Come enjoy tacos, beer, and beverages, and discuss building businesses in rural western Colorado. We will hear from a panel of local entrepreneurs including Nathalie Bouchard of Som Footwear.
Celebrate Durango entrepreneurship with BIG thinkers from our hometown! We’ll hear from local startup founders and get hyped for the upcoming West Slope Startup Week, sponsored by SCAPE.
Get inspired by Southwest Colorado entrepreneur, Erin Neer, as we learn about her journey building MUNIRevs | LODGINGRevs, a cutting-edge technology that has delivered more than $1 billion to towns, cities, and states across the U.S. We’ll chat about being a female founder and her advice for other entrepreneurs building businesses in our region.
We will also hear from our startup hosts, Elizabeth Philbrick founder of EsoTerra Cider, as she shares her story of building community across the Southwest through artisanal cider. Plus an update from Outdoorsy on their new Outpost format and how it supports accessibility to Main Avenue for other local businesses.
Come out to celebrate innovation in the region, meet other doers and shakers, and learn more about West Slope Startup Week, a week-long conference July 11-15 offering free educational and networking programming for regional entrepreneurs, creatives, and small business owners.
Program Director, Southwest Colorado Accelerator Program for Entrepreneurs (SCAPE)
Brittany Cupp is the Program and Community Manager for the Southwest Colorado Accelerator Program for Entrepreneurs (SCAPE). She is a long-time Durango resident and Fort Lewis College Fine Arts graduate. She has worked in design, marketing and sales for regional startups, large media... Read More →
Wednesday June 22, 2022 5:00pm - 7:00pm MDT
EsoTerra Outdoorsy Outpost934 Main Ave Unit B, Durango, CO 81301
Eat a taco, have a beer, and engage with local entrepreneurs in a panel about overcoming challenges, and starting and growing successful businesses in rural western Colorado. Panelists include Ben Lowe of Ultimate Skydiving Adventures.
I am working in a community led effort to develop a stronger economic atmosphere and improve social conditions in Olathe. We are opening a coworking space here, and we're working hard to help local businesses market themselves and build a stronger business community. I love to learn... Read More →
Join us for a panel discussion of some of your favorite Eagle County entrepreneurs as they discuss their successes and challenges of building a business in a ski town. Our diverse group of panelists will range from digital trailblazers to brick and mortar innovators. The panel discussion will be held from 4:30 – 5:30 PM. Arrive at 4pm or stay after for a happy hour drink or lite snack.
Erin is the Eagle County Economic Resiliency Manager and also serves as the host director of the Northwest Colorado Small Business Development Center (SBDC). The SBDC offers no-cost business consulting and low-cost business training. They have created a statewide network of startup... Read More →
Aryn Schlichting, is the founder of Mountain Careers, the best job board for people living in the mountains. With 15 years in Human Resources in the Vail Valley she finds excitement in helping others find their dream job in the mountains and supporting the local workforce. Originally... Read More →
I believe in listening closely, following the Golden Rule, and the power of insightful marketing. My team and I have built stellar brands, websites, and ad campaigns for every industry. Our clients' success motivates us to be better than we were yesterday and to always do what is... Read More →
Based in Vail, Colorado, Kim Fuller is the co-founder of Jaunt Media Collective, the publishing company behind YOGA + Life®, Spoke+Blossom and Covered Bridge. Kim's background is in journalism as a nationally published freelance writer, editor and photojournalist. She is co-founder... Read More →
Join us for a fireside chat about the evolving workforce in Colorado's mountain towns. How will the migration of remote workers affect mountain town culture and economy? How will this evolution continue to impact real estate prices and the local workforce housing crisis? What can we do proactively as a community to support our evolving workforce, train more qualified workers, and decrease housing disparity?
Hi! My name is Kayleen and I'm the Lead Organizer of West Slope Startup Week, and a small business owner much like yourself! My digital marketing agency, Mtn. Dog Media, recently celebrated its 9-year anniversary. Over the past decade, I have worked with hundreds of small business... Read More →
Wednesday June 29, 2022 6:30pm - 8:00pm MDT
The Ski Locker941 Lincoln Ave #100A, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
We invite you to celebrate entrepreneurship in Craig Colorado with a Happy Hour Panel + Networking event. Enjoy happy hour pricing at our bar while listening to a panel discussion with local entrepreneurs (to be announced) on the successes, challenges, and lessons of starting a business in Craig.
Warehouse Food Hall is particularly excited to host this event as Warehouse is home to 3 entrepreneurs who have founded their own successful restaurant businesses: Aroi Thai, Colorado Beyond Baked Subs, and HR Foods. Warehouse Food Hall is unique, in that each restaurant operates independently, allowing our restaurant owners to open and operate their business without the typical high cost barriers to open. Warehouse enables local restaurant owners to launch their business, while keeping their autonomy and independent brand. Warehouse Food Hall also supports local artists, creators, musicians, and farmers through our in-house Market and ongoing events. We are a one stop shop with 3 restaurants, coffeeshop and full bar.
