SBDC Session of Idea Awesomeness!

We created SO MANY GREAT IDEAS!

What a great meeting we had at the SBDC conference this year! We had an attendance of over 200 women (sold out) and in the Idea Exchanging Session we had over 60 women sharing ideas and growing their Idea Righteousness muscles. Listed below you will see all of our ideas that were created. We had 7 idea sessions. Please review the ideas and see how they can benefit you and your business. Before you move forward with an idea, always bounce it off of a friend or colleague that you trust and is successful in business. Some may be out of context, but all the idea needs to do is get the ball rolling for you to create something new and productive for you in growing your business. I am missing 2 tables lists, when I get them, I will add them & notify you. Enjoy!

#1. How can our country be healthier?

Grow our own food, Teach healthy habits in schools, Teach Personal and $ health, start with kids and help them respect each other, engage kids with healthy habits, increase experiential learning for kids so they KNOW HOW to be healthy, teach kids to be more IN their bodies, take care of the earth,  educate patients-don’t just treat symptoms, pay teachers more and give them more resources so that they have what they need so they can teach what they need to teach, Compassion, Prevention, Get adjusted by a chiropractor, Empathy, Peace, Laughter, Healthy Eating, Love, Unconditional love, Restorative Justice, Positive Outlook, Healthier Families, Exercise, Less Stress, Sleep, Hydration, Loving your children, Communication, Education, Tax on fast foods, Revamp legal system, Encourage mental health education / awareness, Tax incentives for companies for health programs, Financial incentives for small business w/ under 20 employee, Don’t spend so much on drugs- eat healthier and take care of yourself-then you don’t need them, Fitness Incentives, Diet, Stop taking unneeded drugs, Work out, Be more authentic to each other, sustainability, Garden, Love, More forgiveness, Understanding, Less judging, Value more, Mentors for children, Include others, Laugh more, Use humor, Gratefulness, Start over, Slow down, eat healthy, new paradigm shift in education, get rid of congress, GMO awareness, health insurance incentives, more organic food, holistic/alternative health reception, recess/PE required, truth and integrity in ingredients, education that is affordable, no tolerance agriculture, change in perceptions, increased awareness, better and update antiquated education for medical field

#2 .How can our country save more money?

Stop building bombs, stop funding the war, dept of peace-not war, personal responsibility, be more knowledgeable and have more awareness as to how and why our tax $ is being spent, honor value of simplicity, downsize government, less consumerism, citizen politicians not career politicians, More popcorn, Limit consumer spending, reduce duplications of programs, Private Industry versus government, Separating needs versus wants, Don’t spend more than you have, Don’t be wasteful, Prepare for the future, Simplify, Love your job, Get rid of antiquated government system, If a group cannot justify their spending then their budget is cut for the next year, Preventative health care, Control lobbyist or get rid of them completely, Charge an excise tax to industries who have lobbyist or represented by lobbyist, Educate and approve alternative medicine, Plan better for future spending, Put more money into our health system and less in overseas programs, Reconsider the Space Program – move money to an Ocean Program, Eliminate redundant post/positions, Reevaluate current spending practices, Live within our means, Get rid of positions that are not needed, Really ease paper work, Consider the aged Americans, Bring us back into the USA, Auto saving out of paychecks just like taxes, Investing in our kids future, Recycle more, Thinking outside the box, live within budget, become accountable, support Americans, stop domination, more efficient, eliminate welfare, encourage, self development, encourage independence, positive values, politicians should have same benefits as rest of Americans, aware of deficits, truth in media, cooperation instead of competition, education from young age of what system does and how it works, pay movie stars and athletes less

#3.  List all of the places that you notice marketing? (that means you should have your marketing there)

