One-On-One: An interview with Lisa Hudson, director of the Eastern Colorado SBDC

Each month, BizWest asks a business leader to participate in a question and answer feature to help shed light on a business topic, an industry or add insight to a field of endeavor. This month, Lisa Hudson, director of the Eastern Colorado Small Business Development Center in Greeley, collaborated with two of her staff members, Jenn Negley and Kyla Benson to respond to BizWest’s questions.

BizWest: Agriculture, both farming/ranching as well as food processing, are primary industries in Weld County. What are you seeing with regard to these — what subcategories, for example, are growing and what are declining?

Small Business Development Center: Across our 13 counties, we have seen an increase in meat processing. Many of the meat processors who we’ve seen are single owner-operators who process wild game. COVID brought about new direct-to-consumer sales channels as farmers market vendors had to take their products online.

BW: Hemp has been of particular interest in the past couple of years. Why might that be and what sets Weld and Northern Colorado apart in that industry?

SBDC: Since the passing of the farm bill, our office has worked to open the doors to hemp businesses. This has been a struggle and historically was a business industry that SBDC’s were not able to serve. Unfortunately with COVID, this industry has slowed. Weld County had a great foundation for hemp as one of the top agricultural production counties in the nation and strong local support for ag. When hemp became legal, there was a vibrant farming community willing to try growing the new crop. Other factors that made Weld county attractive for hemp processors and hemp product businesses were its access to the Front Range, lower regulatory environment, and local/county officials willing to work with the hemp industry. The city of Greeley, through the Colorado Hemp Industries Collaborative, has made it a goal to welcome those interested in growing the hemp industry. It has worked with surrounding rural communities to help them understand the unique zoning/regulatory challenges that come with this industry. 

BW: Your agency has seen a lot of activity during the past year as it relates to COVID-19. What are the most common questions/concerns you are hearing from small businesses?

SBDC: COVID did bring a lot of new clients into our network. From both new and existing clients:

• We saw a lot of questions as it related to disaster relief funding — EIDL, PPP, GAP, local programs ( again across 13 counties), and other grants.

• We’ve had questions and concerns on how federal programs overlap with local programs and with unemployment.

• We’ve continued to see concerns for business owners trying to hire, where the hiring pool is earning more on unemployment and are less likely to return/join a business.

• We’ve had clients seeking additional support on fraud — this could be EIDL, PPP, unemployment.

• A large concern that still echoes is just “How are we going to survive this?”

BW: What new programs  — or reinvigorated programs — have come forward this past year because of COVID?

SBDC: In response to COVID:

1. We ran weekly updates in collaboration with the Startup Colorado Network to share with small business owners the changes coming down the line in relation to CARES and EAA. We provided recovery information, EIDL and PPP updates as well as other financial resources. 

2. We were able to launch and successfully run a Leading Edge for Childcare. We launched this course virtually, which allowed us to support not only our 13 counties but additional counties in Colorado. This will be programming that we will continue to build out and ideally host regularly. We look to further the program development to reach childcare businesses in various stages as well. 

3. We maintain some of our “standard” business training topics. Many of these topics were adjusted to add elements to support businesses responding to the COVID pandemic. However, we also continued to see a steady stream of individuals looking to start new businesses. Therefore we maintained start-up content too. 

For the first time ever, we will be hosting a Leading Edge for Transportation — from April 15 to June 10. This nine-week course has been successfully hosted at other Colorado SBDC centers, and we are thrilled to be bringing it to Northern Colorado. Participants will learn how subcontractors who are winning more government contracts and growing their businesses despite difficult times.

BW: What two or three things should a startup business in this region consider if it wants to get underway in today’s business climate?

SBDC: 1. Pause. Take the time to write a business plan. This will allow you time to think through elements of your business and provide you clarity

2. Truly consider your sources of funding. Startup capital is challenging to come by, not impossible, but challenging. Take time to plan to know what you need so you’re not overextending your personal financials.

3. Take advantage of the SBDC Network. We provide no-cost, confidential consulting —  https://www.coloradosbdc.org/ 

BW: What else would you like readers to know about the SBDC and the services it provides?

SBDC: At the East Colorado Small Business Development Center we are dream focused and business minded. We look forward to connecting with you as you participate in our no-cost confidential consulting or at one of our upcoming affordable training sessions.

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