Category: Blog

Fort Collins is slowly emerging on the food scene in Colorado. Like everything that happens around here, a #FoCoFoodie has a very distinct nature. From food trucks to food distributors and all that lies in between, food startups are all around. Learn more about three speakers Taylor Smith, Trish O’Neill, and Tim Solley.

Taylor Smith

Founder & Owner, The Gold Leaf Collective

Fort Collins, CO

Speaking on: So You Want To Start A Food Business? Jesse Doerffel • Callie Koch • Elizabeth Mozer • Trish O’Neill • Josie Sexton • Taylor Smith, Thursday, March 2 @ 1:30pm

After 3 wildly successful years of his first food truck, The Silver Seed, Taylor Smith has taken a small start-up and grown it into an incredibly multi-faceted and diverse company. His second food truck, The Silver Seed, Too, began operations in 2016, and his new Fort Collins restaurant, The Gold Leaf Collective, is slated to open in 2017. The Gold Leaf will be the hub for The Silver Seed(s) as well as Leaf Seed Catering, and Laurel St. Bakery. Taylor’s passion for enabling and supporting his community has been his top priority from the start, and with the support of both his unparalleled team and Fort Collins’ progressive community, The Gold Leaf Collective is having a significant impact in food culture. Their mission is simple: to show the world that sustainably-sourced, ethical food can be insanely delicious.

I moved to Fort Collins January 1st, 2014 with the idea of opening a new kind of food truck. Despite all odds, I opened The Silver Seed on May 23rd, and since then, the roots of The Silver Seed have grown deep within this community. Since then, I’ve opened a second food truck, The Silver Seed, Too, and am now constructing the culmination of these roots in my first restaurant, The Gold Leaf Collective. My work with The FoCo Food Truck Alliance and Fort Collins’ City Council led to the crafting of food truck law that promotes a free market for food trucks to thrive. In 2016, I was in charge of the Food Truck Rally Series in City Park. I spent every Tuesday guiding 15 food trucks, live music, and over 2000 people together to enjoy one of the cities best weekly gatherings of families, friends, and food. Fort Collins’ spirit of entrepreneurship has been my guiding force throughout my time here. This is one of the only places I’ve ever lived where a good idea has potential to implemented- and fast. I intend to stay for a long time and contribute wholeheartedly to the growth of our wonderful community. Fort Collins’ is my home, and where my future will bloom.

If there is one person that understands the power of hearing the right words at the right time, it’s myself. My true hope is that there will be one person in the audience that is thinking about getting involved in our food movement, and if I can be even the smallest catalyst in helping that person commit to commencing, I’ll feel as accomplished as I ever could.

Don’t try to impress anyone. People sense that.

I plan to extended my network of passionate, dedicated, hard-working people that are involved – or planning to be involved – with our incredibly diverse start-up culture.,

Fort Collins’ will be iconic. Our city will serve as a prime example of a truly locally sourced infrastructure. We will resist corporate buyouts, and in 10 years have proven the overwhelming viability of locally-owned and operated businesses.

Trish O’Neill

Founder & Owner, The Cooking Studio

Old Town Fort Collins

Speaking on:

Creative Team-Building Tactics w/ Ron Baker • James Lopez • Brad Modesitt • Trish O’Neill • Kaarina Robson, Monday, February 27 @ 11:00am

So You Want To Start A Food Business? w/ Josie Sexton • Ashley Colpaart • Jesse Doerffel • Callie Koch • Elizabeth Mozer • Trish O’Neill • Taylor Smith, Thursday, March 2 @ 1:30PM

Trish O’Neill is the Founder & Owner of The Cooking Studio, a recreational cooking school in Old Town Fort Collins. The Cooking Studio was founded in 2015 and has hosted over 1500 amateur cooks since opening. Chefs from all over Northern Colorado work as Chef Instructors. Programs offered include team building, private parties, culinary skills classes, international cuisines, date nights, baking and much more. Kids classes & camps were started in the summer of 2016 and are offered every week and on school holidays.

I was living in Boulder and doing a lot of business travel for a previous job, so when I decided to put down roots and open a cooking school it HAD to be Fort Collins! I moved here 3 years ago and love, love, love it.

I’m doing 2 events: Starting a food business and team building. Starting a Food Business: People should come away from this session secure in the knowledge that they are not alone! The food business community in Fort Collins will help. There are a lot of regulations around the food industry on top of what it takes to be a start-up. It’s hard, or even impossible, to know everything you need to know to get started. Don’t leave Startup Week without at least one contact you can call with questions.

Team Building: It’s not easy to assemble and manage a high functioning team, especially when the pressure is on. Functioning teams require communication, project management, time management & delegation skills as well as helping each other out in a pinch. Successful companies use team building activities to help teams practice working together without the pressure. And it can be a lot of fun. Team cooking requires team members to use all their collaborative skills to successfully create a 4-course meal, but in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. And the outcomes are obvious and delicious!