Come support the entrepreneurs of Warehouse Food Hall and Craig by joining us for our Happy Hour Panel + Networking event!
Innovation Celebration with Local Entrepreneurs & Business Leaders
Join us for an evening of celebrating local entrepreneurs and business owners - with Intentional networking, a high five celebration and a showcase of local products and services, plus appetizers and drinks!
Hi! I love fresh ideas, as much as skiing fresh powder. And believe that one story, one project, one new business can nudge the universe in a positive direction. That's why I work to support new ideas, new stories and innovative businesses. Currently, I juggle a full-time marketing... Read More →
Thursday July 7, 2022 5:00pm - 7:30pm MDT
The Pad Silverthorne491 Rainbow Dr, Silverthorne, CO 80498
Join us on Monday morning to kickoff West Slope Startup Week 2022!
In Colorado's rural communities and small cities, a thriving entrepreneurship ecosystem is deeply connected to quality of life and has become a key component of economic development strategy. Growing a start-up community begins with building a start-up culture that includes strategic networking, partnership development, collaboration, education, and access to capital.
The definition of “entrepreneur” in rural communities is broad and does not just include new businesses aiming to scale in narrow sectors such as manufacturing and technology. Instead, it includes anyone along a spectrum from thinking about starting a business to longtime owners of businesses, and from companies that serve the local community to those with a much wider market. Their ability to grow their businesses, create, adapt, and lead is vital to community well-being.
Join us for a conversation with Taylor Grande, Director of Partnerships & Ecosystem Development at Startup Colorado, and Steve Jozefczyk, Deputy Director of the Grand Junction Economic Partnership, as we discuss innovation and opportunities and challenges of entrepreneurship in Western Colorado.
Hi! My name is Kayleen and I'm the Lead Organizer of West Slope Startup Week, and a small business owner much like yourself! My digital marketing agency, Mtn. Dog Media, recently celebrated its 9-year anniversary. Over the past decade, I have worked with hundreds of small business... Read More →
Taylor is the CEO and Executive Director for Startup Colorado. Based in the beautiful mountain town of Durango, Taylor is completely obsessed with the amazing founders and startups who are building businesses in the places they call home across rural Colorado.
Celeste Herron is a strategist, brand storyteller, multidisciplinary designer, and creative director who helps startups, small businesses, and service agencies rapidly design, develop, and scale their product and service offerings. She is also the Programming Lead for WSSW 2023, an... Read More →
Regardless of business, potential clients tend to ask the same questions over and over. This workshop covers how to identify your most common questions and use them as a basis for phone calls, email templates, website FAQs, and even text messages. Participants will leave with a template for their typical client interactions that they can build on as their business grows.
Jessi started her journey as an entrepreneur after experiencing toxic work environments. She thought there had to be a better way to value employees, pay them a living wage, and still be able to work outside. Her first company, a landscaping business, taught her that being a business... Read More →
Monday July 11, 2022 10:30am - 11:30am MDT
Virtual
Learn simple, immediately implementable tools for taking better care of your "inner world" so you can get more done with less stress, and kick butt in your startup. In the early days of a startup, the founders are both the biggest source of progress and the biggest bottle neck, so we'll work to remove those inner bottle necks that prevent you from reaching your full potential. To take full advantage of today, you need to be focused in the present and all the meditation in the world will only get you so far. We'll take it to the next level in this workshop.
Max Rosencrantz helps ambitious engineers and entrepreneurs rapidly grow their startups and careers without sacrificing their values, in a world where it seems you have to choose between success and quality of life. He's the only leadership coach in Colorado with the optimal combination... Read More →
Monday July 11, 2022 10:30am - 11:30am MDT
Virtual
In this workshop, we look at the top 5 advertising channels and the customers they tend to reach most often. We review the mistakes that many businesses make and show you how to avoid them. We look at your product or service and your target ideal customer profile to help you pick the channels that will work best for your business.
I am an entrepreneur, having founded 5 companies over my career, one of which was a training and consulting company which I sold in 2006 to a Fortune 500 company before moving to Asia. My latest venture is a company called Local News Network, based in Durango Colorado, which is disrupting... Read More →
As a maker, your journey and story are all part of what make your creations unique. I'm sharing my maker journey of how I turned my hobby into a side hustle and now full time business and telling you how you can create a maker business and life that you love.
Hi! I’m Chereen, the owner, designer, maker, and chief-everything-officer of Smeeny Beanie Knits. After years of knitting, I decided to start Smeeny Beanie Knits in 2018 and what started as a side hustle has now become something that I’m extremely passionate about. Every beanie... Read More →
Join the Southwest Colorado Accelerator Program for Entrepreneurs (SCAPE) as they connect with Hubspot for Startups to discuss how companies can scale using their software. Hubspot for Startups Senior Business Development Manager, Walter Mannino, and SCAPE Program and Community Manager, Brittany Cupp will discuss ways to use Hubspot to grow with your company and the free resources available to rural startups.
