Business Connect January 2017

JAN 2017

MADE IN WELD:

Greeley Hat Works works on 108-yearold tradition of making it at home pg. 16

SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER

HELPS ENTREPRENEURS TURN A PROFIT pg. 24

PG. 4

BEST INSURANCE BROKER

PG. 8

BEST LANDSCAPING

PG. 12

BEST ACCOUNTING Business Connect I 1

IMPORTANT NOTICE! AS OF JANUARY 1, 2017, EVERY PERSON/COMPANY DOING BUSINESS IN THE CITY OF GREELEY IS REQUIRED TO OBTAIN A BUSINESS LICENSE. THIS LICENSE REPLACES THE CURRENT SALES TAX LICENSE WHICH IS NO LONGER VALID IN THE CITY OF GREELEY.

Business License FAQs DO I NEED A BUSINESS LICENSE? Yes. All companies conducting business in the City of Greeley are required to have a business license. This includes, but is not limited to, retail stores, restaurants, service-based companies, nonprofits, wholesalers, law firms, accounting firms, health organizations, and manufacturers.

DO I NEED A BUSINESS LICENSE IF I ALREADY HAVE A SALES TAX LICENSE? Yes. As of January 1, 2017 every company conducting business in the City of Greeley must obtain a business license.

WILL I STILL NEED A SALES TAX LICENSE? No. Any current sales tax licenses will be closed once the business license is obtained. As of December 1, 2017, all sales tax licenses will be closed and no longer considered to be a valid license in the City of Greeley.

HOW MUCH DOES THE BUSINESS LICENSE COST? There is no fee for the business license.

DOES THE BUSINESS LICENSE NEED TO BE RENEWED? Yes. The business license must be renewed every two years.

DO I HAVE TO FILE SALES/USE TAX RETURNS ONCE I GET A BUSINESS LICENSE? Yes. Depending on your type of business and estimated tax liability, you will be set up to report monthly, quarterly, annually, or occasionally.

WHY DO I HAVE TO FILE SALES/USE TAX RETURNS IF I DO NOT SELL ANYTHING OR ONLY PROVIDE A SERVICE? Companies that do not pay sales tax through retail transactions often have a use tax liability. Often, businesses purchase items for their company without paying sales tax at the time of purchase. This is

because items may have been purchased out of state, from an internet site, or the vendor simply did not collect sales tax. If this is the case, you are required to report and remit use tax on the purchase price of the untaxed items.

WHAT OCCUPATIONAL LICENSES ARE REQUIRED? Depending on your business type, additional licensing may be required.

Outdoor Vendor License – Any type of business providing food & beverages, other miscellaneous products, and/or services from an outdoor location.

Outdoor Vendor Business License Application Tree Trimming License – Any business engaged in the business of trimming, or removing trees in the City of Greeley.

Tree Trimming Business License Application Public Right of Way License – Any person or firm in charge of constructing, installing, altering or repairing, on behalf of another person, any sidewalk, curb, gutter, driveway, curb cut, street, alley or any other improvement in or under a public right-of-way, in the City of Greeley.

Public Right of Way Contractor Business License Application Pawnbroker’s – Any person, partnership, limited liability company or corporation regularly engaged in the business of making contracts for purchase or purchase transactions in the course of his or her business.

Pawnbroker License Pawnbroker Managers Certificate Private Security Services – Any firm or corporation, including its employees and agents, engaged in the business of providing protection to third persons, firms or corporations, and/or their property and preserving the peace and conduct of any business in the City, but does not mean persons who are employed to provide unarmed internal security for their employer’s business Private Security Service Private Security Guard

City of Greeley

970-350-9733 • Email: greeleysalestax@greeleygov.com www.greeleygov.com/government/finance/business

State of Colorado 303-238-SERV (7378) • www.colorado.gov/pacific/tax Greeley Finance | Sales Tax 1000 10th Street, Greeley, CO 80631 • Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

970-350-9733 tel • 970-350-9736 fax • greeleysalestax@greeleygov.com

FEATURES PG. 16

MADE IN WELD:

Greeley Hat Works works on 108-year-old tradition of making it at home & more.

PG. 24

SMALL BUSINESS CENTER

helps entrepreneurs turn a proft.

PG. 4

PG. 12

Flood and Peterson Insurance

Vicki Sears - Anderson and Whitney

Best Insurance Broker

Best Accountant

PG. 8

PG. 28

Alpine Gardens

See some of the most notable professionals in Weld County.

Best Landscaper

PUBLISHER Bryce Jacobson EDITOR Randy Bangert CREATIVE MANAGER Kyle Knoop BUSINESS MANAGER Doug Binder MANAGING EDITOR Sharon Dunn ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

Bruce Dennis

Business Briefs

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Darian Armer Luanna Kadlub Emily Kemme Trevor Reid

SALES MANAGER Stephanie Mighell CREATIVE SUPERVISOR Amy Mayer LEAD DESIGNER Jeremiah Corder

BUSINESS CONNECT 501 8th Avenue, Greeley, CO 80631 P.O. Box 1690 For all editorial, advertising, subscription and circulation inquiries, call (970) 352-0211.

Send editorial-related comments and story ideas to: rbangert@greeleytribune.com For display advertising inquiries, contact: bdennis@greeleytribune.com 2017, January, Issue 1 Published by: Greeley Publishing Co., publisher of The Greeley Tribune, Windsor Now, the Fence Post, Tri-State Livestock News, and Energy Pipeline

JANUARY 2017 | Business Connect I 3

WINNER

BEST INSURANCE BROKER

The Flood and Peterson office located in West Greeley

Flood and Peterson Insurance »Flood and Peterson Insurance | http://floodpeterson.com Greeley: (970) 356-0123 | Fort Collins: (970) 266-8710

By DARIAN ARMER For Business Connect

W

hile Flood and Peterson may be one of the largest privately held insurance brokers in the Rocky Mountain region, its commitment to its clients ensures even the smallest client always feels valued.

In operation since 1939, Flood and Peterson provides guidance and expertise in commercial lines, employee benefits, surety, captives and home, life and auto insurance.

