A celebration of entrepreneurship and community in Fort Collins!
Because of the unique structure of this particular business, hopping on a Zoom call to conduct an interview wasn’t going to be productive, so… the 21 owners and leads got together and answered some questions for you.
If you’re finding yourself with a little bit more time to read these days, it might be worth diving into one of these amazing local books by local authors (many of whom are also speakers at Fort Collins Startup Week!).
Rachael Walker, owner of Life’s a Buch Kombucha shares her COVID-19 pivot story along with some tips for small business owners to survive and thrive during this crisis.
Not everyone thinks of the public library when starting a business. Yet, it’s the radical collaboration among entrepreneurs, libraries, and community partners that helps foster local economic development.
Many people commonly associate “sales” with stepping out of their comfort zone. But, as I’ve learned, “sales” are less commonly associated with one key ingredient that actually makes sales successful.
Can you guess it?
Hint: It has to do with connection.
*drum roll please…*
Authenticity.
Maybe this seems obvious. But let’s just get curious for a moment: How often is “authenticity” the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the next sales conversation you’re prepping for?
The idea of selling has a tendency, all too often, to feel scary, intimidating and nerve-wracking. Which is exactly why I love helping entrepreneurs actually experience sales as something fun—and not so scary.
This journey of marrying “authenticity” and “sales” in the same sentence, and living it, has been nothing short of eye-opening and diverse.
And it’s been a journey, let me tell you. One that’s taken me totally out of my wheelhouse and walking along spectacular views. And, one that began when I decided to step away from the career in HR that defined me since my freshman year of college.
Working in HR taught me a lot about communication, and how the way we show up in our communications makes a world of difference. Little did I know, the universe was setting my stage for the work I’m doing now helping clients have authentic, enjoyable and fruitful sales conversations.
When I left HR I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur. So I started my own business. And failed. I started again. …And failed, again. This happened again. And Again.
Four failed launches.
So I changed directions. Numerous times. I became well-acquainted with stepping out of my comfort zone:
In hindsight, it became clear that all these seemingly disconnected experiences were actually perfectly interconnected, and leading me to a beautiful part of the journey I now find myself on: successfully owning the Proffit Coach, helping others shift their sales experience.
What did all parts of this winding, interwoven journey of mine have in common? What allowed me to successfully launch the Proffit Coach and pay my bills (plus some) during the first 3 months of launching my business? (I spent zero on marketing these first 3 months, BTW. I know, it’s nuts. And yes, you read that double “f” in Proffit right–I’m lucky enough to have ”Proffit” as my last name 😉 ).
As I’ve reflected on a common thread, this is what I’ve noticed:
Being committed to authenticity and open to possibility, and experiencing this firsthand, allows me every day to help clients apply these ideas to their own business.
What’s amazing is that sales (and most of business) isn’t just about stepping out of our comfort zone. It’s also about being committed to authenticity.
As you become more comfortable sharing your incredible gifts with the world, get curious and ask yourself:
When we communicate authentically, we have an incredible potential to transform our business engine (sales) from experiences in which we forget to breathe, to experiences that feel so natural and energizing that we detach from outcomes, and confidently receive what our journey has to give us.
This guest post is by Alison Proffit, the Proffit Coach.
Alison Proffit teaches small business owners how to become more effective in the sales aspect of their business. Her work focuses on becoming more clear on where the breakdown is, creating a sales process that resonates with them so that they can go into sales conversations more confidently and then have a plan to follow through on the connections that have been made.
Do you have friends who ask you to proofread their reports? Or maybe they want your help designing a logo or building website? Do people ask you to photograph their wedding? Perhaps you’re the go-to person for tech help among family members?
Whatever your skill set, these friendly requests could be highlighting opportunities for freelance work.
Fast Company reported that 35% of the U.S. workforce is now freelancing, around 57 million people, with income that “currently makes up almost 5% of the country’s GDP, or close to $1 trillion.”
Before you go and quit your day-job for the world of freelance work, there are few things to consider to make sure the decision to go solo is right for you.
And the Poudre River Public Library can help! In addition to having a dedicated Business Librarian and Career Librarian available to do research and work with you one-on-one, the Library has a variety of resources and materials to help you take those first steps toward freelance success.
