2017: Another Great Year in the Books!
Every December I write this article reflecting on the moments, milestones, and amazing people that made 2017 a year to remember. From announcing another Best in the West business competition winner to accepting a state-funded grant in which we have been tasked with turning forty-foot motorhomes into rolling innovation labs, it’s been an extremely busy year for theCO.
However, overlooking the mistakes, the loses, and the setbacks for the year would be naive of us as an entrepreneur development center. Some of the greatest achievements and growth can be traced back to times of failure, and that’s perfectly okay! We’ve seen great ideas and potential businesses put on the back burner this year and understand that life gets in the way sometimes. Just know that theCO is here to help. Ask us questions, and tell us about your struggles. We want nothing more than to see you grow personally and help your business grow as well.
Made at theCO: How to Make a Giant Lite Brite
It didn’t start with a plan, but with a 55-inch TV hitting the ground.
About two years ago, Ben Ferguson, one of theCO’s CO:founders, helped his dad pick out a new television at Best Buy. They brought it to his house, set it up on the mantle, and were celebrating in the kitchen when they heard the sound of something heavy falling with a resounding smash.
The television had toppled over and shattered on the ground.
Best Buy couldn’t take the broken TV back, so Ferguson brought the monitor, which still glowed when turned on, to theCO.
A couple months ago, Lisa Garner, executive director, had the idea to turn the TV into a giant Lite Brite.
Made at theCO: Multi-Layered Wooden Sign
There is something so mesmerizing about a computer-motorized machine like the CNC router we have in theCO’s makerspace, and we’ve been getting a lot of fun use out of it lately. It might be the super smooth curves or the sheer precision of the cuts, but one thing is for sure: it allows you to make some cool custom signs! This week’s Made at theCO article is all about multi-layered wooden signs.
2016: A New Year for Opportunity
Well, folks, it’s going to be a new year soon, but will there be a new you? Time to cue the healthy lifestyle resolutions, organizational goals, and fancy gym memberships because 2016 is going to be full of accomplishments! However, here at theCO we might have slightly different resolutions in mind. We want to see those business ideas and dreams you’ve had since childhood come to life this year! Santa gave you all the tools necessary to get them started, so all you need is time, right? News flash—the time is now! Some call us the North Pole of Entrepreneurship; others just call us theCO.