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MindCraft Makerspace

“An entrepreneur is someone who jumps off a cliff and builds a plane on the way down.” — Reid Hoffman

Entrepreneurs are passionate risk-takers who make an impact on our economy, and they‘ve made Colorado a top-five state for startup activity and for innovation.

Entrepreneurs know it takes a lot more than an idea to make a business come to life. Brenda Lane is co-founder of MindCraft Makerspace knows just that. Lane has poured herself into her businesses – a digital fabrication lab developed as a collaborative studio space for creative and inventive endeavors for makers of all ages – and entrepreneurialism has become her way life.

“As a maker, I owned my first business in my hometown at the age of 18. My uncle and I teamed up to open Lane’s House of Glass in Pueblo, where I spent eight years teaching stained glass, fusing and slumping,” Lane recalls.

MindCraft Makerspace is the second business devoted to educational endeavors for Lane and her business partner Adriana Santacoloma.

Lane first opened eXL Learning in 2011. She sought the advice of consultants at Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs across the Front Range. She coupled the consulting with the SBDC’s business planning course, Leading Edge.

“I rely on the SBDC to develop myself as a better business owner and operator, and I recommend this organization to anyone thinking of opening their own business,” Lane said.

Opening MindCraft Makerspace was a way for Lane to combine her passion for education and creativity. MindCraft Makerspace offers classes, workshops, equipment rental and memberships to learn about and use all tools, equipment and machinery accessible to the users – no matter the age.

“Our combination of labs, workshops and classrooms make it easy and fun for hands-on, ‘let’s make this’ kind of learning,” Lane said.

Their space is located in the newly restored Stanley Marketplace on the border of Aurora and Stapleton. The Marketplace houses over 50 independent companies under one roof.

Paleo Meals To Go

A few years ago, Ty Soukup went on his first multi-day backpacking trip around the Maroon Bells 14ers in Colorado. But, his biggest challenge wasn’t the terrain – it was figuring out what to eat. He couldn’t find any backpacking meal options that would fit with his Paleo diet. “I thought to myself, why isn’t someone making a backpacker meal that appeals to folks on alternative diets?” Soukup recalled. “It was in that moment that

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Sky Blue Builders

When Mowa Haile set out to build a business with a couple of friends, they agreed on one fundamental principle: customer service. “The opportunity to be customer focused is what motivates us and differentiates us,” said Mowa, President of minority-owned Sky Blue Builders, LLC. “As consumers, we see the mistakes that big companies make – and we want to change that. Everything we do, we consider it from the perspective of the customer. If it

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Briar Common Brewery + Eatery

Kent Dawson is no stranger to the hard work it takes to start his own business. He learned young as he and his brother Greg spent their summer breaks helping their grandparents tend to their farm. “Spending time on ‘The Farm’ was no picnic: this wasn’t one of those grandparents spoiling the grandkids situation. It was exhausting!” Dawson recalled. Dawson and his wife moved to Denver in 2008, looking to enjoy what Denver and Colorado

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Open Road Snacks

In January of 2007, Karen and Tim Bradley were looking for an opportunity to combine Tim’s expertise in consumer packaged goods, finance and operations with Karen’s background in graphic design, marketing and sales. That’s when they acquired Rocky Mountain Popcorn Company. “We work really well together and we wanted to use both sides of our collective brain,” Karen said. “With our experience in brand management, we recognized that, while Rocky Mountain Popcorn was proven in

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BreakAway Meetings

BreakAway Meetings, the custom event package company, is adding fuel, focus and fun to every virtual event! Co-owners Kim and Angela began their careers working in hotel venues and events. When the Covid19 pandemic hit, the events world shifted to a virtual setting. This did not stop the innovative duo. They quickly adapted and decided to continue offering opportunities for individuals to connect with each other, this began BreakAway Meetings. BreakAway Meetings creates customizable meeting

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Full Battle Rattle Deli

“In the military, Full Battle Rattle means that you get your gear and are ready to move out. At Full Battle Rattle Deli, we are also ready to move out, but into our communities to serve and support our veteran brothers and sisters.” Michael Gropper, owner of Full Battle Rattle Deli says. The idea for Full Battle Rattle came about after an experience Gropper had with a veteran who was homeless at the VA hospital.

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