Get what you need from the sessions, but don’t get overwhelmed. Have fun! Meet other entrepreneurs.

Fort Collins will be one of the 5 top Startup Weeks in the US.

Tim Solley

Rebel Leader, Rebel Popcorn

Fort Collins, Colorado

Speaking on: Hands On: How to Website Tim Solley, Tuesday, February 28 @ 4:30pm

Tim Solley has been working with startups for nearly 20 years. He got his start during the dot-com boom of the 90s, founding one of the web’s early e-commerce retail companies. Since then, he’s been a technology leader with several startup companies large and small.

His latest effort is a founder and owner of Rebel Popcorn, Fort Collins’ newest and hottest gourmet snack company. Though he wears many hats as an owner, his primary focus is on Rebel Popcorn’s marketing and technology efforts. He’s bringing high-tech to a decidedly low-tech industry.

In addition to Rebel Popcorn, Tim is the Practice Head of Cloud and DevOps Services at Xpanxion, a software engineering company with over 850 employees and seven offices worldwide, including one in Fort Collins. In this role, he leads all company efforts in the cloud engineering space, from pre-sales to delivery. Clients are primarily Fortune 500 companies such as Anthem, Sony, and The Weather Channel.

I moved to Fort Collins nine years ago to be with family, enjoy everything Colorado has to offer, and be a part of a vibrant, thriving community. I had no idea I’d find heaven on Earth and never want to leave. There’s so much to do, and I enjoy fly fishing, mountain biking, camping, exploring Colorado with my family, and hanging out with the awesome people of FoCo.

I want people to leave the event with the confidence that they can harness technology and bend it to their will, without breaking the budget. As a startup, you often need to wear many hats, and that includes technology. They just need to know how to get started.

Talk to other attendees! Get to know people, and don’t just “network”. Networking is traditionally selfish and transactional in nature. Get to know people, what their needs are, and find a way to help them, even if it’s just a simple tip. Give first. You’ll surely reap the rewards with interest. Events like Startup Week are valuable in what you’ll learn, but they can be equally valuable in who you will meet!

I want to deliver value to people in all walks of life and in all stages in their professional careers. Hopefully I’ll meet some really awesome people out of it. Usually the most valued connections I make are the ones I least expect or planned on.

I would love to see our community become a red hot nucleus of innovation. I want to see that paired with a culture of work/life balance and the excitement of experimentation.

Women are an intrinsic part of Fort Collins Entrepreneur ecosystem. Women of film and media are helping to shape an active, creative arts community. Get to know three women who strengthen the voice of the media: Dawn Duncan, Windy Borman, and Julie Sutter.

Dawn Duncan

CEO, Yellowbright, Inc.

Fort Collins, Colorado

Speaking on: Your Creative Advantage, Tuesday, February 28 @ 4:30pm

Dawn Duncan is an entrepreneur, published writer, celebrated speaker, and music industry executive. She is the founder and CEO of Yellowbright, Inc., an agency dedicated to consulting the “creative class,” and works with individuals, groups, and companies to take them to the next level of professional growth. She has extensive experience working with entrepreneurs, musicians, artists, writers, and designers, including in her former career life of owning two boutique executive search and training firms (Creative Career Connections, Broadreach Recruiting and Consulting). Additionally, she is the founder and CEO of Sugarfox Records, an indie label founded in 2014 that was designed to co-brand between companies and bands as a way of cross-marketing and also funding album recording and promotion.

In 2015, she assumed the role of Managing Editor of Scene Magazine, a 28-year old music, nightlife, entertainment, and lifestyle publication for the Front Range of Colorado.

She has been a Fort Collins resident and entrepreneur since moving to Colorado in 1994 from Minnesota and is a graduate of the University of North Dakota. During her 22 years in Fort Collins, she has served on numerous non-profit boards of directors, co-founded Emerge Colorado Young Professionals Networking Club, co-founded the first alumnae chapter of Delta Gamma for Northern Colorado (of which she serves currently as Chapter President), and is a Charter Member of WomenGive, a division of the United Way of Larimer County. Dawn and her husband, Michael, reside in Old Town and love the recreational lifestyle of Colorado, the music scene, and our thriving entrepreneurship-based community.

I love the mountains, our active community, how dog-friendly FoCo is, and the weather! Being from N. Minnesota, this is quite a refreshing change in winter. I love to cross-country ski, snowshoe, and be outside, in addition to going to shows.

I hope I can inspire people to feel good about their creative gifts and use these talents to become strong entrepreneurs who are successful.

Be really open to new ways of thinking, look for inspiration, and trust your gut. You’ll meet a lot of people and hear loads of advice, but not everyone or everything is right for you. Figure out what you need BEFORE you come and you’ll find answers a lot faster and more easily. Have fun with this as it’s designed to motivate you and also provide a glimpse into the fun side of business.