Epic Magazine, tv, billboards, car wraps/magnets, inserts in newspapers and magazines, Facebook, internet, youtube, social media ads, airports, movies, on the radio, message boards around town, newsletters, brochure racks around town and in hotel lobbies, promo items-swag, placemats, bathrooms, napkin holders, direct mail, groupon/daily deals, direct emails, Rack cards, Banner, Theatre, Media, Print ads, Telephone poles, Bus stop, Bumper sticker, Fast food, Airport, Red book, Side of cars, Twitter, Social Media messages, Pens, Menu, Nametags, Magnets, Direct mail, Stickers, Word of Mouth, Windows, Event Programs, Calendars, Online, High school sports field, Restrooms, Publications, Placemats, Menus, Shopping carts, Clothing, Social media, Vehicles, Signs on buildings, Radio, SWAG, Bulletin boards, Cross Marketing areas, Movies, Mail outs, Phone books, Airplane (exterior), Sport events, Business cards, Benches, Public trash containers, Banners, Social media, Transportation, Networking, Newspaper ads, Business cards, Brochures, Grocery carts, Back of receipts, Card racks, Coffee shops, Banks, Ball caps, Cork boards, Name tags, Magazines, workshops, publications, events, billboards, tables, cups, tshirts/clothing, water bottles, napkins, books, movies, chamber, groups, conferences, photos with logos on them, business cards tattoos, in other businesses

#4.List as many places and events where you can have a booth, put your SWAG from your biz in a gift bag or where you can go and mingle to hand out business cards. Ideally with the month associated with the event.

Whole Expo (Sept 8-9), Chamber lunch and learns, taste of Durango, Rural Philanthropy Days in Ignacio, Pow-Wows, Farmer’s Market, Green Living Expo, Durango Space, Native American Heritage Month, Churches, the Spin community, DGO, WIE, BNI, Toastmasters, Swag bags to the new students in Aug & Sept, Put items in the bags at the bookstore (3,000 kids will get it), KSUT, KDUR, Donate to silent auctions, Fundraisers, fun runs, bike races, sporting events, raffle, sponsor speakers/conferences, product samples, Job Fair, Taste of Durango –May, Who’s your Daddy-June, Snowdown-Feb, Chamber – Monthly, Octoberfest –October, 4th of July, Gallery Walk  twice a year, Halloween Oct, Soup of the Souls March, Heritage Days October, La Plata County Fair July/August, Chocolate Fantasia February, Seniors Annual Summit, Doubletree Galas, Bear Dance May, Tribal Fairs Sept., Sundance July, Women’s Resource Aug, Home and Ranch Show, Bar D ongoing summer, Iron Horse Bicycle Class May, Non profits, All Wine Fairs, Farmers Market, Rotary monthly, Market Calendar, After Hours, Health Fair, Flea Market, 4 H, Ranch & Home Show, Iron Horse, SBDC Expo, Riverhouse events, Rec Center, Job Fair, Banks, Men Who Grill, Events, Swag bags/booths, Garden club, 4-coners folk fest, Taste of Durango (may), Thursday nights in the summer music in Buckley, Girls Night Out August, Park Events – Santa Rita/ Buckley, Music in The Mountains, Wine Expo, Annie’s Orphans, Search & Rescue, Bridal Fair, After Hours / Prom, Three springs movie events in the summer, Rodeos, Men who grill (June), Prom, Boys and girls events, Bbbs bowl for kids, Women’s resource center, Ride the Rockies, Speed pampering, Commute to work, 4th of July, Parade of lights, Parade of homes, Networking events, Hotels, Welcome packet, Economic development conference, Ypod, Chamber events, Business after hours, What a girl wants – oct, SBDC Women's small Business Conference – July, County Fair – Aug, Girls Night out – Aug, Chamber events – monthly, Pagosa Epic Challenge – Oct, Chili ChaCha – Aug, Devil's Ultra – Sept, Durango Double – Oct, Wedding Expo – January, River Days, Noel Night- Nov, Escalante Days – Aug, Mancos Days – July, Motorcycle Rally - Labor Day Weekend, Movie Symposium-Film Festival, What's Happening Durango.Com, Fundraisers - Silent Auctions, Business to Business Expo, Durango Welcome Center, Cowboy Gathering, Coffee Shops/Bulletin Boards

 #5.Who should (your chosen person at your table) cross market with and how:

Yvonne-director of Native American Center @ Fort Lewis College: Financial coaches, personal coaches, Career Services, Mentors -local businesses with paying internship opportunities, Videographer to promote the center to kids.

Chanell Ryan –Sky Ute Casino: Children groups, Schools, Bowling Parties, Mini Golf, Transportation from Durango, Chamber Events, Non-profit events, Bowling Shoe Decoration contests, Elderly, Traveling teams, After school programs, Sponsored leagues, Corporate Groups – team building, FLC

Kelly Hilbard- FasTrack Communications (only works with large firms): Chamber, Installers of communication lines / equipment, Commercial Developers, Alliances / Economic Development, Crowd funding (Iron Horse or large gatherings)

Cross market with for Grow Dome: Farmers market, Naturopaths, Yoga, Health food stores, Garden clubs, Hardware stores/ greenhouse, 9R, Preschools, Government contracts, Churches, Manna soup kitchen, Restaurants, Potshops, Shopadoodle.com

Cindy Dvergsten - Whole New Concepts LLC Cross marketing with:

schools/education, especially Native American Programs at Fort Lewis in spirit of communication, specialty construction crews, Growing Spaces, La Plata County, Turtle Refuge Café, Farmer's Market, Leading Edge

#6. What characteristics do you look for (in your next chosen person at your table) and how can they market that they are those things:

Deirdre Karger of Relax Durango: presence, integrity, knowledge, diversity of skills, continuing education, passion, uniqueness, caring—market through: portable chair massage around town, advertise in EPIC mag, demos at Farmer’s Market, do a vid to educate clients on benfits of massage, EPIC article, youtube channel

Tamara Jessup  Quality Home Health Care: Reliable, Trust, Empathy, Health Navigating Insurance, Educated, Licensed, Long term care policies, Feedback from workers in three counties, Patient care, Certified nurse assistant, Referrals from doctors, Continuity in care, Access for family members, Training resources

Laura – VP Alpine Bank: Follow-up w/ commitments to community, Do what you say you are going to do, Be Honest / Fair, Find creative in finding way to help small business, Service and give breaks to really, really small business, Be friendly, Offer great customer service, Adapt to locals needs, Be Reachable / post phone numbers to local bank, Think outside of the box, Work with community outreach, Teach youth- Banking, saving, balance of checking books, Make us feel like someone of value to you, not just someone to put $$ into your bank

Susan with shopadoodle.com: Price, Subscription period, Ease of use, Navigation, Other businesses in my area, Sub headings, No clutter, Links that work, 1st when searched, What are the search words, Updated, SEO, Have the products that you want, Feedback link, Ratings, Testimonials

Lara Durango Photo Fun Booth: Use Event Calendar for leads on whatshappeningdurango.com, fun - props/gadgets, delivery, reliability party atmosphere, personable, outgoing, loud or themed outfit for event, adding value, strong brand, website – fun, testimonials, calendar on website

 #7.How can (your next chosen person at your table) get more visibility?

Laurie of EPIC magazine: get mag in all Dr.’s offices, stand up racks- clear plastic and countertop racks, ads on the radio, car magnet,

Wendy Bryant   Sunflower Plant Services: Wedding expo, Rent out plants, Blooming plants at casino, Stage houses, Interior designers, Home care and vacation rentals, Home and Ranch Show, Parade of Homes, Word of mouth, Business cards, Christmas display set ups in home and businesses, Seasonal advertising.

Kathy at the Spa Shop: Speed pampering, Hotels, Chiropractors offices, Massage with others, Classes This was very hard for the Spa Shop because they are very visible in Durango.

Karen Skelly Photography: stickers (I've Been Shot) , photo albums as gifts with logo on back, discounts through printers, logo on gift boxes

Connie of Pagosa Medical Center: looking for places to promote their Coronary   program: Senior Citizen Center, Doctors, ER, Prevention program in elementary and middle school, Cause and effect of drugs on the heart w/ middle school and high school kids, Health Fair, Visitors pack, Hot Springs, Sport Programs, Gyms, Alternative medical, Local Dept of Health, if the program has a place for low income - Food banks / Shelters