The Startup Colorado Podcast
by Startup ColoradoJoin Startup Colorado as we visit entrepreneurs and small business owners throughout the state, from outdoor industry startups to tech founders. We’ll explore the biggest challenges and opportunities rural entrepreneurs are facing in today’s evolving business landscape.
Episodes
Town Hall: How Love of Community Led to an Adventure in Entrepreneurship
8m · PublishedWhen Robin Hall's employer Smartwool announced that she—along with all other employees—would need to relocate from Steamboat Springs to Denver, she was faced with a big decision. Leave the company she thought she'd retire at... or stay in Steamboat Springs and wayfind a new future for herself. With true entrepreneurial spirit, Robin and her co-founders Jay Lambert and Joe Solomon decided to launch a business that was truly rooted in place: Town Hall, a sustainable outerwear brand for kids. Here's how love for the Steamboat community led to an unexpected adventure in entrepreneurship.
How One Carniceria Is Building for Family and Community
8m · PublishedIn Rocky Ford, Colorado, a meat market isn't "just" a meat market. Maya's Carniceria is helping address the unique needs of a small, rural town, as well as creating an opportunity for young people to stay local. Hear how Maya and her family launched Rocky Ford's first carniceria.
From Baker to Business Owner - How Jessica Larriva Launched Tumbleweed Bread
9m · PublishedJessica Larriva never set out to become a business owner. She’s a baker. But when her mother fell ill, Jessica returned home to Colorado’s San Luis Valley and soon discovered that starting a business was a necessity. Here’s how Jessica launched Tumbleweed Bread—an artisan sourdough baking company that serves the San Luis Valley—and a nonprofit that addresses food insecurity in the region.
From Energy to Adventure: Good Vibes in Craig, Colorado's Economic Transition
11m · PublishedSeven years ago, Josh Veenstra was working as an insulator at one of Craig, Colorado's energy companies. Today, he and his wife Meagan are the founders of Good Vibes River Gear, a handmade mesh rafting accessory manufacturer that's become an influential voice in the town's transition from the energy economy to outdoor recreation. Here's how Josh and Meagan started a business powered by the waves of change.
Julia Taylor and the Rise of GeekPack
10m · PublishedJulia Taylor didn't set out to create an e-learning business for women; she was just trying to find a job that she could perform regardless of where the military stationed her husband. In 2014, she stumbled across website building and began teaching herself to code. The journey wasn't easy. There was no curriculum, no benchmarks, and no community. Sometimes when she'd ask a question, the responses—usually by men—were derogatory. She pushed on and eventually founded GeekPack, a company that not only teaches women to code, but also provides a supportive, online community for learning and professional development.
Today, GeekPack is known for its signature product WP Rockstar—an in-depth Wordpress tutorial—live coding challenges, and advice on starting your own business, including how to look for clients online and marketing.
How This Entrepreneur Turned a Hobby Into a Successful Business
10m · PublishedChereen Leong Schwarz started knitting as a way to decompress after long, stressful days as a head chef. Today she's the owner of Smeeny Beanie Knits, a handmade apparel company in Steamboat Springs. We spoke with Chereen about how she turned a hobby into a side-hustle and eventually into a successful, quit-your-day-job business.
Women In Tech with Eva Helén
20m · PublishedWith more than two decades in tech, Eva Helén has co-founded, built, and exited two software companies - most recently Sanbolic, acquired by Citrix in 2015. Since 2017, she has influenced a broad range of technology companies to build more diverse workforces and inclusive cultures. Her book Women In Tech: A Book for Guys is based on her research and interviews with men in the tech industry.
We spoke with Eva about her experience co-founding two successful startups and what eventually led her to support the advancement of women and minorities in tech.
Special thanks to Emergent Campus for facilitating this opportunity.
Why Does Art Matter in Rural?
9m · PublishedWhen Dominque Robbins arrived in the rural town of Rocky Ford, Colorado, the culture shock was real. Where was the Starbucks? And latenight burrito joints? A lifelong musician, Dominque also quickly discovered another Big City ammenity was missing: an art scene. A few months after arriving, Dominque founded Art Matters Productions, a recording studio and events management enterprise. His goal is to pave the way for more artists, musicians, and creatives in the Rocky Ford area.
We visited Dominque in his studio to learn how... and why... he chose to open an arts and entertainment business in a rural area.
Read more about Dominique at StartupColorado.org.
This Entrepreneur Is "Flipping" Towns
9m · PublishedAs Craig, Colorado transitions away from its roots as a coal town, local entrepreneurs like Kirstie McPherson are laying the groundwork for its next phase of life.
When TriState Generation and Transmission and Xcel Energy announced that both the coal mines and power plant would be shutdown by 2030, local residents of Craig, Colorado were left wondering, "what's next?" For entrepreneur and economic behavioralist Kirstie McPherson, the answer is community building. In this first episode of the Startup Colorado Podcast, Season 4, we visited Kirstie's business The Find & 518 Wine Bar to learn how the concept of "flipping houses" can be applied to whole towns.
Learn more and find the full transcript at StartupColorado.org.
How Entrepreneurs Can Tap Into Podcasting
21m · PublishedThe Startup Colorado Podcast has 38 episodes in total of non- explicit content. Total playtime is 7:32:25. The language of the podcast is English. This podcast has been added on November 21st 2022. It might contain more episodes than the ones shown here. It was last updated on May 31st, 2024 16:10.