Shaula Denton, Author at Pikes Peak Small Business Development Center

Bad Rock Auto

Leave a Comment / Success Stories (Stories) / Shaula Denton

Bad Rock Auto is a locally owned, small town auto repair shop and used car sales dealer nestled in the foothills of Pike Peak. The owner, Todd Basnett, has been involved with the SBDC for one year. He began attending entrepreneurship classes in March of 2023, completing a 9-week course. After this course, he fulfilled a long-time goal of purchasing his own auto repair shop in January of 2024.

Over 20 years ago, Todd starting his automotive career washing cars for a local new car dealership while attending college in West Virginia. After switching gears and following his interest in the automotive business, Todd became the youngest Harley-Davidson service manager in the country. Many years followed sharing time with Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep and Gmc/Buick/Pontiac and finally at a Ford dealership in Colorado. After helping an independent auto shop thrive, Todd thought it was time for him to take charge of his own shop.

Our repair shop and used car dealership, Bad Rock Auto, caters to our small community, from in-town, to as far as the last ranch in the county. Opening 20 years ago, the shop has been a staple for locals and travelers far and wide when visiting our beautiful high country Rocky Mountains. Bad Rock Auto is also a member of the Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce , educational philanthropist, and local volunteer. Visit us on Facebook or our website at www.badrockauto.com!

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Mediterranean Café

Leave a Comment / Success Stories (Stories) / Shaula Denton

Mediterranean Café, aka Med Café, is a staple in downtown Colorado Springs. For over 20 years, they’ve been offering fresh, delicious, traditional and Mediterranean inspired foods that have won “Best of Colorado Springs” awards yearly. Serving gyros, falafel, fresh salads, house-made soups, kabobs, grilled fish specials, chef specials and more!

In August of 2021, Chef Ronald Hunter purchased the existing café with his wife Brittany. Ronald graduated from Arizona Culinary Institute and worked in fine dining for many years. After moving to the Springs several years ago, he spent three years at the Broadmoor, leading brunch service out of the main kitchen. From there, he did a couple year stint as chef de cuisine at The Club at Flying Horse.

As for instituting any changes to the menu since taking over Med Cafe, Chef Hunter has largely kept the menu exactly how it was, but he has enhanced the recipes to put his own technique and flair to them. Ronald has a passion for food and for people. He has enjoyed getting to know his community better through serving them delicious, freshly prepared food.

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Sarah Sit and Play

Leave a Comment / Success Stories (Stories) / Shaula Denton

Sarah Sit and Play is an in-home, caring, and insured house and pet-sitting business. The owner, Sarah Groh has been a client of the SBDC for 10 years. She began attending workshops and one-on-one meetings with a business mentor while forming her first business, Groh Music (a voice studio for all ages). Sarah still runs the first business and can be seen leading her jazz quartet around town or teaching voice for the VAPA Program at UCCS. Sarah fills most days with dog walks, handling the logistics of her thriving pet business, and talking with current and new clients about details for their upcoming sits.

In March 2022, Sarah began sitting for friends and new client referrals. In May 2023, Sarah Sit and Play registered as an LLC with the State of Colorado and became a National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS) member. In the summer of 2023, Sarah Sit and Play began training and hiring contract sitters to expand the business, including two women looking for a summer job on college break. In December 2023, Sarah managed seven sitters, two dog walkers, 45 clients, and a 2023 year-end total of 94 house sits.

Sarah Sit and Play supports Coloradans and their pets by offering peace of mind when they go on vacation or business trips. Dogs, cats, farm animals, fish, and horses all receive excellent care and their own “Staycation” with Sarah Sit and Play. Sarah is a member of the Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce, The Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce, and 1 Million Cups, Colorado Springs. Sarah Groh is a supporter of SCORE and the SBDC. Her business also promotes ongoing education to young women who want to work as contractors, learn business acumen, and plan to be small business owners. Sarah Sit and Play can be found at www.sarahsitandplay.com or on Instagram: @banditcolorado. Look around the website, enjoy the pictures and reviews, and schedule a Meet & Greet.

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Go Fish! Food Truck

Leave a Comment / Success Stories (Stories) / Shaula Denton

Go Fish Food Truck was established in 2018, opened in 2019, & expanded into Avenue 19, downtown’s newest food hall & entertainment space, in 2023. Go Fish is owned by Christina Voreadis, a Colorado Springs native, who is passionate about sharing her delicious seafood with the people of her hometown. Go Fish loves giving back to the community & being that Christina is a former educator, helping kids & others are motivating factors in the philanthropic efforts that Go Fish pursues. Go Fish often works with local school districts & community organizations to provide school supplies & gifts to children in need in Colorado Springs and surrounding areas. Christina has continued to support schools and recently gave a lesson to first grade students at The Colorado Springs School about entrepreneurship and what is needed to make a small business successful. Christina is also passionate about helping others succeed and worked with Mayor Yemi Mobolade, when he was the small business administrator of the city to create a Road Map for starting a food truck to provide guidance for people looking to get into the industry. It can be found at, https://cosopenforbiz.com/. In addition, she served as a certified SBDC mentor for about a year and has worked closely with both the SBDC & the BBB in planning for the annual Food Truck Cook-Off. Go Fish looks forward to catching you soon around town in the food truck or downtown at Avenue 19!

More information about Go Fish Food Truck can be found by visiting our website, www.gofishfoodtruck.com. There you’ll find the food truck schedule, more about our location at Avenue 19, menus, & lots more. Be sure to follow us on social media, @gofishfoodtruck on Facebook & @gofishft on Instagram to get daily updates and pictures of our delicious seafood.

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Natalia Antezana

Leave a Comment / Consultants (Team) / Shaula Denton

Natalia is a dedicated business consultant with over a decade of experience, specializing in assisting small businesses in Latin America and Colorado. She is deeply passionate about entrepreneurship and strives to contribute positively to her community. Natalia holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA) and a Master’s Degree in Corporate Finance from UCEMA University. Fluent in both English and Spanish, she is committed to helping businesses succeed through strategic planning, business development, access to capital, and certification process.

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Shaula Denton