1. Research
Some quick market research will tell you whether or not your freelance business is viable in your area. Is there demand for what you’re offering? How large is your potential customer base? Who are your competitors?
The answers to these and other critical questions will determine whether becoming a freelancer is feasible.
Among the many market research services provided by our Business Librarian are industry overviews and trends, competitive analyses, demographics, lifestyle statistics, mailing lists, and more. Online reports and statistics can be accessed for free using Library eResources like Statista, First Research, Reference USA, Encyclopedia of American Businesses, and others.
2. Plan for success
Start your freelance journey off right with a plan. You probably don’t need a 25-page structured document, but spending time writing up your goals, financial needs, and plans for growth is helpful for keeping yourself accountable and for measuring success. If you’re anticipating moving from a freelancer to a solopreneur and expanding your business, then a business plan is useful
In addition to the many business planning books and eBooks, Library staff can help you navigate the Business Plans Handbook Collection. Sample plans serve as examples of how to approach, structure, and compose business plans.
3. Forming the business
Are you forming a business or just doing a side gig for extra cash? As you’re planning, you’ll need to determine the type of entity to establish and register with the CO Secretary of State: a sole proprietorship, a limited liability company (LLC), or something different.
The legal and financial aspects of forming a business should be researched carefully before putting everything together. You’ll want to ensure you have any necessary licenses or permits and are appropriately set up with the CO Department of Revenue for taxes.
The Library can help you access registration forms and point you in the direction of digital resources to guide you in forming your business. One of the most useful resources is Colorado Business Resource Guide which is available at the Library and online. A frequently-used database is the Legal Information Resource Center which includes legal guides and forms for ownership structure, accounting and audits, and more.
4. Work space
Where you’ll work is a big consideration in planning your new venture. Do you have space for a home office? What about leasing co-working space?
Did you know the public libraries have available space for you to work? In addition to the open work spaces at all three Poudre Libraries, there are also collaboration and small group / study rooms that can be reserved for free at Old Town Library. These rooms are useful for connecting with clients, holding meetings, and even conducting conference calls and video calls.
5. Marketing
If your freelance gig is marketing, then you’re probably set to promote your services to potential clients. But not everyone has marketing skills and strategies up their sleeve. The Library has a number of great books and eBooks covering marketing how-to’s including social media strategy, creating a website, and email marketing. There are also databases like First Research and Reference USA that allow you to examine demographics, consumer trends, and other useful customer data to find and target potential customers.
6. Contracts and agreements
The Legal Information Reference Center offers an entire section on consulting and contracting, including samples forms for specific services like bookkeeping, social media consulting, and others. These contracts are useful for project-based and hourly services.
There are also useful reference books like “Contracts: The Essential Business Desk Reference” that can guide you in setting up work agreements.
7. Taxes and finances
It’s always important to consult a professional in legal and financial matters. But to help you understand some of the critical concepts, you’ll find library books and eBooks on topics from basic accounting to QuickBooks how-to.
The Legal Information Reference Center will also help. It includes the eBook “Home Business Tax Deductions” and also has resources for business accounting and audits.
For other legal and financial questions, our Business Librarian can help you get in touch with local professionals and consultants, and find additional support through our partnership with the Larimer Small Business Development Center (SBDC).
To get started on your freelance journey, visit the Library District’s online Business Center or request an appointment to meet with Business Librarian Matthew West.
This guest post is by Katie Auman of the Poudre River Public Library District.
The Poudre River Public Library District welcomes Matthew West to its team as the new Business Librarian. Matthew comes to Poudre Libraries from Loveland Public Library where he managed various library services, programs, and outreach initiatives.
“I truly appreciate the spirit of entrepreneurship throughout our community,” says Matthew West. “It’s a testament to a business ecosystem that understands and values startups and small businesses. I’m excited to be part of that system and help people successfully create and grow their businesses.”
Matthew brings a deep knowledge of data and market analysis, strategic planning, and research to his work as a Business Librarian. He is located at the Harmony Library and is available for one-on-one meetings to discuss business research and analysis and to teach methods for effectively using the many free business resources available at the libraries.
In addition to providing business services and programs at the libraries, Matthew will lend his expertise to the Larimer Small Business Development Center where he’ll work with clients interested in industry and market trends, and customer, demographic, and competition research.
