Spring 2025 registration is now closed. Keep an eye out for the dates for the Fall 2025 cohort!


LEADING EDGE™

Business Planning and Management Course

Business Planning and Management Course

The Colorado SBDC flagship program LEADING EDGE™ is a 12-week course (class meets once per week) designed to teach you how to start and/or grow a successful business based on an actionable business plan.

The program is a combination of in-classroom sessions, interactive learning exercises, and conversations with subject experts. By the end of the course, you will understand the aspects of running a business, use LivePlan software to write a business plan or strategy, and test your model for financial viability.

Who can participate?

Any entrepreneur can participate! Both owners of startup and existing businesses can benefit from LEADING EDGE™.

Historically, 60 percent of the participants come from existing businesses. The LEADING EDGE™ course provides specialized classes to address the needs of both startup and growing businesses.

Spring 2025 registration is now open!

Schedule

January 29 – April 16

Wednesday Evenings 6-9pm

Investment

Standard fee: $275

Each additional employee: $100

Includes the Successful Business Plan: Secrets and Strategies workbook, the Resource Guide, LivePlan software, 12 sessions of classroom time, and 3 hours of individualized consulting.

Payment is required upon registration.

SPRING 2025 Syllabus

Third-Party Scholarships Available!*

Colorado Creative Industries Scholarship Opportunity for Creative Businesses

Military Veterans please email Mandy DeCino to learn about scholarship opportunities.

*Please note, these are third-party scholarships, which you may apply for separately. SBDC is not responsible for whether or not your scholarship is awarded.

How will LEADING EDGE™ help my business?

Graduates of this program comment that writing and reviewing their business plans helped them organize their business and pointed them in the right direction. They state the upbeat, knowledgeable instructors impart expertise and instill knowledge necessary to succeed in their business ventures.

You will gain…

  • An understanding of the entrepreneurial experience and entry strategies.

  • Training on where to find appropriate marketing research information needed to set business goals.

  • An overview of the legal aspects of owning a business and dealing with employees.
  • How to determine target markets and reach these markets with the most effective marketing mix and to use this mix to meet financial goals.

  • An understanding of financial information and how it can and should be used to steer a business toward its goals.

  • How to determine exit and/or growth strategies.
  • Knowledge to put all this information together in a planning document that can be used to guide a business.

  • An opportunity to network with other small business owners and professionals.

Meet the Instructor

Joe Elliott
Joe ElliottLEADING EDGE Instructor
Joe’s broad business experience spans true entrepreneurship as well as the corporate world. Upon completion of his MBA from Colorado State University, Joe was a sales territory and merchandising technology manager for Kellogg’s; a market research and merchandising manager for ConAgra; received his Pharmacy degree from Creighton University; managed pharmacies; and, finally, launched, operated, and sold Colorado State Infusion, Inc., a company specializing in infusion therapies for cancer patients.

 

Currently, Joe’s many pursuits include managing the Grand Junction Makerspace and stepping into the Lead Facilitator role of the LEADING EDGE™ Business Planning and Management program with the SBDC at the Business Incubator Center.

“The Leading Edge brought in experts who taught us HOW to do marketing, accounting, use AI automation, hire people, and be compliant. In 11 weeks, I created a solid plan to launch my business, reach potential clients, and have enough cash flow to survive the first year. With this plan and tenacious work ethic, I met my 1-month revenue goal in my first week, and I met my 2-month goal in my fourth week.”

Kristi Redlinger, The Boring Bookkeeper

“LEADING EDGE™ is a ‘WOW’ course! It provides you with information to make your business a success and the teachers make learning fun. The course was better and a lot less expensive than many of the business courses I took in college.”

Dick Kandiko, Bloomin' Babies Birth Center

“I was looking for a “crash course” on all things business ownership to educate me on areas I wasn’t an expert in, such as finance and HR. I decided to enroll in the Business Incubator Leading Edge course. The Leading Edge course gave me the tools and foundational knowledge necessary to manage my business successfully.”

Dana Way, Rank Wise

“The LEADING EDGE™ class is a comprehensive program for small businesses. All businesses, whether just getting started or have been in business for many years, can benefit from content presented from the class instructors. The value of the small group format cannot be measured. To this day, I collaborate with the people I met at the LEADING EDGE™ class.”

Dr. Andrea Marchese, PT, DPT, LMT, CTP, Cactus Bloom Therapeutics

“I got a chance to take the LEADING EDGE course…there was so much wonderful information! The people who work here really care about supporting small businesses and making sure that we succeed.”

Sarah Fogle, Fogle Custom Homes

“I credit the LEADING EDGE™ program with giving me the solid footing and business basics to start my current business. The instructors and material have been essential in giving me a solid foundation on which to create a solid business structure. They continue to provide valuable support and direction as I continue to grow. I’m grateful I made the decision to invest my time and effort!”

Brittany Klements, Efficient Business Strategies

LEADING EDGE™ is a program of the Grand Junction Small Business Development Center (SBDC).

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