We kicked off our annual event with the Small Business BASH and Awards Celebration at the Switchbacks Stadium at Weidner Field, followed by three days of impactful workshops designed to educate, celebrate, and champion local small businesses. The week concluded with a cocktail hour “commencement ceremony” on Thursday, June 8.
Stream each of the events below!
History
Small business week of the Pikes Peak Region began more than 16 years ago as a partnership between the Pikes Peak Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The event took place as a one-day award banquet “Small Business Day” highlighting small businesses withing the Pikes Peak Region. In 2012, the Better Business Bureau of Southern Colorado and the Pikes Peak Small Business Development Center, took on full operations of the event and created a weeklong event called “Small Business Week. Small Business Week in the Pikes Peak Region is the largest Small Business celebration in the State of Colorado (and the US in 2020).
Thank You To Our 2023 Event Sponsors & Partners!
skip to:
Bash
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Closing Ceremony
Friday, June 2: Small Business BASH!
when:
Friday, June 2, 2023
3:00 – 6:00 pm
where:
Switchbacks Stadium at Weidner Field
111 W Cimarron St.
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Map/Directions
Cost:
Three levels of tickets are available:
Gold – $100
Silver – $50
Bronze – $25
https://youtu.be/uyV0Eyc0xp8
event description:
Join us at Weidner Field for the Small Business BASH, a fun-filled celebration of small businesses and entrepreneurs in the Pikes Peak Region.
The event kicks off with the Small Business Award Ceremony where we recognize outstanding businesspeople in our community. This is a great opportunity for business owners and entrepreneurs to network and celebrate small business.
After the awards ceremony, enjoy fun activities including games, music, and booths. There’s something for everyone, so bring your family and friends!
The BASH wraps up at 6:00 pm, but the fun doesn’t end there. As a bonus, your BASH entrance includes a ticket to the Switchbacks FC match against the Oakland Roots SC. It’s the perfect way to end the day, cheering on our local soccer team.
Don’t miss out on this exciting event that celebrates the hard work and dedication of small businesses. Get your tickets today!
Small Business Award WINNERS:
Veteran Small Business Owner of the Year
- Enrique Camacho – Model Citizen Coffee Company
-
- Listen to The Veterans Voice Podcast on Model Citizen Coffee’s Enrique Camacho who stood out among 90 other nominees and has been named 2023 Veteran Owned Small Business off the Year. Find out how this 30-year Army veteran got his start in business and why he won this prestigious recognition.
-
Family-Owned Business of the Year
- Ramon Alvarez – Minuteman Press of Colorado Springs
Young Entrepreneur of the Year
- Madeleine Costa – Succeeding Small
Small Business Champion of the Year
- Heather McBroom – Precision Services
Small Business Person of the Year
- Dr. Kristen Kells – Dr. Kells’ Weight Loss
Small Business Award Finalists:
Veteran Small Business Owner of the Year
- Enrique Camacho – Model Citizen Coffee Company
- Al Cazares – House Doctors
- Karl von Kessel – iFLY Colorado Springs
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
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
Small Business Champion of the Year
- Ramon Alvarez – Minuteman Press of Colorado Springs
- Theresa Garcia – Rubi’s Positive Empowerment
- Heather McBroom – Precision Services
Small Business Person of the Year
- Dr. Kristen Kells – Dr. Kells’ Weight Loss
- Sevan Stryker – Bob Penkhus Motor Company
special guest olympians:
Nathalie (Schneyder) Ingram
Nathalie (Schneyder) Ingram is a 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist in Synchronized Swimming. Her experience in training and competing shaped her commitment to health, lifelong vitality and helping others achieve their physical fitness goals. Nathalie is a Certified Master Instructor of Pilates who has taught and trained others for over 20 years and is the absolute gold standard in pilates instruction. A native of California, she moved to Colorado Springs in 2007 to work with the Olympic and Paralympic Committee and USADA. After many years of coaching at Stanford University, the US National team and ultimately becoming an Olympic coach in 2004, she went back to the roots of functional movement and fitness and now owns Gold Medal Pilates Studios. She and her husband, John share three children, two grandchildren and two cherished dogs.
Sammy Schultz
Sammy is a 2021 Tokyo Olympian in the sport of Modern Pentathlon (fencing, swimming, equestrian, shooting, and running). She was born and raised in Littleton, Colorado before moving to Colorado Springs in 2010 to pursue training with Team USA at the Olympic Training Center. She joined the US Army in 2017 and competed for the Army as a part of the World Class Athlete Program, WCAP, unit. During her 10 + years of competing on the National and World Championships teams as a Modern Pentathlete, she competed at two Pan American Games in 2015 and 2019. Winning Gold and Silver medals at the 2019 Pan American Games in Peru. She was the alternate to the 2016 Olympic team and won seven US National Championship titles. Sammy struggled with injuries over her time as an athlete and had hip surgery in 2012. She found Pilates to be extremely helpful with her recovery and rehab after surgery. Sammy pursued her Mat Pilates certification when she saw the impact Pilates made on her injury prevention and overall strength. She has been teaching and practicing Pilates over the years along with training as an Olympic athlete, obtaining her bachelor’s degree, and fulfilling Army duties. She is also a certified personal trainer, has certifications in strength and conditioning, fitness nutrition, yoga, and exercise recovery.
