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Featured Business: Durango Joe's Coffee

7/17/2024

By Sara Lynn Valentine

‘LOVE PEOPLE LOVE COFFEE’ is the motto that has driven Durango Joe’s success story since since its inception in 2004.“We believe everyone deserves a smile, a warm greeting and a great cup of coffee,” says Joe Lloyd, owner and founder (with his wife LeAnna). Celebrating 20 years as a popular, home-grown Durango institution, Durango Joe’s has expanded from its original address on College Drive to a total of five Durango locations, plus five more in Aztec and Farmington.

“So much has happened during the past three years,” Joe says. “We came out on this side of Covid with a lot of changes in how we approach hiring and retaining staff. The biggest challenge was getting our workforce back. It was really hard for a couple of years just to keep our stores open. Last summer we started seeing a shift to people wanting to come back to work. We finally are now able to run all our locations with normal hours. The second big challenge for us - and probably every food industry in town - is that the cost of doing business since Covid has skyrocketed. Insurance, the cost of coffee, cups to serve it in - just about everything shot up 30% over the past three years! Every restaurant in town is facing this problem. At Durango Joe’s, we’re making some changes in our food service to stay competitive. I had my own bakery before, but I just can’t cover the costs anymore of running it. Larger companies can make a huge volume and charge less. We’re now getting our burritos from an all-natural burrito maker and can pass on the savings to our customers. We’ll be offering a lot more variety in foods, including a whole line of breakfast sandwiches for under $5.00. This is what’s been keeping me busiest, along with offering a new, interactive Durango Joe’s app, so we can thank our customers for their loyalty with points that earn them free drinks and other rewards.”

Both longtime and new customers cite the warm welcome and focused, personal service they receive at Durango Joe’s as a reason they return again and again. “We look for staff that want more than just a job,” Joe says. We hire people who truly care about others and want to make a positive difference in each customer’s day. I can train anybody to make good coffee. But I can’t train people to have that caring spirit.” Customers also appreciate that every cup of coffee they buy at Durango Joe’s factors into the donation budget Joe sets each year to support the community, including the Boys and Girls Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Adaptive Sports, Alternative Horizons, The San Juan Symphony, The Durango Arts Center, Fort Lewis College, San Juan Medical Foundation, Durango Film, Rotary, Kiwanis, the Liberty School scholarship program for dyslexic students, and many more local non-profit organizations.

“Being part of the Durango Chamber has created community for me,” Joe says. “It has been great to be involved with other local businesses and other business leaders. The networking opportunities, the professional groups, and the leadership programs the Chamber spearheads are so beneficial.”

To reach Joe, call (970) 259-1808 or email [email protected]. Learn more at DurangoJoes.com

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Empowering Small Businesses with Essential Legal Insights!

7/17/2024

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Join us for the Employment Law Update Conference Aug. 14.
By Kim Oyler, Interim CEO of the Durango Chamber of Commerce

I take immense pride in the work we do at the Durango Chamber to support our local businesses. Seeing businesses thrive because of the resources we provide is one of the most rewarding parts of my job. That’s why I’m particularly excited to announce the upcoming Employment Law Update in collaboration with the Durango Area Human Resources Management organization.

Coming up on Aug 14, is a one-day conference led by esteemed employment law attorney Michael Santo and his team of lawyers. This event is an invaluable opportunity for small business owners and managers to gain critical insights into current employment laws, compliance strategies and solutions to common HR challenges.
For small businesses, especially with limited resources, navigating the complexities of employment law can be daunting and time consuming. Keeping up-to-date with continuously changing regulations is essential to ensuring a fair and compliant workplace environment and avoiding costly legal disputes.

We invite you to attend this conference at the Fort Lewis College Student Union Ballroom. Michael and his team will cover a range of topics, including recent changes in employment legislation and compliance strategies. They will share their extensive experience and expertise, providing clear, actionable advice to help you stay ahead of the curve.

