Free workshop for rural entrepreneurs in Chaffee County | Local News

The Central Mountain Small Business Development Center will host a free, in-person workshop from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 21 at Chaffee County Fairgrounds, 10165 CR 120, titled “Courageous Resilience: Empowering Rural Entrepreneurs.” 

Molly Gallagher, client and program coordinator for the center, said the goal of the workshop is to help local business owners learn different strategic tools from other local entrepreneurs and leaders in the community. 

“We have kind of a heavy local representation at this next one, and we’re hoping that attendees can get strategies, ideas and get to ask questions. Like, have a genuine Q & A to help problem-solve anything they might face in their business, or get inspiration for how to solve problems in the future,” Gallagher said. 

A July 28 press release stated the economy is “in a time of rapid change and uncertainty,” and “rural entrepreneurs are facing increasing pressures from supply chain shifts, workforce challenges and evolving economic policies.” 

Speakers at the event will include Jamie Billesbach, executive director of Central Mountain SBDC; Rob and Sarah Gartzman, owners of Sweetie’s Sandwich Shop and The Biker & The Baker; and P.T. Wood, Chaffee County commissioner. 

Wood said he has participated in past SBDC events, and it’s “a great opportunity to have a conversation with business folks in the county and the region.” 

“In general, I think (SBDC workshops) are always inspirational, and you can always take away like ‘wow, yes, I can do this. I’m not alone in my struggles, other people are going through it and there’s great resources out there,’” Wood said. 

Sarah Gartzman said she agreed to participate in the event back in April, and the primary message the couple plans to discuss is “how much we love being a part of this community. The most important thing to us is putting our locals first before anything, when it comes to our employees as well as customers. … We’re always here to support the locals first, but there has been a shift as the community becomes more of a tourist town; there is a fine balance between catering to tourists and offering what we already do for our locals to our tourists. …When they come for a sandwich, or for wine and dessert, or a mezcal and education on all the things we do, they’re getting a taste of our home.” 

She said at this time, the biggest issue her business is facing is inflation, both in terms of food costs as well as making sure employees are paid enough to continue living and working in the area and are afforded an opportunity to potentially purchase a home.

“We want to take care of everybody the best we can and want to make sure we can do this for the long run and don’t lose money at the same time. Being able to balance cost and volume is really important to us, and it’s a huge challenge right now,” Sarah said. 

To learn more, visit sbdc.colorado.gov/centralmountain.