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West Central

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Empowering Businesses to Thrive in the West Central Region of Colorado 

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Based in Region 10’s Small Business Resource Center in Montrose, CO, the West Central SBDC provides advising and training services that support the development of ideas into viable, profitable businesses throughout our region. We have two satellite offices in Olathe and Gunnison. The West Central SBDC is proud to serve small businesses in the Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose, Ouray, and San Miguel Counties.

970-765-3134
nancy@region10.net

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Crested Butte and the Valley
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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 can 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
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Initial Advising Session

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

Request Initial Advising Session

Follow-up

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

Request Follow-up

Training

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

Events/Workshops

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Success Stories

Mallory Logan and Delaney Keating

Mallory Logan moved from employee to owner of RoShamBo, a marketing and design shop. This out of the box creative business is celebrating many years in business in Gunnison. “I started as an intern when I was a graphic design student at Western in 2008,” Logan said. “ I have loved every minute of being here.”

The creative firm was founded by Delaney Keating, who mentored Mallory to eventually take over the business. They worked for two years in the transition and called on the West Central SBDC.

SBDC assistance included coaching the new owner and laying out the steps to acquire a loan for the buyout. “Marilyn Laverty was so helpful in answering all my questions and so enthusiastic!” states Logan. “The SBDC is an amazing resource for entrepreneurs!”

“Mallory is creative and bold in her ideas, with a great level of commitment to customers and the end project, “ Keating said. Mallory will continue to focus on the core business of devising marketing strategies, branding packages, graphic design, website development, digital printing and supporting clients to attract more business.

A major portion of RoShamBo’s business is outside of the Gunnison Valley. The firm won the statewide tourism award for their design of the Lake City Visitor’s Guide. Assisting Logan is the dynamic redhead, Keela Gendron. Mallory hired Keela full time and she is excited to take on the training role and give back the mentorship that she received.

- Mallory Logan
For more info go to http://go-roshambo.com/

Sam Higby and Mark Drucker of First Ascent Coffee Roasters

First Ascent Coffee

“The West Central SBDC has done a lot for First Ascent Coffee, helping us obtain a low-interest loan from Region 10 to help match grant funds we received from the state. We’ve also been able to meet with small business experts who offered free advising through the SBDC network," said Sam Higby, Owner

“Living in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, we know there’s nothing better than starting an adventure with the perfect cup of coffee. We also know that it’s worth the investment to rely on the right gear,” said Mark Drucker, Founder and Owner

Drucker continued, “We each have spent years working together as baristas and roasters.  First Ascent Coffee Roasters began as a cafe in an old miner’s cabin on Crested Butte’s historic Elk Avenue. We have since closed our cafe and now focus on roasting fine coffees and producing the most delicious instant coffee on the market today.”  

They work with reputable importers who help us select coffees from farms and co-ops that offer transparency and traceability, so they can support positive practices for the environment and for coffee-growing communities. Each growing season they sample dozens of coffees before choosing a select few for our roastery. Then they roast with precision and care in order to highlight the unique flavors within.  

Drucker stated, “First Ascent Coffee Roasters is a leader in the emerging specialty instant coffee market. As far as we know, we are the only instant coffee makers today who do the entire process (roast, brew, freeze-dry, and package) under one roof. We do this because we know that this is the best way to work with a dynamic product like coffee and because it is the only way to guarantee the freshness of the coffee before it is packaged. We are proud to keep our entire manufacturing and packaging process within the community that we love— Crested Butte, Colorado.”

- Mark Drucker and Sam Higby
For more info go to FIRST ASCENT

Ingrid Lundahl

Ingrid Lundahl

Ingrid Lundahl wanted to publish a table top retrospective book of her photos from the late 1970s up to present day from around Telluride and at various events she attended. Ingrid felt that she had captured the essence of Telluride during this time as she photographed many stars and musicians who have graced this outrageous little mountain town, in addition to images of its dazzling beauty. A congenital chronicler, Ingrid couldn’t help but capture all sorts of madness that happened before the town was discovered…nude skiing, ski sacrifices, pig roasts and local performances. She had located a publisher but didn’t know what else she needed to do.

A friend told her about the SBDC. After her first meeting with Susan Bony, SBDC advisor, Ingrid was ecstatic. Ingrid could see her vision actually becoming a reality. Susan walked her through the steps needed to legally create her business, book pricing and discounting, record keeping and promoting her book. Ingrid worked diligently on her “to do” list.

Ingrid said, “It was wonderful having someone she could call and ask for help, not just once, but over time as questions arose.”

Time passed and one day 5,000 copies of her beautiful hardcover table top book arrived at her door. Ingrid’s dream had become a reality because of the SBDC.

- Ingrid Lundahl
For more info go to http://ingridlundahl.com/

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Our Leader

Nancy Murphy
West Central SBDC Executive Director
Email Nancy

From ballet to BMW and the Olympics to opera, Nancy has a deep understanding of luxury and lifestyle products as well as for-profit and nonprofit businesses. As a corporate “intra”prenuer, marketing strategist, and brand manager, she has created trends and introduced new products into the global market with great success. She is a strategy powerhouse and certified spreadsheet geek. She holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. In 2008, Nancy turned her attention to helping small businesses work smarter, not harder. She has advised hundreds of businesses—large and small—on how to substantially increase their bottom line. She also holds an ICF certification in executive coaching.

Areas of expertise include luxury/lifestyle products, marketing strategy, brand management, and consumer behavior.

Her clients include BMW, Jaguar, Volvo, the Olympics, American Express, Benetton, Sprint, Santa Fe Opera, the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, Silicon Valley Ballet, Nambe, Chaco, Shadescapes Americas, and American Express’ National Arts Marketing Project, as well as numerous startups and small businesses across the nation.

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Proud to Support West Central Colorado

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Main Location Montrose: Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Friday 8:30 a.m.-noon or by appointment

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Satellite Location Gunnison: Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Friday 8:30 a.m.-noon or by appointment

Satellite Location Olathe: Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Friday 8:30 a.m.-noon or by appointment

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Thank You to Our Supporters

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