Region 10 Colorado

Money Smart: Insurance
2025-03-25 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Denver) | Online, 145 S Cascade Avenue, Montrose, CO 81401, Montrose, CO, 81401
Money Smart: Insurance

This Insurance for a Small Business webinar provides an overview of insurance and is designed to help participants to understand how insurance can benefit their business, as well as an overview of how small businesses can manage risk through insurance. It will also highlight the circumstances when insurance may be required by law. After completing this module, the participants will be able to:
*Identify the types of insurance required by a small business
*Identify other types of insurance a small business should consider
*Explain why insurance is important for a small business
The SBDC cannot provide legal, financial, or taxation advice for your business specifically and this webinar will be focused on general information that is applicable to most small businesses. For specific insurance guidance, please work with individually with an insurance agent who will be able to provide instruction and advice for your business.
This webinar will be presented on Zoom. Please register to receive the link to join.

Speaker(s): Callie Koch, West Central SBDC Program Manager
Co-Sponsor(s): Region 10, City of Montrose

Fee: No Cost

Money Smart: Insurance
with Callie Koch
Tuesday, March 25th, 12:00-1:00PM
Online, no cost
REGISTER TODAY!

Finance Friday: Setting up Your Books for Business Success
2025-03-28 14:30 - 15:30 | Online, 145 S Cascade Avenue, Montrose, CO 81401, Montrose, CO, 81401
Finance Friday: Setting up Your Books for Business Success

Topic: Business Accounting and Budget

Are you ignoring the money side of your business? Don’t leave this important area of your business for someone else to manage. Take control! Knowledge is power! Learn about all aspects of your business’s account, from micro to macro, to stay on top of your finances. Every month, we discuss a different topic related to small business accounting that will help you with everything from managing your day-to-day bookkeeping to scaling your company and everything in between.

Meet Our Facilitator: Kelly Johnston

Kelly is a valued member of the West Central SBDC workshop facilitator team, teaching bookkeeping, cash flow, and accounting boot camps. She also serves as a West Central SBDC consultant. She graduated from the Leading Edge business planning series five years ago and her business has grown exponentially ever since. She is experienced in both the public accounting and private industry accounting fields. Her background includes a bachelor’s in finance and a master’s in accounting, with experience in the healthcare industry with critical access hospitals and physician offices, audit and tax preparation. Her education and experience add value to new start up organizations, developing businesses, and healthcare entities by creating a strong financial reporting set up and assisting in new financial reports.

Speaker(s): Kelly Johnston
Co-Sponsor(s): Region 10 Small Business Resources
Fee: No Cost

Finance Friday: Setting up Your Books for Business Success
with Kelly Johnston
Friday, March 28th, 2:30-3:30PM
Online, no cost
REGISTER TODAY!

Marketing Essentials: Making Your Business Stand Out (Part 3 of 5)
2025-04-01 11:00 - 12:00 | Online, 145 S Cascade Avenue, Montrose, CO 81401, Montrose, CO, 81401
Marketing Essentials: Making Your Business Stand Out (Part 3 of 5)

This 5-part series is for business owners who are new to marketing and need to learn the basics of marketing in order to develop a clear plan to effectively getting their product or service into the hands of customers. If you missed any part of this series, recordings of prior classes will be available
Part 3: Positioning Workshop: Making Your Business Stand Out (if this class is full please register for the on-demand version to receive the recording)
Understand how to make your business stand out with this interactive workshop on positioning and SWOT analysis. Designed for business owners, marketers, and strategists looking to elevate their competitive edge and drive growth.
What you’ll gain:

Positioning: Define your unique value proposition and stand out in the market.
SWOT analysis skills: Identify your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats with confidence.
Strategic alignment: Learn how to align your brand positioning with business goals.
Actionable insights: Turn analysis into clear, practical strategies for success.
Professional guidance: Access expert advice and tools to refine your approach.

Build a foundation for long-term success—join us to transform insights into impact!
This webinar will be presented on Zoom. Please register to receive the link to join.
Join us for the rest of the series: Part 4 Part 5

Meet Our Facilitator: Rebecca Louzan
Rebecca Louzan is seasoned entrepreneur, marketing strategist, and workshop facilitator with over two decades of experience helping businesses craft meaningful and effective brand narratives. She brings a wealth of knowledge in brand positioning, messaging, and customer engagement to entrepreneurs, small businesses, and organizations seeking to strengthen their presence in competitive markets.
As founder of Wild Palomino, an independent and woman owned marketing + sales strategy group, Rebecca is known for her ability to distill complex ideas into clear, impactful messaging that resonates with target audiences. She specializes in creating brand strategies that align with core values while driving business growth. Her workshops, which focus on core messaging, competitor analysis, and positioning, are regarded for their practical insights and interactive structure, empowering participants to take immediate, strategic action.
In her professional journey, Rebecca has collaborated with businesses across diverse industries, consistently delivering results-driven strategies and actionable solutions. Her approachable and dynamic teaching style has made her a sought-after facilitator for both in-person and online workshops.

Speaker(s): Rebecca Louzan
Co-Sponsor(s): Region 10, City of Montrose, Town of Telluride CCAASE

Fee: No Cost

Marketing Essentials: Making Your Business Stand Out (Part 3 of 5)
with Rebecca Louzan
Tuesday, April 1st, 11:00AM-12:00PM
Online, no cost
REGISTER TODAY!