4 I Business Connect | JANUARY 2017

“Since our inception in 1939, providing our employees with a great place to work and stewarding our community have been two of our core values,” said Royal Lovell, chairman and CEO. “We are also a full service insurance broker known for integrity, responsiveness, collaboration and an unmatched client experience,” Lovell continued. “The combination of our employees, industry

expertise and strong insurance carrier relationships ensures that our clients receive best in class coverage and service.”

Not only do they offer a wide variety of services, they offer those services in a large variety of specialized industries, including: Agribusiness, aviation, construction, education, energy, financial services, healthcare, hospitality and gaming, manufacturing, nonprofit, public sector, real estate, technology and transportation.

- Royal Lovell Flood and Peterson operates a five-step model that begins with a producer with strong business expertise. Producers work with clients to assess current and past exposures, needs and goals. Flood and Peterson then uses an entire team of experts to align the company’s solutions with a client’s goals. The producer and service team then ensure the plan and services are executed in an efficient, timely and effective manner. Producers than proactively reach out to review clients’ outcomes and business changes and make adjustments as needed.

Flood and Peterson’s growth since 1939 has led them to expand with offices in Fort Collins and Denver as well, but the company remains committed to its Greeley roots.

“Our organization was founded in Greeley and our corporate headquarters remain here today,” said Lovell. “With that being said, Flood and Peterson is closely tied and committed to the Greeley and Weld County communities in which our employees live and work. Giving back to the community isn’t simply something we do, it is a foundation of who we are.”

Flood and Peterson supports a wide variety of nonprofit, civic and trade associations through leadership, time, in-kind services and financial support. Forty five percent of Flood and Peterson’s team members serve on a board in the community and 70 percent are

involved in volunteer activities.

“Since Flood and Peterson’s founding it is our company goal to uphold and execute our corporate values through every client and community interaction,” Lovell said.

“Our mission statement remains at the center of how we do business and assist our clients today. Flood and Peterson’s business philosophy is simple: Develop long-term relationships built on trust and provide the most cost effective risk management programs for our clients.

“The trust earned from our client partners is Flood and Peterson’s greatest asset.”

“We are also a full service insurance broker known for integrity, responsiveness, collaboration and an unmatched client experience.”

Royal Lovell, Chairman and CEO

Brett Kemp, President

JANUARY 2017 | Business Connect I 5

RUNNER UP:

RICH & CARTMILL INSURANCE OF COLORADO https://www.rcins-co.com (970) 356-8030 8213 West 20th Street Greeley, CO 80634 Mike Schmitt, a founding member of Rich & Cartmill Insurance of Colorado, says the company’s slogan pretty much sums up the way they treat each of their clients. “’People depend on us,’ is our slogan and we operate every day and with every client that way,” said Schmitt. “We find that whether a client is big or small, everyone is important and so is taking care of their livelihood.”

Rich & Cartmill Insurance of Colorado offers standard insurance coverage for property, general liability, commercial auto, workers’ compensation and umbrella policies.

Specialty coverage services include directors and officer liability, employment practices

It’s more than storage.

It’s your life.™

liability, excess liability and errors and omissions, among other offers.

“Greeley and Weld County have people that care so much about their community and those in it,” said Schmitt. “It’s easy to create a bond between people and business when philanthropy is such a big part of the community and everyone is so willing to help.

We enjoy being a part of it all.”

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6 I Business Connect | JANUARY 2017

2118 35TH AVE | GREELEY | 970.673.8774 • thegrillatwestlake.com

Rich & Cartmill Insurance of Colorado is a Professional Insurance Service Broker committed to analyzing individual businesses needs thus allowing them to reduce the overall total cost of risk and insurance.

“Mike Schmitt and the Rich & Cartmill team has represented the insurance needs of Columbine Health Systems for over seventeen years. We believe their expertise and commitment makes them stand out amongst their competitors. Mike and his team have established a valuable relationship with us and are trusted consultants to both our leadership and profession.”

- Bob Wilson, Columbine Health Systems “Donna Birleffi and The Rich and Cartmill of Colorado team have been great to work with – something you would not typically say about your insurance agent/broker. Regardless of the time of day/week or the insurance issue, Rich and Cartmill’s professional staff are always responsive.”

- Paul Nilles, Finance Director, Town of Superior “For over 18 years, Mike Schmitt and the team at Rich and Cartmill of Colorado has provided North Range Behavioral Health with dependable, cost-effective, and comprehensive insurance coverage. We know they are invested in our success and the work we do in our community. They have worked with us to minimize our premiums while maximizing our coverage, always mindful that our first budget priority is to provide services to people facing behavioral health challenges.”

- Larry Pottorff, Executive Director, North Range Behavioral Health

Rich & Cartmill Insurance of Colorado Mike Schmitt, CIC • 8213 W 20th St. Greeley (970) 356-8030 • www.rcins-co.com

WINNER

BEST LANDSCAPER

Here is the Aims Community College College Center, adorned with some of Alpine Gardens’ handiwork.

Alpine Gardens » Alpine Gardens | alpinelandscaping.com Greeley Shop: (970) 506-2727 | Fort Collins Shop: (970) 226-2296

By EMILY KEMME For Business Connect

L

andscaping may well be one of the largest expenditures facing businesses and homeowners.

It pays to hire a firm with years of experience to create a design with outstanding curb appeal. It’s worth it to establish a working relationship with a firm that can take a project from idea to reality. You’ll benefit not only from an experienced firm’s artisanship, but also from their knowledge of the mundane — municipal and zoning codes, budgeting and how to choose perfect vegetation 8 I Business Connect | JANUARY 2017

that’s guaranteed to weather well, season after season. Landscaping is an investment in your surroundings, a way to enhance your well-being.

Alpine Gardens, a commercial and residential landscaping company, has maintained a steady presence in Greeley since 1978. It divides its employees between shops located in Greeley off 71st Avenue and O Street and in Fort Collins at Fossil Creek Nursery.