Alston Nutter
- Hometown: Fennimore, Wisc.
- High School: Fennimore
- Weight Class: 67 KG
Career Highlights
- 2018-19: Placed first at the World Team Trials
- 2019 Placed first at the US Open Juniors
- 2019 Placed third at the Junior World Championships.
- 2019-2020: Named Northern Michigan’s Athlete of the Year for Greco-Roman Team
- Second on the ladder in 2022-2023 for Greco Roman
sponsored by
hosted by
Monday, June 5: Become A Marketing Champion!
when:
Monday, June 5, 2023
9:00 – 9:30 am | Networking and light breakfast
9:30 – 11:00 am | Workshop
where:
Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame
103 Pro Rodeo Dr.
Colorado Springs, CO 80919
Map/Directions
Cost:
$20
https://youtu.be/12vdRhQE0lI
event description:
ChatGPT and AI are revolutionizing business and marketing by enabling personalization, automation, predictive analytics, chatbots, image and speech recognition, and content creation. These advancements allow businesses to operate more efficiently and effectively, better understand and engage with their customers, and ultimately drive growth and profitability. As AI technology continues to advance, it is likely to become an even more essential tool for businesses and marketers in the years to come. Join us for this cutting-edge discussion on the emerging marketing trends that are likely to become increasingly important in 2023.
- Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) will continue to transform marketing. Businesses will use AI-powered tools to analyze customer data, personalize content and messaging, and automate repetitive tasks such as email campaigns.
- Voice search will become more prevalent as consumers increasingly use voice-activated assistants such as Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant to search for products and services. Marketers will need to optimize their content for voice search and develop strategies to engage with customers through voice-activated devices.
- Video marketing will continue to dominate as one of the most engaging forms of content. With the growing popularity of short-form video platforms such as TikTok and Instagram Reels, businesses will need to create snackable, shareable videos that capture consumers’ attention in just a few seconds.
- The rise of virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) will provide new opportunities for marketers to create immersive brand experiences that can transport consumers to a different world. Retailers, for example, could use AR to allow customers to try on clothes virtually, or furniture stores could use VR to give customers a virtual tour of their showroom.
- Social media will remain a key channel for businesses to reach and engage with customers. However, as privacy concerns continue to grow, marketers will need to be more transparent about how they use customer data and find new ways to build trust with their audience.
These are just a few of the emerging marketing trends that are likely to gain momentum in 2023. As the marketing industry continues to evolve, businesses that stay ahead of the curve and adapt to new trends and technologies will be best positioned for success.
Moderator:
Adam Morley
Wolf and Key Marketing
Panelists:
Camille Blakely
AdPro
Daniel Campana
TrueWind Marketing
Brandon Lee
Edison Apps
Timothy Zercher
A-Train Marketing
sponsored by:
Hosted by:
Tuesday, June 6: Flying At the Speed Of Business—How To Build for the Future
when:
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
9:00 – 9:30 am | Networking and light breakfast
9:30 – 11:00 am | Workshop
where:
iFly
281 Kaycee Case Pl.
Colorado Springs, CO 80921
Map/Directions
Cost:
$20
https://youtu.be/ktf1iPSTloU
event description:
As technology advances and the global workforce continues to evolve, the future of work is becoming increasingly uncertain. As we navigate this rapidly changing landscape, it’s important to explore what the future holds and how we can adapt to thrive in a new world of work. Our experts will provide insights into the trends and challenges shaping the future of work, and offer their perspectives on how individuals, businesses, and governments can prepare for what lies ahead. Join us as we delve into this critical topic and chart a path forward for the future of work.
Panelists:
Dr. Joe Craig
UCCS Economic forum
Katherine Keegan
Director, Colorado Office of the Future of Work
sponsored by:
sponsored by:
hosted by:
Wednesday, June 7: Building a Championship Team: How to Attract & Retain MVPs
when:
Wednesday, June 7, 2023
11:00 – 11:30 am | Networking and light lunch
11:30 am – 1:00 pm | Workshop
where:
Rocky Mountain Vibes Stadium
4385 Tutt Blvd.
Colorado Springs, CO 80922
Map/Directions
Cost:
$25
https://youtu.be/SFYfFexYd5o
event description:
In today’s fast-paced and competitive business world, having a strong team is essential to achieving success. However, building a winning team is not always easy – it requires a combination of leadership, communication, and collaboration skills; as well as a deep understanding of what motivates and inspires each team member. Managing all of this with the added pressure of operating in the midst of a global mental health crisis will also be a key topic of conversation. Our panel of experts brings a wealth of experience in building and leading successful teams and will share their insights and best practices for creating a high-performing team culture. Whether you’re a manager, entrepreneur, or simply interested in learning more about effective team-building strategies. This panel discussion promises to be both informative and engaging. Join us as we explore the key elements of building a winning team and discuss how to apply them to your own organization.
