Grand Enterprise Initiative Making Strides

by Heath Dewey on July 30th, 2014

The Grand Enterprise Initiative is proud to have a positive impact on business owners and job growth in Grand County. The Northwest Colorado Council of Governments recently named Grand County the regional leader in job growth.
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To learn more about the impact of the Grand Enterprise Initiative in Grand County read the excerpt below from the July 10, 2014 article in theSky-HiDaily News titled, " Grand County Leads the Region in Job Growth".

"Grand County Leads the Region in Job Growth."

"The Northwest Colorado Council of Governments recently named Grand County the regional leader in job growth, with an unemployment rate of 4.6 percent, which was lower than both the state and the national rates.

Job growth in the county increased by 4.4 percent from April 2013 to April 2014.

The spur of economic development in the county may partially be attributed to job-growth programs established in recent years, such as Grand County’s economic development department and the Grand Enterprise Initiative, which offers one-on-one free and confidential business management coaching to anyone who wants to start or expand a business.

Since starting in January 2013, Grand Enterprise Initiative facilitator Patrick Brower has managed to improve the business climate in Grand County."

Read the full article from the "Sky-Hi Daily News" HERE.

Congratulations to the Grand Enterprise Initiative volunteers and business coach, Patrick Brower! It's nice to see your work pay off! Visit the Grand Enterprise Initiative website and learn more about the work they are doing to create opportunities for Grand County community members.
Grand Enterprise Initiative Client in the News

by Heath Dewey on May 23rd, 2014

The Grand Enterprise Initiative is Kapoks' first program. It is located in Grand County, Colorado in the central Colorado Rockies. The program serves a population of nearly 14,000+ people and already has over over 200 clients.
Recently Tanya Gioia of Joyous Skin Care, a Grand Enterprise Initiative client, was interviewed in the Sky-Hi News about doing business in Grand County. She had some insightful comments and was full of complements towards the Grand Enterprise Initiative.
My favorite question and answer from this interview:

If you could give advice to a novice entrepreneur, what would it be?

"Get a coach. Join a support group. “What gets measured gets managed,” do your books or hire someone to make sure you are aware of where the money is going."

That's good advice, the same advice offered to each client by Grand Enterprise Initiative business coach, Patrick Brower. 
Grand Enterprise Initiative Update

by Heath Dewey on October 31st, 2013

The Grand Enterprise Initiative is Kapoks's first program and what a success it has been! The program is located in Grand County, Colorado and serves the nearly 15,000 people that live in the county that sits amidst the Great Divide in the Colorado Rockies. The Grand Enterprise Initiative provides business coaching and networking support to anyone in Grand County that wants to start a business or already owns a business.

Check out the stats below to see what the Grand Enterprise Initative has accomplished since it began work in 2012. 

What's New?

The visual above (geistats) highlights some of the key statistics that we monitor:


Number of clients: the number of clients working towards their business dreams with

support from the Grand Enterprise Initiative.

Existing businesses assisted: the number of existing businesses working with the Grand

Enterprise Initiative. These businesses may want to expand, change their model or

otherwise modify their business workings.

New businesses assisted: the number of new businesses developed with the support of

the Grand Enterprise Initiative.

Jobs created: These are new jobs created through the support of the Grand Enterprise

Initiative. These can include jobs as a result of a newly opened business, an expanded

business, or a business that avoided closure.

Grand Enterprise Initiative October Client of the Month

Each month the Grand Enterprise Initative announces their Client of the Month. These clients are new or exisiting businesses that have worked with the Grand Enterprise Initiative business coach, Patrick Brower.

Jilly's

Ken and Kendra Wilkinson

“This is a great place to bring your family,” says Kendra Wilkinson, owner and cake decorator for the establishment. “Come get a meal, visit with your friends and enjoy the fun atmosphere. You can even order a cake for an upcoming event. We have soft serve and scoop ice cream, shakes, malts, banana splits, fries, hamburgers, nachos, and hot dogs,” says Kendra. Rounding out the offerings at the conveniently located establishment is a variety of snack foods, drinks and a soda fountain. Our goal has been to create a wholesome, open and friendly
environment where families and kids can hang out and enjoy something to eat while socializing", says Wilkinson. Hours will be Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wilkinson says they plan to stay open later on West Grand home game nights and for other special evening events.

Grand Enterprise Initiative Has Success

by Heath Dewey on March 8th, 2013

Grand Enterprise Initiative Featured in local Sky Hi News

The Grand Enterprise Initiative, a division of Kapoks, is an Enterprise Facilitation program based in Grand County, Colorado. The program has just completed its first year of operation and has already begun to have an impact on the local business climate.

The article highlighted some of the early program clients who have benefited from the free and confidential business coaching offered by the Grand Enterprise Initiative Enterprise Facilitator  Patrick Brower. 
K9 Bliss Pet Sitting Founder, Julie Moseley
Grand Enterprise Initiative Expands Countywide

by Heath Dewey on February 6th, 2013

The Grand Enterprise Initiative is a division of Kapoks that supports the development of new and existing businesses in Grand County, CO. The Grand Enterprise Initiative has had success in supporting business development and is now going countywide. 
The program was recently featured in the local Sky-Hi News for the impact it has had in the Granby, CO area of Grand County. The program has already helped to create 4 new businesses and 5 new jobs. The assisted businesses are also provided ongoing coaching to assist with long-term sustainability.

As part of the countywide expansion plan the program will be performing county information sessions to let communities throughout Grand County know what the Grand Enterprise Initiative does and how it can make a difference.  The next two information meetings take place in Winter Park/Fraser area at the Winter Park Town Hall and in Grand Lake, CO at the Grand Lake Community Center. 

If you live in Grand County, CO please consider attending one of these information sessions to see how you can support the program or take advantage of the free and confidential business coaching.

Kapoks is excited to see the Grand Enterprise Initiative growing and supporting the dreams of many more Grand County entrepreneurs.   


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