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 appointment in the spring of 2019. Shortly after his initial meeting, he launched his crane business.

JT Crane Service offers crane services to individuals and contractors for new construction projects, repairs, restorations, sign and glass installations, HVAC installs, and hot tub deliveries.

Throughout 2019, Jeff continued meeting with various SBDC business coaches on marketing strategies and bookkeeping enrolling in courses at the Grand Junction SBDC such as Bookkeeping Bootcamp and the intensive, 12-week LEADING EDGE Strategic Business Planning and Management Course.

Even with the uncertainty of 2020, Jeff continued taking his business to new heights. JT Crane Service continued to grow. He recently added his second crane and hired his first employee.

“My business almost tripled from my first year. Covid had little to no effect on my business,” said Jeff.

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