Walter started his career in Sports, where he worked for the NBAs Phoenix Suns and the University of Texas Longhorns Athletic Department. Here, he focused on creating the best experience for Partners and Fans while attending games. He left this role to then focus on supporting Startups... Read More →
Program Director, Southwest Colorado Accelerator Program for Entrepreneurs (SCAPE)
Brittany Cupp is the Program and Community Manager for the Southwest Colorado Accelerator Program for Entrepreneurs (SCAPE). She is a long-time Durango resident and Fort Lewis College Fine Arts graduate. She has worked in design, marketing and sales for regional startups, large media... Read More →
For businesses owners who want to build up their community while building wealth for themselves and their families. Go beyond donations to charity (including “buy one, give one” models) and infuse impact in every aspect of your business. ● Social enterprises vs. socially responsible companies - what’s the difference? ● How to identify the leverage points in your own business - product, employees, vendors, community, environment ● What gets measured is what gets done - creating an “impact dashboard” to guide you ● Common pitfalls and how to avoid them
Sharon Schneider is an entrepreneur, philanthropy expert, impact investor and social change strategist who advises socially conscious founders and family offices. She has overseen more than $1.5 billion in philanthropic capital deployed through grants, impact investments, advocacy... Read More →
Energy can light up the room or drain the team like a flipped circuit breaker. When stepping into entrepreneurship, the to-do list is long and subconscious behaviors may hinder not only your progress and performance but your team’s performance. Learn the seven levels of energy (based on the Energy Leadership Index) - from victim to oneness - and how to shift in a moment. As you become aware of choosing your energy, goals become concise and packed with an energetic momentum. Designed for the purpose-driven Founder or leader seeking to be of higher service in leadership and enact social impact business integration. Plan to walk away with a taste of the fascinating power of leadership energy. Who are you becoming??
Nature fuels and feeds me. It keeps me grounded. On a daily basis, I’m feeling alive, risking, challenged, and growing. The endless opportunities to raise the bar with outdoor endeavors translate well to business. Equally comfortable in the backcountry and boardroom, I understand... Read More →
“Choose well. Choose wisely. Choose love.”Those were the last six words that Merritt’s husband, Peter, wrote the night he died from brain cancer in 2012.In the years since, Merritt embarked on a transformational journey which led her to create Master of One Coaching. It is the... Read More →
REGISTRATION FOR MENTOR OFFICE HOURS WILL CLOSE AT 3PM ON MONDAY JULY 4TH to allow mentees to get paired with their mentors.
Mentor Office Hours offer aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners the opportunity to work with regional mentors to ask pertinent business questions in a variety of categories; General, Finance, Marketing & Growth. Sessions will be 30 minutes each and scheduled in advance during this time window.
Registered participants will be contacted by the event organizers to obtain more information, pair you with a mentor, and facilitate scheduling.
Taylor is the CEO and Executive Director for Startup Colorado. Based in the beautiful mountain town of Durango, Taylor is completely obsessed with the amazing founders and startups who are building businesses in the places they call home across rural Colorado.
Over the past two years, entrepreneurs have experience tremendous hurdles. Constantly struggling with these hurdles can lead to burnout. One widely discussed strategy to overcome burnout is having a sense of purpose. However, just having a purpose isn't enough, as an individual, small business, or large organization, being purposeful is what matters. This session will engage audience members in the revelation of how to be intentional in living out their purpose in their daily life in order to address, stress, burnout, and build resilience.
Hello there!My name is Julie Zaruba Fountaine.I am a Consultant and Well-Being Specialist from Duluth, Minnesota. I celebrate my love of learning as an adjunct lecturer and have earned an MBA in Leadership and Change and an MS in Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Science. I teach a... Read More →
In many instances, people think about data protection as a technical function performed by tech savvy engineers and large corporations. What we would like to go over is how everyone can implement data protection practices in their everyday lives and how start up organizations can integrate data protection into their initial strategy and initiatives without breaking the bank.
Hello everyone! I have been working in data protection and data privacy for coming up on 8 years now. Throughout my career I have helped global organizations prepare for key privacy regulations, such as the Global Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), by helping them identify and protect... Read More →
Are you ready to connect with entrepreneurs from across the State of Colorado?! Well then, you came to the right place! During this event, you will be randomly paired with another entrepreneur and routed to a virtual breakout room; be ready to introduce yourself and give a quick elevator pitch. These rounds will move fast, so enjoy the moment and follow up with your new friend later in the week at an in-person event at WSSW.
Contact information can only be shared in a group chat on this software. We suggest you have contact information (that you would like to share publically) ready to copy and paste. For example, you might have a note with your name and LinkedIn link handy.
We cannot wait to see you and introduce you to new friends. Happy networking!
