Denver SBDC Earns US Small Business Administration Innovation Award

Denver, Colo. – March 29, 2012 - The Denver Metro Small Business Development Center (SBDC), which has an office location at JWU’s Denver Campus, has earned a 2012 Excellence & Innovation Award from the US Small Business Administration (SBA).

The Denver SBDC drew praise from Karen Mills, chief administrator of the US SBA, for its role in driving economic growth, as well as for its “hard work, innovative ideas and dedication to [the] community.”

Under the leadership of executive director Tameka Montgomery, the Denver SBDC has grown to include two satellite offices, 17 consultants and numerous strategic relationships with local lenders, law firms and other organizations that offer their expertise to local small businesses.

The SBDC’s relationship with JWU is a great opportunity for business students, who get hands-on experience helping real clients, and faculty members, who offer practical advice and help entrepreneurs set realistic goals for their new ventures.

For Chad Farnsworth '11, working at the SBDC was invaluable experience for starting his own business. “I got to learn about how businesses fail, without failing myself. I get the insight of what I can avoid, or what I can do to be better.”

When Chad found out that the SBDC was right on campus, he went in to volunteer and never left. “I pretty much stayed there until the day I graduated,” he says.

Ready to jump start your business career? Learn more about hands-on learning in the College of Business.