lisa, Author at East Colorado Small Business Development Center

Still Waters Coffee

Leave a Comment / Success Stories / lisa

Still Waters Coffee is located right in the heart of Greeley, Colorado. This is a venture close to our hearts, founded by family. Our journey began during a missionary expedition in Costa Rica, where we chanced upon a remarkable coffee farm. Inspired by the high-quality coffee we discovered, we made it our mission to bring that exceptional taste back to Greeley. Tired of the typical chain coffee shops in our community, we envisioned Still Waters Coffee as a haven for those who appreciate top-notch brews in an elevated atmosphere.

The Story of How They Were Built

The construction of this establishment is a testament to our commitment to sustainability. Our construction was hand-built by our family, grandfather, father, uncle, and many more. We utilized recycled materials to create a space that’s not only sophisticated but also environmentally conscious. To add an artistic touch to the ambiance, another talented family member has designed unique decor and artwork throughout the shop. Still Waters Coffee is more than just a place to savor coffee; it’s a space where craftsmanship meets creativity and community. Join us for an experience that goes beyond a simple cup of coffee, where every detail tells a story of dedication, inspiration, and a shared love for exceptional coffee.

Working with the SBDC

In the beginning stages of Still Waters Coffee, the East Colorado SBDC and coach Briana Hale were helpful in guiding us through the challenges of starting a new business. Briana provided expert advice and helped connect us with the community. We have been able to speak with UNC marketing professors and students, giving our brand a boost. Plus, she opened our eyes to different funding options for our family owned venture, turning challenges into opportunities. Thanks to the East Colorado SBDC crew, especially Briana, being our go-to squad as we navigated our startup!

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By His Grace Worship Dance School

Leave a Comment / Success Stories / lisa

By His Grace has been serving the Arkansas Valley for twelve years. It was started by Charaki and Shawna Yeomans with the goal of providing tuition-free dance classes to the community, and using the classes as a way to reach others for Christ. Our mission statement is “Teaching the art of dance with a heart of worship and promoting dance as a legitimate form of worship”. Over the last several years it has grown to what it is now, a worship dance school that has a wide variety of people taking classes, with a diverse set of classes available for people ages 3-Adult. We offer classes in Ballet, Theatrical, Israeli Folk Dance, Boys Worship Dance, and sometimes Tap.

Giving back to our students

We have a ballet shoe program that our students pay $6 to buy into, and they receive a pair of new or gently used ballet shoes. When they grow out of them, they return the shoes and get a new pair with no additional charge, making the expensive footwear attainable. We are completely run on donations and fundraisers, and everyone that helps us does so for free. No one takes a salary. All money from fundraisers and donations goes directly back to our students, and is used to purchase costumes, music, ballet shoes, and equipment.

Now offering Events

Over the last few years we have also added By His Grace Events. In this part of our ministry we focus on bringing high quality Christian music artist concerts to the valley. We want kids and adults alike to have the opportunity to go to a high quality concert and hear amazing music right in thier own back yard. We have brought 4 christian concerts to the valley to date.
We have recently expanded to include a custom apparel business! All proceeds will go to support the dance school. Our spring 2023 fundraiser was our launch. We also accept custom orders for individuals, businesses, sports teams, etc.

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B2B Solutions LLC

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B2B Solutions is a family and minority-owned distribution company based in Elizabeth Colorado. Our mission is to provide much-needed products to our customers at competitive pricing. Especially right now with the disruption of the supply chain. We stock over 200,000 products from over 600 manufacturers within our 21 warehouses across the country. So, our supply chain is well equipped

Our products include;
Safety Supplies, Environmental Supplies, Firefighting Supplies, Janitorial Supplies, Industrial Supplies such as (MRO, Hand Tools, Power Tools, Abrasives, Chemicals, Lubricants, Measuring Tools, etc), Medical Supplies, Gas Detection (fixed and portable), Calibration Gas, Machinery, Air Quality Products, COVID-19 Rapid Test Kits and more.

