Business Connect June 2017

June 2017

Team-Building

boosts morale in the workplace pg. 12 Robin’s Nest opens to sell baked goods on Main Street Windsor pg. 16

pg. 4

Who’s Next: Health and Fitness Honorees

pg. 10

Best Commercial Real Estate Company

pg. 19

Downtown Hotel booked before opening

I M P O RTA N T NPPOO I C ENN ! TT M OTRTA RTA IIM OWN AT BUSINESS? N O N O T II C CEE!!

OWN A BUSINESS? BUSINESS? YOU MUST OBTAIN A OWN A YOU MUST OBTAIN A NEW BUSINESS YOU NEW MUST OBTAIN A BUINESS LICENSE NEW BUINESS LICENCE AS OF JANUARY 1, 2017, EVERY PERSON/ LICENCE COMPANY DOING BUSINESS IN THE CITY OF

AS OF JANUARY 1, 2017, EVERYAPERSON/ GREELEY IS REQUIRED TO OBTAIN BUSINESS COMPANY DOING BUSINESS IN THE CITY OF LICENSE. THIS LICENSE REPLACES THE CURRENT SALES TAX LICENSE WHICH IS NO GREELEY IS REQUIRED TO OBTAIN A BUSINESS LONGER VALID IN THE CITY OF GREELEY. LICENSE. THIS LICENSE REPLACES THE of Greeley CURRENT SALESCity TAX LICENSE WHICH IS NO 970-350-9733 • Email: greeleysalestax@greeleygov.com LONGER VALID IN THE CITY OF GREELEY. www.greeleygov.com/government/finance/business

City of Greeley

State of Colorado 970-350-9733 • Email: greeleysalestax@greeleygov.com 303-238-SERV (7378) • www.colorado.gov/pacific/tax

www.greeleygov.com/government/finance/business

Greeley Finance | Sales Tax State of• Colorado 1000 10th Street, Greeley, CO 80631 Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

303-238-SERV (7378) • www.colorado.gov/pacific/tax 970-350-9733 tel • 970-350-9736 fax • greeleysalestax@greeleygov.com

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

2 I Business Connect I June 2017

Features

PG. 12

PG. 19

Team-building - a way to help bolster the workplace

Downtown hotel booked before opening

PG. 4

PG. 16

PG. 10

New Bakery to open on Main Street Windsor

PG. 11

Decision-making made easier

Who’s Next: Health and Fitness Honorees Winner: Best Commercial Real Estate

EDITOR Randy Bangert CREATIVE MANAGER Kyle Knoop BUSINESS MANAGER Doug Binder MANAGING EDITOR Sharon Dunn ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Bruce Dennis

PG. 18 PG. 22

June Calendar of Events

PUBLISHER Bryce Jacobson

Windsor

On the Move

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Darian Armer John Benjamin James Redmond Sales MANAGER Stephanie Mighell

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

Creative supervisor For display advertising inquiries, contact: Amy Mayer bdennis@greeleytribune.com Lead Designer Nichole Mathiason

2017, June, Issue 4.

Published by: Greeley Publishing Co., publisher of The Greeley Tribune, Windsor Now, the Fence Post, Tri-State Livestock News, and Energy Pipeline

June 2017 I Business Connect I 3

Health and Fitness Honorees The Greeley Tribune and Business Connect are highlighting the up-and-coming leaders across Weld County as part of a new series called Who’s Next. The goal of the Who’s Next series is to honor some of the most dedicated young people working to shape our cities in Weld County every day. The honorees you see on the following pages were nominated by their peers for the outstanding work they are doing in health and fitness, and were celebrated at our third Who’s Next event on May 31.

View more online at www.greeleytribune.com/whos-next-honoringhealth 4 I Business Connect I June 2017

Dr. Melvin Benson Jr. D.D.S.

Integrated Dental Arts Age: 39

Dr. Melvin Benson Jr. was pre-destined to become a dentist. His dentist father gave him a lab jacket at 3 years old with the name Jr. D.D.S. on the front. While Dr. Benson said he wasn’t always so sure he would go into dentistry, he knew he wanted to be in the health field. He currently serves patients at Integrated Dental Arts (IDA), where he does more than just fix teeth. He also helps to identify symptoms in patient’s mouths indicative of sleep apnea. “It became important to me to recognize the symptoms and get them over to the right doctor. I’d say 90 percent of the people I send for sleep studies have been diagnosed with sleep apnea. It changes lives.”

Originally from Oklahoma, Dr. Benson said he likes the Midwestern feel Greeley offers. “I can go anywhere and strike up a conversation with just about anybody,” he said. “I grew up in a small town. I’m bringing a little southern charm to Colorado.”

Chris Silvernale

NoCO fitness Owner and Trainer | Age: 30

Chris Silvernale’s passion for health and fitness began when he was 15 and started working out every morning before school with his dad.

“I realized I had a passion and that I enjoyed helping other people.

Exercise is what I know how to do,” he said. He moved to Greeley from Seattle, Wash., in 2012 to attend graduate school at the University of Northern Colorado. He opened NoCo Fitness as a one-man show during his master’s program but built a client base and decided to stay in Greeley. “I enjoy how close-knit Greeley is. Even though it is a bigger city, it still has a small town feel to it.”