I’d like to meet a lot more creative entrepreneurs like myself, in order to do collaboration, projects, and brainstorming. Of course, it’s great to meet people who can become clients, too, but I am mainly focused on just networking with like-minded individuals.

My vision is that in 5-10-+++ years Fort Collins will be even more of an entrepreneurial powerhouse than it is today. I want our city to be known as a fun, collaborative, intelligent community that makes it easy for people to start businesses. We will offer the right resources, connections, and education tracks for people to really gain their footing and know how to navigate the world of business.

Windy Borman

Board Chair, Women in Film and Media Colorado

Colorado

Speaking on: Fine Art Film: Video and Film-making in Colorado, Friday, March 3 @ 3:00pm

Windy Borman, MST is a multi-award-winning director and producer, as well the founder of DVA Productions. She is currently the Executive Producer and Director of the groundbreaking documentary, “Mary Janes: The Women of Weed”. Prior successes include directing and producing the 10-time award-winning documentary, “The Eyes of Thailand”, narrated by Ashley Judd; and producing “The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia”, which premiered at Sundance and on HBO.

I asked the Universe for a sign and she gave me a rainbow. I accepted the job offer and moved 2 weeks later.

I hope people are given some tools to produce film and media in Colorado and beyond.

I’d like to encourage female attendees to join Women in Film and Media Colorado (WIFMCO). We are dedicated to the advancement of all women working in the film, television, multi-media, web and video game industries in Colorado. Through educational panels, networking events, a newsletter, contests and more, we hope to connect, empower, educate and support all female mediamakers and help to elevate the Colorado media industry overall.

Julie Sutter

Owner, Unconventional Ink

Fort Collins, Colorado

Speaking on: How Coworking Can Save You From Destitution with Angel Kwiatkowski • Sara Durnil • Logan Hale • Julie Sutter • Aaron Todd, Monday, February 27 @ 9:00am

and: Sourcing and Valuing Local Marketing Creative with Peggy Lyle • Tom Campbell • Jesse Elliott • Logan Hale • Kerrie Luginbill • Kendra Spanjer • Julie Sutter • Paul Wozniak, Tuesday, February 28 @ 1:30pm

Julie Sutter is a: Writer. Reader. Meeter-greeter. Bike liker. Arts and culture advocate. Helicopters, sushi, documentary films, live music, dead poets, public radio, college basketball, kittens, puns and televised awards shows. Not necessarily in that order.

I’m a Colorado native and moved to Fort Collins 13 years ago with the intent of being a little closer to my family. I also got closer to community, and ended up staying in Fort Collins far longer than I ever thought I would — and that makes me happy. As a freelance writer and content creator, I started a business, Unconventional Ink, 6 years ago. Family brought me here. Community keeps me here.

A sense of involvement, inclusion, and inspiration. Entrepreneurship can feel like a lonely bit of business sometimes. It doesn’t have to be that way.

Reach out, introduce yourself (not just to panelists, but to the people around you). Share what you know, which is a lot. If you want to be more involved but you’re not sure you’re invited … you’re invited. I’m inviting you to invite yourself. Find Perspective.

Even more connected as we grow and change, that’s what I’d love to see. Conscious of ethics as technology evolves. Using our collective power for collective good. Never afraid to invite one another out for a cup of coffee or an ice cream sandwich. Or a coffee ice cream sandwich. Yum.

Fort Collins Startup Week exemplifies the body of the Fort Collins community. As you begin to plan your schedule, learn more about the speakers.

This week we feature 3 speakers from the music track, Peggy Bruns, Jahna Eichel, and our music keynote speaker,  Lloyd Starr.

Peggy Bruns

Director, Entrepreneurship Center for Music (ECM) at CU-Boulder

Speaking on: Higher Education and Music Entrepreneurship 

Peggy Bruns is an experienced flutist, educator, and administrator. She holds a master’s degree in music education and flute performance from CU-Boulder, and a bachelor’s degree in K-12 instrumental/vocal music education from Northern State University in South Dakota. Ms. Bruns has over twenty years of music teaching and adjudication experience, including private studio, public school, and university classroom. A two-time MTNA state Collegiate Woodwinds competition winner (SD), Peggy’s performance background consists of solo, chamber music, and large ensemble experience, including the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra, Longmont Symphony Orchestra, Colorado Wind Ensemble, and Colorado MahlerFest Orchestra. A past president of the Colorado Flute Association, Ms. Bruns has performed at two conventions of the National Flute Association. She co-founded the Rocky Mountain Center for Musical Arts, serving as its Executive Director for fifteen years, and, following a merger with Colorado Music Festival, served as Education Director for two years. She has extensive experience in human resources management and non-profit development.Ms. Bruns most recently served as Board President for Arts Longmont, and has served as Vice Chair of the Lafayette Cultural Arts Commission. In 2002, she received an Outstanding Service Award from the CU-Boulder College of Music, and was among five recipients honored in 2011 as “Women Who Light the Community” by the Boulder Chamber of Commerce. She is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda, an international music honor society.In addition to her work as a flutist and non-profit consultant, Ms. Bruns is a Certified Music Practitioner (CMP), having completed training from the international Music for Healing & Transition Program (MHTP). Her work as a CMP has primarily involved providing therapeutic music for hospice patients across Boulder County.Ms. Bruns is serving as Interim Director for the Entrepreneurship Center for Music (ECM) at CU-Boulder during the 2016-17 academic year, reprising that role from 2008-09. In addition to having taught courses in the ECM, she has also served as a Career Launchpad presenter, and as both mentor and judge for the Performing Arts Track of the New Venture Challenge.

