Founded in FoCo 2025: Full Schedule

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9:00am MDT

Kung Fu Clarity - Ninja Strategies for Connection SEATS AVAILABLE

Thursday March 13, 2025 9:00am - 9:45am MDT

What if you could stand out In today's fast-paced, noise-filled business landscape? More than just innovation; is required, it demands strategic clarity. This session will equip you with the "ninja" skills to navigate the complexities of modern business and forge meaningful connections.

Drawing inspiration from the ancient martial art of Kung Fu, you'll learn practical strategies to:

Cut through the clutter: Learn to identify and eliminate distractions that hinder your focus and progress.

Master the art of listening: Discover how to truly understand your clients, colleagues, and partners, fostering deeper connections.

Channel your inner warrior: Unleash your potential and build the resilience needed to overcome challenges and seize opportunities.

Forge lasting relationships: Develop effective communication and networking skills to build strong, mutually beneficial partnerships.

Join us for an interactive and insightful session that will leave you empowered to navigate the complexities of the modern business world with confidence and clarity.

Julie is a martial arts student who has studied Kung Fu and Tai Chi in Northern Colorado for 10 years

Speakers

Julie Ulstrup

Business Strategist and Consultant for Ambitious Entrepreneurs, Julie Ulstrup Business Strategy and Consulting

Julie Ulstrup is THE go to business strategist and coach for experienced mission driven entrepreneurs who want to start or grow a profitable business so they can have more time and money freedom. With a lifetime spent perfecting the art clarity, she helps ambitious clients 2X their... Read More →

Thursday March 13, 2025 9:00am - 9:45am MDT
Twinberry Auditorium 1200 Raintree Dr, Fort Collins, CO 80526

Thematic Keynote

Subject Strategy, People, Leadership, Communication Skills, Social, Networking, Small & Medium Business, Solopreneur/Freelancers, Creativity, Mindset
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10:15am MDT

Writing Your Artist Statement! SEATS AVAILABLE

Thursday March 13, 2025 10:15am - 12:15pm MDT

Gregory Allicar Museum of Art's Robert W. Hoffert Learning Center [Offsite]

Calling all artists, writers, and creatives: emerging or established, mid-career or hobbyist!

Stumped by your artist statement? Don’t know where to start, what to say, or how long it should be? Have an existing statement that feels out of date or doesn’t accurately represent you or your work?

Discover the answers to these questions and more at Writing Your Artist Statement, an interactive workshop led by Madeleine Boyson, regional arts writer and editor.

Together we'll discover your work in your own voice, cover best practices, create new frameworks for statements, and build creative community in the process. Bring an existing statement or start from scratch!

Speakers

Madeleine Boyson

Arts and Culture Writer, Editor, + Communications Coordinator, Gregory Allicar Museum of Art

Madeleine Boyson (she/her) is a Denver-based writer, poet, and artist. She holds a BA in Art History and History from the University of Denver and makes her living as a communications professional, editorial coordinator, and arts writer.

Thursday March 13, 2025 10:15am - 12:15pm MDT
Gregory Allicar Museum of Art's Robert W. Hoffert Learning Center [Offsite] 1400 Remington StFort Collins, CO 80524

Creative Track, Workshop

Subject People, Growth, Communication Skills, Social, Creativity, Solopreneur/Freelancers, Networking
Format Workshop

11:15am MDT

From Fluff to Facts: Find The Real Truth Through Conversations

Thursday March 13, 2025 11:15am - 12:00pm MDT

Foxtail 2

Are you tired of market research conversations that seem to go nowhere? I’ll walk you through my approach to asking the right questions—the kind that lead to real, actionable feedback. It’s not about surface-level chats or vague promises; it’s about getting specific, diving deep, and learning what really drives your customers.

The key? It’s not about pitching your idea. In fact, it’s about avoiding it entirely. I’ll show you how to shift the conversation to focus on your customers' lives, their problems, and their real-world experiences. Instead of asking hypothetical questions like, "Would you use this?" or "Do you think it's a good idea?" you’ll learn how to ask about what they’ve actually done. That way, even your mom couldn’t lie to you about it!

Here’s what you’ll get out of it:

A new approach to customer conversations: Learn how to structure chats that reveal actionable insights instead of vague, surface-level responses.

Question techniques that work: Discover the exact questions that dig into past behaviors and help you get past fluff to find the stories that actually matter.

Common pitfalls to avoid: Learn how to steer clear of the mistakes that lead to misleading feedback, like fishing for validation or compliments.

How to get honest feedback: Shift the focus to your customers' real experiences to uncover genuine insights that will shape your product decisions.

Practical tools you can use right away: Walk away with question frameworks and strategies you can start using immediately to make every conversation count.