Grow with Google: Make Your Website Work for You
2025-04-02 10:00 - 11:00 | Online, 145 S Cascade Avenue, Montrose, CO 81401, Montrose, CO, 81401
Grow with Google: Make Your Website Work for You

In this presentation, learners will discover how to create a search-friendly website that drives user action and supports their goals. Whether launching a new website or sprucing up an old one, this workshop will help.
Meet Our Facilitator: Maria Elena Duron
Maria is a speaker for the Grow with Google partner program. She helps businesses profitably harness their personal brand, content, and referral marketing. Her wide range of clients includes hotels, restaurants, inventors, authors, and web series creators.
Maria is a guest lecturer at the University of Texas SBDC, editor-in-chief of the award winning Personal Branding Blog, and a contributing columnist for publications like Business Insider, American Business Journal, Fox Business, US News & World Report, Entrepreneur, The Huffington Post, and The Young Entrepreneurs Council. Maria was awarded the Texas Governor’s Excellence in Small Business Award and is the founder of #brandchat, a recognized online chat focused on marketing and branding. She earned her B.B.A. in marketing from Texas Tech University and graduate work at Cornell University, University of California in Davis, and University of Phoenix.

Co-Sponsor(s): Region 10, The Business Cultivator
Additional post-registration required via link provided.

Fee: No Cost
Grow with Google: Make Your Website Work For You
with Maria Elena Duron
Wednesday, April 2nd, 10:00am – 11:00AM
Online, no cost
REGISTER TODAY!

Grow with Google: Growth Metrics That Matter
2025-04-09 10:00 - 11:00 | Online, 145 S Cascade Avenue, Montrose, CO 81401, Montrose, CO, 81401
Grow with Google: Growth Metrics That Matter

In this seminar, participants will learn about the key metrics that matter in marketing and how to use them to optimize their campaigns. By measuring the right metrics, businesses can make data-driven decisions to improve their marketing strategies and see better results. This seminar will empower participants to stop wasting time and money on ineffective marketing and start using metrics to drive success. In this session, you’ll learn:
*What metrics to review depending on your goals
*How to apply the insights from your data
*What to review to make sure content and campaigns are getting you closer to your goals
Meet Our Facilitator: Maria Elena Duron
Maria is a speaker for the Grow with Google partner program. She helps businesses profitably harness their personal brand, content, and referral marketing. Her wide range of clients includes hotels, restaurants, inventors, authors, and web series creators.
Maria is a guest lecturer at the University of Texas SBDC, editor-in-chief of the award winning Personal Branding Blog, and a contributing columnist for publications like Business Insider, American Business Journal, Fox Business, US News & World Report, Entrepreneur, The Huffington Post, and The Young Entrepreneurs Council. Maria was awarded the Texas Governor’s Excellence in Small Business Award and is the founder of #brandchat, a recognized online chat focused on marketing and branding. She earned her B.B.A. in marketing from Texas Tech University and graduate work at Cornell University, University of California in Davis, and University of Phoenix.

Co-Sponsor(s): Region 10, The Business Cultivator
Additional post-registration required via link provided.

Fee: No Cost
Grow with Google: Growth Metrics That Matter
with Maria Elena Duron
Wednesday, April 9th, 10:00am – 11:00AM
Online, no cost
REGISTER TODAY!

Marketing Essentials: Developing Your Brand Strategy (Part 4 of 5)
2025-04-15 11:00 - 12:00 | Online, 145 S Cascade Avenue, Montrose, CO 81401, Montrose, CO, 81401
Marketing Essentials: Developing Your Brand Strategy (Part 4 of 5)

This 5-part series is for business owners who are new to marketing and need to learn the basics of marketing in order to develop a clear plan to effectively getting their product or service into the hands of customers. If you missed any part of this series, recordings of prior classes will be available
Part 4: Developing Your Brand Strategy (if this class is full please register for the on-demand version to receive the recording)
Build a brand that inspires trust, loyalty, and growth. This hands-on workshop is designed for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and marketers who want to create a strong and cohesive brand strategy.
What you’ll achieve:

Define your brand purpose: Clarify your mission, vision, and values.
Establish brand consistency: Align messaging, visuals, and tone across platforms.
Connect with your audience: Develop strategies to engage and retain your ideal customers.
Plan for success: Create an actionable brand strategy tailored to your business goals.

Elevate your brand’s impact—join us and start building a strategy that lasts!
This webinar will be presented on Zoom. Please register to receive the link to join.
Join us for the rest of the series: Part 5

Meet Our Facilitator: Rebecca Louzan
Rebecca Louzan is seasoned entrepreneur, marketing strategist, and workshop facilitator with over two decades of experience helping businesses craft meaningful and effective brand narratives. She brings a wealth of knowledge in brand positioning, messaging, and customer engagement to entrepreneurs, small businesses, and organizations seeking to strengthen their presence in competitive markets.
As founder of Wild Palomino, an independent and woman owned marketing + sales strategy group, Rebecca is known for her ability to distill complex ideas into clear, impactful messaging that resonates with target audiences. She specializes in creating brand strategies that align with core values while driving business growth. Her workshops, which focus on core messaging, competitor analysis, and positioning, are regarded for their practical insights and interactive structure, empowering participants to take immediate, strategic action.
In her professional journey, Rebecca has collaborated with businesses across diverse industries, consistently delivering results-driven strategies and actionable solutions. Her approachable and dynamic teaching style has made her a sought-after facilitator for both in-person and online workshops.

Speaker(s): Rebecca Louzan
Co-Sponsor(s): Region 10, City of Montrose, Town of Telluride CCAASE

Fee: No Cost

Marketing Essentials: Developing Your Brand Strategy (Part 4 of 5)
with Rebecca Louzan
Tuesday, April 15th, 11:00AM-12:00PM
Online, no cost
REGISTER TODAY!