Erin Brady

Max muscle Greeley Owner | Age: 35 Erin Brady and her husband needed a break from their jobs as a police officer and bail bondsman when they decided to participate in bodybuilding and bikini shows, which introduced them to the world of health and fitness. “It was our happy place,” Brady said. Her job as a Greeley police officer provided its stresses and after 11 years in that role, she and her husband bought Max Muscle. They used to own the Max Muscle stores in Loveland, Fort Collins, Boulder and Greeley but have sold all but the Greeley store. “The name Max Muscle can be kind of scary because it sounds like only body builders, but it has something for everyone to help them reach their goals.” Brady also has a workout group she meets with at different gyms around town where they work out together. She even has a 10-year-old workout buddy she is helping to meet her goal of getting in better shape. “Greeley is a great place to live, work and own a business.”

June 2017 I Business Connect I 5

Taylor Knoop

Windsor Barre/Brickhouse Functional Fitness Age: 30 Growing up, Taylor Knoop’s dad was a holistic health practitioner, so she learned the importance of health and fitness at a young age. “We were always very aware of taking care of our bodies and being healthy, exercising,” she said. So when she knew she should be working out but couldn’t find something she actually liked, she tried Pilates, where she heard about Barre classes. “It’s hard to describe but it’s like Pilates, ballet and yoga all in one. I fell head over heels for it.”

She opened up Windsor Barre three years ago and just recently merged with Brickhouse Functional Fitness. “My clients are absolutely amazing. They are such wonderful women I have gotten to know.”

Jeremy Gregory Work Out West Personal Trainer | Age: 33

Jeremy Gregory picked up a magazine 13 years ago and noticed an advertisement to become a personal trainer. He answered the call and from there, he earned his personal training certificate and began competing in bodybuilding shows. “I enjoy helping and training people, as well as myself,” he said. Gregory is responsible for starting the program, Fit Studio on the Work Out West (WOW) campus, featuring small group fitness classes. “The best part for me is educating and helping people understand how to become healthy.”

Tom and Wendy Forsyth

Team Tom Gym Owners, Trainers | Ages: Tom – 38, Wendy – 30 Tom and Wendy Forsyth both come from fitness backgrounds. Whether it was playing sports, training, or Tom’s time spent in the military, it has always been their passion. Tom even trained troops in the service.

Both were training before they opened their own gym. “The gym allowed us to be able to help a broader base,” Tom said. “We could do our other thing how we wanted and impact how we wanted to. It is more about helping our clients than just filling memberships.”

From 86-year-olds to world’s strongest man competitors, you’ll find all ages and skill levels working out at Team Tom. “It’s a mixture of people and needs in an environment that doesn’t intimidate anyone,” Tom said. The gym also features a supplement and nutrition store that carries more than 100 different supplement brands. Team Tom is involved in the community, sponsoring events and offering free admission for badged officers and active military. “I love the community,” Tom said. “I like the small-town mentality of a growing big city.”

6 I Business Connect I June 2017

Amy Ortiz

Work Out West | Age: 37 Amy Ortiz is a Greeley native who was always involved in athletics growing up. Basketball was her true love, playing into college. Her father, Larry Valencia, was a great influence in her health and fitness journey. “I started lifting weights with my father at 13. He taught me a great deal about weight lifting, which helped build my confidence as a young lady,” she said. She was a stay-at-home-mom with two small children when she found herself overwhelmed and in a state of depression. “I had lost my sense of self,” she said. “I heard about Zumba classes at the Rodarte Center for $1 from a friend. I went with my mom and I loved it. I had no idea what I was doing. I’m not a dancer. I fell in love with the community.” Ortiz took on teaching Zumba at Work Out West (WOW) where she says she and her classes “party ourselves happy. We lift each other up and bring our dance party to the fitness gym.” She credits her Zumba family for being open-hearted and non-judgmental.

“It’s always encouraging to see others conquer their fear and get up and dance.” Ortiz also teaches Zumba for kids and will teach the classes at Neighborhood Nights this summer. As a library assistant she travels to schools to teach kids about health and fitness. “We get kids moving and show them how working out can be fun.”

We Are Your Small Business Banking Partner.

We invest in Expanding Legacy.

Whether you need funds to start your business, change your business or expand your business, we can help you put together a loan package or line of credit that makes sense.

Call or visit a location today.

®

2425 35th Avenue • Greeley, CO • 970-673-4501 | 520 Sherman St • Fort Morgan, CO • 970-867-3319

www.fmsbank.com

June 2017 I Business Connect I 7

Dr. Ryan Mayeda

Mayeda Total Wellness Owner | Age: 39

Ryan Mayeda has always been extremely physically active. It’s how his family raised him. But it wasn’t until he realized how many people were unable to live out everything they wanted to do because of health issues that he knew he wanted to help them. “They have huge dreams. They want to run around with their grandkids or travel but they are limited because of health issues,” he said. “It broke my heart. All these people want to accomplish amazing things and can’t because of health.” Born and raised in Greeley, Mayeda left to Minnesota for graduate school, but returned to the community he knew and loved to start his practice. “I can’t see myself being anywhere else. It’s warm and inviting.” Aside from athlete care, chiropractic and nutrition at his practice, Mayeda also teaches physiology and clinical nutrition at Aims Community College. He also practices what he preaches. He competed in his first Ironman when he was 30 and has a goal to beat that time when he competes again at age 40.

Mayeda and his wife began a nonprofit foundation six years ago to raise funds for families going through infertility and adoption. He managed to incorporate health and wellness into that venture as well, kicking it off with a 200-mile run around northern Colorado. “I want to lead people to a better life.”