To learn more about the Library District’s various business resources or to request an appointment with Matthew to discuss your small business or startup, visit the Library’s Business Center webpage: PoudreLibraries.org/business.
You can meet Matthew at Fort Collins Startup Week 2020, where he’ll be on-site for the Scale-Up Week sessions.
Professional communication is based on customs and socially agreed-upon values. When you meet someone, how do you introduce yourself? In the U.S., we shake hands to greet people we don’t know.
Imagine walking into a job interview and introducing yourself by pulling the interviewer into a bear hug. Does that seem ridiculous? Uncomfortable? Silly? If so, what you’re feeling is a cultural boundary. When we don’t know people, we have a set of behaviors that we use in order to communicate. These behaviors are culturally established, and in the U.S. that means handshakes, not hugs.
Written communication also has rules of behavior that relate to cultural boundaries. When people don’t meet our expectations for behavior, we become uncomfortable.
Consider the following email:
I have an “eye exam” appointment this morning, after that I’ll go pick up the sandwiches for the meeting at noon and bring them in. Then I have to meet Grandma at the doctor’s office at 10. I will be back in time to deliver trays to the Education Room for the noon meeting. After that, you may find me in my office sipping on a cold frosty “one”. Okay, maybe not but it sure sounds good.
This is a real message sent from one professional to the entire office. Does it make you feel as uncomfortable as hugging that interviewer? It should.
Three aspects of this message cross social boundaries:
Here’s a you-focused, work-content only, revision of this message with a greeting:
Hi, colleagues,
Lunch will be available today, 10/12, in the Education Room at noon.
I’ll be in my office as soon as I arrive with lunch. While I am out this morning, Grant will be available to assist you.
A message like this doesn’t feel like a suffocating bear hug that you can’t get out of; it feels like a handshake. And that’s exactly how our professional messages should be.
This guest post is by Jenny Morse, Founder of Appendance, Inc. In her own words:
Words, language, communication, writing, books, poetry, brains. My background is in creative writing–poetry, non-fiction, and I’ve written a YA novel. Now I train professionals in business writing at companies around the country and at CSU. My expertise is helping people learn writing strategies that enhance their own credibility and build relationships.
Women are taking the stage and taking up their space more than ever – globally, and right here at home.
Part of the mission of Fort Collins Startup Week is to empower entrepreneurs of all stripes, backgrounds and passions to build better business through a spirit of inclusion. It is important to our team that Startup Week celebrates entrepreneurship as a primary driver of social, cultural and economic equity.
Last year’s polling data revealed that 59% of our respondents identified as female. This is hardly surprising, as our Northern Colorado communities are rife with strong and visible female leaders. To ensure we are living our values, we crunched the numbers and were delighted to find that 54% of the speakers this year are women!
Given our values of inclusion, representation, and diversity, we often find ourselves aligned with local organizations that share our mission and empower entrepreneurs of all stripes, backgrounds and passions to build better business.
Enter: She Leads.
She Leads is a community of professional women in Northern Colorado. They consider themselves the “anti” networking group, suggesting we all “ditch the elevator pitch” and get to know people for who they are – not just what they do. Designed by introverts for introverts, She Leads embodies the #Give1st mindset. The group hosts two free events each month where members practice taking up their space, being seen as leaders in the community and increase their influence through personal and professional development.
Since its inception in 2017, She Leads has blossomed into a force to be reckoned with in Northern Colorado. With over one thousand members and counting in their Meetup group, sponsorships from powerful local organizations, and a paid membership tier to help scale the business while keeping regular meetings free and accessible to women from all walks of life, this is a community with serious staying power.
Sounds like a group that should be active during Startup Week!
As it turns out…they are. Of the 81 female speakers this year, 14 of them are active with She Leads, totaling 28 presentations throughout the week.
Check out these diverse and impactful presenters speak on a variety of topics from video production and sales to self-care and human resources. She Leads is proud to collaborate and support these powerful women, including:
So as part of our 5-day celebration of entrepreneurship, we would like to celebrate She Leads for bringing such talented leaders to Startup Week. We can’t wait to see you there.