Grow with Google: Learn the Basics of Google Ads
2025-04-16 10:00 - 11:00 | Online, 145 S Cascade Avenue, Montrose, CO 81401, Montrose, CO, 81401
Grow with Google: Learn the Basics of Google Ads

In this workshop you will learn how to reach more customers and grow your business with Google Ads.
In this session we’ll talk about:

How to create an account and set up an ad campaign
How to write great ads, refine keywords, and include ad extensions
How to measure success

Meet Our Facilitator: Maria Elena Duron
Maria is a speaker for the Grow with Google partner program. She helps businesses profitably harness their personal brand, content, and referral marketing. Her wide range of clients includes hotels, restaurants, inventors, authors, and web series creators.
Maria is a guest lecturer at the University of Texas SBDC, editor-in-chief of the award winning Personal Branding Blog, and a contributing columnist for publications like Business Insider, American Business Journal, Fox Business, US News & World Report, Entrepreneur, The Huffington Post, and The Young Entrepreneurs Council. Maria was awarded the Texas Governor’s Excellence in Small Business Award and is the founder of #brandchat, a recognized online chat focused on marketing and branding. She earned her B.B.A. in marketing from Texas Tech University and graduate work at Cornell University, University of California in Davis, and University of Phoenix.

Co-Sponsor(s): Region 10, The Business Cultivator
Additional post-registration required via link provided.

Fee: No Cost
Grow with Google: Learn the Basics of Google Ads
with Maria Elena Duron
Wednesday, April 16th, 10:00am – 11:00AM
Online, no cost
REGISTER TODAY!

How to Launch Your Business: A Comprehensive Checklist
2025-04-22 09:00 - 10:00 | Online, 145 S Cascade Avenue, Montrose, CO 81401, Montrose, CO, 81401
How to Launch Your Business: A Comprehensive Checklist

Thinking about starting a business in Colorado? Join us to learn what is required by state and local officials to get started. This class is for those who have already decided that entrepreneurship is right for them as well as determined their business idea and the feasibility of it. We will work our way through a concrete and concise checklist for the logistics of how to get your business up and running and where to go from there!

Topics include:
* Trade name search
* Legal structure selection
* State registration
* Licensing requirements
* Business plan over view
* Enterprise Zone Tax Credits
* Human Resources

This class is part of the Startup Track, an SBDC webinar series that begins with idea validation and ends with strategic business planning and next steps for profitability and growth. This webinar will be presented on Zoom. Please register to receive the link to join.
If you do not intend to show up to the live version of this class and are signing up in order to receive the recording afterwards, please register for the On-Demand version of this class instead: How to Launch Your Business (on-demand)

Speaker(s): Callie Koch, West Central SBDC Program Manager
Co-Sponsor(s): Region 10, City of Montrose, Town of Telluride CCAASE

Fee: No Cost

How to Launch Your Business: A Comprehensive Checklist
with Callie Koch
Tuesday, April 22nd, 9:00-10:00AM
Online, no cost
REGISTER TODAY!

Grow with Google: E-commerce Excellence: Unlocking Revenue Streams and Reach
2025-04-23 10:00 - 11:00 | Online, 145 S Cascade Avenue, Montrose, CO 81401, Montrose, CO, 81401
Grow with Google: E-commerce Excellence: Unlocking Revenue Streams and Reach

This training provides ecommerce businesses with the strategies and tools to increase revenue and expand their reach. Topics covered include website optimization, effective marketing campaigns, social media engagement, customer service and retention, and data analytics. This training is designed to help ecommerce businesses thrive and succeed in a competitive online marketplace.
Meet Our Facilitator: Maria Elena Duron
Maria is a speaker for the Grow with Google partner program. She helps businesses profitably harness their personal brand, content, and referral marketing. Her wide range of clients includes hotels, restaurants, inventors, authors, and web series creators.
Maria is a guest lecturer at the University of Texas SBDC, editor-in-chief of the award winning Personal Branding Blog, and a contributing columnist for publications like Business Insider, American Business Journal, Fox Business, US News & World Report, Entrepreneur, The Huffington Post, and The Young Entrepreneurs Council. Maria was awarded the Texas Governor’s Excellence in Small Business Award and is the founder of #brandchat, a recognized online chat focused on marketing and branding. She earned her B.B.A. in marketing from Texas Tech University and graduate work at Cornell University, University of California in Davis, and University of Phoenix.

Co-Sponsor(s): Region 10, The Business Cultivator
Additional post-registration required via link provided.

Fee: No Cost
Grow with Google: E-commerce Excellence: Unlocking Revenue Streams and Reach
with Maria Elena Duron
Wednesday, April 23rd, 10:00am – 11:00AM
Online, no cost
REGISTER TODAY!

Finance Friday: How to Make Profitability a Priority
2025-04-25 14:30 - 15:30 | Online
Finance Friday: How to Make Profitability a Priority

Topic: Business Accounting and Budget

Are you ignoring the money side of your business? Don’t leave this important area of your business for someone else to manage. Take control! Knowledge is power! Learn about all aspects of your business’s account, from micro to macro, to stay on top of your finances. Every month, we discuss a different topic related to small business accounting that will help you with everything from managing your day-to-day bookkeeping to scaling your company and everything in between.

Meet Our Facilitator: Kelly Johnston

Kelly is a valued member of the West Central SBDC workshop facilitator team, teaching bookkeeping, cash flow, and accounting boot camps. She also serves as a West Central SBDC consultant. She graduated from the Leading Edge business planning series five years ago and her business has grown exponentially ever since. She is experienced in both the public accounting and private industry accounting fields. Her background includes a bachelor’s in finance and a master’s in accounting, with experience in the healthcare industry with critical access hospitals and physician offices, audit and tax preparation. Her education and experience add value to new start up organizations, developing businesses, and healthcare entities by creating a strong financial reporting set up and assisting in new financial reports.

Speaker(s): Kelly Johnston
Co-Sponsor(s): Region 10 Small Business Resources
Fee: No Cost

Finance Friday: How to Make Profitability a Priority
with Kelly Johnston
Friday, April 25th, 2:30-3:30PM
Online, no cost
REGISTER TODAY!

