WE Gather with MODERNIZATION: A 2025 Business Accelerator Series
Step into the future of entrepreneurship with 'WE Gather with MODERNIZATION’: an interactive event designed to equip local entrepreneurs with the tools, strategies, and insights needed to streamline, modernize, and scale their businesses. Explore the latest innovations, learn from hands-on demonstrations, and engage in collaborative discussions tailored to your unique needs. This event will empower you to take action, providing practical solutions and inspiration to help you work smarter, not harder. Whether you’re ready to embrace AI, refine your business systems, or explore fresh marketing ideas, you’ll leave with a clear roadmap for modernizing your business and the confidence to make it happen. What You’ll Gain: A live demo showing a creation of a GPT-powered bot Insights to identify areas of your business ready for modernization Peer feedback on pressing challenges and opportunities Fresh marketing and automation strategies Community connections with other local entrepreneurs Agenda WE Gather with MODERNIZATION 8:30 AM - Registration Opens Grab snacks and beverages, mingle with other attendees, and get ready to dive in. 9:00 AM - Welcome + What to Expect Overview of the three-hour session + Introduction to the SBDC and its services Led by Jamie Billesbach, Executive Director of the Central Mountain SBDC, Kayla Doan, Founder of Intentional Ventures and SBDC Advisor and Sam Block, SBDC Advisor and Business and Marketing Coach 9:15 AM - Interactive feedback session: Share your vote on breakout table discussion topics for the end of the event. 9:20 AM - OurStory of Modernization Hear personal journeys of how local business owners have learned to work smarter not harder. Led by Sam Block, Business & Marketing Coach. Featuring Caitlin Morin, Growth | GA4 | FCMO | Former AG1 | Endurance Athlete and Katy Blanton, Founder of Coffee by Topo and the 2025 Chaffee County Entrepreneur of the Year. 10:00 AM - Approachable AI: Live Demo Modernizing your business doesn’t mean overhauling everything—it starts with addressing the right problems. In this interactive session, AI expert Kayla Doan will share real examples of small but powerful changes that have transformed businesses without disrupting their core operations. Facilitated by Kayla Doan, Founder of Intentional Ventures 10:30 AM - Break 10:45 AM - Streamline Your Business & Stay in Your Zone of Genius: An Interactive Workshop ‘Audit’ your business systems to identify which areas could use an update and which area is your ‘zone of genius.’ Participate in a facilitated discussion to define what modernization means for your business. Group discussion to share insights and key takeaways. Additional automation implementation support is available from 1:1 advising with Sam Block. Facilitated by Sam Block, Business & Marketing Coach 11:15 AM - Breakout Discussions: Topics You Choose Participate in small group discussions on topics selected by attendees, such as: Admin & Scheduling Marketing & Social Media Customer Service & Communications Sales & Payment Processing Operations & Project Management This will be a dynamic, participant-led breakout session where you'll choose from top-voted discussion topics and connect with others at themed tables to share ideas. Conversation starters will be provided to spark engaging and insightful discussions on the topics that matter most to you! 11:55 AM - Closing & Next Steps Wrap up the event with key takeaways, final reflections, and actionable next steps to implement what you’ve learned. 12:00 PM - Networking Opportunity Stick around to connect, share insights, and build relationships with other attendees.
Speaker(s): Kayla Doan, Founder: Intentional Ventures | Fractional Head of Product, Operating in AI, B2B & B2C| Business Consultant. An expert in AI, bot development, and lean startup methodologies, she helps clients think creatively, prioritize effectively, and achieve impactful results. Katy Blanton, Founder Coffee by Topo and the 2025 Chaffee County Entrepreneur of the Year. Caitlin Morin, Growth | GA4 | FCMO | Former AG1 | Endurance Athlete. Caitlan is a software engineer who transitioned to D2C growth consulting. She maintains active interests in AI, biotech, and consumer privacy. She is driven by the potential of automation and the democratization of technology. Sam Block, Business & Marketing Coach | Central Mountain SBDC Consultant | Entrepreneur. Sam specializes in helping creative solo-preneurs clarify their messaging, build solid business foundations, and connect with their dream client.
Co-Sponsor(s): The 2025 WE Gather Accelerator Series is made possible through the generous support of our sponsors and partners: Platinum Sponsors: High Country Bank and CHFA Gold Sponsor: The Minority Business Office of Colorado Office of Economic Development + International Trade (OEDIT) Grant Funding: Freeport-McMoRan Grant and our primary grant supporters, including SBA, Chaffee County, Lake County, and Park County Collaborators: Chaffee County Public Health Nonprofit Support: Chaffee County Community Foundation Without this invaluable support, we wouldn’t be able to offer this Business Accelerator Series. Thank you for helping us empower entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders across rural Colorado!
The Colorado SBDC Network is working towards ensuring all of our web content is accessible to all users, including those with sensory, cognitive, and mobility disabilities. Please email sbdc@state.co.us or call 303-860-5881 or Schedule a phone call ONLY if you need to request reasonable accommodations to access the services we provide. Examples of accommodations include: Sign language interpretation for an event, meeting, or appointment; An assistive listening device for an in-person meeting or event; Alternative document formats (such as Braille or large print)
Fee: $ 29.00
