Marking the fifth and final year of impact in the Ignacio community the Southern Ute Economic Development department and professors Eric Bruno and Erick Mueller, from Leeds School of Business University of Colorado Boulder gather for the Demystify Entrepreneurship workshop to help local entrepreneurs and small business owners with essential skills on Monday evening Aug. 31, and Tuesday Sept. 1, hosted at Sky Ute Casino Resort.
During Monday evenings session, a panel of local individuals who work with entrepreneurs, are entrepreneurs themselves, or work with business resources went through a series of Q&A’s. Participants shared obstacles, opportunities, experiences, mistakes, and hurdles they have encountered through their professional journeys. They spoke about ideas that could potentially help their businesses grow and shared what lessons they have learned over the years that have impacted their career paths both positively and negatively.
Tuesday was filled with multiple breakout sessions, the first of which was a discussion about what the best practices are to cultivate a positive and effective work environment through talent acquisition and separation, how to develop and uphold accountability methods, and techniques to create an outstanding work culture. As the day went on the cohort dove into technicalities of entrepreneurship as they analyzed what elements are essential when running a successful business. They also discussed strategic and tactical marketing skills, calculated ways of proposing and presenting ideas to help secure funding, create business partnerships, and finding the target market for the service and/or product(s).
Some of the business ventures participants took part in using as a platform during the workshop varied from a farmers market stand selling fresh produce, eggs and meats, to an advocacy and healing service to help community members with trauma and addiction, a food truck that incorporates a percentage of profits to create community support program for youth, pet swapping platforms, a horse boarding facility, an AI consulting firm, an event planning business, a mahjong game community, and oxygen system rentals for individuals managing altitude sickness. While exploring the vast diversity of each possible business, attendees came up with inspirational ideas with solid approaches.
On Tuesday Mueller also took some time to give back to the Ignacio community by going to Ignacio High School to meet with Crystal Redman’s Digital Marketing and Digital Technology Studio class. Mrs. Redman stated that Erick “introduced entrepreneurship as a way of thinking, not simply starting a business, by identifying needs, solving problems, and creating value for others. Students examined what makes an idea successful and then worked in teams to develop and present an original product. They identified the problem it would solve, its target customers, what made it unique, and how it could benefit the community. The visit helped students see that entrepreneurship is something they can practice now. Their creativity, experiences, and knowledge of our community can help them develop meaningful solutions. The workshop also gave them hands-on experience with teamwork, design thinking, marketing, and public speaking.” Redman also noted that this visit closely connected with the CTE program she is building at IHS as “Mueller helped to reinforce the central idea behind the program.”
The day concluded with a slide show of pictures taken of each group over the last five years and a graduation ceremony for those who attended the two-day event. Southern Ute Economic Developments Colton Black and Allison Wall were each awarded an “Entrepreneurial Community Hero” certificate. Professor Mueller truly enjoyed working in our community as he said “I’m always inspired when I work with the Southern Ute and La Plata County community! And this year was extra special as it was our 5th and final year in helping this community start and grow ventures. I was especially touched by this cohort’s passion and commitment to building meaningful businesses that elevate their community. I can’t wait to learn of the growth of all their ventures!”
The next event the Southern Ute Economic Development Dept. will be hosting a Fall Market & Craft Fair, Thursday Nov. 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Southern Ute Cultural Museum in the large classroom. For information, contact Allison Wall at awall@southernute-nsn.gov.