Marketing Essentials: Core Messaging (Part 5 of 5)
2025-04-29 11:00 - 12:00 | Online, 145 S Cascade Avenue, Montrose, CO 81401, Montrose, CO, 81401
Marketing Essentials: Core Messaging (Part 5 of 5)

This 5-part series is for business owners who are new to marketing and need to learn the basics of marketing in order to develop a clear plan to effectively getting their product or service into the hands of customers. If you missed any part of this series, recordings of prior classes will be available
Part 5: Core Messaging (if this class is full please register for the on-demand version to receive the recording)
Communicate with clarity and impact. This workshop is designed for businesses, marketers, and entrepreneurs looking to craft compelling core messages that resonate with their audience and amplify their brand.
What you’ll accomplish:

Identify your brand’s voice: Define your unique tone and style.
Craft powerful messaging: Develop key statements that convey your value and purpose. We’ll cover both implicit messaging and explicit messaging.
Simplify complex ideas: Communicate effectively across diverse audiences.
Align your team: Ensure consistency in messaging across all channels and stakeholders.
Engage your audience: Create messages that inspire trust and action.

Transform your communication—join us to create messaging that drives results!
This webinar will be presented on Zoom. Please register to receive the link to join.

Meet Our Facilitator: Rebecca Louzan
Rebecca Louzan is seasoned entrepreneur, marketing strategist, and workshop facilitator with over two decades of experience helping businesses craft meaningful and effective brand narratives. She brings a wealth of knowledge in brand positioning, messaging, and customer engagement to entrepreneurs, small businesses, and organizations seeking to strengthen their presence in competitive markets.
As founder of Wild Palomino, an independent and woman owned marketing + sales strategy group, Rebecca is known for her ability to distill complex ideas into clear, impactful messaging that resonates with target audiences. She specializes in creating brand strategies that align with core values while driving business growth. Her workshops, which focus on core messaging, competitor analysis, and positioning, are regarded for their practical insights and interactive structure, empowering participants to take immediate, strategic action.
In her professional journey, Rebecca has collaborated with businesses across diverse industries, consistently delivering results-driven strategies and actionable solutions. Her approachable and dynamic teaching style has made her a sought-after facilitator for both in-person and online workshops.

Speaker(s): Rebecca Louzan
Co-Sponsor(s): Region 10, City of Montrose, Town of Telluride CCAASE

Fee: No Cost

Marketing Essentials: Core Messaging (Part 5 of 5)
with Rebecca Louzan
Tuesday, April 29th, 11:00AM-12:00PM
Online, no cost
REGISTER TODAY!

Money Smart: Cash Flow
2025-04-30 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
Money Smart: Cash Flow

This Managing Cash Flow webinar helps business owners = to focus on cash flow management as an essential competency of business ownership. After completing this training, the participants will be able to:
*Describe the purpose of cash flow management in a start-up small business.
*Assess a cash flow cycle and make some cash flow projections.
*Describe how a cash flow statement can help assess and improve the financial health of a start-up.
*Identify some ways to manage cash flow in terms of managing costs and potential income.
*Identify ways to seek out expert technical assistance to improve cash flow management.
The SBDC cannot provide legal, financial, or taxation advice for your business specifically and this webinar will be focused on general information that is applicable to most small businesses. For specific insurance guidance, please work with individually with an accountant who will be able to provide instruction and advice for your business.
This webinar will be presented on Zoom. Please register to receive the link to join.

Speaker(s): Callie Koch, West Central SBDC Program Manager
Co-Sponsor(s): Region 10, City of Montrose

Fee: No Cost

Money Smart: Cash Flow
with Callie Koch
Wednesday, April 30th, 12:00-1:00PM
Online, no cost
REGISTER TODAY!

10 Things to Know Before Starting a Business
2025-05-06 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
10 Things to Know Before Starting a Business

If you are considering starting a new business this year, join us to learn more about what it is required of business owners. It’s not just about having the startup money or having a product that all your friends and family love. Do you have a plan and do you have what it takes to be an owner/entrepreneur?
This class is part of the Startup Track, an SBDC webinar series that begins with idea validation and ends with strategic business planning and next steps for profitability and growth.
If you do not intend to show up to the live version of this class and are signing up in order to receive the recording afterwards, please register for the On-Demand version of this class instead: 10 Things to Know Before Starting a Business (on-demand)

Meet Our Facilitator: Callie Koch
Callie is program manager of the West Central SBDC.

Speaker(s): Callie Koch – West Central SBDC, Ashley Pynes – Northwest SBDC, Danise Cardona – Northwest SBDC
Co-Sponsor(s): Region 10, The Business Cultivator, Northwest SBDC, West Central SBDC

Fee: No Cost

10 Things to Know Before Starting a Business
with Callie Koch
Tuesday, May 6th, 12:00-1:00PM
Online, no cost
REGISTER TODAY!

Grow with Google: Site Tweaks to Increase Reach
2025-05-07 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
Grow with Google: Site Tweaks to Increase Reach

This training provides ecommerce businesses with the strategies and tools to increase revenue and expand their reach. Topics covered include website optimization, effective marketing campaigns, social media engagement, customer service and retention, and data analytics. This training is designed to help ecommerce businesses thrive and succeed in a competitive online marketplace.
Meet Our Facilitator: Maria Elena Duron
Maria is a speaker for the Grow with Google partner program. She helps businesses profitably harness their personal brand, content, and referral marketing. Her wide range of clients includes hotels, restaurants, inventors, authors, and web series creators.
Maria is a guest lecturer at the University of Texas SBDC, editor-in-chief of the award winning Personal Branding Blog, and a contributing columnist for publications like Business Insider, American Business Journal, Fox Business, US News & World Report, Entrepreneur, The Huffington Post, and The Young Entrepreneurs Council. Maria was awarded the Texas Governor’s Excellence in Small Business Award and is the founder of #brandchat, a recognized online chat focused on marketing and branding. She earned her B.B.A. in marketing from Texas Tech University and graduate work at Cornell University, University of California in Davis, and University of Phoenix.