The family-owned business has a goal to create landscapes handcrafted for life. Nate

Fetig, son of Jack and Chris Fetig, says one RUNNER UP: major factor setting the company apart is All Terrain Landscaping that their employees are skilled craftsmen. atpslandscaping.com “Customers also know we’re not going (970) 304-1183 to disappear; they know we take care of the installed All Terrain product over its Landscaping lifetime.” Fetig in Greeley enjoys returning provides yearyears later to an round services Alpine Gardens including installation, landscape seeing how it’s design, matured over maintenance, time. planting services While offering for HOA’s and pretty much residences, snow The Yeater brothers of All Terrain Landscaping everything removal and under the holiday lighting sun, says Fetig, with each project having a displays. Owned by the Yeater brothers, different focus, installations often have water Josh Yeater believes the company stands out features, fountains, and flagstone patios and because they take pride in their work and can walkways. Beginning with landscape design draw on reliable resources. and hardscape installation, projects reflect He also understands the old adage: the personality of the home or business reputations take years to make and seconds owner. Look for visionary outcroppings with to lose. “I want to hold my head high in the unique plantings, lighting design, pergolas town I live in,” says Yeater. and special spots to watch beautiful Colorado All Terrain’s signature style is their solid sunsets. Is cooking and grilling your passion? reputation for hardscapes; their installation Alpine Gardens has reliable experience manager has attained master level creating fire pits and outdoor kitchens. Lawn certification for retaining walls and patios. installation, irrigation services, annual and The company has noticed a resurgence of bulb planting and xeriscape gardens are all water features, with bigger, more elaborate possibilities. No job is too small, including installations. yard maintenance, tree and shrub pruning Commercial projects include the Foothills and weeding.

Mall in Fort Collins, the Fort Collins Housing Completed commercial projects include Authority, and Bonell Good Samaritan in greenbelts for subdivisions across the Front downtown Greeley and Fox Run. Their Range, a collection of work at North handiwork and design can also be found Colorado Medical Center, including the at Life Care Center, Kenton Manor and zen-like Cancer Garden, and the remodel Fairway 4 in Greeley. of the college center at Aims Community During winter months, crews install College. Installations also include those used hardscapes, retaining walls and other community wide: the practice football field stonework. It’s also time to plan for warmer and District 6 soccer field at Northridge High days. Design and bid phases for 2017 projects School in West Greeley are part of Alpine are ongoing. If landscaping is on your to-do Gardens’ handiwork. list of chores this year, it’s time to get in touch Customers appreciate their design-build with one of these reliable and recognized process because it locks down price, design Greeley landscaping firms. and allows for hands-on quality control.

JANUARY 2017 | Business Connect I 9

P.O. Box 1290 | Greeley, Colorado 80632-1290 1.970.356.9600 | www.bigrbridge.com

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

Greeley’s Big R Bridge Brings

Innovation & Value to America’s Infrastructure

W

BY EM ILY KEM M E

hen contemplating bridge solutions, there’s a tendency for customers to get bogged down by preconceptions of which products they think they need. Rick Sauer of Big R Bridge thinks the better tact is to “first listen to our customers, and then work together to solve their problems. We want to sell the problem that we solve, not the product”.

Their top line, Signature Bridges, makes an architectural statement that highlights a community’s personality. Additional product lines encompass custom-designed pedestrian walkways, strong vehicle bridges with longer spans, buried structural plate bridges, Mechanically Stabilized Earth walls alongside highways, and innovative sound wall systems. There is an attractive, functional design to fit every need.

The Vice President of Sales & Marketing believes that philosophy has served the company well over its 45+ years in business. Averaging 300 new bridge projects a year, and with over 10,000 installations to date, the Greeley-based prefabricated bridge solutions manufacturer aims to provide innovative ideas at competitive prices.

The company serves the transportation, railroad, mining, forestry and environmental sectors, with many LEED-certifiable products. Innovation is notable in products with customized LED lighting, and buried bridges constructed of galvanized structural steel plate, a heavier, more durable material for carrying traffic loads. Environmentally conscious projects like fish passages use an open bottomless arch so Pacific Northwest Salmon can continue their migration unfettered. Look for Big R Bridges in sports venues, alongside highways, and beautifying communities, parks and recreational facilities across America.

Beginning from that bedrock, the team combines design, engineering, fabrication, and delivery to the project site as one integrated whole. Utilizing cost effective “design-build solutions,” Big R Bridge eliminates the extra steps, shortening the delivery schedule, thus saving time and money. Lightweight and strong, only U.S. produced steel is used in fabrication.

With facilities strategically placed in Colorado, Virginia and Texas, shipping distances and costs are lessened. The bridge solution arrives in pre-assembled sections, only requiring installation by the local general contractor using onsite equipment.

Sauer notes that bridge building is a very sustainable industry. Of the approximate 800,000 bridges in the national bridge registry, 10% are deficient, requiring repair or replacement. The company’s 300 employees work cohesively to provide engineering, design, sales and fabrication elements. Big R Bridge is seeking to grow through acquisition of complimentary industries.

WINNER

BEST ACCOUNTANT

Vicki Sears, voted best accountant in Greeley, is at work at her office at Anderson & Whitney in Greeley.

Vicki Sears –

Anderson and Whitney » Vicki Sears | Anderson and Whitney | awhitney.com Greeley, CO | (970) 352-7990

By DARIAN ARMER For Business Connect

V

icki Sears is a Greeley native. So are her parents. You could say her roots run deep in the Greeley community.

Those roots have resulted in a lifestyle based on community service for Sears, whose dedication to her community is just as strong as her dedication to her clients through her work as a Certified Public Accountant and consultant at Anderson and Whitney CPAs. Sears does a lot of work with small businesses in the area and feels this is a place she can really make a difference.

“It’s a personal touch I bring to these small businesses,” said Sears. “They can’t always afford to have a controller of their own so I go in and act as theirs.”

12 I Business Connect | JANUARY 2017

Sears is the shareholder in charge of the business services division, providing small businesses with monthly accounting, payroll, sales tax reporting, tax planning and tax preparation. Her niche markets include medical practices, surgery centers, real estate developers and dairies.

Sears says the favorite part about her work is the opportunity to work with so many different varieties of businesses.

Accounting has become a career Sears loves, but she wasn’t always set on becoming an accountant. She said she began working at a bank while she pursued a business degree when a friend said she should give accounting a try.

“I loved it,” said Sears.

And it seems Anderson and Whitney was RUNNER UP: the perfect match for Sears.