I was invited to be part of a collegiate panel on music and entrepreneurship. I hope people realize that musicians are inherently equipped with the necessary skills to be successful in entrepreneurial activity. They are detail-oriented, problem-solvers, great on a team, flexible, and resilient.

Enjoy yourself! This is my first time; I’m open to seeing what it’s all about! I wish you every success.

Jahna Eichel

CEO, Higher Ground Rehearsal Studios

Fort Collins, Colorado

OWNER OF: HGRS ARTIST MANAGEMENT

BOARD MEMBER OF: KRFC Channel 88.9

BOARD MEMBER OF: Colorado Music Business Organization http://www.coloradomusic.org/

HOST OF:Live @ Higher Ground YouTube series

Speaking on: “Startup A Music Business”

Jahna is a multi-business owner, artist/band Manager, celebrated blogger, brand strategist, wife, and mother of two. Jahna alongside husband Jason Eichel founded the first music rehearsal studio in Northern Colorado on the notion that we are better when the creative community has a place where they can be themselves and hone in on their craft. Jahna thrives on watching the businesses in her community flourish. Originally, from NYC, where she gained corporate branding, and marketing experience, Jahna continues to grow her knowledge base and share her know-how with motivated musicians and entrepreneurs.

Our family moved from New York City to Fort Collins in December 2012. We came here on a whim, just to visit, after reading the Money Magazine article. We fell in love with the good natured people of Colorado and couldn’t wait to call it home. In 2014 we realized that our calling here was to assist in the blossoming of Fort Collins music scene, and followed our passions to create Higher Ground.

I hope that attendees become inspired. Starting a music related business isn’t easy. Take lots of notes, talk to everyone who inspires you.

I’d love to meet people who are passionate about entrepreneurship, especially within the music industry sector.

My vision for Northern Colorado is that classes of people in and out of business ownership are less segregated. I’d love for our community to experience more and learn the value of hiring trusted professionals. While DIY is fun, and affordable, my goal is to show local consumers that hiring quality professionals and purchasing quality goods, is worthwhile for not only themselves and their families but their community at large.

Lloyd Starr

Founder, Velocity Plus

Denver, Colorado

Speaking on: Music Keynote

Lloyd Starr is the former President and COO of Beatport. He was one of Beatport’s first employees, starting with the company in 2003 before the site launched, as a founding software developer. During his tenure, Beatport raised $12MM in Venture Capital, won the Denver Business Journal’s Fastest Growing Company two consecutive years and multiple other accolades for quality and design. Before his exit, Starr played a key role in selling Beatport to SFXii for $58.6MM and helping take Beatport public with SFX which raised $800MM. Since exiting Beatport, Lloyd founded Velocity Plus. Velocity Plus is focused on helping businesses increase revenue with their current assets, unlock new growth opportunities through obtaining operational efficiency, improving the value of existing relationships, building new strategic relationships, and bringing new monetization models to the companies it helps. Starr is also the CTO of SuiteHop, a luxury suite marketplace, and advisor for several companies including Blackstone Entrepreneurial Network. Previously, Lloyd held creative developer/product roles at such companies as Factory Design Labs and Spire Media. He currently lives in Denver and is an avid runner and martial artist.

Fort Collins is just a hop over from Denver, where I live and what brings me here are the amazing people at The Music District and Colorado’s finest breweries. What keeps me in Colorado is the ability to escape and elevate. Love is what led me here 17 years ago, and it’s what keeps me here today.

It’s simple. I hope some becomes inspired enough to take some action on their new idea or find the courage to continue trying.

Talk to as many people as you can as you can’t know enough people. There is a lot of wisdom out there so listen, not to respond but listen to understand.

I hope to be inspired by all of the creative people who make up our amazing community and make some new friends at Startup Week.

My hope is that we can find altruistism in our competitive high-growth businesses, balance capitalism and humanity while succeeding together. In the next 5 – 10 years I will make a positive impact enriching people’s lives.