Co-Sponsor(s): Region 10, The Business Cultivator
Additional post-registration required via link provided.

Fee: No Cost
Grow with Google: Site Tweaks to Increase Reach
with Maria Elena Duron
Wednesday, May 7th, 10:00 – 11:00AM
Online, no cost
REGISTER TODAY!

Six MORE Things Everyone Should Know About Contracts
2025-05-07 12:30 - 13:30 | Online
Six MORE Things Everyone Should Know About Contracts

This class is a follow up from our March class and will explore 6 additional things everyone should know when entering a contract. A recording of the first part can be found here
Are you a small business owner who’s ever felt overwhelmed or confused by contracts? Do you sign agreements without fully understanding the implications?
Contracts are vital for businesses to interact with employees, outside contractors, and to provide services. This class will explore 6 additional things everyone should know when entering a contract such as termination, modification, and assignment. This class will demystify the world of contracts and equip you with the essential knowledge you need to protect your business.
At some point in the life of your business, you will probably be faced with having to create or review a contract that will play a role in the operations of your business. Colorado attorney, Will Edwards, is going to help understand best practices for handling contracts as a small business owner.
Meet Our Facilitator: William Edwards
We will be joined by Colorado attorney, William Edwards, to discuss what every business owner should know about contracts. Will is a business attorney with offices in Carbondale and Gunnison, Colorado. Will advises a wide range of business in his practice, including startups, family-owned businesses, and privately held, mid-market businesses operating in multiple states. His practice focuses on business formation, contracts, M&A/transactions, real estate, and fractional general counsel services.

Speaker(s): William Edwards
Callie Koch, West Central SBDC Program Manager
Co-Sponsor(s): Region 10, The Business Cultivator, West Central SBDC

Fee: No Cost

Six MORE Things Everyone Should Know About Contracts
with William Edwards
Wednesday, May 7th, 12:30-1:30PM
Online, no cost
REGISTER TODAY!

Grow with Google: Get Found on Search and Thrive Online
2025-05-14 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
Grow with Google: Get Found on Search and Thrive Online

Get Found, Get Growth is a training program designed to help businesses improve their online presence and increase their visibility on search engines. Led by expert trainer Maria Elena Duron, the program offers practical strategies to optimize your online presence and attract more customers. By attending this program, businesses can learn how to improve their search rankings, increase their online visibility, and thrive online
Meet Our Facilitator: Maria Elena Duron
Maria is a speaker for the Grow with Google partner program. She helps businesses profitably harness their personal brand, content, and referral marketing. Her wide range of clients includes hotels, restaurants, inventors, authors, and web series creators.
Maria is a guest lecturer at the University of Texas SBDC, editor-in-chief of the award winning Personal Branding Blog, and a contributing columnist for publications like Business Insider, American Business Journal, Fox Business, US News & World Report, Entrepreneur, The Huffington Post, and The Young Entrepreneurs Council. Maria was awarded the Texas Governor’s Excellence in Small Business Award and is the founder of #brandchat, a recognized online chat focused on marketing and branding. She earned her B.B.A. in marketing from Texas Tech University and graduate work at Cornell University, University of California in Davis, and University of Phoenix.

Co-Sponsor(s): Region 10, The Business Cultivator
Additional post-registration required via link provided.

Fee: No Cost
Grow with Google: Get Found on Search and Thrive Online
with Maria Elena Duron
Wednesday, May 14th, 10:00 – 11:00AM
Online, no cost
REGISTER TODAY!

Grow with Google: Make Better Decisions with Analytics
2025-05-21 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
Grow with Google: Make Better Decisions with Analytics

Gain mastery over best practices for interpreting online customer engagement data, and learn how to discern key trends. This workshop will empower you to transform these valuable insights into informed, actionable strategies that drive your business forward. By understanding the deeper narratives behind the numbers, you’ll be equipped to make decisions that optimize your online presence and maximize results. In this session we’ll cover:
*An introduction to Google Analytics
*Creating and understanding reports
*Making goals
*Using Analytics with other Google tools
Meet Our Facilitator: Maria Elena Duron
Maria is a speaker for the Grow with Google partner program. She helps businesses profitably harness their personal brand, content, and referral marketing. Her wide range of clients includes hotels, restaurants, inventors, authors, and web series creators.
Maria is a guest lecturer at the University of Texas SBDC, editor-in-chief of the award winning Personal Branding Blog, and a contributing columnist for publications like Business Insider, American Business Journal, Fox Business, US News & World Report, Entrepreneur, The Huffington Post, and The Young Entrepreneurs Council. Maria was awarded the Texas Governor’s Excellence in Small Business Award and is the founder of #brandchat, a recognized online chat focused on marketing and branding. She earned her B.B.A. in marketing from Texas Tech University and graduate work at Cornell University, University of California in Davis, and University of Phoenix.

Co-Sponsor(s): Region 10, The Business Cultivator
Additional post-registration required via link provided.

Fee: No Cost
Grow with Google: Make Better Decisions with Analytics
with Maria Elena Duron
Wednesday, May 21st, 10:00 – 11:00AM
Online, no cost
REGISTER TODAY!