To learn more about She Leads, visit: www.meetup.com/sheleadsfc
She Leads is on Instagram: @sheleadsfc
Each year the thrill of picking your Startup Week schedule comes around with the same familiar anxieties: how do you choose when there’s so much awesome content? How do you know what will benefit your business the most?
If you’re stuck with some analysis paralysis, we’re here to help.
If you’re really stuck, you should check out Pathway Pilot. It’s a quick set of questions that will take the guesswork out of picking sessions and help you get the most out of Fort Collins Startup/Artup Week 2020 by creating a custom schedule tailored to your specific needs, designed by Emily of ItyDity and Justin from Lateral Labs.
Marketing for Latino Business Owners
Friday February 28, 2020 3:00pm – 3:50pm
Block 1
This panel is a workshop that has Latino business owners who have had varying degrees of success in Fort Collins. This will be a question/answer open session to talk through the struggles and successes that they have had in our community.
The goal is to learn, share and discuss ideas and experiences that brought them to this point in their path of success. It will also give you a snapshot of how these businesses bring diversity to our city.
We believe in the importance of a diverse community and would love to share how we contribute to its development.
Women Founder Panel
Friday February 28, 2020 8:00am – 8:50am
Block 1
This group of female founders will share:
The Punk Pan-Indian Romantic Comedy
Tuesday February 25, 2020 6:30pm – 7:30pm
At The Music District
The Punk Pan-Indian Romantic Comedy is a music-themed talk and performance piece by Indigenous artist and activist Gregg Deal. This new work focuses on the music that has moved him throughout his life, speaking in stories and antidotes that follow a timeline of struggle, survival, and ultimately healing through the power of music. A work that is upsetting, dramatic and at times pretty funny outlines the way music has affected Deal’s life from his earliest memories to the present and how it has influenced his ideas, his artistic work and his voice.
A Diverse Team: The Advantages of Employing Populations With All Abilities
Thursday February 27, 2020 3:00pm – 3:50pm
The CodeGeek Room (Innosphere South Conference Room)
When people of different backgrounds work together to solve problems, the result is more innovation and better outcomes. People with disabilities contribute by bringing unique perspectives to the table. Join our panel of experts at Fort Collins Startup Week for a discussion about employing this underemployed people group.
Brain Crawl
Friday February 28, 2020 9:00am – 12:00pm
Innosphere
This year, Fort Collins Startup Week has added a brand new session called Brain Crawl. This event, February 28 from 9 am to noon at the Innosphere, is designed to bring business leaders together to focus on the topic of mental health. We are motivated to end the stigma around mental health and brain conditions and to promote the benefits of neurodiversity in the business community. Entrepreneurs are 50% more likely to experience mental health challenges than others in the workplace and this is a significant piece of data that we believe needs to be addressed.
The Brain Crawl will feature short, on the hour presentations from selected business executives who will briefly share a bit of their personal experience and background, while illustrating the need for improved communication around mental health. Audience members will hear different perspectives and challenges that these individuals have worked through; the goal is to offer a sense of community, connection, and inclusivity that will foster a new comfort level when it comes to addressing one’s needs to live a healthy life, both personally and professionally.
Additionally, table sponsors will be on-site, offering resources, information, and promotions that are all mapping to some aspect of mental health improvement. Guests will be able to speak directly to different types of service providers and business owners who are offering ways to assist in the journey of mental health improvement in our community.
Join us for this very special event that has been immensely successful in both the Denver and Boulder Startup Week curricula! It’s a turning point in our lineup and our society; please be part of this shift.
Don’t be afraid, blindness is NOT contagious!
Wednesday February 26, 2020 5:00pm – 6:00pm
Long Peak Conference Room
Blindness is my superpower. I am a disability advocate superhero. In my talk, I’m going to prove to you that people with disabilities are ASSETS not liabilities.
In fact, hiring people with disabilities can bring superpowers to your firm, because we see the world from a different perspective. We make up 25% of the United States adult population, so we’re probably a significant, if somewhat invisible, percentage of your target market.
Are you ready to learn how to add new superpowers, get perspectives your competition is TOTALLY MISSING, strengthen your business and possibly the world economy?