Hi, I am Lexi! If I were a mixed drink I’d be 1 part marketing, 2 parts community builder, and a splash of strategy. Over the course of my career, I have worked with organizations and entrepreneurs to build communities, launch ideas, lead projects, plan events, initiate growth efforts... Read More →
Starting a worksite wellness program for your business doesn't have to be expensive or complicated. In fact, in can be free and easier to implement than you think! For those smaller-to-medium sized businesses who lack the bandwidth financially, implementing a program can commonly seem out of reach. With a "thinking outside the box" approach, bringing on a team of employees who endorse the "health is wealth" mentality, and a strong enough "why" as your foundation, you could be giving yourself a competitive edge within the industry. This session will highlight where to get started with ideas.
We’re bringing WSSW virtual bookclub back this year! This year we’ll be reading BE. 2.0 by Jim Collins. What's the roadmap to create a company that not only survives its infancy but thrives, changing the world for decades to come? The book includes the original text of Beyond Entrepreneurship, as well as four new chapters and fifteen new essays. BE 2.0 pulls together the key concepts across Collins' thirty years of research into one integrated framework called The Map. The result is a singular reading experience, which presents a unified vision of company creation that will fascinate not only Jim's millions of dedicated readers worldwide, but also introduce a new generation to his remarkable work.
Plus! The first 10 registered participants will receive a FREE COPY of the book shipped directly to their home in the weeks leading up to West Slope Startup Week thanks to our amazing event sponsors. You will be contacted by the event organizers for your shipping information if you are one of the first 10 registered participants.
I'm Brian, one of the co-founders of LAUNCH WEST CO. From a very young age I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur. In 2005, I graduated high school early to start my first company with my dad. Since then I've helped start, run, and grow several others. I hope that with LAUNCH WEST... Read More →
Tuesday July 12, 2022 9:00am - 10:00am MDT
Virtual
For a lean startup learning what it takes to run a modern web application, it’s easy to be overwhelmed: networking, virtual machines, operating systems, load-balancing, auto-scaling, containers… What if it were simpler?
This presentation is a beginner-friendly introduction on how to streamline web development with serverless tools like AWS Lambda. We welcome developers, technical thinkers and tinkerers of all skill levels to learn how serverless development can help your startup thrive.
As a Senior Cloud Developer at Aspen Technologies LLC (Aspen) in Grand Junction Colorado, I've has spent the last 4 years helping clients ranging from small startups to Fortune 500 enterprises build on and use Amazon Web Services (AWS). When I'm not at my day job I'm probably gaming... Read More →
Tuesday July 12, 2022 10:30am - 11:30am MDT
Virtual
Are you excited about Rural Colorado Entrepreneurship? Then you won’t want to miss the Greater Colorado Pitch Series hosted virtually and LIVE in Grand Junction, CO at the Avalon Theatre.
Whether you attend online or in-person, you’ll engage with Rural Colorado Companies as they pitch for over $1.3M in funding. Attend in-person to also meet the founders, mingle with funders, and celebrate our Rural Colorado entrepreneurs.
The Greater Colorado Pitch Series will be the kick-off to the in-person portion of West Slope Startup Week on July 12th, check out the full schedule of events and register today at westslopestartupweek.com
Event Coordinator, The Greater Colorado Pitch Series
Kiki works for Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO, and is the Event Coordinator for the Greater Colorado Pitch Series, the kick-off event to West Slope Startup Week. Kiki started her interest in entrepreneurship and small business at a young age, as she watched her father run a family... Read More →
Tuesday July 12, 2022 12:00pm - 3:00pm MDT
Avalon Theatre645 Main St, Grand Junction, CO 81501
Join us at #WSSW22 basecamp to get your name tag, t-shirt, and other event swag. Enjoy beverages and refreshments courtesy West Slope Startup Week sponsors.
Hi! My name is Kayleen and I'm the Lead Organizer of West Slope Startup Week, and a small business owner much like yourself! My digital marketing agency, Mtn. Dog Media, recently celebrated its 9-year anniversary. Over the past decade, I have worked with hundreds of small business... Read More →
Hi, I am Lexi! If I were a mixed drink I’d be 1 part marketing, 2 parts community builder, and a splash of strategy. Over the course of my career, I have worked with organizations and entrepreneurs to build communities, launch ideas, lead projects, plan events, initiate growth efforts... Read More →
Tuesday July 12, 2022 2:30pm - 5:00pm MDT
Alt Space750 Main St, Grand Junction, CO 81501
Join West Slope Startup Week and Startup Colorado for a virtual Lean Coffee meetup.
All Colorado rural entrepreneurs are welcome, any business stage, any industry! Join this casual one-hour networking event to discuss current topics and trends in business with fellow entrepreneurs, mentors, and business support agents. Bring a resource to share or a question for the group. The discussion goes where the group takes it, so each lean coffee is unique. Bonus points for attendees drinking coffee or their beverage of choice during the event.