Moderators:
Melissa Scruggs
Permanent Placement Solutions
Panelists:
Jim Johnson
GE JOHNSON
Shawn Gullixson
Director, O’Neil Group
Meridith Marshall
Uncharted
Ramon Alvarez
Alvarez Enterprises, Inc. & Minuteman Press
sponsored by:
sponsored by:
hosted by:
Thursday, June 8: Closing Ceremony
when:
Thursday, June 8, 2023
4:30 – 6:00 pm
where:
U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum
200 S Sierra Madre St.
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Map/Directions
Cost:
$25
https://youtu.be/_ntcDFeCupE
event description:
As Small Business Week draws to a close, it’s important to recognize the champions who have supported small businesses and helped them thrive. Small Business Week has highlighted the vital role that small businesses play in our economy and society, as well as the challenges they face. By recognizing and celebrating the small business champions, we can inspire others to get involved and help create a more supportive environment for entrepreneurs. As we move forward, let’s continue to champion small businesses and support their growth and success!
Small Business Award WINNERS:
Veteran Small Business Owner of the Year
- Enrique Camacho – Model Citizen Coffee Company
Family-Owned Business of the Year
- Ramon Alvarez – Minuteman Press of Colorado Springs
Young Entrepreneur of the Year
- Madeleine Costa – Succeeding Small
Small Business Champion of the Year
- Heather McBroom – Precision Services
Small Business Person of the Year
- Dr. Kristen Kells – Dr. Kells’ Weight Loss
Speakers:
Mayor Yemi Mobolade
Yemi Mobolade, the newly elected 42nd Mayor of Colorado Springs.
Yemi is a local small business owner and the former City Small Business Development Administrator.
- Some of his Small Business accomplishments include:
Lead the development and execution of COSOpenForBiz.com, a government tool that helps simplify and educate entrepreneurs and small business owners on the process of launching their business. - Created COSSBA in 2017 to unite business leaders, government agencies, and business service organizations in the Pikes Peak area to support and shape the future of small business regulation. As an advisory and working group, COSSBA provides strategic direction and executes small business projects, aiming to make Colorado Springs the top US city for small businesses.
- Co-founded the Pikes Peak Business and Education Alliance (PPBEA), Spearheaded the development of “Permit Partner,” a tool to streamline the permitting process across several local government agencies, improve the citizen experience with government, and guide business owners and entrepreneurs through complex permitting workflow so they can understand the full scope of their project before they get started. This tool was officially released to the public on March 7, 2023.
special guest olympians:
Nathalie (Schneyder) Ingram
Nathalie (Schneyder) Ingram is a 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist in Synchronized Swimming. Her experience in training and competing shaped her commitment to health, lifelong vitality and helping others achieve their physical fitness goals. Nathalie is a Certified Master Instructor of Pilates who has taught and trained others for over 20 years and is the absolute gold standard in pilates instruction. A native of California, she moved to Colorado Springs in 2007 to work with the Olympic and Paralympic Committee and USADA. After many years of coaching at Stanford University, the US National team and ultimately becoming an Olympic coach in 2004, she went back to the roots of functional movement and fitness and now owns Gold Medal Pilates Studios. She and her husband, John share three children, two grandchildren and two cherished dogs.
Sammy Schultz
Sammy is a 2021 Tokyo Olympian in the sport of Modern Pentathlon (fencing, swimming, equestrian, shooting, and running). She was born and raised in Littleton, Colorado before moving to Colorado Springs in 2010 to pursue training with Team USA at the Olympic Training Center. She joined the US Army in 2017 and competed for the Army as a part of the World Class Athlete Program, WCAP, unit. During her 10 + years of competing on the National and World Championships teams as a Modern Pentathlete, she competed at two Pan American Games in 2015 and 2019. Winning Gold and Silver medals at the 2019 Pan American Games in Peru. She was the alternate to the 2016 Olympic team and won seven US National Championship titles. Sammy struggled with injuries over her time as an athlete and had hip surgery in 2012. She found Pilates to be extremely helpful with her recovery and rehab after surgery. Sammy pursued her Mat Pilates certification when she saw the impact Pilates made on her injury prevention and overall strength. She has been teaching and practicing Pilates over the years along with training as an Olympic athlete, obtaining her bachelor’s degree, and fulfilling Army duties. She is also a certified personal trainer, has certifications in strength and conditioning, fitness nutrition, yoga, and exercise recovery.
Spencer Wood
Sport: Alpine Skiing
Event(s): Super-G, Giant Slalom, Slalom, Super Combined
Classification: LW6/8-2
Birthplace: Pittsfield, Vt.
College: University of Colorado Boulder ’21, Communications
Team/Club: National Sports Center for the Disabled
Paralympic Experience
Two-time Paralympian (2018, 2022)
Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022, 12th (super-G), 14th (super combined, slalom)
Paralympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018, 25th (giant slalom)
World Championship Experience
Most recent: 2021 – 14th (downhill), 17th (super-combined), 18th (super-G), 28th (giant slalom)
Years of participation: 2019, 2021
Top Finish: 14th – 2021 (downhill)
hosted by:
sponsored by: