Startup Colorado is a 501(c)(3) that works with rural entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders throughout the state to cultivate successful environments to start and grow businesses in the places that they call home. They have an amazing, effective approach to supporting entrepreneurs in rural places and if you are involved in this work and their Communications and Editorial Director, Margaret Hedderman, is here to tell us all about it.
About Margaret:
Before relocating to the Front Range, Margaret managed the marketing and events programs for several independent businesses and startups in Durango, CO. She specializes in developing strong community initiatives to not only support business growth, but also foster creative connections and opportunities. In 2016, she conceptualized and created the annual Women Outside Adventure Forum and Colorado Trail Days festival. She is also a writer of creative non-fiction, screenplays, and the odd bit of fiction. Margaret recently earned her MA from the University of East Anglia in England. Originally from rural New Mexico, she considers the empty, quiet places of Colorado home.
In this episode, we cover:
What an entrepreneurial ecosystem is and why it’s so complicated
The importance of partnership and trust
Why it can be helpful to emphasize regionality
How storytelling fits into rural entrepreneurial ecosystem building
How an online community can work in tandem with in-person efforts
Links + Resources Mentioned:
Startup Colorado Website: https://startupcolorado.org/
Startup Colorado Facebook: https://www.growingsmalltowns.org/post/episode99
Subscribe and Review The Growing Small Towns Show!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Growing Small Towns Show! If the information in our conversations and interviews has helped you in your small town, please click on the images below for Apple Podcasts, Stitcher or Spotify, subscribe to the show, and leave us an honest review. Your reviews and feedback will not only help us continue to deliver relevant, helpful content, but it will also help us reach even more small-town trailblazers just like you!