Two Durango businesses rank in top 3 for statewide business plan competition
Laurie Sigillito of FASTSIGNS® and Keith Walzak and Sheri Amass of DurangoDowntown.com Inc. were selected the first and third place winners (respectively) in the Colorado Small Business Development Center Network’s statewide business plan competition this summer.”
Two Durango businesses rank in top 3 for statewide business plan competition
DURANGO – Laurie Sigillito of FASTSIGNS® and Keith Walzak and Sheri Amass of DurangoDowntown.com Inc. were selected the first and third place winners (respectively) in the Colorado Small Business Development Center Network’s statewide business plan competition this summer.
The business plan competition is open to all graduates of the NX Level Leading Edge course. The 12-session, intensive entrepreneurial training program is designed to encourage business expansion in a community. The course focuses on teaching the art of better business practices, while producing a comprehensive business plan. Sections of the business plan are then evaluated throughout the course. This coordinated process provides a method for alerting participants to any weaknesses in his or her business plan development, and ultimately moves toward keeping and growing a successful venture.
The fall 2008 course was taught by Fort Lewis College marketing and business professor, Dr. Simon Walls. Dr. Walls has been a Fort Lewis College professor and SBDC business advisor since 2003. His classes are well-loved by his students thanks to his dedication and dynamic approach to teaching.
After winning first place in the local business plan competition amongst the other business plans submitted by the graduates of the fall 2008 Durango class, Laurie agreed to submit her plan at the State level. “It was an unexpected, but a motivating surprise to win first place in the Colorado Statewide competition” Laurie accepted her award and the award for her classmates, DurangoDowntown.com Inc., at the Governor’s mansion in Denver last month.
FASTSIGNS sign and graphics center opened its doors in downtown Durango April 13, 2009 at 1139 Main Avenue. It is the number one franchising company for the quick-sign industry in the US and Canada, offering high quality signs and exceptional service. In conjunction with the Durango FASTSIGNS team’s years of expertise in the fields of marketing, graphic design, and advertising, the company uses cutting edge printing technology and streamlined production capabilities creating dynamic, cost-effective signage solutions that have not been readily available in the past.
Keith Walzak and Sheri Amass also attended the NXLevel Leading Edge course in the fall of 2008, completing their business plan which won third place both at the local and at the statewide levels.
DurangoDowntown.com was first launched in 1995 by Sheri Amass of Creative Links posting community profile information and basic tourism trends. Over the years it has evolved into a community web site offering information designed for locals and visitors alike. It is not only a place where locals can go to get (daily life) information they are looking for, but also share information – creating a true, interactive experience.
The popular web site reaches a growing and progressive local market who is going online for more news and information than ever before, as well as future destination visitors to Durango who are planning their stay. DurangoDowntown.com is a well-established business and is the only local community web site that offers comprehensive access to news, event calendars and other community information to thousands of visitors per week.
Congratulations to our local business plan winners!
Visit the following links for more information on these businesses:
http://www.durangodowntown.com/
For more information, please contact the Small Business Development Center, 1000 Rim Drive, Education Business Building, 140, Durango, CO 81301; Phone: 970-247-7009; Fax: 970-247-7205; Email: [email protected].