Meeting the local SBDC

My first sale was in February 2021 to a health department in WY for the purchase of disposable nitrile gloves for $500.
My largest sale in 2022 was $93,000 for the sale of 216 Radiation meters to PEMA (Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency)
I went to the Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce and they told me to get ahold of you “Craig Curl” from the SBDC to help me get my business moving in the right direction.
Mr. Curl listen to what my vision was and my challenges so together we drafted a road map on how to make the business successful. This included registering with local government entities, trade shows, banks, certifications, marketing, contacts, and much more.
First I connected with PTAC and started attending their meetings and started connecting with other local businesses and Government entities. Tom Fuller was very helpful with information and his presentations of G2B

Tapping into More Resources

Secondly, I connected with Sol Ybarra (Business Outreach Coordinator) from the Denver Department of General Services. She helped me with contacts within Denver & Colorado Springs Purchasing Departments, I attended her online and in-person meetings on how to do business with the city of Denver and she shared contact information from other Denver Departments. Also, she guided me on how to get certified with the city of Denver as a DBE.
I became certified as a DBE on March 2022 since I needed to be in business for 1 year to qualify.
Lastly, I connected with Antonio Soto of the MBO. He has provided me with business contacts, banks, trade show information, partnership, and much more.

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High Plains Dice and Games

Leave a Comment / Success Stories / lisa

High Plains Dice and Games started with a little girl who loved to read books. I fell into worlds filled with Dragons, Ghosts, Shield-maidens, and Magic. Worlds that I longed for and dreamt of. As I got older that desire for fantastically magical worlds was filled thanks to Dungeons & Dragons, Magic the Gathering, Pokemon, and Board Games. As an adult, I discovered the “Friendly Local Game Store”, a place filled to the brim with all the things (and more) that I loved. I saw communities being formed and friendships being built in those spaces. Ultimately when deciding where to move after my husband’s enlistment in the U.S. Army was complete, we chose a town with a local game store. Sadly that store closed shortly before Covid hit at the end of 2019 and our town and surrounding area were left without a community space for these hobbies and passions.

Meeting The SBDC

By the time 2021 rolled around I started playing with the idea in the back of my head; “How cool would it be to build my own Game Store and Community right here, where it’s needed?”. I reached out to Laurie at the East Colorado SBDC and she helped me flesh out the idea sitting in my brain. She offered templates, advice, recommendations, and connections to others that were imperative to me forming a real business plan and getting my business license. Even when I felt overwhelmed and had to step back for a couple of months, Laurie was supportive and understanding. After working through my mental block I pushed forward and with the help of Laurie, I got in touch with Valerie at the North East Colorado Revolving Loan Fund based out of Yuma. Both Laurie and Valerie believed in the vision I had for my store and took a chance on me, a first-time business owner with no business degree or experience. Thanks to both of these amazing women along with help from close friends I opened High Plains Dice and Games two months earlier than anticipated and beat my sales projections by more than 5 times in the first month.

Game Store Creating Community

Although we are still a fledgling business that is constantly learning from our mistakes, growing with each new experience and evaluating ever changing problems I truly believe that the people of Sterling and the surrounding communities spoke Loud and Clear. This space was not only wanted, but needed. Providing an inclusive, safe environment for all of our patrons is my top priority in addition to providing unique and amazing events, products and displays. Owning a business is the hardest thing I’ve ever done outside of motherhood but I wouldn’t change it for one second. Thanks to the SBDC, The Revolving Loan Fund, and all of my absolutely amazing friends I was able to breathe life back into several communities, give opportunities for other small business owners to showcase their wares, and most importantly, give other little girls reading books a place to see their dreams become reality.

Meet Shelby Brandes

My name is Shelby Brandes. I’m 30 years old, married to my high school sweetheart, and the owner of High Plains Dice and Games. My love of science fiction and gaming along with the strong desire to form friendships and build community has led me on the journey of creating a space for people just like me.. I love playing board games with our friends and our two daughters and have fallen in love with photography over the last two years. I love to learn and create new things and hope that I can see my dream of a Game Store in Sterling come to life and build the space I’ve always dreamt of.

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