Common Legal Mistakes New Businesses Make & How to Avoid Them
2025-05-21 12:30 - 13:30 | Online
Common Legal Mistakes New Businesses Make & How to Avoid Them

From operating agreements to record keeping, new businesses have a lot to manage and can easily fall behind without protocols in place. In this class, attorney, Will Edwards, will discuss common legal mistakes in the startup phase and how to avoid them with best practices.
Meet Our Facilitator: William Edwards
We will be joined by Colorado attorney, William Edwards, to discuss what to know about the legal aspects of starting a business. Will is a business attorney with offices in Carbondale and Gunnison, Colorado. Will advises a wide range of business in his practice, including startups, family-owned businesses, and privately-held, mid-market businesses operating in multiple states. His practice focuses on business formation, contracts, M&A/transactions, real estate, and fractional general counsel services.

Speaker(s): William Edwards
Callie Koch – West Central SBDC
Co-Sponsor(s): Region 10, The Business Cultivator, West Central SBDC

Fee: No Cost

Common Legal Mistakes New Businesses Make & How to Avoid Them
with William Edwards
Wednesday, May 21st, 12:30-1:30PM
Online, no cost
REGISTER TODAY!

How to Launch Your Business: A Comprehensive Checklist
2025-05-22 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
How to Launch Your Business: A Comprehensive Checklist

Thinking about starting a business in Colorado? Join us to learn what is required by state and local officials to get started. This class is for those who have already decided that entrepreneurship is right for them as well as determined their business idea and the feasibility of it. We will work our way through a concrete and concise checklist for the logistics of how to get your business up and running and where to go from there!

Topics include:
* Trade name search
* Legal structure selection
* State registration
* Licensing requirements
* Business plan over view
* Enterprise Zone Tax Credits
* Human Resources

This class is part of the Startup Track, an SBDC webinar series that begins with idea validation and ends with strategic business planning and next steps for profitability and growth.

This webinar will be presented on Zoom. Please register to receive the link to join.

If you do not intend to show up to the live version of this class and are signing up in order to receive the recording afterwards, please register for the On-Demand version of this class instead: How to Launch Your Business (on-demand)

Speaker(s): Callie Koch, West Central SBDC Program Manager
Co-Sponsor(s): Region 10, City of Montrose, Town of Telluride CCAASE

Fee: No Cost

How to Launch Your Business: A Comprehensive Checklist
with Callie Koch
Thursday, May 22nd, 12:00-1:00PM
Online, no cost
REGISTER TODAY!

Money Smart: Banking for Small Businesses
2025-05-28 12:00 - 13:00 | Online, 145 S Cascade Avenue, Montrose, CO 81401, Montrose, CO, 81401
Money Smart: Banking for Small Businesses

Banking services change at the fast pace of technological advances. Therefore, entrepreneurs need to consider building relationships with their financial institutions to ensure that they can keep up with these changes and understand how to choose the right products and services for their business. A good relationship with your banker can help them better understand your business operations and needs. This can help your banker better advise you about obtaining and building credit, maximizing the bank’s benefits and resources, and leveraging the banker’s extensive knowledge and contacts.
Information will include:
*The benefts of building effective long-term relationships with bankers (branch managers and lenders) and business advisors
*Factors to consider when selecting a financial institution
*Features, advantages, and risks associated with the financial services and products under consideration
*Types of small business financing options and lenders
*Factors to consider when evaluating financing options
*Ways to improve their chances of getting a loan, including building a strong personal and business credit history, keeping accurate business records, and understanding the Five C’s of Credit
*Ways to recognize and avoid small business fraud, scams, and cybersecurity risks
The SBDC cannot provide legal, financial, or taxation advice for your business specifically and this webinar will be focused on general information that is applicable to most small businesses. For specific taxation guidance, please work with individually with an accountant who will be able to provide instruction and advice for your business.
This webinar will be presented on Zoom. Please register to receive the link to join.

Speaker(s): Callie Koch, West Central SBDC Program Manager
Co-Sponsor(s): Region 10, City of Montrose

Fee: No Cost

Money Smart: Banking for Small Businesses
with Callie Koch
Wednesday, May 28th, 12:00-1:00PM
Online, no cost
REGISTER TODAY!

Finance Friday: Pricing Your Products
2025-05-30 14:30 - 15:30 | Online
Finance Friday: Pricing Your Products

Are you ignoring the money side of your business? Don’t leave this important area of your business for someone else to manage. Take control! Knowledge is power! Learn about all aspects of your business’s account, from micro to macro, to stay on top of your finances. Every month, we discuss a different topic related to small business accounting that will help you with everything from managing your day-to-day bookkeeping to scaling your company and everything in between.

Meet Our Facilitator: Kelly Johnston

Kelly is a valued member of the West Central SBDC workshop facilitator team, teaching bookkeeping, cash flow, and accounting boot camps. She also serves as a West Central SBDC consultant. She graduated from the Leading Edge business planning series five years ago and her business has grown exponentially ever since. She is experienced in both the public accounting and private industry accounting fields. Her background includes a bachelor’s in finance and a master’s in accounting, with experience in the healthcare industry with critical access hospitals and physician offices, audit and tax preparation. Her education and experience add value to new start up organizations, developing businesses, and healthcare entities by creating a strong financial reporting set up and assisting in new financial reports.

Speaker(s): Kelly Johnston
Co-Sponsor(s): Region 10 Small Business Resources
Fee: No Cost

Finance Friday: Pricing Your Products
with Kelly Johnston
Friday, May 30th, 2:30-3:30PM
Online, no cost
REGISTER TODAY!

