When Tessa McInnis moved to Grand Junction just over a year ago, she left her training and teaching at Core Power Yoga with hopes she would find something comparable in Grand Junction. To her dismay though, there was nothing even close to similar so she decided to utilize her extensive training and open her own Power Yoga studio. While waitressing, Tessa worked with the Grand Junction SBDC taking the How to Start a Business class and one-on-one counseling to put her business plan together, get financing, and answer all the other questions she had in starting her company. The final result; Yoga: Vinyassa opened June 2008. The studio is heated and humidified to provide the clients a range of benefits including but not limited to better flexibility/greater range of movement for poses, increased metabolism, improved immune system, and more effective fat burning. Her main advertising is word of mouth so every client’s first class is free with a variety of visit packages and discounts available to fit everyone’s schedule and needs.

JT Crane Service: Taking Business to New Heights
Jeff Thornton, veteran, owner, and operator had 12 years of crane operating experience and another five years of heavy equipment operator experience. However, something Jeff had limited experience with was starting and growing a business. “The classes and coaches [at the Grand Junction SBDC] have been essential because I have no experience in bookkeeping or web design,” said Jeff. After learning about the Grand Junction SBDC through the SBA’s website, Jeff made his first coaching