Vanessa lives in Fort Collins and is part of the small, but mighty remote staff of Startup Colorado. She is their Community Engagement Manager, heading up the virtual Entrepreneurs Network that serves all corners of rural Colorado. This private online space supports the entire state... Read More →
Wednesday July 13, 2022 9:00am - 10:00am MDT
Virtual
How many ways and sources are there to fund your venture? This panel will let you know, led by serial entrepreneur Kirstie McPherson, she invites an expert panel of venture funds, state organizations, loan funds, and traditional funding options. This panel will highlight both traditional and nontraditional approaches to fund your startup.
Panel members: Bryan Wachs - Focusing on CrowdFunding Kat Papenbrock - OEDIT, Focusing on State Incentive Programs Britain Garza - GJEP, Focusing on How to Engage your local EDO Brian Rose - Region 9, Focusing on Regional Loan Programs
Behavioral Economist & Serial Entrepeneur, Edeveco / The Behavioral Economics Company
Kirstie McPherson is a Behavioral Economist who’s research has focused on economic development throughout her career. Working with dozens of communities across the US, Kirstie has identified key practices to enhance economic development and answer the most common problems our communities... Read More →
Wednesday July 13, 2022 10:30am - 11:30am MDT
Alt Space750 Main St, Grand Junction, CO 81501
Where to spend your marketing dollars/time before you have the budget to hire a full marketing team. It would be a run down of the value of the various strategies and tactics that we have seen work for early stage companies across sectors. Additionally our background is in Investor marketing so we'd love to chat about the assets needed to seek investment (investor deck, website, etc).
Kate is a branding and marketing expert with over 15 years in the space. She has a B.S. in Public Relations and Advertising from Northern Arizona University and an MS in Global Marketing Management from Boston University. Her career consists of branding and marketing work for companies... Read More →
Some call it the Great Resignation or the Great Reshuffle, we call it the Great Boss Evolution! In this era where the tight labor market is being felt across Colorado and especially in the rural and frontier parts of the state, it is more important than ever for employers to be able to hire and retain great employees. This highly interactive session will provide attendees with an opportunity to engage with the panelists and their peers to explore insight into best practices for hiring and actionable ideas for increasing employee retention and loyalty.
I am a social entrepreneur and my current labor of love is building Good Business Colorado - the business voice for a strong, thriving and sustainable Colorado.
Greg has over 20 years of experience as a leader in helping companies implement marketing and sales enablement strategies. He has worked with companies from young start-ups to mature Fortune 100s to launch and re-launch their businesses, products and services.
Jessi started her journey as an entrepreneur after experiencing toxic work environments. She thought there had to be a better way to value employees, pay them a living wage, and still be able to work outside. Her first company, a landscaping business, taught her that being a business... Read More →
I'd love to share my perspective on burnout (or how not to) when building your startup. It took our company two years to get our first paying customers, four to raise money and then acquired at year five. While a lot of companies run out of cash (financial runway), I felt our bigger risk along the way was simply burnout and losing energy for the business (emotional runway). Would love to be able to share some of what I learned on how to extend your emotional runway so founders don't burn out and quit before they reach their goals.
Excited to attend my first Startup Week! My family and I moved to the Western Slope (Montrose) in the fall of 2020 and have been loving it. It's an incredible backyard, especially with two young kiddos (3 yrs and 6 months). Greater Colorado Venture Fund and the pitch series were the... Read More →
Wednesday July 13, 2022 12:00pm - 1:00pm MDT
Alt Space750 Main St, Grand Junction, CO 81501
Protecting yourself and your company in the age of web3 and quantum computing
Web3, blockchain, cryptocurrencies, non-fungible tokens, the metaverse, autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing… oh my! These cutting edge technologies are achieving popular acceptance and with people spending more time and money with these technologies, specifically crypto and NFTs, opportunities for malicious actors and consequences for their victims are at an all-time high. Compound the acceptance of crypto and NFTs with advances in fundamental technologies like quantum computing, autonomous technology, and artificial intelligence, and the Internet landscape is changing rapidly, increasing cybersecurity risk for everyone. As a follow on to my presentation at WSSW 2021 on cybersecurity in a post-pandemic world, I will speak about cybersecurity risks in this new landscape and what you can do to protect yourselves and your companies.
Paul is a co-founder and head of sales at cybersecurity company Cloudrise, where he oversees sales for the Americas and contributes to corporate strategy, business development, and partnerships globally. A 7+ year cybersecurity professional, Paul has led sales organizations and consulted... Read More →
Wednesday July 13, 2022 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
Alt Space750 Main St, Grand Junction, CO 81501
In this interactive workshop, learn how to use core memories to guide your creative process. Using design thinking we will build out a fun new public experience for the Shift – a food, art, social popup – at 702 Main Street.