Grow with Google: Go Global With Google Market Finder
2025-06-04 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
Grow with Google: Go Global With Google Market Finder

With the right tools and international marketing strategy, businesses are expanding globally to meet new demands. This workshop introduces Google’s Market Finder, a free tool that can help you identify new international business opportunities and plan for success.
In this workshop, we’ll:

Discuss the benefits of exporting
Introduce Google Market Finder
Show you how to use the tool to explore other markets

Meet Our Facilitator: Maria Elena Duron
Maria is a speaker for the Grow with Google partner program. She helps businesses profitably harness their personal brand, content, and referral marketing. Her wide range of clients includes hotels, restaurants, inventors, authors, and web series creators.
Maria is a guest lecturer at the University of Texas SBDC, editor-in-chief of the award winning Personal Branding Blog, and a contributing columnist for publications like Business Insider, American Business Journal, Fox Business, US News & World Report, Entrepreneur, The Huffington Post, and The Young Entrepreneurs Council. Maria was awarded the Texas Governor’s Excellence in Small Business Award and is the founder of #brandchat, a recognized online chat focused on marketing and branding. She earned her B.B.A. in marketing from Texas Tech University and graduate work at Cornell University, University of California in Davis, and University of Phoenix.

Co-Sponsor(s): Region 10, The Business Cultivator
Additional post-registration required via link provided.

Fee: No Cost
Grow with Google: Go Global With Google Market Finder
with Maria Elena Duron
Wednesday, June 4th, 10:00 – 11:00AM
Online, no cost
REGISTER TODAY!

Grow with Google: Increase Sales with Google Tools
2025-06-11 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
Grow with Google: Increase Sales with Google Tools

Learn how to promote your products online using Google tools. We’ll show how local brick-and-mortar businesses can list products on a Google Business Profile. We’ll also cover Google Merchant Center, a no-cost tool that allows both e-commerce and brick-and-mortar businesses to create free Product Listings on Google.
In this session we’ll show you how to:

Highlight products on your Google Business Profile
Use Pointy to promote in-store inventory with your point of sale system
Use Google Merchant Center to showcase in-store and online product inventory

Meet Our Facilitator: Maria Elena Duron
Maria is a speaker for the Grow with Google partner program. She helps businesses profitably harness their personal brand, content, and referral marketing. Her wide range of clients includes hotels, restaurants, inventors, authors, and web series creators.
Maria is a guest lecturer at the University of Texas SBDC, editor-in-chief of the award winning Personal Branding Blog, and a contributing columnist for publications like Business Insider, American Business Journal, Fox Business, US News & World Report, Entrepreneur, The Huffington Post, and The Young Entrepreneurs Council. Maria was awarded the Texas Governor’s Excellence in Small Business Award and is the founder of #brandchat, a recognized online chat focused on marketing and branding. She earned her B.B.A. in marketing from Texas Tech University and graduate work at Cornell University, University of California in Davis, and University of Phoenix.

Co-Sponsor(s): Region 10, The Business Cultivator
Additional post-registration required via link provided.

Fee: No Cost
Grow with Google: Make Better Decisions with Analytics
with Maria Elena Duron
Wednesday, June 11th, 10:00 – 11:00AM
Online, no cost
REGISTER TODAY!

How to Launch Your Business: A Comprehensive Checklist
2025-06-17 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
How to Launch Your Business: A Comprehensive Checklist

Thinking about starting a business in Colorado? Join us to learn what is required by state and local officials to get started. This class is for those who have already decided that entrepreneurship is right for them as well as determined their business idea and the feasibility of it. We will work our way through a concrete and concise checklist for the logistics of how to get your business up and running and where to go from there!

Topics include:
* Trade name search
* Legal structure selection
* State registration
* Licensing requirements
* Business plan over view
* Enterprise Zone Tax Credits
* Human Resources

This class is part of the Startup Track, an SBDC webinar series that begins with idea validation and ends with strategic business planning and next steps for profitability and growth.

This webinar will be presented on Zoom. Please register to receive the link to join.

If you do not intend to show up to the live version of this class and are signing up in order to receive the recording afterwards, please register for the On-Demand version of this class instead: How to Launch Your Business (on-demand)

Speaker(s): Callie Koch, West Central SBDC Program Manager
Co-Sponsor(s): Region 10, City of Montrose, Town of Telluride CCAASE

Fee: No Cost

How to Launch Your Business: A Comprehensive Checklist
with Callie Koch
Thursday, June 17th, 12:00-1:00PM
Online, no cost
REGISTER TODAY!

Grow with Google: Thriving at E-commerce - Nail it Before you Scale it
2025-06-18 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
Grow with Google: Thriving at E-commerce – Nail it Before you Scale it

The Thriving at Remote eCommerce training offers practical tips and strategies to create a successful eCommerce business from home. Our expert trainer will cover effective communication, time management, optimizing your workspace, streamlining operations, reducing costs, and increasing productivity.
Meet Our Facilitator: Maria Elena Duron
Maria is a speaker for the Grow with Google partner program. She helps businesses profitably harness their personal brand, content, and referral marketing. Her wide range of clients includes hotels, restaurants, inventors, authors, and web series creators.
Maria is a guest lecturer at the University of Texas SBDC, editor-in-chief of the award winning Personal Branding Blog, and a contributing columnist for publications like Business Insider, American Business Journal, Fox Business, US News & World Report, Entrepreneur, The Huffington Post, and The Young Entrepreneurs Council. Maria was awarded the Texas Governor’s Excellence in Small Business Award and is the founder of #brandchat, a recognized online chat focused on marketing and branding. She earned her B.B.A. in marketing from Texas Tech University and graduate work at Cornell University, University of California in Davis, and University of Phoenix.

Co-Sponsor(s): Region 10, The Business Cultivator
Additional post-registration required via link provided.

Fee: No Cost
Grow with Google: Thriving at E-Commerce – Nail it Before you Scale it
with Maria Elena Duron
Wednesday, June 18th, 10:00 – 11:00AM
Online, no cost
REGISTER TODAY!

Finance Friday: Business Check-up - How to Make Sure you are on Track with your Budget
2025-06-27 14:30 - 15:30 | Online
Finance Friday: Business Check-up – How to Make Sure you are on Track with your Budget

Are you ignoring the money side of your business? Don’t leave this important area of your business for someone else to manage. Take control! Knowledge is power! Learn about all aspects of your business’s account, from micro to macro, to stay on top of your finances. Every month, we discuss a different topic related to small business accounting that will help you with everything from managing your day-to-day bookkeeping to scaling your company and everything in between.

