According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, entrepreneurs are defined as “one who organizes, manages, and assumes the risk of a business or enterprise.” While the entrepreneur bears most of the risks, they also reap most of the rewards.
Entrepreneurship appears to be growing in Colorado Springs. According to Sammi Blaque, President of Colorado Springs Rising Professionals (CSRP), the organization is seeing a steady increase in the number of members, especially younger individuals.
Blaque explained that CSRP is a non-profit organization founded in 2007 and is designed to be the place to go for business leaders for the next generation of business leaders in Colorado Springs.
The organization offers three areas for local business owners: leadership development, civics, and membership. The civics group, Blaque said, is designed especially for those who want their business to make an impact or difference in the area they serve.
“We offer not just networking, but a real sense of community,” Blaque explained. “We connect people to resources to help them grow personally and professionally. It’s not all business, friendships and relationships are the basis of our purpose. We pride ourselves on our diversity and we are building a strong relationship with the largest business chamber in Colorado Springs.”
The organization is also partnered with Thrive Colorado Springs, an organization that serves as an acceleration program and incubator for business owners.
A young entrepreneur herself, Blaque is the founder of a business called Venus Collective. Based as a yoga studio, Blaque takes the art one step further by linking yoga with wellness, spirituality, and sexuality.
Blaque said the age of members in CSRP ranges from 23 to 45 years of age, with 75 percent being in their thirties and forties. Older members are those who graduated out of the group and serve as mentors.
“It’s a real privilege to be president of an organization this size and make an impact on the city this young,” Blaque said.
Helping Entrepreneurs Take That First Step
According to The Penny Hoarder, Colorado Springs is listed in the top 10 cities in the United States for entrepreneurs and startup businesses. Resources and services such as Startup Support Center are one reason why. President Zachary Barker CEcD (Certified Economic Developer), the past president of CSRP, started his company in 2019 to give young entrepreneurs a running start.
“It’s an entrepreneurial training and support program,” Barker said. “Typically, people have to pay a large fee for this. We make it affordable, accessible, and actionable.”
Unique to his program, Barker said, is that it is strength-based and uses an assessment to build a plan designed around an individual’s skills, strengths, and talents.
Barker operates most of the business. He offers in-person programs and an online offering that was prompted by COVID. Both programs provide ongoing support and guidance through discussion, email, group sessions, and more. His website, startsupported.com, provides information about both programs.
The biggest threats facing entrepreneurs, Barker said, are individual self-confidence and the mental capacity to handle the successes and failures in starting a business. Most of his clients are under 35 years of age and are tech-integrated individuals. “Most of my clients have a concept or an idea they’re exploring,” Barker explained. “Others are what I call wantrepreneurs. They want to do it but don’t know what they want to do. This is where strengths and preferences meet.”
Proven Success
MiMi The Motivator knows the advantages of starting a business in Colorado Springs. She started her business in 2008 and prides herself on being a holistic coach, master teacher, speaker, podcaster, and trainer.
“Colorado Springs is one of the most resourceful cities I’ve ever experienced,” she said. “The library itself offers a large number of resources. I’ve never encountered anything like that. There’s a tremendous number of programs for leaders and entrepreneurs in our city. Colorado Springs eliminates the excuse for not succeeding.”
Born to be an entrepreneur, MiMi started making and selling coupons at the age of 7. When she was 13, she sold jawbreakers at school. At the age of 16, she obtained a business loan and started a printing company.
Today, she is the owner of The Phil Rich Group and provides consultation and holistic coaching for executives of various industries. Her weekly podcast, called Get High on Motivation, empowers listeners to create their desired life and business through inspiration, mindset transformation, and advice.
MiMi said the biggest obstacle for many is getting past their own fears. “It’s easy to just do what everyone else is doing,” she said. “For me, it started with the Bible. I followed what I felt I was born to do. Believe in yourself and what you’re offering the community.”
Business Owners Just Getting Off the Ground
CheyAnne Clemons launched her business, Shine Athleisure, in January 2021 at the age of 28. Frustrated with trying to find affordable and quality athletic and leisurewear, she decided to start manufacturing and selling her own.
Clemons designs all the products and has a team of women based out of Portland, Oregon who manufacture them. She sells online and also through some small yoga shops in town. “When you support my business, you also support other small businesses,” she said.
Although she is still navigating the obstacles of starting a business, Clemons said other business owners in the area have been supportive. “I’ve been learning and trying to get awareness out to the market,” she said. “I’ve been attending networking events to help create awareness and I’ve been reaching out to others in Colorado Springs as resources.”
In 2021, Tom Carney Jr. decided to take his knowledge of the insurance industry and start Carney Insurance of Colorado Springs.
“COVID was the eye-opener for me,” he said. “I saw what it was doing to area businesses and wanted to help keep them in operation. I fell in love with a lot of the businesses here and wanted to help them with their finances.”
Carney operates as an independent brokerage and offers home, auto, renter, and business insurance and solutions. His father runs a similar agency in Minnesota. The biggest hurdle, Carney said, is building rapport and obtaining clients.
“I sought mentors who were successful in their own industry,” Carney explained. “Networking and making connections have helped me. Showing who I am as a person and professional has prompted people to refer me more.”
Carney said many entrepreneurs don’t want to admit they need help. “It’s not always going to go perfect,” he said. “Keep that end goal in mind and keep pushing. It’s small successes.”