Victoria “Dolly” Watson

Owner, Choice Nutrition Personal Trainer, Work Out West | Age: 32 It took a tragic event for Dolly Watson to turn her life around. On April 16, 2010, her stepfather took his own life. “I quit smoking cigarettes that day and joined Work Out West as a member,” she said.

“I knew God was trying to tell me something.” She lasted seven minutes on the elliptical machine before she went home, where she cried and prayed. She went back the next day.

She began changing her lifestyle and WOW management took notice, offering her a job as a membership consultant. She became an inspiration to members, and management asked if she would consider becoming a personal trainer. Watson was going hard from sun up to sun down when she tore both her ACLs simultaneously in December 2012. “I was working all day long doing what I loved, but I believe my heavenly father was trying to tell me something. I turned my tragedy into triumph,” she said. While recovering she wrote a business plan for a health store and opened Choice Nutrition in 2014. Watson said she loves a quote from Sylvester Stallone in “Rocky,” “When life knocks you down you just have to keep getting up.” She credits all her success to God. “I give all the glory to God. I would not be where I am today if I did not have my heavenly father to guide me.”

Todd Kornfield

Catalyst Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Owner | Age: 35 Todd Kornfield was always into sports, cycling and snowboarding growing up. With a dad as a P.E. teacher and lifelong coach, and a 8 I Business Connect I June 2017

superstar athletic brother, Kornfield was surrounded by athletics his entire life. Kornfield was working at a bicycle shop when his brother passed away unexpectedly when a driver fell asleep at the wheel and hit him out training on his bike. “I was looking for an outlet,” Kornfield said. “I had a buddy come over and say let’s turn on the fight. I watched it and said, ‘This is real. This is legal. I think I need to do this.’ I found the closest gym and tried it.” Kornfield participated in a couple of MMA fights and realized he wasn’t into it.

Instead he fell in love with Jiu Jitsu. “I wanted to be great at something and it was handsdown Jiu Jitsu.” He began competing in every local tournament and traveling to compete as well. He was training six and a half days a week when he decided to open up his own school. “I wanted to combine my passion of training with teaching.” When he started he didn’t have a kids program, but soon started one and found it was the favorite part of his day. “We get a variety of kids, great athletes, kids that are bullied or are bullies, kids with poor self-esteem and image. We work with these kids and teach them through hard work and focus they can be as great as they want to be. Helping them build their confidence up is by far my favorite thing.”

Kristin Mather

Greeley Center for Independence/Hope Therapy Fitness coordinator | Age: 35 Kristin Mather said she found herself overweight and inactive in her teen years when she decided she wanted a change. She started by meeting with a personal trainer and learned to love exercise. She decided to go to school for health and fitness and got involved in a gym in Fort Collins. She then began working for the Greeley Center for Independence. Mather runs the wellness gym at GCI, leading group fitness classes, is a personal trainer and coordinates with the pool director. She also manages a bridge program that assists clients involved in physical therapy in becoming independent. “Everyone wants to be better at something when it comes to health,” Mather said. “Whether you want to exercise more, eat better, drink more water or walk farther.”

Chris Dennis

CrossFit Helix Owner | Age: 29

Chris Dennis didn’t find his passion for health and fitness until his wife, Jamie, introduced him to CrossFit eight years ago. “I quickly latched on and never looked back,” Dennis said. “What I love about CrossFit is that it’s always pushing you no matter how long you’ve been doing it. If you reach your goals, set a new one and go heavier, push harder or go faster. It’s always a challenge for me but it’s also great for all walks of life. Whether they are young or older, in shape or not in shape; we can all work out together.” After discovering their passion for the CrossFit lifestyle, Chris and Jamie decided to open their own CrossFit gym, CrossFit Helix. Dennis enjoys coaching others at his gym for the ability to change their lives. “I love seeing a positive change in the lives of my athletes. The fitness that they gain is a plus, too.”

June 2017 I Business Connect I 9

W INNE R

Best Commercial Real Estate

James Neufeld, RE/MAX Alliance

By Darian armer For Business Connect James Neufeld has a construction business in Greeley contracting custom homes from 1991-2008, when his business couldn’t survive the downturn.

“The banks come at you and there’s nothing you can do it you’re a small builder and don’t have really deep pockets,” Neufeld said. “I had to find something else to do.”

With a background in real estate since 1991 he figured his best option was to get his real estate license. He now works for RE/ MAX Alliance Commercial as an advisor specializing in commercial and real estate brokerage.

“I was familiar with real estate,” he said.

“Although I built homes I also built presale in the commercial world and this way I get to stay in the business department.”

Aside from his construction career, Neufeld is also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and has had a career in public accounting and the financial securities industry.

Neufeld grew up in central Kansas and Iowa before he and his wife moved to Denver from 1983-1986.

“At the time we didn’t have any kids and Denver was fun,” he said. “When we started a family we decided we didn’t want to end up in the big city. My wife had an uncle in Greeley so we moved here.”

10 I Business Connect I June 2017

Three kids and 32 years later and Neufeld and his wife still enjoy living in the Greeley community.

“It’s rural, agrarian and oil and gas,” he said.

“I’ve always lived in farming communities.”

As a commercial real estate agent he said he enjoys helping a client find a property they can house and grow their business in.

