Business Support

We are inviting you to give us your feedback… what do you think your business will need over the next 20 years for support and longevity!?

In case you haven’t heard, the City is updating our Comprehensive Plan with the community – and it looks 20 years into the future. Thanks to those of you who have given input thus far, and we are hoping to continue the great input and have even more Edgewater businesses get involved!

See informaiton (graphic to right) from how we have used business input in 2022 and now what we are seeking input on for the Comp Plan project! There is a QR code at the bottom of the below graphic, and I have put links to the City’s website for business resources – in case you want to check those out too.

Link to the business resources page online: https://www.edgewaterco.gov/doing-business/owning-a-business-in-edgewater

Fetien Gebre-Michael, Konjo Ethiopian Food (5505 W 25th Ave, Edgewater CO)

I made some wonderful, long-lasting connections whilst getting business assistance from the Denver Metro SBDC. I was able to take advantage of programs such as the Trout Tank Pitch Accelerator, a seven-week program that helped entrepreneurs obtain the tools needed to build a successful business, so that we could get our ideas in front of potential investors. We ended up winning the pitch competition that year. Five years later, we are doing the very thing that we won for. Denver's first ever fast-casual Ethiopian restaurant, Konjo Ethiopian Food. What a blessing.

Hap Cameron, Happy Cones Co (5505 W 25th Ave, Edgewater CO)

The Denver Metro SBDC was such an influential part of my Happy Cones Co journey. It helped take my dream of starting a New Zealand Style Creamery from an idea and make it a reality. I did the 10-week business planning course, Leading Edge for Entrepreneurs, which was transformational, as I was given the direction and advice from supportive, specialized business professionals. I also was given introductions to key people at local small business institutions that I never would have gotten. For example, as a newly arrived immigrant I had no credit score and no assets, so getting funding from a traditional bank wasn't an option. The SBDC was able to introduce me to lenders at reputable local non-profit organizations, where I ended up gaining funding to buy my 1989 West Virginia School Bus o Craigslist, to launch Happy Cones in 2015. I believe the most beneficial aspect of the business plan course was the accountability, along with the community of like-minded entrepreneurs who were on the same path of turning their business dreams into realities. These fellow entrepreneurs were going through the same struggles as me, as we tried to get our business idea out of our heads and into a fully functioning business plan.

Even once I graduated the business plan course, the SBDC continued to be a supportive hub in my early years, and I especially cherished the support and guidance of Nancy Barnett, my business plan teacher, Curriculum Director and Co-Founder of eL3 Hub, who mentored me. My check-ins with her acted as a yardstick to remind me of how far I had come in the early years, while rooting for the success of Happy Cones. Cheers SBDC!

The Jeffco SBDC Network and Denver SBDC in partnership with the City of Edgewater announce the fall LEADING EDGE course for Edgewater restaurants.

In this 10-week course, participants learn how to analyze economic opportunities and risk for their business and create an actionable strategic business plan based on proven market research andmanagement techniques. Leading Edge for Entrepreneurs is an interactive course, which ensures the flow of information not just from the instructor and guest speakers, but between participants as well.

• Course begins September 12, 2023 in the evening (530-730pm)
• Cost is $550 (early bird) / $695. All Edgewater restaurants are eligible for reimbursement grant!

• Questions, please contact Christopher Goetz at christopher.goetz@denversbdc.org

REGISTER TODAY!

Wondering if it's a fit for you? See below for feedback from fellow Edgewater restauranteurs...

I made some wonderful, long-lasting connections whilst getting business assistance from the Denver Metro SBDC. I was able to take advantage of programs such as the Trout Tank Pitch Accelerator, a seven-week program that helped entrepreneurs obtain the tools needed to build a successful business, so that we could get our ideas in front of potential investors. We ended up winning the pitch competition that year. Five years later, we are doing the very thing that we won for. Denver's first ever fast-casual Ethiopian restaurant, Konjo Ethiopian Food. What a blessing.

Fetien Gebre-Michael, Owner, Konjo Ethiopian Food

The Denver Metro SBDC was such an influential part of my Happy Cones Co journey. It helped take my dream of starting a New Zealand Style Creamery from an idea and make it a reality. I did the 10-week business planning course, Leading Edge for Entrepreneurs, which was transformational, as I was given the direction and advice from supportive, specialized business professionals. I also was given introductions to key people at local small business institutions that I never would have gotten. For example, as a newly arrived immigrant I had no credit score and no assets, so getting funding from a traditional bank wasn't an option. The SBDC was able to introduce me to lenders at reputable local non-profit organizations, where I ended up gaining funding to buy my 1989 West Virginia School Bus o Craigslist, to launch Happy Cones in 2015. I believe the most beneficial aspect of the business plan course was the accountability, along with the community of like-minded entrepreneurs who were on the same path of turning their business dreams into realities. These fellow entrepreneurs were going through the same struggles as me, as we tried to get our business idea out of our heads and into a fully functioning business plan.

Even once I graduated the business plan course, the SBDC continued to be a supportive hub in my early years, and I especially cherished the support and guidance of Nancy Barnett, my business plan teacher, Curriculum Director and Co-Founder of eL3 Hub, who mentored me. My check-ins with her acted as a yardstick to remind me of how far I had come in the early years, while rooting for the success of Happy Cones. Cheers SBDC!

Hap Cameron, Founder, Happy Cones Co

Find out more about Edgewater's Business Grant and other resources on the City's webpage, Owning a Business in Edgewater

https://www.edgewaterco.gov/doing-business/owning-a-business-in-edgewater

And... a huge thank you to everyone that participated in the JeffcoEDC/SBDC Network survey for Edgewater businesses. JeffcoEDC/SBDC Network is now collaborating to create some business support courses specifically for our small business community! Watch for more to come with a roll out of those courses later this year!

Exciting news! 🌟 Join us on a rewarding journey as we team up with you, our local Edgewater businesses, and the Jeffco SBDC Network. This is an amazing opportunity to help your business grow.

Jeffco SBDC has top-tier business support programs. All are designed to support small business practices and operations.

We want to customize these programs to be your perfect business partner! After our successful meet and greet last month, we invite you to take a quick survey. It will give us helpful insights to create a program that fits your needs.

Step into the spotlight and seize this opportunity with both hands. Together, let's build our community through your business!

Take the Survey!

During July and August, 2022, Edgewater surveyed businesses in Edgewater to get a sense of how current businesses are feeling about being in Edgewater and their future plans.

See survey results!

City staff took the 2022 Business Survey results and input to create the business support program in Edgewater. It consistss of a small business grant program - for training and/or a year membership in a local Chamber of Commerce or other local business support organizaton, and a new business welcome program.

The City is also working with the Jeffco Economic Development Corporation (Jefffco EDC) and the Denver Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to create training opportunities for Edgewater businesses in 2023. More exciting things to come!

Click here to learn more!