Week-long event to celebrate, promote Colorado Springs small business owners

Jessica Van Dyne, The Gazette (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
·2 min read

May 30—Local business organizations will celebrate Colorado Springs small business owners' activity during the past year and promote growth with a week of workshops and social gatherings.

The Better Business Bureau of Southern Colorado along with the Pikes Peak Small Business Development Center and the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC will host the 11th annual Pikes Peak Region Small Business Week from Friday to June 8.

"Small Business Week is a time to recognize the resilience, innovation, and economic power of the small businesses in our community," Brandon Eldridge, executive director for the Pikes Peak SBDC, said in a news release.

"Small businesses are the driving force of our economy and the influencers of our culture. This is our time to honor their contributions to our region."

The sports-themed festivities begin 3-6 p.m. Friday with an awards ceremony honoring Colorado Springs' small-business community at Weidner Field followed by a Colorado Springs Switchbacks game.

The list of finalists for various awards include:

Small Business Person of the Year — Dr. Kristen Kells, Dr. Kells' Weight Loss; Sevan Stryker, Bob Penkhus Motor Company.

Small Business Champion of the Year — Ramon Alvarez, Minuteman Press of Colorado Springs; Theresa Garcia, Rubi's Positive Empowerment; Heather McBroom, Precision Services

Young Entrepreneur of the Year — Madeleine Costa, Succeeding Small; Rafael de la Vega, Salt Athletic; Dr. Janasia Rapp, Pawfection of Helping Hands Mobile Veterinary Acupuncture & Wellness Services.

Family-Owned Business of the Year — Ramon Alvarez, Minuteman Press of Colorado Springs; Jenn Raulie, Bill's Plumbing and Drain Service; Gavin Urban, WireNut Home Services.

Veteran Small Business Owner of the Year — Enrique Camacho — Model Citizen Coffee Company; Al Cazares, House Doctors; Karl von Kessel, iFLY Colorado Springs.

Event pricing starts at $25 a ticket with more expensive options that include perks such as VIP seating to the Switchbacks game and gift bags.

Small-business owners can attend a networking event and workshop at the ProRodeo Hall of Fame that explores marketing techniques from artificial intelligence to social media that will run from 9-10:30 a.m. Monday.

The next day of presentations focuses on the dynamics of the business world's future starting at 9 a.m. Tuesday with networking and a light breakfast at iFly Colorado Springs.

Other events are scheduled June 7 and June 8, at UCHealth Park, home of the Rocky Mountain Vibes, and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum, respectively.

.m. the day's center piece event includes a panel with business leaders about how to attract and retain strong employees at UCHealth Park, home of the Rocky Mountain Vibes.

Visit PikesPeakSBDC.org/sbw to sign-up and for more details .