“If I can be a part of that I’m a happy camper,” he said. “I’ve helped numerous businesses over the year find properties and grow. It’s good for them, it’s good for Weld County and good for Greeley.”

He is a member of the National Association of Realtors, Colorado Association of Realtors and the Northern Colorado Commercial Association of Realtors.

Neufeld also gives back to his community by being a part of several committees and boards associated with the City of Greeley.

He is past chairman of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board for the City of Greeley and a member of the Comprehensive Master Plan Update Steering Committee, Lincoln Park Redevelopment Committee and the Open Space Plan Committee.

He is also an active member of the Greeley Chamber of Commerce, Local Government & Business Affairs Committee.

JUNE 2017 Events Calendar June 1

June 15

GREELEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, leads group, 7:30 a.m., at the Chamber, 902 7th Ave., Greeley. This group meets every Thursday morning to share and create business leads for our group’s members.

Details: (970) 352-3566.

GREELEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, leads group, 7:30 a.m., at the Chamber, 902 7th Ave., Greeley.

This group meets every Thursday morning to share and create business leads for our group’s members. Details: (970) 352-3566.

GREELEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, young professionals networking, 5:30-7 p.m., Greeley Stampede, 600 N. 14th Ave., Greeley.

Greeley Young Professionals is our 21-39 networking event. Come and join us and meet other young professional in the Greeley area and build business relationships! Free.

Details: (970) 352-3566.

June 7 GREELEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, business before hours, 7-8:30 a.m., J&T Country Feeds, 4835 10th St., Greeley.

Enjoy a delightful breakfast and networking with other chamber investors. Everyone in attendance gets a 15 second commercial on who they are and what they do. Free to members; $20 nonmembers. Details: (970) 352-3566.

June 8 GREELEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, leads group, 7:30 a.m., at the Chamber, 902 7th Ave., Greeley.

This group meets every Thursday morning to share and create business leads for our group’s members. Details: (970) 352-3566.

EVANS AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, business after hours, 5-7 p.m., Skip Carlson’s Farmers Insurance office, 2986 W. 29th St., Greeley. Details: (970) 330-4204.

GREELEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, Chamber 101, 4-5 p.m., Greeley Chamber of Commerce, 902 7th Ave., Greeley. Free.

Details: (970) 352-3566.

GREELEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, business after hours, 5-7 p.m., Sears Real Estate, 2021 Clubhouse Drive, No. 100, Greeley.

This event happens every fourth Thursday. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and network with other Greeley Chamber investors. You can also win door prizes.

Free to members; $20 nonmembers.

Details: (970) 352-3566.

June 22 GREELEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, leads group, 7:30 a.m., at the Chamber, 902 7th Ave., Greeley. This group meets every Thursday morning to share and create business leads for our group’s members.

Details: (970) 352-3566.

June 27 60 Ideas in 60 Minutes Event, 7:30am, Greeley Country Club, 4500 10th St. Visit greeleytribune. com/60in60 for tickets. Cost: $25 per person To include your business news in the Business Connect sections, contact Sharon Dunn at sdunn@greeleytribune. com or call (970) 392-4439.

June 2017 I Business Connect I 11

Team-building exercises help bolster workplace

By Darian Armer For Business Connect

T

eam-building. It’s more than playing the name game in the conference room to break the ice.

Companies are taking new approaches to fostering a culture of community and teamwork among their employees, including options like ropes courses, top golf, laser tag and shooting ranges.

John Benjamin, founder and leader of the Business Engineering Consortium, says a culture shift has left companies looking for ways to encourage team-building and retain employees.

“Back in the ‘80s we had company softball teams, golf and bowling leagues, I even played on a whirly ball team,” said Benjamin. “You still see that in some places now, but it’s more the exception these days than the rule. We kind of lost that company teams environment in the ‘90s and I’m not sure why. We used to see it and now we have to force it to happen.”

12 I Business Connect I June 2017

He says companies may be turning to activities like escape rooms and ropes courses to achieve team-building because it still offers a competitive and co-operative aspect to reach a goal.

“You have to beat the clock in the escape room or work together to get across the ropes course,” he said. “Figure out what you want to accomplish as a company through the activity.”

And companies don’t have to do this on their own. Many activities include group facilitators to help companies achieve their goals, such as the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) Outdoor Pursuits program and ropes course.

Whitney Dyer, assistant director of outdoor pursuits and risk management, said depending on what the group wants to achieve will determine what activities are provided to them.

This is an initiative activity called the Yurt Circle. The group must work together to form certain shapes while their eyes are closed. Shape formations start simple and then increase in difficulty depending on the groups leadership and communication skills. Photos for Business Connect by the University of Northern Colorado.

“We plan it all ahead before they get here.

There is lots of communication between the group leader and me. We figure out what will challenge them and then meet those goals they’ve given me,” she said.

Dyer said corporate groups often come looking to improve communication or welcome new staff members.

“It’s good way to introduce new members to a group and the group culture,” she said.

“There’s a progression in the course that allows participants to build trust. A lot is dependent on trust in the group. It develops relationships and I’ve witnessed increased confidence in participants.”

The group can begin by getting more comfortable with one another then moving into challenges on the ground level in the open grass field. They then progress into low elements such as the cable or swinging log

where they don’t need ropes but are slightly off the ground. Dyer said this requires a lot of extra team cohesion because of spotting involved and safety precautions the team has worked its way up to.

