CIMBRA Inc.

Owning and operating a business is challenging. Doing so as someone who is underrepresented in business as well as their own industry ads even more hoops to jump through. For Miriam Rodriguez though, the challenges are worth struggling through to live everyday doing the work she loves.

Miriam is the owner of CIMBRA Inc, a Brighton-based construction business offering landscaping, environmental services, and land reclamation services. She will be coming up on her 5-year mark in business this summer and has made use of the SBDC consulting services and programming for the last several years. Miriam is a recent graduate of the Leading Edge program through the North Metro SBDC, where she was enthusiastically engaged each week and capitalized on the new information to take her business to the next level.

Through the help of the SBDC and connections made during the course, Miriam received her certifications as a Minority/Woman-owned Business Enterprise, Small Business Enterprise, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, and Emerging Business Enterprise in October of 2023. Feeling equipped with the necessary information and resources, Miriam states, “I feel happy and I feel like finally I am getting to where I wanted to be.”

Miriam expressed the difficulties of being a female leader in the construction industry. Despite being extremely qualified, she is often overlooked due to longstanding discrimination in the industry. However, feeling equipped by all she has learned in the Leading Edge course, coupled with the weekly dose of encouragement, Miriam has a renewed outlook on the industry that she loves and is willing to work through the discrimination to live out her passion. Fueled by a new sense of confidence, Miriam says, “Information is power.”

Since completing the Leading Edge course, Miriam has continued to meet with SBDC consultants and has been collaborating with counselors through CDOT as well as the MBO office. The SBDC is proud to support the journey of businesses like CIMBRA Inc. and celebrates the success Miriam has already realized as well as the new opportunities coming her way in the future.

KidSpace

To say that Roger and Meghan Stockman have somewhat of a diverse background and childhood would be an understatement. Megan is a Kansas native raised in rural northern Kansas, served in the military and retired with the rank of Major. Roger, whose Father was with the State Department, was born in Singapore…lived in Africa, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland and Ireland…finally landing in Kansas City. Roger’s initial career was in Law Enforcement, serving with agencies in Lawrence,

Core Progression Elite Personal Training

In 2006, Jon Cerf was graduating from Baylor University, working part time at a fitness center and had plans to go on to Med-School. He had done some work in the landscaping industry when he was in high school and had somewhat developed a fondness for the freedom of being involved independently in business. But something happened while working in the fitness world. The bright light of inspiration went off and he kept wondering how,

Deltech, Inc.

Deltech Inc. designs and builds furnaces for the production of scientific products, from laboratory implements to semi-conductor components. Deltech is a small, family-run company with a large impact. It began in 1968 as an engineering services company for the mining industry. The co-founders, Calvin L. Stevenson and Donald J. Drinkwater, were mining engineers. Deltech built its first furnace for Coors Tek, then known as Coors Porcelain. Their second customer was Los Alamos National Laboratories. Mary

JCS Cleaning Services

A strong online presence is crucial to a business’s success, especially in our ever-increasing digital world reliant on technology. For many business owners, the skills needed to create and manage a professional website are daunting and ultimately a barrier to their business’s growth. To address the gap in digital skills, especially among minority business owners, the North Metro SBDC started a website program led by Diego Leyes, Bilingual Digital Marketing Specialist and Spanish Programs Outreach Consultant. The selected client for the first round of the website program was Jorge Torres, owner of JCS Cleaning Services.

Profound Fitness

Diana Rael is the owner of Profound Fitness, a small, personalized gym and training program for all fitness needs. That sounds like the description of many typical fitness establishments. However, Rael’s program is anything but typical. She serves people with special needs, those dealing with the challenges of aging, and those who are uncomfortable in a gym setting—as well as everyone else. Rael’s background includes early childhood education, science education, martial arts, and personal training.

ORBIN Contracting LLC

Erin Royal, Owner/Founder

A Shining Example of Success

Erin Royal joined the Leading Edge for Entrepreneurs program with the North Metro SBDC with a vision and determination to build something remarkable. With more than 18 years of experience as a project manager for another construction company, Erin had the foundational knowledge and expertise to excel. However, she sought the right tools, strategies, and network to launch her own venture successfully.

Engagement and Implementation

Throughout the course, Erin was the epitome of engagement. She actively participated in every session, eagerly absorbed the material, and consistently shared valuable tips and insights with her fellow classmates. Her collaborative spirit and willingness to help others created a vibrant learning environment, benefiting everyone involved.

First Contract and Beyond…