
Tues., May 6 – Fort Morgan, CO | Wed., May 7 – Lamar, CO
Two Dates, One Great Event
Colorado’s rural entrepreneurs are creating some of the most exciting business opportunities across the state. The East Colorado SBDC invites you to join us for a day filled with community, collaboration, and inspiration. Join us in Fort Morgan on May 6th OR in Lamar on May 7th to come together with your community, build your business with confidence, and help shape the future of entrepreneurship!
Ticket Sales | $55
Closes on April 29
What Can You Expect?
This event offers a unique opportunity to connect with fellow entrepreneurs from across the Eastern Plains. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your business to the next level, the Small Business Summit will provide valuable breakout sessions throughout the day on topics relevant to all stages of business development.
- Network with Like-minded Entrepreneurs
- Gain Expert Insights
- Hone Your Skills
- Discover New Opportunities
The Location
Join us in Fort Morgan on Tuesday, May 6th at The Block: Commissary Kitchen & Events OR in Lamar on Wednesday, May 7th at Lamar Community College.
Registration begins at 9:00 AM, followed by networking opportunities and four breakout sessions throughout the day. Enjoy lunch and a keynote speaker, with the conference concluding at 4:30 PM.
Featured Speakers
Monico Carrillo
Inceptions Media
Monico is driven to revolutionize the media marketing landscape by helping service based businesses not just get by, but really thrive by showing off what makes them stand out. Growing up with business owner parents for over two decades, he witnessed firsthand the challenges that small businesses face when it comes to standing out in a crowded market. Having over 12 years of experience in various blue-collar jobs, has given him a deep appreciation for the hard work that goes into running a business and the complexities of marketing. Monaco handles every project from start to finish, making sure everything from the first consultation to building a custom marketing plan and running the video shoots is covered. You want to be able to tell your business story the best way and get you more leads? He’s your guy!
Daniel Garcia
Rule 57 Consulting
A dedicated business advisor and strategic thinker with a proven track record of helping businesses and nonprofits achieve their goals. Drawing from his experience as a small business owner and advisor, Daniel offers practical insights and innovative solutions to tackle challenges and drive sustainable growth. He holds an MBA from Colorado State University, along with graduate certificates in Entrepreneurship & Innovation and Organizational Leadership, equipping him with the expertise to guide organizations toward success. Known for his collaborative approach and commitment to community impact, Daniel thrives on helping others turn their vision into reality.
Dr. James Keaten
University of Northern Colorado
James is a Professor Emeritus and Adjunct Professor of Business at the University of Northern Colorado, specializing in Organizational Behavior and Leadership. He has served as Chair and the A.M. & Jo Winchester Distinguished Professor, as well as Associate Dean for the College of Humanities and Social Science. James holds a Ph.D. in Communication and Statistics from Penn State University and completed post-doctoral work in intercultural studies at Harvard University. Throughout his career, James has received numerous awards, including the A.M. and Jo Winchester Distinguished Scholar and Professor of the Year. His research has been published in several leading journals, and he has presented over 100 academic papers and keynotes. James is also a global business consultant with over 30 years of experience, advising on leadership, psychometric analysis, and strategic planning. He has worked internationally in countries such as Japan, Korea, India, and the Philippines and received the Frost and Sullivan Award for Competitive Strategy and Innovation during his tenure as Chief Science Officer at StarTek.
Laurie Jones
Co-founder of Plain Skincare LLC, Keynote
Laurie Ganong Jones is a founding board member of the Colorado Venture Capital Authority serving two terms which included positions as Chair and Vice Chair. A serial entrepreneur, she is currently co-founder of Plain Skincare LLC in Sterling CO. The company develops and markets products under the brand Rideau Organics. She is a business advisor with East Colorado SBDC, advising small business clients on financial, technology, and strategic planning topics. Previous investment experience includes Edward Jones Financial Advisor and supporting the IPO team for Sykes Enterprises. Sykes acquired Jones Technologies, which Laurie co-founded with her husband Dan. They both stayed on with Sykes past the IPO and assisted in efforts to grow Sykes into a global leader in outsourced tech and customer support. She has a BA in Economics, from the University of CA Davis, and an MBA from Pepperdine Graziadio School of Business.
The Agenda
Registration Opens
9:00am
Welcome Everyone
Coffee will be served
Opening Remarks
9:30am
Conference Commences
Opening remarks from the East CO SBDC Team and success story
Breakout Session 1
10:15am
The Startup Rollercoaster: From Idea to Impact - Entrepreneurial Panel | Fort Morgan
Andrea L’Heureux of Kukaro, Gloria & Blanco Mosqueda of Mosqueda
Delicacies Ice Cream and Mike Blecha of AnywhereCam will share how
they came up with their idea and developed it into a successful business.
It did not happen overnight! They will share the challenges in starting
their businesses include funding, zoning, inventory, impact of COVID 19
and more. This session is for both start-ups and existing businesses that
need a little “boost.”
Breakout Session 2
11:15am
Lights, Camera, Grow
Monico Carrillo, Inceptions Media
Lunch with Networking
12:35pm
Keynote - Session Topic Coming Soon
Laurie Jones, co-founder of Plain Skincare LLC
Breakout Session 3
1:35pm
Service That Shines: How to Become a 5 Star Business
Daniel Garcia, Rule 57 Consulting
Want more 5-star reviews and loyal customers raving about your business?
Learn how to make unforgettable first impressions, focus on what sets you apart, and create moments that keep customers coming back for more. Walk away with practical tools to elevate your customer experience, no big team or budget required.
Create Memorable First Impressions
Learn how to craft intentional first-touch moments that build trust and set the tone for a standout customer experience.
Focus on What Sets You Apart
Identify your unique service strengths and make smart choices that help you shine without trying to do it all.
Turn Everyday Interactions into WOW Moments
Discover simple, repeatable ways to surprise and delight your customers, building loyalty with consistency and creativity.
Breakout Session 4
2:55pm
The Entrepreneurial Engine: Building and Maintaining Your Motivation
Dr. James Keaten, University of Northern Colorado
This session delves into the critical role leaders play in fostering employee engagement through intrinsic motivation, continuous development, and autonomy. Participants will explore how these elements synergistically interact to create a motivated, competent, and empowered workforce capable of achieving organizational objectives with genuine enthusiasm and commitment.
Key Takeaways:
- Intrinsic Motivation Mastery: Participants will understand how intrinsic motivation—stemming from approval, enjoyment, pride, and identification—can transform employee engagement beyond mere monetary compensation.
- Importance of Continuous Development: Attendees will recognize how properly balanced task complexity contributes to continuous employee development, mitigating workplace anxiety and boredom by challenging employees appropriately.
- Power of Autonomy: Leaders will gain insights into effectively granting autonomy by clearly communicating goals, providing transparent evaluation criteria, establishing trust, and encouraging accountability, thereby reducing frustration and micromanagement.
Conference Ends
4:30pm
Thank You For Joining Us!
Questions?
The Small Business Summit planning committee consists of the amazing staff at East CO SBDC. Feel free to reach out to info@eastcoloradosbdc.com with questions. To pursue commonly asked questions, check out our FAQ’s.
Interested in volunteering? Contact us!
Event Sponsors
Interested in Being a Sponsor?
We have several levels of sponsorship to choose from. We couldn’t do it without our community members making this event happen!
Contact Lisa Hudson at Lisa@eastcoloradosbdc.com for information.
Thank You to Our Partners
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