Other options include places like the Summit in Windsor, where groups participate in the Team Challenge events which include a Summit-trained facilitator, a strategic debrief to reveal learning, awards and certificate of completions. Different packages are available that include activities such as bowling, arcade games, laser tag and food. The group is based out of one of the meeting rooms where they can discuss goals, projects and other businessrelated topics before engaging in team-building activities.

Benjamin cautions about choosing activities appropriate for the group culture, and defining whether an activity is an appreciation event or June 2017 I Business Connect I 13

improves communication overall. Many of a team-building activity.

What works for one company may not always our activities focus on specific factors we might forget about that prohibit us from effectively work for another. communicating with one another.”

One company he consults for visited a Kudick said that team-building goes beyond shooting range to shoot sporting clays while just liking who you work with to a deeper goal another treated its employees to dinner, drinks of building trust. Liking your coworkers may and golf at Top Golf. be an added perk.

“You have to think when you pick the activity “The concept of a retreat in the woods where about how it will impact people,” Benjamin we all do trust falls said. is well intentioned Kyra Kudick, but almost never associate gets the results we editor, Human expect,” Kudick Resources, for said. “We don’t J.J. Keller & have to be best Associates, Inc., friends with all says paying these people. attention to The goal is to company culture have people that is key.

— Whitney Dyer, assistant respect each other “I think director of outdoor pursuits and appreciate companies have the gifts and and risk management to be very careful. talents they bring It depends on the to the team.” company and the type of work the company But why even bother? does. You have to be Benjamin uses a basketball analogy to explain really mindful of individual needs and staying why companies must encourage teamwork. He true to culture and company goals.” explains that every few years there’s a team Regardless of the activity, Benjamin says that seems to come out of nowhere and rise to getting outside of the office and to an offsite the top; perhaps this year’s No. 7 seed, South location is key.

Carolina, making it to the final four. There’s “Hopefully, people start to check their ego one thing they do differently, he says. They when they walk out the door to go offsite. have five players on the court all playing as a It helps to get everyone away from their team. workspace,” he said. “If I’m doing corporate “Often times you have a star and you don’t training and if we’re in the building, we might get the whole team playing that way,” said as well not even do the training. People walk in Benjamin. “The teams that come out of and interrupt, the phone rings and it’s hard to nowhere to win play equally. Team-building maintain discipline and focus. in business is the same way. If you can’t “Going offsite may allow you to limit the get everyone pulling together in the same ability to reconnect with work. The whole direction, how can you have a successful teamwork idea is to understand each other as business? You need everyone to do their individuals and build trust. Getting employees assignments and trust that they can do them offsite will help them engage.” effectively.”

Dyer says she sees tons of benefits for groups Not only will team-building help a company who get out of the office and come participate succeed, but Benjamin said it also helps with in the Outdoor Pursuits program offsite. retention. Investing in team-building is an “Ones I think of right away are the ability investment in employee retention and that is to break down barriers, whether that’s the return on investment. nervousness about a new team or issues “It aids with retention because if I know throughout the year that haven’t been talked you and I like you I’m much more likely to be about, it’s a good way to have a shared loyal. Typically millennials are less loyal in the experience together,” she said. “It also workplace than baby boomers. I worked for a

“Team-building affects morale. If we get along with our colleagues we feel good about going to work.”

14 I Business Connect I June 2017

Participants on the high element called Dangle Duo. Each rung on the ladder is spaced further and further apart so partners must work together and use each other the make it to the top.

company where if you hadn’t been there for 10 years you were still new. Now you try to find people with 10 years somewhere and it’s hard to do,” Benjamin said.

He also admits that salary and benefits play into loyalty, but said if there’s no camaraderie and connection with people it’s easier to take off and say sayonara.

“People you know, love and trust, you’re not as likely to ditch,” he said.

Dyer echoes that sentiment, saying it’s statistically proven that the more a person likes the job the harder they will work at it.

Kudick agrees.

“Team-building affects morale. If we get along with our colleagues we feel good about going to work,” she said. “A team that works together and really understands one another will be able to combine all their gifts and talents to be more productive and efficient.”

And whether escape rooms, ropes courses and laser tag remain the way companies build teams, Kudick said team-building isn’t something going away.

“Team-building was important 50 years ago and it will be important 20 years from now,” she said. “Hopefully, as time goes on, we all just get better and smarter about how we work together and understanding one another.”

Americans spend 70% of their waking hours away from home.

Lamar of Northern Colorado specializes in Out-of-Home Advertising, targeting consumers where they work, shop, travel, and play.

STATIC & DIGITAL BILLBOARDS BUSES | BENCHES | SHELTERS Lamar.com/NorthernColorado | 970.493.4411

Source: Nielsen

June 2017 I Business Connect I 15

Windsor: Robin’s Nest opens to sell baked

goods, ice cream on Main Street

By James redmond jredmond@mywindsornow.com

M

ore than five years ago, Robin Netzel and her mom, Nancy Moreno, walked into House of Windsor Coffee and Gift Shop, fell in love with the place and started dreaming.

The prominent downtown storefront at 430 Main St. in Windsor has changed a bit since Netzel and Moreno visited back then. House of Windsor became Nana Bea’s at House of Windsor in 2013. Earlier this year, Nana Bea’s closed and left the space vacant.

On May 1, Neztel realized the dream when she opened her bakery and ice cream shop, Robin’s Nest at House of Windsor. The shop will offer a selection of freshly made cakes, pies, cookies and more to Windsor.