This session is all about making sure your market research is actually useful, so you can build something your customers really need, not just something they say they want.

Speakers

kateryna quinn

Founder, ASTASH | Uplify AI

Kateryna Quinn is a mom, an immigrant, and a proud small business owner in Northern Colorado. Recognized as a Forbes Next 1000 honoree and one of NOCO's 30 Under 30, she has made a name for herself as a leader in marketing and web design. As the founder of ASTASH an award-winning... Read More →

Thursday March 13, 2025 11:15am - 12:00pm MDT
Foxtail 2 1200 Raintree Dr, Fort Collins, CO 80526

Builder Track

Subject People, Strategy, Growth, Sales, Marketing, Communication Skills, Social, Leadership, Mindset, Networking, Small & Medium Business, Solopreneur/Freelancers
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1:00pm MDT

AI-Driven Marketing: Unlocking the Future of Customer Engagement and Data Mastery SEATS AVAILABLE

Thursday March 13, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm MDT

Foxtail 1

Step into the future of marketing with Phil Metzger as he demystifies AI's role in revolutionizing customer engagement and data mastery. This dynamic, interactive session is tailored for solopreneurs and small business owners looking to harness the power of AI in their marketing strategies.

Discover how AI is transforming the marketing landscape, from enhancing data acquisition to enabling real-time decision making. Through engaging activities and real-world examples, you'll explore:
- The evolution of marketing
- Traditional vs. AI-driven approaches
- AI-powered customer insights and personalization techniques
- Ethical considerations in AI-driven data acquisition
- Practical AI tools for businesses with 1-50 employees

By the end of this session, you'll have a clear understanding of how to implement AI in your marketing efforts, balancing innovation with ethical considerations. You'll leave equipped with actionable strategies to:
1) Leverage AI for deeper customer insights
2) Craft personalized marketing campaigns that resonate
3) Make data-driven decisions in real-time
4) Navigate the ethical landscape of AI in marketing

Interactive elements include live polls, group discussions, and a hands-on demo of an AI marketing tool. You'll have the opportunity to collaborate with peers, share ideas, and get your burning questions answered.

Don't miss this chance to demystify AI and unlock its potential for your business. Whether you're AI-curious or looking to enhance your current strategies, this session will provide the knowledge and confidence to thrive in the AI-driven marketing landscape.

Join us to overcome the overwhelm, prioritize data protection, and confidently integrate AI into your marketing operations. Let's innovate together and pave the way for long-term success in the age of AI!

Speakers

Phil Metzger

Founder of Mirror Marketing | A.I. Fanatic, Mirror Marketing - Founder

Phil Metzger is the visionary founder and owner of Mirror Marketing, a cutting-edge digital marketing agency specializing in empowering small businesses through data, creativity, and innovative AI-driven strategies. Phil has become a trusted authority in leveraging artificial intelligence... Read More →

Thursday March 13, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm MDT
Foxtail 1 1200 Raintree Dr, Fort Collins, CO 80526

AI Track

Subject AI, Marketing, Solopreneur/Freelancers, Small & Medium Business, Technology, Strategy
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1:00pm MDT

The Resilient Entrepreneur: Mastering Emotional Agility SEATS AVAILABLE

Thursday March 13, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm MDT

Lupine

In the high-pressure world of entrepreneurship, success goes beyond business acumen. The "whole" entrepreneur is emotionally resilient.

Drawing from over 40 years of experience as a licensed therapist, relationship coach, and stress management expert, Kathy Rushing blends Susan David's emotional agility framework** with deep insights into the entrepreneurial journey. Learn how to navigate the complex emotional landscape of business ownership, from managing daily stressors to making high-stakes decisions, by mastering the four key components of emotional agility: Showing Up, Stepping Out, Walking Your Why, and Moving On.
Discover practical strategies that have helped other entrepreneurs build resilience, maintain healthy relationships, and thrive amidst uncertainty.
**"Emotional Agility: Get Unstuck, Embrace Change, and Thrive in Work and Life" by Susan David, Ph.D.

Speakers

Kathy Rushing

Founder, Lodestar Relationship Coaching

Kathy Rushing, M.S. helps couples build strong, lasting marriages, with a special focus on entrepreneurial couples. She founded Lodestar Relationship Coaching in 2023 to guide couples through life's challenges. Kathy's secret sauce? She combines 30 years of experience as a Marriage... Read More →

Thursday March 13, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm MDT
Lupine 1200 Raintree Dr, Fort Collins, CO 80526

Solopreneur/Freelancer Track

Subject Strategy, Small & Medium Business, Solopreneur/Freelancers, Mindset, Mental Health
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Founded in FoCo 2025

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