Hogan Design Group

I’m Richard Hogan, Owner of Hogan Design Group LLC. Hogan Design Group provides website design, hosting, and graphics for its customers. The goals of HDG are to help small businesses in Sterling and Logan County to grow and prosper. Affordable pricing and the ability to build professional responsive websites on our own hosting platform was my goal three years ago when I escaped Denver’s rising rent and settled in Sterling. Building a website for Elements Roofing had allowed me to make the move to Sterling. I found hope and guidance by wandering into the offices of Vocational Rehabilitation and SBDC.

Getting started with the East CO SBDC

Being a Disabled Veteran I found that Vocational Rehabilitation would help fund my new business. They got me started and said I should walk upstairs and see the SBDC people. That same day I met Laurie Jones ( East CO SBDC ) and Trey Miller (Logan County Economic Development). Laurie is actually a very good website designer too and found out that I knew what I was talking about. Her spirit and guidance in developing the initial business plan that was needed for the funding from Voc Rehab got me off to the right start. The humble Trey who took the time out to listen to my story provided inspiration and purpose to the huge task I was about to embark upon. They had seen who I was and my confidence grew that I had found my calling in this good city.

SBDC had set up a workshop at Northeastern Junior College. The seminar was very enlightening. I’m a lousy salesman but enjoy helping people with my talents. The summary of this workshop showed me that helping businesses was what I needed to be doing. No more sales for me, just help them if I could. Everything else would fall in place.

Building a Business

Meeting with Laurie Jones kept me working on the Voc Rehab project. The business plan grew slowly but really helped me solidify the ideas of what was needed to make Hogan Design Group a success.

I set off to help the local addiction recovery community. This resulted in an events calendar that recovering people could use to find meetings or help at any time they needed it. My first real Pro-Bono work. PTSD, depression and my other disabilities became a struggle but working on the Recovery Girls website kept me going. Today, we are working together to turn it into a new website.

Times got very rough financially. Trey Miller announced an SBDC Freelancer Fair. There I meet other freelancers who could help in other areas of my business. Also, Better Electric, a top-notch electrical company based in Sterling asked about my services. We ended in upgrading their existing website BetterElectric.com. The job was finished just in time for me to have a heart attack. I was taking the phrase “Got to start somewhere” to new levels.

Five days in the hospital and I was back to work when I got home. I felt blessed that I was able to do this and was able to work on long term client projects which helped keep me afloat.

Logan County and Trey Miller had gotten very serious about having a coworking space. Having my ideas heard and attending meetings brought me closer to the community of Sterling. With the grant obtained through the Certified Small Business Community, “The Annex,” was opened. This is where I prefer to hold meetings with clients. Soon I will be paying a year in advance for its services. It is yet another inspiration that allows small business owners to feel that they make a difference.

Perseverance – the key to any business model

The true heroes here are those from SBDC, Vocational Rehabilitation, Tarren Riley and Amy Willams who provided the last push on my business plan. After two years and resubmitting it twice though Voc Rehab, it was finally accepted. That allowed me to finalize my website, go LLC, get updated office equipment and start advertising in The South Plate and Journal-Advocate.

Blessings to Callie Jones for writing this story and the newspapers for publishing it. I have already been able to help others because of the article. Because of the help SBDC gave me, my gifts will be allowed to shine on others.

720-495-6961
121 S. 4th St Sterling, CO 80751
https://hogandesigngroup.com/
https://www.facebook.com/hogandesigngroup

E C Translations

My name is Curtis Cox. My wife, Elsa, and I had been earning extra money for many years by translating documents of various kinds between Spanish and English. In 2013, we felt that it was time to turn our side sources of income into a full-fledged business. So, in March, of that year, we began E C Translations. the “E” is for Elsa and the “C” is for Curtis; plus, it sounded like “easy.” Not

Fox Haven Aesthetics

Prior to working with the East Colorado SBDC, my practice, Fox Haven Aesthetics, was located on the west side of Ft. Collins. However, I lived in Windsor (and still do!) After seven years making the commute, I decided to start working in Windsor. In order to make that transition a reality, I knew I’d need help. Working with East CO Associate Director, Kyla Benson, helped me get in touch with the City of Windsor and

Huberd’s Shoe Grease Company

In 1921, the United States was just coming out of World War I and kicking off the Roaring ‘20s. Babe Ruth broke the home run record with the Yankees. Coco Chanel introduced “Chanel No. 5”. John Glenn, a future astronaut, was born. And, in a small town in Oregon, an enterprising young man named J.W. Huberd concocted a leather care product out of beeswax and pine tar. Mr. Huberd traveled to logging camps throughout the

Aunt Helen’s Coffee House

Aunt Helen’s Coffee House is a unique, quick service restaurant that serves specialized coffee, tea, and an array of breakfast and lunch options. Owners Aimee and Bob Hutson continue to grow their business by providing high quality products, creating unique and healthy dining options, delivering an unmatched level of customer service, and giving back to the community. Aimee was a Director in the childcare service industry for most of her career, and understands the importance

PICTURE IT STUDIOS, INC

Navigating COVID Relief with the SBDC During the COVID lockdown, Craig provided information and guidance about the PPP and the EIDL programs that might stabilize the Studio once we were able to re-open. At that point most of my capital had been spent on rent and utilities during the 2.5 months we were forced to close. Without that support we would have had to permanently close. Thankfully we were approved for both types of assistance

Affiliation Welding

Affiliation Welding is based in Greeley, CO and provides welding and fabrication services for customers in Northern Colorado. Affiliation specializes in plastic welding & fabrication and serves residential, commercial and industrial customers. Our Beginnings Alex is a Colorado native and is proud to serve the community his family has lived in for over 100 years. Before opening Affiliation Welding, Alex worked for a local research and development company as the lead welder and fabricator while