Mike Kunisch - Quick Cash and Tax “Our founding partner Ken Whitney (970) 353-1155 was big on community involvement and 2607 W 10th St, Greeley, CO 80634 that every employee participate in something in Quick Cash and Tax, the community,” Sears said. owned by Mike and Cindy “It’s a real family approach Kunisch, began in 1991 and here. With an emphasis on has remained a local tax and balance between work and accounting practice offering family.” hometown quality service Professionally, Sears is ever since. a part of the American They offer income Institute of Certified Public tax, payroll, accounting, Accountants, the Colorado bookkeeping, advisory Society of Certified Public and notary services, and Accountants and a seminar even have a bilingual staff speaker. to accommodate all their As for community clients. They provide full involvement, she is the assistance dealing with president of the Aims government agencies all Community College year long at no extra charge.

Foundation, and has been Vicki Sears of Anderson and Whitney They also have the ability or is involved in Women to to prepare returns for every Women, the Greeley Chamber of Commerce state and any year necessary.

Board, the United Way Fund Allocation Mike Kunisch is a Colorado native who Committee, the Union Colony Civic Center has lived in the Greeley area for more Advisory Board and the Convention and than 30 years. Coming from a family of Visitor’s Bureau. accountants, he received his degree in And it seems the community appreciates Business Management then opened Quick Sears as well. Someone nominating Sears Cash and Tax. for Best “Mike Accountant has been described her in business as smart and for 25 years sincere. in Greeley, Anderson providing and Whitney fantastic CPAs serve service at a - Vicki Sears Greeley, reasonable Fort Collins, price,” a person nominating him for Best Loveland and Northern Colorado, plus Accountant said of Kunisch. “His office Cheyenne and Southern Wyoming. is kid-friendly and welcomes people of all While Anderson and Whitney has grown economic backgrounds. He really cares for to provide service to a large range of his clientele.” locations, Sears said there is no place else she’d rather be than Greeley.

“The growth of the area is exciting,” she said. “We can see an impact on our business because of the growth. Greeley in general is getting more and more exciting.”

“It’s a personal touch I bring to these small businesses.”

JANUARY 2017 | Business Connect I 13

www.WildAnimalSanctuary.org

New 48,000 square foot conference and meeting space with fully equipped event commissary.

Our facility is the ultimate venue to create a small or large gathering for your special celebration!

Whether you are having a meeting, wedding, reunion, or other special events, our new welcome center is a unique place to meet, eat and celebrate, as well as offers a life-changing wildlife experience for everyone attending your event.

Contact Us Today to Book Your Event!

303.536.0118 information@wildlife-sanctuary.org

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

T

he hallmark of a responsible non-profit is figuring out sustainability. Pat Craig, Executive Director of The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg, has got it down to a science.

To be sure, the main draw of TWAS is 450 large carnivores — rescued lions, tigers, bears, cougars, mountain lions and wolves, to name a few species — living on 720 acres of natural grassland. But simply attracting visitors isn’t enough.

While Craig continues to seek creative methods for donors through animal adoption and more, a brand new Welcome Center enhances visitors’ experience. Enjoy the Lion’s Den Cafe, a hand-dipped ice cream shop, a Commissary for catered events and several event spaces over 5,000 square feet each. There is a gift shop, but the crown jewel is a large, second level outdoor observation deck.

Wild,” an elevated walkway totaling 1.51 miles one way. In October 2016, Guinness World Records named it the World’s Longest Footbridge.

“Visitors can walk over dozens of natural habitats where rescued and rehabilitated carnivores have been released to live and roam freely,” he notes.

The Welcome Center complex has space to host business meetings, retreats, family reunions, weddings and can accommodate events ranging from an intimate 20 people up to 1,000.

Custom planning and pricing is available, from $500 to $5,000. Hire your own caterer or take advantage of the on-site restaurant to feed your guests.

Craig is pleased the new Center supports TWAS’s mission to rescue captive large exotic animals who have been abused, illegally kept Two chefs at the restaurant prepare counter or exploited for entertainment and other uses. service offerings of pasta, soup, pizza, grilled The goal is to create a wonderful life for these selections, a salad bar and vegetarian and veg- victimized animals while educating the puban choices. Don’t expect a lot of kitsch and an- lic about captive wildlife and the illicit animal trade. TWAS hopes to create a better future for imal-themed dishes, although if you’re up for a culinary adventure you can try the Grizzly neglected and exploited animals. Established in Mauler, a giant pizza loaded with meat and sau- 1980, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit is a state and federally licensed zoological facility with 67 large erkraut. habitats and room to grow on the Colorado plains.

Visitors can walk over dozens of natural habitats

where rescued and rehabilitated carnivores have been released to live and roam freely.

During warmer months guests can take their meals outdoors on picnic tables under the domed tent-like canopy in the central common area.

There is also limited seating inside the Lion’s Den. All four buildings within the complex have rooftop seating and there is space for working luncheons in the meeting room area.

Craig believes the main attraction of the new facility is its integration with the “Mile Into The

Come visit these majestic animals living in natural surroundings.

The Wild Animal Sanctuary has become a must-experience destination on the Front Range. Change animal lives forever by holding your next event there.

Plan your next adventure at The Wild Animal Sanctuary: Visit wildanimalsanctuary.org Phone: 303-536-0118 1946 County Road 53, Keenesburg, CO 80643

MADE IN WE

Greeley Hat Works works o tradition of making it at hom

By LUANNE KADLUB For Business Connect

Photos by Josh Polson

16 I Business Connect | JANUARY 2017

W

hen Trent Johnson purchased Greeley Hat Works in 1996, he understood the importance of keeping the name and brand alive. “I didn’t want to disappoint any of those owners before me,” he said.

At the rate he’s going, there’s no chance that will ever happen.

Greeley Hat Works, founded in 1909 as The Shining Parlor, now turns out as many as 4,000 hand-built hats annually for 75 stores in the United States and 12 stores interna-

ELD:

s on 108-year-old ome tionally. Greeley and Weld County, however, remain what Johnson calls his “bread and butter.” He added, “People who keep Weld County viable – those are my people.”

It all happens from a 5,000-square-foot building on south 8th Avenue near the intersection of U.S. 34 and U.S. 85, a location that’s proved convenient for customers who often drive trucks and haul trailers, Johnson said.

Although the business has undergone several name changes and owners, much has stayed the same throughout the years.

That became all so clear one summer day when a group of women came into the store and inhaled deeply, Johnson said. Curious as to who they were and “what stinks,” he asked if they needed help. Turns out they were granddaughters of Ben Martin, one of the previous owners of the business. And, they told him, the store “still smells the same.” In a good way.

Even though the business is in a different location, the smell can be attributed to the fact that Johnson uses the same machinery and techniques for making hats that were

Business Connect I 17

used by all of his predecessors. Custom hats begin with a conformateur, a machine patented in 1843 that looks like a metal hat that is used to get the precise measurement of a customer’s head. The newest piece of equipment is a 1950s finger blocker, which forms every hat. Sweat bands are sewn in with a 1920s sewing machine.

“What goes into making a hat? Besides heart and soul?” asks Johnson.

“A lot of work. Some of the big companies turn out 15 dozen hats a day.

We build 15 to 20 hats a day.” A custom felt hat made from precise head measurements taken in store or at the numerous trunk shows and events Johnson attends around the world every year can take from six to eight hours to build. A stock hat, on the other hand, takes four to six hours.

Although Greeley Hat Works is best known for its Western hats, the company makes all styles of hats for men and women – including presidents. “If you can dream it, Greeley Hat Works can build it,” said Johnson, who owns three Western hats and one fedora.

Greeley Hat Works’ reputation for quality hats is far and wide, and Johnson is no longer surprised to find customers wherever he goes.

At a Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame event, for example, he was approached by a participant who was aware that Johnson was a “hat guy.”

He asked to try on Johnson’s hat and it fit him so well he asked to buy it. Johnson left the event hatless.

And then there’s Johnson’s longtime friend Justin Doscheff, a partner in Doscheff Dairy Farm in Longmont, who owns up to having at least 10 Greeley Hat Works hats, all Western in style. “I like them. They fit like an old pair of boots or a good pair of gloves.”

Doscheff has known Johnson since college and said that even back then he knew his friend would be a smart and successful businessman.

“I’m not willing to sacrifice quality and customer service to grow really big really 18 I Business Connect | JANUARY 2017

fast,” Johnson said. “I have a waiting list of businesses that want to carry our hats. I want to make sure I can handle the growth, the number of shows and how long I’m gone from the store.”

Greeley Hat Works has expanded its product line and now carries T-shirts, which Johnson helps design, leather goods and accessories.

Johnson said owning the business is like a double-edge sword.

“It’s the monster that I have to keep feeding on one hand, and on the other I have a great team that I work with.”

He has eight full-time employees and a couple part-timers. “My team is so solid that they’ve pushed me into R & D working with retailers around the world.” He still manages to “touch” at least 75 percent of the hats that leave the business, however.

The biggest challenge in running the business, he said, is cash flow. “I’ve been with the same bank forever and they are really good in that they don’t just loan me money or tell me no. They really taught me a lot about business.”

But finding that balance between work and family – wife Melissa, and three children, Colton, Camryn and Collins – is another challenge. “I’m the guy who drives home slow and the guy who gets a speeding ticket in the morning because I’m so pumped to get to work.”

Johnson said coming years will be more of the same for Greeley Hat Works: manageable growth, consistent quality and customer service with a few new designs thrown in for good measure. “And a lot of fun. That’s why we do this.”

Speaking of fun, he had plenty of fun recently while on the set of “Wind River,” a new movie written and directed by Taylor Sheridan that was released in January. The movie stars Jeremy Renner, Elizabeth Olsen and Jon Bernthal – and hats by Greeley Hat Works.

MADE IN WELD: Weld County’s manufacturers WELD COUNTY MANUFACTURING Following is a sampling of Weld County’s niche manufacturing base, home-grown and newcomers.

A-1 ORGANICS

Location: 16350 Weld County Road 76, Eaton Phone: (970) 454-3492 President and owner: Chuck Wilson Website: www.a1organics.com Chuck Wilson started A1 Organics 38 years ago in Eaton, where the business remains today. As an organic recycler, A1 has diverted more than 8 million cubic-yards of waste from Colorado landfills. The company of 50 employees in Eaton alone makes composts, mulches and other recycled materials available to the landscape industry and Colorado residents. The company opened an office in Las Vegas seven years ago and is researching the potential of establishing a market in Phoenix.

ALEXA’S ANGELS, INC.

Location: 621 Innovation Circle, Windsor Phone: (970) 686-7247 Owner: Beth Lang, CEO and founder Website: www.alexas-angels.com Creates jewelry meant to inspire heartfelt emotions and nurture a sense of well-being in women of all ages. Alexa’s Angels received recognition as one of Colorado’s Top 50 Businesses to Watch in 2010, and for the next two years was selected for Inc. magazine’s list of the 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in the nation. It got its start in 1995, and now sells its products in gift shops across the country.

BROKEN PLOW BREWERY

Location: 4731 10th St. Greeley Phone: (970) 301-4575 Owner: Randy and Regan Waddle Website: www.brokenplowbrewery.com Formerly Weld County farmers of 30 years, the Waddles opened their brewery in west Greeley in 2013. They brew their own craft beer on site, using some locally-grown products, and they now have 11 beers on the menu in their tap room, honed from 30 years of home-brewing trial and error.

BURRIS OPTICS CO.

Location: 920 54th Ave., Greeley Phone: (970) 356-1670 Website: www.burrisoptics.com Started in Greeley in 1971, the company builds sports optics, rifle scopes, binoculars and spotting scopes, distributing them throughout the world. Besides low-lighting technology, the company launched the world’s first titanium rifle scope and produced a variable-power handgun scope.

BURROWS ENTERPRISES, INC.

Location: 2024 E. 8th St., Greeley Phone: (970) 353-3769 Website: www.rotogrind.com Burrows Enterprises has been designing and manufacturing agriculture equipment and products since 1977. Its largest line is the Roto Grind Tub Grinder. This machine, designed and patented by Harvey Burrows, is now one of the top-selling tub grinder in North America, according to its website.

COLORADO PREMIUM FOODS

Location: 2035 2nd Ave., Greeley Phone: (970) 313-4400 Website: www.coloradopremium.com Makes corned beef, trims and packages steaks for restaurants. The company moved to Greeley from Denver in 2006 and is run by former Monfort meat-packing executives.

JANUARY 2017 | Business Connect I 19

CRABTREE BREWING CO.

Location: 2961 29th St., Greeley Phone: (970) 356-0516 Owners: Jeff and Stephanie Crabtree Website: www.crabtreebrewing.com Starting on a shoestring budget in 2006, the Crabtrees have turned what was once a garage hobby into a thriving business with 10 employees. They opened a new tasting room and brewery in 2012 in southwest Greeley. Of the 38 beers in its portfolio, 10 are on tap in their tasting room, and eight are commercially sold throughout Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri. Last year, Crabtree also began shipping kegs of beer to Japan.

DVM SYSTEMS

Location: 3115 35th Ave., Greeley Phone: (970) 506-4044 Owners: Kevin Wild, Wade Webster, Scott

Asnicar, Rob Stanley Website: www.dvmsystems.com DVM Systems has created a software-based capsule that reads a cow’s internal temperature to detect the beginnings of illness. Early detection of oncoming illness, before it becomes clinical, is expected to save the massive global dairy industry millions in lost production. In the company’s first three years, the system already had gone worldwide.

DISTORTIONS, UNLIMITED

Location: 517 13th St., Greeley Phone: (970) 351-0100 Owner: Ed Edmunds Website: www.distortionsonline.com Ed and his wife Marsha have been making monsters in Greeley since 1978, fueling the Halloween or “haunt” industry with masks, bodies and animatronics. He and his team are now even featured on the Travel Channel’s “Making Monsters.”

ENVIROTECH SERVICES

Location: 910 54th Ave., Suite 230, Greeley Phone: (970) 346-3900 Owner: Roger Knoph Website: http://envirotechservices.com/ Envirotech Services, Inc. has provided deicing, anti-icing, dust control, soil stabiliza20 I Business Connect | JANUARY 2017

tion, and erosion control products and services throughout the United States and Canada since 1989.

GREELEY HATWORKS

Location: 2613 8th Ave., Greeley Phone: (888) 367-2428 Owner: Trent Johnson Website: www.greeleyhatworks.com Johnson and his team make custom felt and straw hats and do hat renovations. His hats have sold throughout the world, two of which even adorn the head of former President George Bush. He took over the now 108-yearold company out of college in 1996 and hasn’t looked back. His hats and designs have been featured in a high fashion clothing line, and today can be found as far away as Japan and Australia.

HARSH INTERNATIONAL

Location: 600 Oak Ave., Eaton Phone: (970) 454-2291 Website: http://www.harshenviro.com Established in 1948, Harsh’s team began designing and producing a first of its kind truck hoist industry that changed and greatly improved the way things were done. Today, Harsh manufactures a wide variety of product lines sold throughout the world including hydraulic truck hoists, feedlot and dairy mixers, manure spreaders, roller and flaker mills to satellite antennas, specialized electronic weighing systems and environmental improvement products.

KAYLOR OF COLORADO

Location: 237 22nd St., Greeley Phone: (970) 392-0370 Owner: Darrell Kaylor Website: http://www.kaylorofcolorado.com The Kaylors manufacture small animal food and bird seed under the brand names of Sweet Harvest, McBride’s, and Rainforest Exotics.

Kaylor of Colorado has been manufacturing ultra-premium nutritional products for pets since 1976. Their 19-year-old Greeley plant help the company distribute its products throughout the country, with its largest market being California. The family moved to Greeley

from California in 1996 to be more central to their market.

NOFFSINGER MANUFACTURING

Location: 500 6th Ave., Greeley Phone: (970) 352-0463 Website: http://noffsingermfg.com Produce agricultural conveyor chain, along with related rollers, cones and drive sprockets.

REUSCHE AND CO., OF TWS INC.

Location: 1299 H St., Greeley Phone: (970) 346-8577 Owner: Jon Rarick Website: Reusche manufactures inorganic pigments for glass and porcelain for distribution across the country and the globe. Rarick, a Colorado native, was recruited by Weld County economic development leaders in 1996 to locate his business at the Weld County Business Park.

He has seven employees, and he plans to stay.

Rarick bought the company in 1988 in New Jersey and commuted for eight years before relocating it to Greeley.

SYNTAX SPIRITS

Location: 625 3rd St., Greeley Phone: (970) 352-5466 Owners: Heather Bean and Jeff Copeland Website: www.syntaxspirits.com This Fort Collins couple started their vodka distillery in 2010 in downtown Greeley, serving up cocktails and bottling their brands. When they opened, they hoped to start out by selling 2,000 cases a year, with an eventual increase to 5,000-8,000 cases a year. Now, they’re sold in several liquor stores across Colorado and continue to grow. In February, the distillery brought home a Good Food Award in the spirits category for its Powder White Rum, chosen from among hundreds of entrants across the country.

UQM TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Location: 4120 Specialty Place, Longmont Phone: (303) 682-4900 Website: www.uqm.com UQM Technologies is a developer and manufacturer of power-dense, high-efficiency electric motors, generators, power electronic controllers and fuel cell compressors for the commercial truck, bus, automotive, marine, military and industrial markets. A major emphasis for UQM is developing propulsion systems for electric, hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid electric and fuel cell electric vehicles.

UQM is TS 16949 and ISO 14001 certified.

WILD CALLING PET FOODS

Location: 11407 W. 24th St., Greeley Phone: (855) 628-7387 Owner: Tim Petersen Website: www.wildcalling.com Petersen and his children, Jeremy and Trevar have been working together since 2012 to become a nationwide distributor of natural, holistic and organic pet foods. Petersen created the Wild Calling pet food brand of wet cat and dog food. A convergence of dietary science and natural food found in the wild is the concept the developed to describe what makes Wild Calling unique.

WILEY ROOTS BREWING

Location: 625 3rd St., Unit D., Greeley Phone: (970) 515-7315 Owners: Kyle and Miranda Carbaugh Website: http://www.wileyroots.com The young couple who grew up in Weld County have been brewing beer in their garage and planning for three years to open their own brewery. This very small brewery was awarded Gold and Bronze medals at the Great American Beer Festival in 2015 and 2013. Wiley Roots Brewing Company opened in summer 2013.

JANUARY 2017 | Business Connect I 21

Making Dreams Come True for Over 30 Years...

Richard Warkentin President

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Custom Homes New Construction Remodels Commercial No Job Too Small!

