The Commons on Champa Launches Program Series to Support Women Entrepreneurs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Brea Olson
[email protected]
303.775.4712


THE COMMONS ON CHAMPA LAUNCHES PROGRAM SERIES
TO SUPPORT WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS

Feb. 4 program to focus on taking women-owned businesses to the next level

DENVER – The Commons on Champa, a public campus for entrepreneurship in Downtown Denver created by the Downtown Denver Partnership, Colorado Technology Association and the City and County of Denver, announced today the launch of a series of programs aimed at supporting women entrepreneurs and increasing diversity within Denver’s startup community.

“While Denver is in the top three metro areas in the U.S. for women to start a business, less than two percent of women-owned firms reach the million dollar revenue threshold,” says Traci Lounsbury, principal and co-founder of Denver-based commercial interior products dealer ELEMENTS. “After seeing these statistics and understanding firsthand the challenges women entrepreneurs face, I am pleased to partner with The Commons on Champa to help grow the community of women entrepreneurs in Colorado taking their businesses to the next level.”

The first program in the series, titled “Breaking Big: Taking Small Woman-Owned Businesses to the Next Level in Denver,” will feature several successful local women business owners who provide a unique and candid look at the road to success. The panel will be moderated by TaRhonda Thomas of 9NEWS and include:

·       Traci Lounsbury, Workplace ELEMENTS

·       Debbi Warden,  RubinBrown, LLP

·       Annette Quintana, Istonish

·       Nicole Smith, Mary’s Medicinals

“This is an important initiative to strengthen the diversity within Downtown Denver’s thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem and empower female entrepreneurs,” says Tami Door, president and CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership. “Through the leadership of our Board member, Traci Lounsbury, the Downtown Denver Partnership is pleased to support this effort and advance this important dialogue.

Tickets for the first event, which will take place on Feb. 4 at 7:15 a.m. at The Commons on Champa, are sold out. Media interested in attending the event should contact Brea Olson at [email protected].

Future programs will include featured speakers, workshops and leadership courses initiated by ELEMENTS, The Commons on Champa and its partners the Downtown Denver Partnership, Colorado Technology Association and the City and County of Denver. Program details will be made available at www.thecommons.co.

About The Commons on Champa

The Commons on Champa is a first-of-its-kind public, private and nonprofit partnership that is a catalyst for economic development in Denver. It is built on three key elements – space, programming and community – to accelerate Downtown Denver’s culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. As a unique gathering place for Denver’s diverse community of business builders and innovators, The Commons emphasizes inclusivity and expands access for entrepreneurs in all industries through high quality programming, advanced technology, networking, and other resources at low- to no-cost. The Commons was founded by the Downtown Denver Partnership, Colorado Technology Association and the City of County of Denver, and with the support of 39 organizations that contributed time, resources and financial support including platinum partners Comcast, JPMorgan Chase & Co., the Quarterly Forum, and Liberty Global. For more information visit www.thecommons.co.