What are Edgewater Restaurants saying about the LEADING EDGE?

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!