Call us today to make your appointment (970) 397-5129

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Warkentin Construction Imprints A Distinctive Mark on Weld Custom Homes

BY EMILY KEMME

Since 1984, Warkentin Construction has made a mark on Greeley and the surrounding area with quality custom designed and built homes. With approximately 600 completed homes to its credit, distinctive Warkentin homes can be found in Covington Knolls, Fox Hill, Villa Serena and Mountain Vista East, as well as Loveland and Windsor.

Company President, Dick Warkentin, began designing homes during high school and continues to come up with innovative, comfortable living spaces to fit every stage of life. His signature style includes gabled rooflines, soaring cathedral ceilings, spacious kitchens, individualized finishes and oversized windows to let Colorado sunshine stream into your new home.

Working with a team of skilled craftsmen, your dream home is within reach.

Warkentin says customers’ dreams have changed over the last twenty years. Many of the patio-style homes he used to build were all brick — “it was the style of ‘forever home’ people envisioned,” he notes. Part of that concept included fenced yards for extra privacy, instead of those built around open spaces. “The houses were smaller, but even so, a yard for a pet and peaceful surroundings have remained important.”

In 2016, his business is a balance of new construction, major kitchen remodels and basement finishes for people whose homes he built over the years. Small commercial jobs are also in demand. The remodeling side of construction is profitable for both builder and home owner. “If you like the house you’re in, chances are the dollars you invest in a remake now are those you’ll see on resale later,” Warkentin advises.

And overall, it’ll be less expensive than building new.

The area’s population growth has brought rising prices on land, new water taps and building permits. Recent city codes and regulations make new construction a more expensive investment, and build time spent in new construction is longer.

Homebuilding and remodeling in Northern Colorado are booming. Warkentin believes building in the Greeley area is a more cost effective choice than in other Front Range cities. One reason is that water is included in the price of the lot. He believes the Greeley area continues to be a great place to live. With a reasonably priced lifestyle, and slower paced life, the beauty of the Front Range is at your doorstep.

For more information, contact Dick Warkentin.

970-397-5129.

“His signature style includes gabled rooflines, soaring cathedral ceilings, spacious kitchens, individualized finishes and oversized windows to let Colorado sunshine stream into your new home.”

SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER helps entrepreneurs turn a profit

By TREVOR REID For Business Connect

W

24 I Business Connect | JANUARY 2017

hen Greeley brewer Rick Powers set out to start up the Rocky Mountain Tap House in Greeley 2015, he didn’t immediately know where to turn.

“I started by clawing and scratching and learning everything I could with tours across the country, and locally of course, networking with the business owners, restaurant owners and breweries,” Powers said.

After hiring California-based consulting firm Growthink, Powers had a business plan and training. But when his business partner had to step away from the project, he had to scale things down. That’s when he turned to the East Colorado Small Business Development Center.

Powers’ as of January was still working to open his tap house in the St. Michael’s Town Square in West Greeley.

Dedicated to help both new and existing businesses prosper, the SBDC offers one-onone business consulting and training.

“You can go in there with your idea and start from scratch with them, and you’ve got this wealth of information at your fingertips,” Powers said. The taphouse is located at 3050 67th Ave., Suite 103, in St. Michael’s Town Square.

The new executive director of the East Colorado SBDC, Lisa Hudson, explained that the center helps entrepreneurs tackle the operational aspects of owning a business.

“A lot of people who come and they want explained. to start their own business are excellent at Since consulting with the SBDC, Powers whatever trait that they has received help with do or craft that they do, advertising, equipment but owning your business lists, inventories, has another side to it,” training documentation, Hudson said. development of the staff, One of the first things menu planning, kitchen the SBDC encourages design and more. small business owners to “There’s not a lot that do is to write a business they haven’t had a hand in plan or a strategic plan to help me,” he said. that lays out how they When he heard two will run their businesses friends of his were to meet their financial starting their own projections. businesses, he immediately “That way they can be recommended the a proactive entrepreneur SBDC. Powers said the rather than a reactive most important trait to entrepreneur,” Hudson starting a small business is explained. persistence.

Lisa Hudson, Director of SBDC The daughter of an “First and foremost, entrepreneur, Hudson said she’s always hold onto your dream,” he said. “It’s not been around small businesses. As a student going to happen as fast as you think it is most at the University of Northern Colorado, of the time. There’s going to be a lot more to Hudson took a class with Richard Pickett, it than you realize.” the previous director of the East Colorado Powers also recommended entrepreneurs SBDC. learn from his mistake and work with the “Ever since, I’ve been hooked on helping SBDC from the start. small businesses,” she said. “I think it’s really “Part of me doesn’t think I would what fuels America.” appreciate what they do as much had I not According to Hudson, there are two clawed and scratched on my own for so long major challenges most small business owners before going through them,” he said. “But face today. The first is managing cash flow, the other part of me wishes that I had just particularly the expenses. The second started with them from day one.” challenge is finding good employees and keeping them.

“We help them through that with the training programs we offer throughout the year,” she said. “We’ve got all of those listed on our website: What we’ve got coming 807 17th St., Suite D., Greeley, CO 80631 up for 2017, as well as some online free e-training they can watch anytime they like.”

For those located outside of Greeley, a Aside from training, the SBDC offers list of part-time satellite offices located unlimited, free one-on-one consulting throughout the region can be found with industry experts. The East Colorado online.

SBDC staff is made up of both experienced entrepreneurs and the “millennial group.”

PHONE: (970) 351-4274 “They’re really good with the people who WEBSITE: www.eastcoloradosbdc.com are looking to modernize their business as EMAIL: info@eastcoloradosbdc.com well as their marketing strategies,” Hudson

CONTACT East Colorado SBDC

JANUARY 2017 | Business Connect I 25

East Colorado SBDC » The Small Business Development Center based in Greeley is one of 14 SBDCs in Colorado. » The region’s SBDC has a $21 million economic impact. » It covers 22,000 square miles in 13 counties in northeast and east central Colorado. » The local SBDC has three main focuses including oil and gas businesses, agriculture and health and wellness. » It has 28 satellite locations, which provide 4,500 hours of consulting time.

The center’s director, Dick Pickett, said they have exceeded all expectations this year. » It has attracted 40 percent more clients than they anticipated. » They employ five full time employees and nine part time. » SBDC has created 200 jobs. » More than 540 businesses have worked with the Greeley SBDC. » 62 jobs were saved by the SBDC » Consultants have had more than 2,200 sessions with clients.