Neztel and her mom have shared a dream 16 I Business Connect I June 2017

Hannah Cirswell sits with Robin Netzel in the open space inside Robin’s Nest Bakery. Netzel hopes to bring in customers with coffee, ice cream and baked goods.

of running a business together for years.

Netzel, of Severance, remembered sitting in the House of Windsor years ago talking with her mom about how cute the place was and thinking maybe their dream had found a home.

“So we bided our time and kept our eye out,” Neztel said. “My mom and I have always dreamed of something like this together. She’s an entrepreneurial person.

She raised five kids alone and I watched her, I helped her in all her little businesses she started.”

Netzel said her mother will be a big part of the business. “(Moreno) will be the face and friendliness of the bakery,” she said with a smile. “But

her formal title will be general manager.”

Neztel said the bakery will still offer many of the favorites locals have come to expect from the downtown cornerstone — coffee, soda, ice cream and malts along with soups, salads and sandwiches for lunch.

Along with the baking, the ice cream will probably be the biggest focus of the store, Netzel said. The bakery offers Longview Creamery ice cream and Taiwanese shaved ice.

It’ll be a family run and operated business, Netzel said. Although there are a few exceptions, like the head baker, Hannah Cirswell, Netzel’s quick to say they’ve been friends for ages — basically family at this point.

A life-long baker, Cirswell said she loves baking pies and pastries — most of the cake duty will probably fall to Netzel, she admits.

Many of her recipes come from her family.

The crust recipe for the blueberry rhubarb pie comes from her great aunt.

She’s a fan of the tart taste of rhubarb, but

she knows people enjoy some sweet taste in their pies too — hence the blueberry. It’s a combination she’s excited to have in the bakery because she feels it’s a good, if uncommon flavor.

“I don’t understand why nobody puts them together,” she said of the pie. “They’re like best friends, but nobody knows it.”

Netzel hopes the bakery does more than bring complementary fruits together. She wants Robin’s Nest to become an open and inviting community space.

Throughout the week she plans to design themed days and specials to welcome different customers. She envisions “Mom Mondays” for stay-at-home moms, days for teachers, church groups, teen specials and more. She even wants to design fun, themed activities, such as a photo scavenger hunts that encourage her patrons to visit other downtown businesses.

“I’m excited to see how the community will come together here,” Netzel said.

Robin Netzel holds a pie baked by her lead baker, Hannah Cirswell, while at her new bakery in downtown Windsor. Photos by Josh Polson/jpolson@greeleytribune.com.

June 2017 I Business Connect I 17

Decision-making made easier By john Benjamin For Business Connect

“Concision in style, precision in thought, decision in life.” Victor Hugo What the heck is “concision?” It is the concept of being concise or in Hugo’s day it meant the cutting up or off, of something.

I would venture he meant keep your style simple.

Hugo is also telling us to make decisions and move on.

Decision in life or business is something we must deal with daily. “Often any decision, even the wrong decision, is better than no decision,” said Ben Horowitz. General Norman Schwarzkopf seconds that with his opinion, “When placed in command, take charge.” That means make decisions; it is the only way to move forward.

What makes for good decision-making?

Maybe it’s easier to talk about what makes for bad decisions.

How to make a poor decision: From my personal archive of missteps: taking three weeks to decide exactly which tent I needed to buy for our first family camping trip. I already owned enough tents to equip a large Boy Scout troop, but none for a family of four that included a 3- and 4-year old. The tent I bought cost $220 and I spent three weeks on the decision process; that is laughable. We should all remember this quote, “The effort invested in ‘getting it right’ should be commensurate with the importance of the decision,” said Daniel Kahneman. In my defense, we still use this tent for camping trips, although far and few between today.

The business crippler — paralysis by analysis. Similar to the one above, in this case, searching for just one more data point.

In the Navy, I served as an engineer on a fast attack nuclear submarine. We were tasked to train new commanding officers, and one of the more exciting aspects of this was torpedo practice against surface ships that were trying to shoot us. I vividly remember one prospective captain, as we approached for the shot, repeatedly moving to get another 18 I Business Connect I June 2017

bearing on the target. Now the target is also looking for us at the same time. Our captain was getting anxious and asked out loud why we hadn’t taken the shot. Then those words came over the loudspeaker from sonar, “Torpedo in the water” and it was not ours but theirs. Just as in the movies, we jammed the sub to ahead flank and dove for the bottom with quick turn. Exciting, yes, but not the excitement you want as a hunter.

The truth is you will never have all the information you would like to have in making a decision. I believe Dietrich Bonhoeffer says it best: “It is the characteristic excellence of the strong man that he can bring momentous issues to the fore and make a decision about them. The weak are always forced to decide between alternatives they have not chosen themselves.” Waiting can force you to decide between poor choices.

Then we have the shoot-from-the-hip-group.

If a group is paralyzed by over analysis, this group is the total antithesis. Their motto is “pay your money and take your chances.”

Sometimes this group is right more often they are wrong; or, at least they think they are. Why? As they say practice makes perfect and after some time, these folks develop a knack for trusting their intuition and quickly weighing the odds. But, it is often spectacular when they are wrong.