The session will start with a simple prompt: using provided materials, build your favorite childhood memory in 5 minutes (hands-on exercise). Participants will discover that their memories are based in nature, relationships, experiences, and most importantly are fun! Those core beliefs will then be used to guide part two of the session, building out a new public experience for the Shift lot at 702 Main Street.
Community Engagement Manager, Downtown Grand Junction / GJ Creates
Hello! I am a national award-winning designer, community connector, and placemaker. My passion in work is focused on developing projects, events, and community space that benefit and grow community interaction. Creating spaces that are accessible, equitable, and interactive is more... Read More →
Wednesday July 13, 2022 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
Shift Lot702 Main Street Grand Junction, CO
Startup Colorado is pleased to offer professional headshot sessions to 10 entrepreneurs during this year’s West Slope Startup Week in Grand Junction.We understand that the cost of getting a headshot taken can be prohibitive to emerging entrepreneurs, yet having a professional photo available that represents you and your brand is so important.These sessions will be available to entrepreneurs who currently don’t have a professional headshot, or for those who have the financial need. If you already have a great photo in place or have the means to secure one, please consider leaving room for an entrepreneur with more pressing needs. To secure your headshot session, please fill out this following form and the Startup Colorado team will followup with next steps.
No one really learns from success, failure is what matters most. Walt Disney was told he “lacked imagination and had no good ideas.” Sir James Dyson created 5,126 vacuum designs until he finally created a vacuum that worked. Vera Wang spent 15 years working her way up at Vogue repeatedly getting rejected for the Editor in Chief position which led to her becoming a fashion designer and industry icon. Marc Cuban failed at bartending because he couldn't open a bottle of wine. Thomas Edison failed 9,999 times before inventing the light bulb. Everyone fails and it's okay to fail. The best way to overcome failure is to embrace it. Join the "Why Failure Matters" session to talk about failure, why it's necessary, review some of history's most famous failures for inspiration, and gain ideas on how you can move past failure to achieve success.
Co-Founder / Director of Growth Strategy, COVENTURE
Jonathan has wealth of experience in startups, marketing, sales, business development, customer experience, technology integration, and venture capital. He has a wide variety of experience consulting companies from Fortune 100 to small businesses and start-ups, with notable engagements... Read More →
Wednesday July 13, 2022 3:00pm - 4:00pm MDT
Alt Space750 Main St, Grand Junction, CO 81501
Marketing technology is the difference between a stellar startup and a slow-growing side hustle. During this interactive session, you'll learn how to maximize your investment by analyzing your MarTech stack and applying the inbound methodology to scale.
Hey! I'm a Marketing Technologist at GROWL Agency. GROWL helps clients grow by focusing on strategy and data, and MarTech is a massive piece in helping achieve success. My job is to learn about what objectives clients want to accomplish and how to implement a technical strategy to... Read More →
Hi! I'm the Account Director at GROWL Agency. We're a growth marketing agency and HubSpot Partner! My job is to drive strategy and ensure success for all our clients. From leading our Client Success and Marketing teams to partnering with our clients on business development, I've got... Read More →
Wednesday July 13, 2022 3:00pm - 4:00pm MDT
GJEP122 N 6th St, Grand Junction, CO 81501
Join us for a free yoga class to help you relax and unwind. Taught by local yoga instructor, Summer Estrella, at the charming Aesthetic Collective space.
Start your morning with an hour on your mat, becoming more in-tune and present with your inner world.
We will begin class with a short, motion sequence to wake up energetic pathways and facial lines to unlock stagnation, move energy and lubricate joints.
Then settle into a yin style practice of long held postures to bring an introspective focus and quietude to our otherwise fast-paced, multi-tasking mode of operation as an entrepreneur. As we target connective tissue health through our practice we open through the body, into the mind-body connection.
This class will leave you ready to move into the rest of your day with a sense of clarity, calm, and rejuvenation.
Please bring your own yoga mat if you are able. Otherwise, some blankets and mats will be provided.
Dr. Lauren Czaplicki leads Science by Design, a firm that trains citizen scientists and environmental professionals in leveraging fungi to fight seemingly intractable problems. Science by Design also collaborates with community-focused nonprofits to develop and scale fungal innovations at the nexus of climate, pollution, sustainability and conservation. Dr. Czaplicki's talk will share her approach to overcoming burnout, building mission-driven businesses, and persisting in the face of significant challenges.
I will give a presentation on my entree into the investment world, and how I have used personal connections and traditional financing to acquire five properties in one year. I will share my insights and strategies, lessons learned, and the benefit of investing in Western Colorado (Grand Junction and Craig).