26 I Business Connect | JANUARY 2017

Services and Resources » Confidential One-on-One Consulting: Sit down with an expert to discuss business plan development, marketing strategy, registration and licensing, financing preparation and more. » Training Workshops: Current and former business owners can educate you on marketing, start-up essentials, bookkeeping, accounting, taxes and other topics alongside other small business owners. Webinars are livestreamed, and past event recordings can be found online. » eLearning Videos: The SBDC website is full of links to free educational videos about starting a business, managing your finances and the foundations of marketing. » Resources: Other resources for East Colorado entrepreneurs can be found on the SBDC website, including Chambers of Commerce, the Colorado Business Resource Book and a database of state and federal regulations.

PRINT IS GREEN

• “To address climate change, we must use more wood, not less.”

-Dr. Patrick Moore Co-Founder, Greenpeace • At Pioneer Press of Greeley, we offer our customers options in environmentally friendly products. We reduce our carbon impact by recycling all of our paper waste and other printing supplies.

• An average person wastes 2.4x more electricity on powering a single computer than the energy used to produce the paper they use in a year.

• Forestry is the most sustainable of primary energy and materials industries.

• Consider the environmental footprint of spam: A study commissioned by MacAfee estimated that spam wastes 33 billion kilowatt-hours annually, with the same greenhouse gas emissions as 3.1 million passenger cars using 2 billion gallons of gasoline.

Did you

know

?

The North American Paper Industry plants 1.7 million trees per day (more than it cuts). There are 20% more trees in the U.S. today than there were 40 years ago.

2965 27th Avenue • Greeley, CO 80631 970.330.4800 • pioneerpresscolorado.com

Source: www.printisbig.com

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Greeley area business leaders on the move Maribeth Taylor has joined Banner Medical Group as an internal medicine nurse practitioner in its internal medicine clinic in Greeley.

Taylor will play a vital role in the care of adult patients focused on nonsurgical procedures and the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases.

Taylor attended medical school at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash., and is board certified by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She will see patients at Banner Health Clinic – Internal Medicine, 2001 70th Ave., 3rd Floor in Greeley.

To learn more or schedule an appointment, call (970) 810-5660.

Dr. Sunitha Gowda has joined Banner Medical Group’s pediatric team in Greeley.

Dr. Gowda will specialize in general pediatric care of newborns through adolescents. She has a special interest in asthma management, nutrition, GI disorders and growth and development disorders.

Dr. Gowda graduated from medical school at Mysore University in India and completed her residency at Sinai Children’s Hospital in Chicago. She is board certified in general pediatrics.

She will see patients at the Banner Health Clinic – Pediatrics, 2001 70th Ave. in Greeley. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, call (970) 810-5828.

28 I Business Connect | JANUARY 2017

Dr. Sashi Adigopula has joined Banner Health’s CardioVascular Institute of North Colorado in Greeley.

Dr. Adigopula joins Banner from Loma Linda University in California, where he was assistant professor and served as director of the heart failure program at Regional Medical Center. At CVI, Dr. Adigopula will specialize in heart failure, general cardiology, pulmonary hypertension and critical care cardiology. He will treat patients with complications ranging from heart failure and coronary artery disease to mechanical circulatory support.

He is board certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease and advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology.

Dr. Adigopula went to medical school at the University of Health Sciences in India.

He completed his fellowships in advanced heart failure and heart transplantation at the University of California, Los Angeles and Stanford University. Prior to his fellowships, he trained in internal medicine and served as chief resident in internal medicine at the Chicago Medical School.

He will serve patients at the CardioVascular Institute of North Colorado clinic,1800 15th St., Suite 310, which specializes in caring for patients with structural heart and valve disease, arrhythmias, vascular disease, heart failure and pulmonary hypertension.

To learn more or schedule an appointment, call (970) 810-2135.

For more information about Banner Medical Group providers in Northern Colorado, go to www.bannerhealth.com/bmg.

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Raquel Beller has named executive director of Life Care Center of Greeley, 4800 W. 25th St. Beller comes to the Greeley center from Preferred Care Partners in Fort Worth, Texas, where she served as a skilled nursing home administrator for six years.

Originally from Lindsay, Neb., Beller earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration with a minor in finance from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.

Life Care Center of Greeley is one of 22 skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities in Colorado operated or managed by Life Care Centers of America. Founded in 1976, Life Care is a nationwide health care company.

With headquarters in Cleveland, Tennessee, Life Care operates or manages more than 200 nursing, post-acute and Alzheimer’s centers in 28 states. For more information about Life Care, visit lcca.com.

Michael Masciola will join the Northern Colorado Economic Alliance as its chief marketing officer Jan. 1.

Masciola has been working in economic development for more than 25 years, including nine in northern Colorado.

Masciola will take the place of Bruce Biggi.

Following the launch of its website, Northerncolorado.com, NCEA has been focused on direct marketing to site selectors and other corporate location influencers. They have traveled to multiple cities in 2016 to develop relationships and expand the brand identity and knowledge of the region.

30 I Business Connect | JANUARY 2017

Shelley Hilderbrant and Melinda Kelly have joined Alliance Physical Therapy in Greeley.

As research demonstrates the benefits of massage for prevention and management of pain and/or injury, medical massage has become a vital service available to all patients at Alliance Physical Therapy, PC in Greeley.

Hilderbrant is a graduate of the The Healing Art Institute in 2008 and holds three specialty certifications including medical massage practitioner, active release technique and lymphatic drainage massage.

Kelly is a 2003 graduate of IBMC and is certified in tempo mandibular (TMJ) problems and specializes in treating clients with headache and/or low back pain. No referral is necessary to become a client. The clinic is located at 4617 20th St., Suite 2A. Appointments are available at (970) 352-9022.

Bill Blevins, vice president of First Party Receivables Solutions, a division of Professional Finance Company, has been elected to serve as president for the AAHAM Rocky Mountain Chapter — Colorado’s Chapter for the American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management.

Blevins served as vice president of the chapter in 2015 and 2016 as the chairman of the education committee. Blevins will serve as the chairman of the fundraising/sponsorship committee until the end of his term as president in 2018 and will continue to serve as a member of the AAHAM board until 2020.

Blevins has 20 years of experience in delivering accounts receivable management solutions to health care providers.

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