The last way to make bad decision is to make sure the air is charged with emotion, negative or positive, either one leads to disastrous outcomes. Strong emotions tend to dull our rational mind and as a result irrational decisions are made. Often, ones that can’t be easily undone. We change vendors because of a supposed slight, poor reception on our cell phones leads us to the wrong conclusion. Or, we lost a deal and now we are determined not to lose the next one, so we underbid the job and win it, what a victory when we have a negative profit.

Avoid these tips at your own risk. There are many good sources for how to make great decisions. Don’t be afraid of decisions, make them and get better at making them.

Otherwise, you will be one of the “weak” ones that Bonhoeffer writes about.

John Benjamin is the owner of Business Engineering, a firm geared to helping you build a better business from the inside out. Your comments and suggestions are welcome at John@BusinessEngineeringConsortium.com.

New Downtown Greeley hotel already booked much of opening month A construction worker glances out the window on the top floor as work continues on the interior and exterior of the DoubleTree hotel and convention center in downtown Greeley. Photos by Josh Polson/ jpolson@greeleytribune.com.

By Sharon Dunn sdunn@greeleytribune.com

C

onstruction crews are still putting the finishing touches on the DoubleTree Hilton hotel and convention center in downtown Greeley.

The parking lot hasn’t even been paved.

But this hotel — considered a gamble by some at the beginning — already is raking in the business.

“We’re way above what we thought we’d be,” said Ann Marie Cole, director of sales for the Providence Hospitality Partners, which will manage the hotel for the group of 13 local investors who put up the cash to build the $31 million project.

“We’re already booking into 2020.”

In fact, the hotel’s new staff, housed a couple blocks away in Greeley’s downtown, already have booked more than a half-million dollars in business. They don’t want to give out

a specific dollar figure. But don’t even think about staying there weekends in September, when the 147-room hotel and convention center officially opens. Every weekend that month is booked.

“When you look at northern Colorado, it only had a couple of options (for conference space) in the past, one in Loveland and Fort Collins,” Cole said. “Now there’s another option in northern Colorado.”

Officially named DoubleTree Hilton Greeley Lincoln Park, the complex offers 14,000 square feet of meeting space, a 12,000-square-foot ballroom and a fullservice restaurant and bar, as well as a fitness center, an indoor pool and an outdoor spa.

Many wondered about the need for such a large hotel at the beginning. Greeley, as an example, gained several new hotels in the past decade, and construction soon will begin on a Holiday Inn Express at CenterPlace and a Residence Inn off U.S. 34, west of 23rd June 2017 I Business Connect I 19

Avenue. Hotel occupancy in Greeley started to shrink last year with the new hotel rooms and a downturn in the oil and gas industry.

By July, the rate fell to 64 percent.

In March, the most recent numbers available, Greeley’s hotel occupancy rate had crept back up to 75.5 percent (the industry ideal), the highest still in northern Colorado.

“I’ve never doubted it for a moment,” Bricker said of the hotel’s need. “We’ve been talking about it with the business community for some time. … It’s just been a long time since we had the right facility to attract these kinds of conferences.”

“We’re way above what we thought we’d be.”

Becky Safarik, Greeley’s assistant city manager, said the city did a market study to determine the need for the hotel, which confirmed what they had been hearing anecdotally — the city could meet some demand for conventions if they just had the venue.

— Ann Marie Cole, director of sales

“It’s reassuring and affirming that in fact this is the very right time for this project, so it does feel good,” Safarik said. “We’re in terrific shape.”

Pam Bricker, director of the Downtown Development Authority, said some downtown business retailers already are strategizing how they can capitalize on the increased business downtown. They’ll start an experiment this month to stay open until 8 p.m. on the fourth Thursday.

The conference business essentially took its leave of Greeley years ago when conference sizes outgrew local accommodations.

City leaders can easily name business the city lost.

Cole said the business booked so far runs the gamut of events.

“There are some sporting events in the community that have contracted with us, a lot of it has been local social events in our hotel, and a number of conferences that haven’t been to this community in very long time or haven’t been here at all,” she said.

In fact, in many instances, the DoubleTree has run out of space; it’s had to contract with two other local hotels to accommodate the bookings. It’s also worked with the Greeley Recreation Center to offer additional meeting space, Cole said.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Weld County’s gala, for example, finally will be local next year.

Empty windows create a grid on the DoubleTree hotel and Convention Center as a construction worker stands along the edge working on the exterior of the building in downtown Greeley.

20 I Business Connect I June 2017

“Their gala has been at a hotel outside of Greeley because there wasn’t one big enough here to house them,” Cole said. “They will be back next year.”

Additionally, a group of executives Cole cannot yet name are booking space in June 2018, which dovetails with the Greeley Blue’s Jam weekend, and the hotel is considered a perfect venue to keep those convention goers in Greeley just a bit longer than their weeklong conference.

“We need to showcase our city,” Cole said.

“People don’t know what’s here to see and do.”

Conference business typically books out two years in advance, so the bookings into 2020 are expected, Cole said. She said the conference business is growing in general, which is considered one of the drivers for the DoubleTree’s success.

For local leaders, however, the DoubleTree heralds change, and one that will bring with it a wave of new business to the city’s core, growth for which leaders need to plan.

“Yes it’s a catalyst project,” Bricker said.

“We’re on the cusp. There’s been so much growth already in the last five years, but it’s just the tip of the iceberg and it will keep going.”