This event also offers an opportunity to network with fellow small business owners and industry professionals. Sharing experiences and solutions with peers can provide new perspectives and innovative ideas for managing your business more effectively.

Thank you to the Law Firm of Bechtel & Santo, the Leavitt Group, and the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad for sponsoring the conference. This event is just one example of how the Durango Chamber provides resources to support the area’s business community and why I love working here.

To register for this conference or for more information about the Chamber, our activities and events, visit DurangoBusiness.org.

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The Durango Chamber of Commerce: a Catalyst for Local Business Growth and Advocacy!

7/10/2024

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By Kim Oyler, Interim CEO of the Durango Chamber of Commerce

Durango is fortunate to have many valuable organizations working together to support local business, and today, I’d like to shine a spotlight on the Durango Chamber of Commerce and some of its contributions to our business community.

The mission of the Durango Chamber of Commerce is to be an advocate and resource for local business, fostering economic growth, community development and empowering local businesses. To do this, the Chamber provides an array of resources and tools designed to aid business development, from innovative marketing strategies to essential HR workshops. Each month, our Lunch & Learn sessions dive into diverse topics, and in the coming months, our sessions will focus on enhancing customer service, crafting engaging videos, mastering social media, leveraging AI, and utilizing Canva. These workshops are designed to equip our members with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in the marketplace.

For small businesses that can’t always keep up with the ever-changing landscape of human resources, the Chamber helps to bridge the gap. Working in collaboration with the Durango Area Association of HR Managers, the Chamber is hosting invaluable workshops designed to keep small businesses updated. This August, employment law specialist Michael Santo will lead a session on the latest labor law updates, ensuring our local businesses remain compliant and competitive.

The Chamber’s mission extends beyond mere support; it is deeply committed to fostering a business-friendly environment through robust advocacy efforts. We champion the interests of local businesses at the local, state and national levels, advocating for policies that support economic growth while opposing legislation that could harm the business climate. This advocacy is crucial, as it ensures that the voices of local businesses are heard and considered throughout the public policy process.

To keep our community informed about legislative and policy developments and their implications for local businesses, the Durango Chamber is hosting an “Eggs and Issues Legislative Wrap-Up” event on Thursday, June 27, and we invite you to attend. This event is a prime opportunity for business owners and community members to stay current on issues at the state level. Attendees will hear directly from the Colorado Competitive Council (C3), a staunch pro-business advocate. This organization collaborates with businesses, chambers and economic development corporations throughout Colorado, leveraging a team of experts with in-depth knowledge of critical business issues and influence at the State Capitol.

During the June 27th event, C3 executive director Rachel Beck and lobbyist Travis Berry will share their insights and advocacy efforts from the recent legislative session. They will provide updates on which bills passed, which failed, and which may resurface next session, specifically focusing on issues impacting business and southwest Colorado. This session is essential for anyone wanting to understand the legislative landscape and its potential impact on their business.

Altogether, the Chamber’s initiatives foster a thriving business climate, which enhances quality of life, and ensures a thriving community. We proudly serve as a big voice for small business, acting as a catalyst, connector, convener, and champion for our members and the broader community. For more information about the Chamber, our activities and events, visit DurangoBusiness.org.

Dear Chamber Members,
I wanted to provide an update on the Chamber CEO search. We received many great applications and are going through the process of evaluating them and starting the initial interview process. We have a Search Committee that consists of the Chamber Board of Directors. We hope to have someone in place by end of the summer.

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Featured Business: Durango Joe's Coffee

By Sara Lynn Valentine

Empowering Small Businesses with Essential Legal Insights!

Join us for the Employment Law Update Conference Aug. 14. ​By Kim Oyler, Interim CEO of the Durango Chamber of Commerce​

The Durango Chamber of Commerce: a Catalyst for Local Business Growth and Advocacy!

The Durango Chamber of Commerce

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Join us for the Employment Law Update Conference Aug. 14.
By Kim Oyler, Interim CEO of the Durango Chamber of Commerce