Associate Broker / Investing Addict, Colorado Group Realty
“Who am I?” – Derek ZoolanderWho am I, indeed? I am a husband and a father. A recovering attorney. Realtor. Entrepreneur. Serial volunteerer. Real estate investor. And I’d like to think I’m a pretty good guy.My latest hobby/business ventures include gobbling up real estate... Read More →
Thursday July 14, 2022 9:00am - 10:00am MDT
Virtual
Currently, Software Developer is one of the most sought-after professions with demand continuing to grow each year. Software Developers earn a high median salary, have a very low unemployment rate, and high career satisfaction. How do you attain the skills needed to get into this industry? It is hard work, but there are many paths to reach this goal. In this talk, I will go through my own experience of becoming a Software Developer as well as what I look for in a candidate as a hiring manager for Software Development.
Sr. Manager of Cloud Development, Aspen Technologies LLC
Spencer is the Senior Manager of Cloud Development at Aspen Technologies located in Grand Junction, CO. He has been managing teams for 10 years and has been leading software development teams for 5 years. Spencer is also a board member of the Colorado Mesa University Computer Science... Read More →
Thursday July 14, 2022 9:00am - 10:00am MDT
Virtual
How to build a sustainable (and consistent) marketing ecosystem, without selling your soul to social media... even if you're an introvert with a terrible case of imposter syndrome. From searchable content and paid advertising to building relationships and shareable posts, we'll not only cover the nitty-gritty tactics of your marketing strategy, but we'll also talk big picture and establish your WHY for 'putting yourself out there.' As an accidental (introverted) entrepreneur, it's taken me years to build my marketing content machine, so I'd like to share what's worked for me... in the hopes some things might work for you, but not take nearly as long.
A general overview of how a brand interacts with a sewing factory. Focused on the expectations and responsibilities of each player. Design, development, pre-production, production, finishing; what role each contributes to a complete process.
Kurt Gray is an outdoor industry veteran who started as a clerk in 'mountain shops' back in the day. Eventually he teamed up with the legendary Rick Lipke in Bellingham Washington and began his journey through product design and small batch production. A very long tour of duty doing... Read More →
Thursday July 14, 2022 10:30am - 11:30am MDT
Virtual
Strategic marketing is critical for growing your startup. This session will cover how to understand marketing data and use it to influence your ongoing strategy.
I graduated from Colorado Mesa University’s Mass Communication Department in 2020. After manifesting an internship at GROWL Agency in 2019, I was lucky enough to be offered a full-time position. As an Account Coordinator at GROWL, I help develop strategies and ensure client success... Read More →
Thursday July 14, 2022 12:00pm - 1:00pm MDT
Alt Space750 Main St, Grand Junction, CO 81501
Let's walk you through business formation, choosing the right entity, financial health, and forecasting the future. Learn the basics to set yourself on the path to success and the tools to help grow.
Heather is the owner of Tax Queen, a tax firm supporting freelancers, entrepreneurs, and digital nomads. As a federally licensed Enrolled Agent, she supports her clients year-round with tax preparation, tax planning, and bookkeeping. She also educates freelancers, digital nomads... Read More →
Paul is a serial entrepreneur who recently had a successful exit. Working as a rent-a-CTO for the last couple of decades, he enjoys helping businesses of all sizes understand business strategy as it relates to technology and operations. Successfully sold Nomad Reservations to Camping... Read More →
Thursday July 14, 2022 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
GJEP122 N 6th St, Grand Junction, CO 81501
A workshop that teaches right-brained thinkers how to be more successful with the non-creative tasks of a professional art career. We'll discuss how to get hired, manage your gigs and continually get more as you seed into a sustainable creative career.
TJ was born a smith between the trees of Pennsylvania. Inheriting a creative mind, he was destined for a future of aesthetics. Inspired by nature he is ever curious, seeking wild lands to refresh his palette. Those adventures motivate his quest to align art, design, knowledge and... Read More →
According to a 2015 study by UCSF, 72% of entrepreneurs report mental health concerns, and founders are 30% more likely to experience depression than non-founders. With the long hours, astronomical expectations, and rollercoasters of emotion many entrepreneurs encounter, this will come as no surprise (but still not offer much solace). During this event, we will openly discuss these issues and hopefully share actionable advice from founder to founder. Join us for a candid and open discussion where vulnerability, honesty, and openness around founder wellbeing will be encouraged.
Jonathan Greechan is the Co-Founder of the Founder Institute (http://fi.co), the world's largest pre-seed startup accelerator. Since 2009, he has grown and scaled the organization to chapters in over 200 cities and 90 countries, which have produced over 5000 portfolio companies with... Read More →
Thursday July 14, 2022 3:00pm - 4:00pm MDT
Alt Space750 Main St, Grand Junction, CO 81501
Is a forever stamp an NFT? Can Blockchain REALLY be used to trace spoiled Milk? Did dogs INVENT Dogecoin? Will Quantum Computing FINALLY be able to help find my car keys? Can I ORDER pizza in the Metaverse? Humanity is on the cusp of being able to utilize radical technologies blending science fiction with reality. Some of these new technologies are receiving A LOT of hype, while others not enough. The problem with these new technologies is not only understanding what they actually are, but what their potential applications could be. There are lots of opinions, half truths, and mysticism around these "cutting edge" future technologies. At the core of all of these future technologies the question remains, what are they and how will they be used? Get the answer to all of these important questions and more in the Future Technologies session.Discussion on the future of technologies and their impact on the world. From blockchain to quant computing and the meta.