The next element to think about naturally is parking. These same city leaders who fought for the hotel also believe strongly in the need for a downtown parking garage. While the DoubleTree has a good 100 dedicated parking spaces, city leaders believe the hotel could drive more business downtown and create a bit more of a parking squeeze. City leaders already are identifying potential spaces for a garage, but there are still many details that haven’t even been touched.

“This is a project that we’ve kind of got teed up,” Safarik said. “We know the first phase is getting the hotel up and operational, and we’ll see how parking fits in all around, with expectations we’ll have to move to the next phase of parking structure.”

It’s not just the hotel that drives that, Safarik said. There’s been so much new business added to downtown Greeley, collectively, parking will have to be addressed. Particulars, such as funding — public or private — have yet to be worked out, she said.

Construction continues on the DoubleTree hotel and convention center in downtown Greeley. The hotel, though not completed, has already booked more than a half a million dollars in business.

Meanwhile, Safarik said, the hotel’s success is reaffirming.

“Greeley’s renaissance is reflected in the success this project suggests with the work that’s been done by so many to invest in helping Greeley be a destination for conferences and events,” she said.

Outgrowing Your Space?

Let me help find you the perfect building for your growing business

Jim Neufeld Commercial Broker 970-506-2941 jneufeld@remax.net June 2017 I Business Connect I 21

On the

Move Timothy Odil

has been promoted to equity member at Otis, Bedingfield and Peters, LLC. Odil works in the firm’s litigation team. His practice focuses on disputes among private parties, as well as disputes with local, state or federal government agencies. He handles complex business litigation and appeals, government and commercial contract disputes, regulatory compliance, licensing disputes and rulemaking issues, as well as employment law matters, according to a news release.

He was recognized as a Colorado lawyer of the year in 2014 by Law Week Colorado, and he was selected as an honoree in the 2015 Biz West 40 Under Forty Leaders Honor Roll program. Odil also has been recognized as a Colorado Rising Star by Law & Politics, and he is a former board member of Rebuilding Together Metro Denver.

Odil is a Colorado native. He received his degree from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, and he received his undergraduate degree from Johns Hopkins 22 I Business Connect I June 2017

University. He began his legal career as a law clerk in Weld County Courts, clerking for District Court Judges Robert Lowenbach and Daniel Maus.

Dave Kennedy

has joined Greeley Rotary Club. He is a Greeley native who returns to Weld County as the general manager of the DoubleTree

by Hilton at Lincoln Park, which is under construction downtown across the street from the Union Colony Civic Center. Kennedy brings more than 25 years of hotel leadership to the project. He honed his skills at the Camelback Inn Resort in Scottsdale, Ariz., while acquiring a degree in architecture at Arizona State University. He subsequently was assigned hotel projects in Albuquerque, N.M., Denver, Boulder, Broomfield and Westminster.

He served on a five-state regional hotel management team with a focus on recruiting and training high-performing teams. His most recent tenure in the Colorado hospitality industry has included the opening of several

hotels and the launching of three successful restaurant concepts. Kennedy and his team in Greeley represent the Denver-based management company Providence Hospitality Partners. Kennedy’s Greeley heritage goes back to 1892 with four generations of ranchers, farmers, preachers and teachers.

His parents attended the University of Northern Colorado before moving the family to Salinas, Calif. He is an avid road cyclist and professional studio artist. If you are interested in learning more about Rotary call Mark Llewellyn (970) 590-4911 or mark@ markllewellyn.com.

Nate Lamkin has

joined Pathways, a northern Colorado nonprofit organization that provides expert and compassionate hospice care, palliative care, and grief and loss support, as the organization’s new president. Lamkin will begin his new role in May, as he leads a staff of 130 and more than 200 volunteers.

Lamkin worked for more than six years at Care Dimensions, a large nonprofit hospice and palliative care provider in Massachusetts.

As senior director of patient and family support services and a member of the Care Dimensions senior leadership team, Lamkin was responsible for the planning, development, implementation and evaluation of Care Dimensions’ support programs and services.

Lamkin joined Care Dimensions in 2010 as a social worker and later was promoted to director of bereavement services and program development.

Advisory Board of Camp Kesem-MIT is the local chapter of a nationwide organization that supports children through and beyond their parent’s cancer.

Pathways is a top hospice provider in northern Colorado and served more than 1,200 hospice patients in 2016. In addition, Pathways for Grief and Loss provided more than 1,800

community counseling sessions in 2016 and reached more than 650 through its grief programs. Pathways recently expanded its physical locations to include a Greeley office to reach even more patients in Weld County.

Learn more about Pathways and the community it serves at www.pathways-care.org.

Adam Samples

has joined Agfinity Agronomy to take on the role of sales representative for the Eaton/Gilcrest trading area. He grew up in northern Colorado and received a degree from the University of Wyoming. Adam majored in agroecology with a minor in water restoration and range land management.

Agfinity is a locally owned and operated cooperative that has been serving the needs of northern Colorado since 1905.

John Kaszuba

has joined Professional Finance Co., as regional vice president of business development. He brings more than 20 years of knowledge and experience in healthcare, operations, finance, marketing and strategy to the company. Prior to joining PFC, Kaszuba was vice president of client relations and development for a nationally recognized healthcare consulting company, where he was responsible for business development in 10 states. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of Texas at San Antonio. He also is a former military officer.

To include your business moves in Business Connect, contact Sharon Dunn at sdunn@greeleytribune.com or call (970) 392-4439.

June 2017 I Business Connect I 23

24 I Business Connect I June 2017