STARTUP / ARTUP DAY AT THE MUSIC DISTRICT – FEBRUARY 25
We’ve planned all of the Startup/ARTup panels at the Music District for one gigantic day – Tuesday, February 25. Kick it off with free coworking at the MD starting at 9am (yes, that’s early; yes, coffee is provided), followed by a digital marketing-focused Lunch & Learn (lunch is provided too!) with Amanda Alexandrakis and Sophia Babb.
In the afternoon, make plans to attend a session we’re calling Creative Outfitters, a resource expo for your professional art career with photographers on hand to provide free headshots, writers to review your band bio / website / EPK, attorneys from CAFTA to review contracts or discuss any other legal matters, design professionals to review your visual identity, and more. There’s a few thousand dollars’ worth of free help built into this session – don’t miss out! This is followed by a networking and gratitude hour, complete with tea from Happy Lucky Tea.
In the evening, join Alysia Kraft and Sarah Slaton for a conversation on how to maintain a healthy art/life balance, and conclude your night with the premiere of a lecture and performance entitled The Punk Pan-Indian Romantic Comedy by acclaimed artist and activist Gregg Deal.
Want to know the 5 things necessary to grow your business to 7 and 8 figures? Come to ScaleUp day at FoCo Startup Week.
Learn about the 5 operating conditions necessary to scale a business.
It starts with a keynote from Charles Fred who recently completed research into what sets businesses up for success. Then we’ll talk to 13 highly successful entrepreneurs. We’ll dig deep into their businesses to find out what specific things they did to grow their enterprises.
Our speakers represent a wide range of businesses from B2B technology to B2C consumer products. Their businesses range from $1M to $110M in revenue.
Come hear their stories and network with them throughout the day. Then join us for an afterparty where you can connect with entrepreneurs directly and ask questions about your business.
Decisions that Entrepreneurs Should Make… But Often Don’t
Thursday February 27, 2020 3:00pm – 3:50pm
Innosphere North Conference Room
Over 2,000 deals, Bill Dieterich and Denichiro “Denny” Otsuga have screened startups. They will discuss big decisions entrepreneurs should make before taking the plane up in the air. It is like a pre-flight checklist that will improve your chance of safely arriving at the correct destination for your business.
Discover the framework of decisions to be made during Fort Collins Startup Week on Feb. 27 at 3 PM.
Debt vs Equity: How to Leverage Capital for Scaling Your Business
Thursday February 27, 2020 10:00am – 10:50am
Innosphere North Conference Room
Are you putting the right fuel in your business to take off?
Mike O’Donnell and Denichiro “Denny” Otsuga will be presenting a session on the Debt and Equity Financing at Fort Collins Startup Week. If you want to learn about the different capital (i.e., fuel for the business) sources that match with your business type and the goal, come and join us in the session on Thursday, Feb. 27 at 10 AM!
CSU Venture Validator
Monday February 24, 2020 4:00pm – 5:50pm
CSU Bohemian Auditorium
Excited to get your venture off the ground? This snapshot of the CSU Flagship “Venture Validator” program will do a quick dive into helping you figure out if your idea has what it takes to turn become a venture. We’ll do a quick dive into best practices for understanding & communicating with your customers and learning your competitive landscape. This session is led by Dr. Scott Shrake, Director of the Institute for Entrepreneurship with a Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering.
CSU Venture Jump Start
Tuesday February 25, 2020 4:00pm – 4:50pm
CSU Bohemian Auditorium
Come join us and learn how the CSU Institute for Entrepreneurial helps new business owners and entrepreneurs understand the world of business finance as it relates to their startups. This snapshot of the CSU Flagship “Venture Jump Start” program will do a quick dive into helping you create financial projections and learn how to apply accounting vest practices for business success. This session is led by William R. (Bill) Cobb, a prolific business leader who has held executive positions across the telecommunications industry, working with large corporations and startups alike.
In addition to his corporate assignments, Bill has served as a member of the Colorado Commission for Space Science and Industry and has held multiple roles as both an officer and as a board member for the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association. He currently volunteers as a business coach for the Northern Colorado entrepreneurial community. Bill is also the author of “Targeted Tactics – Transforming Strategy into Measurable Results,” and co-author with M. L. Johnson, Ed.D., Ph.D. of “Business Alchemy: Turning Ideas into Gold.”