Co-Founder / Director of Growth Strategy, COVENTURE
Jonathan has wealth of experience in startups, marketing, sales, business development, customer experience, technology integration, and venture capital. He has a wide variety of experience consulting companies from Fortune 100 to small businesses and start-ups, with notable engagements... Read More →
Thursday July 14, 2022 3:00pm - 4:00pm MDT
GJEP122 N 6th St, Grand Junction, CO 81501
Hi! My name is Kayleen and I'm the Lead Organizer of West Slope Startup Week, and a small business owner much like yourself! My digital marketing agency, Mtn. Dog Media, recently celebrated its 9-year anniversary. Over the past decade, I have worked with hundreds of small business... Read More →
Hi, I am Lexi! If I were a mixed drink I’d be 1 part marketing, 2 parts community builder, and a splash of strategy. Over the course of my career, I have worked with organizations and entrepreneurs to build communities, launch ideas, lead projects, plan events, initiate growth efforts... Read More →
Thursday July 14, 2022 4:00pm - 6:00pm MDT
Avalon Theatre645 Main St, Grand Junction, CO 81501
Step inside the mind of an outdoor industry startup founder as he shares the foundation of his purpose-driven retail bike shop. From education and a health crisis, to shop conception and blossoming partnerships. Moderated by his branding agency, walk away having explored the highs and lows of navigating opening the doors for impact ahead. The earlier a Founder can instill the quadruple bottom line (profit, people, planet, purpose) into the brand, the more impact can be made. Designed for the Founder or conscious entrepreneurial team, you’ll learn the simple startup steps to define your purpose pre-revenue and a brand strategy for three years ahead to do business for good.
Seagull's Cycles is a more than just a place to get your bike serviced or pick up some new blingy bits. We lead with education to dissolve the unnecessary bike shop ego and focus on making the community a better place. Through various group rides and community outreach programs we... Read More →
Nature fuels and feeds me. It keeps me grounded. On a daily basis, I’m feeling alive, risking, challenged, and growing. The endless opportunities to raise the bar with outdoor endeavors translate well to business. Equally comfortable in the backcountry and boardroom, I understand... Read More →
Friday July 15, 2022 9:00am - 10:00am MDT
GJEP122 N 6th St, Grand Junction, CO 81501
I read way too much about the algorithm… I’ve worked with brands that have monthly budgets anywhere from $400 to $100k, your advertising budget does not limit your ability to build a following of customers. I’ll use my personal brand as a case study applying everything I know to make sales through crowded social media channels to find fans that become buyers.
Social Media Specialist, Paid Media, Smartbug Media
Hi, I'm a Western Colorado native, and I love marketing, specifically, social media marketing. I started in content creation - directing, shooting and editing a web series with my actor-friends in LA, I also took their headshots as a way to pay for my very expensive camera. My day-job... Read More →
Hi! My name is Kayleen and I'm the Lead Organizer of West Slope Startup Week, and a small business owner much like yourself! My digital marketing agency, Mtn. Dog Media, recently celebrated its 9-year anniversary. Over the past decade, I have worked with hundreds of small business... Read More →
Hi, I am Lexi! If I were a mixed drink I’d be 1 part marketing, 2 parts community builder, and a splash of strategy. Over the course of my career, I have worked with organizations and entrepreneurs to build communities, launch ideas, lead projects, plan events, initiate growth efforts... Read More →
Friday July 15, 2022 10:00am - 11:30am MDT
Alt Space750 Main St, Grand Junction, CO 81501
Founders - gather around and sit back. You've pitched plenty! This time, watch 4-6 funders pitch you on the value they'd bring as financiers and partners to your business.
Join us for the West Slope Startup Week Keynote presentation by Kerry Siggins.
Building, growing, and leading a company is hard. Whether you are a first-time entrepreneur or a seasoned executive, there are constant challenges to face and obstacles to overcome. In this inspiring keynote, Kerry Siggins, CEO of StoneAge, Inc., will share her leadership journey that begins with hitting rock bottom and that has evolved into leading one of the most respected companies in the State. Kerry will share the top four traits an effective leader must embody to inspire their teams to build an exceptional company and culture. She will inspire you to be a leader worth following.
"I am passionate about leadership, and my mission is to help people on their leadership journey."CEO @StoneAge | Keynote Speaker | Industry Thought Leader | Leadership Blogger | Podcast Host | YPO Member | Forbes Business Council | Entrepreneur Magazine Leadership Network Contributor.Kerry... Read More →
Friday July 15, 2022 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT
Alt Space750 Main St, Grand Junction, CO 81501
