Startup Colorado is a 501(c)(3) that works with rural entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders throughout the state to cultivate successful environments to start and grow businesses in the places that they call home. They have an amazing, effective approach to supporting entrepreneurs in rural places and if you are involved in this work and their Communications and Editorial Director, Margaret Hedderman, is here to tell us all about it. 

 

About Margaret

Before relocating to the Front Range, Margaret managed the marketing and events programs for several independent businesses and startups in Durango, CO. She specializes in developing strong community initiatives to not only support business growth, but also foster creative connections and opportunities. In 2016, she conceptualized and created the annual Women Outside Adventure Forum and Colorado Trail Days festival. She is also a writer of creative non-fiction, screenplays, and the odd bit of fiction. Margaret recently earned her MA from the University of East Anglia in England. Originally from rural New Mexico, she considers the empty, quiet places of Colorado home.

 

In this episode, we cover:

• What an entrepreneurial ecosystem is and why it’s so complicated
• The importance of partnership and trust
• Why it can be helpful to emphasize regionality 
• How storytelling fits into rural entrepreneurial ecosystem building
• How an online community can work in tandem with in-person efforts 

 

Links and Resources Mentioned:

Startup Colorado Website: https://startupcolorado.org/

Startup Colorado Facebook: https://www.growingsmalltowns.org/post/episode99

Startup Colorado Podcast