Meet Our Facilitator: Kelly Johnston

Kelly is a valued member of the West Central SBDC workshop facilitator team, teaching bookkeeping, cash flow, and accounting boot camps. She also serves as a West Central SBDC consultant. She graduated from the Leading Edge business planning series five years ago and her business has grown exponentially ever since. She is experienced in both the public accounting and private industry accounting fields. Her background includes a bachelor’s in finance and a master’s in accounting, with experience in the healthcare industry with critical access hospitals and physician offices, audit and tax preparation. Her education and experience add value to new start up organizations, developing businesses, and healthcare entities by creating a strong financial reporting set up and assisting in new financial reports.

Speaker(s): Kelly Johnston
Co-Sponsor(s): Region 10 Small Business Resources
Fee: No Cost

Finance Friday: Business Check-up – How to Make Sure you are on Track with your Budget
with Kelly Johnston
Friday, June 27th, 2:30-3:30PM
Online, no cost
REGISTER TODAY!

Finance Friday
2025-12-19 14:30 - 15:30 | Online
Finance Friday

Are you ignoring the money side of your business? Don’t leave this important area of your business for someone else to manage. Take control! Knowledge is power! Learn about all aspects of your business’s account, from micro to macro, to stay on top of your finances. Every month, we discuss a different topic related to small business accounting that will help you with everything from managing your day-to-day bookkeeping to scaling your company and everything in between.

Meet Our Facilitator: Kelly Johnston

Kelly is a valued member of the West Central SBDC workshop facilitator team, teaching bookkeeping, cash flow, and accounting boot camps. She also serves as a West Central SBDC consultant. She graduated from the Leading Edge business planning series five years ago and her business has grown exponentially ever since. She is experienced in both the public accounting and private industry accounting fields. Her background includes a bachelor’s in finance and a master’s in accounting, with experience in the healthcare industry with critical access hospitals and physician offices, audit and tax preparation. Her education and experience add value to new start up organizations, developing businesses, and healthcare entities by creating a strong financial reporting set up and assisting in new financial reports.

Speaker(s): Kelly Johnston
Co-Sponsor(s): Region 10 Small Business Resources
Fee: No Cost

Finance Friday
with Kelly Johnston
Friday, December 19th, 2:30-3:30PM
Online, no cost
REGISTER TODAY!

How to Launch Your Business: A Startup Checklist
2026-02-03 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
How to Launch Your Business: A Startup Checklist

Thinking about starting a business in Colorado? Join us to learn what is required by state and local officials to get started. This class is for those who have already decided that entrepreneurship is right for them as well as determined their business idea and the feasibility of it. We will work our way through a concrete and concise checklist for the logistics of how to get your business up and running and where to go from there!

Topics include:
* Trade name search
* Legal structure selection
* State registration
* Licensing requirements
* Business plan over view
* Enterprise Zone Tax Credits
* Human Resources

This webinar will be presented on Zoom. Please register to receive the link to join.

Taught by Callie Koch, Program Manager for the Colorado SBDC serving the West Central region.
This training is a good fit for businesses in the idea or pre-venture phase, and early startups.

How to Launch Your Business: A Startup Checklist
with Callie Koch
Tuesday, February 3rd, 12:00-1:00PM
Online, no cost
REGISTER TODAY!

How to Launch Your Business: A Startup Checklist
2026-03-04 09:00 - 10:00 | Online
How to Launch Your Business: A Startup Checklist

Thinking about starting a business in Colorado? Join us to learn what is required by state and local officials to get started. This class is for those who have already decided that entrepreneurship is right for them as well as determined their business idea and the feasibility of it. We will work our way through a concrete and concise checklist for the logistics of how to get your business up and running and where to go from there!

Topics include:
* Trade name search
* Legal structure selection
* State registration
* Licensing requirements
* Business plan over view
* Enterprise Zone Tax Credits
* Human Resources

This webinar will be presented on Zoom. Please register to receive the link to join.

Taught by Callie Koch, Program Manager for the Colorado SBDC serving the West Central region.
This training is a good fit for businesses in the idea or pre-venture phase, and early startups.

How to Launch Your Business: A Startup Checklist
with Callie Koch
Tuesday, March 4th, 9:00-10:00AM
Online, no cost
REGISTER TODAY!

How to Start a Mobile Food Business - A Four-Part Series
2026-04-06 11:00 - 2026-04-27 12:00 | Online
How to Start a Mobile Food Business – A Four-Part Series
Thinking of starting a food truck or cart in Colorado? While this model offers a quicker and less costly way to enter the food industry, it requires business owners to navigate a heavily regulated and complex business environment.
About This Event
Mobile food businesses have become a popular and more affordable way to get a small food business off the ground. But they also involve unique industry challenges in an evolving and competitive landscape. In this 4-part workshop, find out all of the important information and considerations that should be made prior to opening your own mobile food business and how to avoid costly startup mistakes.

What You’ll Learn:
*The options for acquiring a food truck or unit and how to decide which is best
*How to navigate the complex regulatory field: agencies, licenses, and insurance
*Planning a menu, operations, and workflow
*Financials for the food industry
*See how an actual mobile food unit works (in person or online)
This class is ideal for anybody who is considering starting a mobile food business.
Duration & Cost: 4 weeks, $95
Delivery: virtual (with option of attending final session in person in Olathe)
Structure: One live online class each week with a specific topical focus

How to Start a Mobile Food Business
with Callie Koch
Mondays, April 6-27th, 11:00AM-12:00PM
Online, $95
REGISTER TODAY!
