PINEDALE – A successful Jump Start Program culminated in June with four individuals receiving grants to open small businesses across Sublette County.

The Jump Start Program is spearheaded by the Sublette County Chamber of Commerce, Sublette BOCES and private sponsors and provides the opportunity for Sublette County residents to learn skills to launch their own small business.

In 2023, with the help of Four Pines Physical Therapy, Wind River Brew Pub and Log Cabin Help, the Chamber of Commerce awarded individual Jump Start grants to Cristy Anspach, Ashlin Applin, Sara Allison and the team of B.J. Meador and Erin Fazendin. The judges awarded an additional $600 prize to Joseph Brueckner.

The Jump Start Program includes an orientation, eight classes teaching fundamental business principals and weekly homework. At the end of the program, if participants meet certain requirements, including the production of a business plan, they are eligible to enter the final competition for the grant funds that is judged by local businesspeople.

Each person who has made it through the class ends with a viable business plan and the chance to win grant money to help start a business in Sublette County. Out of 15 folks who began the program in 2023, 13 completed the requirements to make them eligible for grant money.

Anspach thanked the chamber of commerce and its sponsors for hosting the Jump Start Program.

“The program is excellent,” Anspach added. “I learned, I laughed, I worked hard and I thought about things I never realized I’d need to think about. As a result, I feel confident and prepared to launch with both feet into a small-business pottery venture.”

Fazendin and Meador also expressed their gratitude to the program sponsors, the judges and their classmates.

“I really appreciated the structure of the program,” said Fazendin. “It allowed participants to understand the structure of a business plan and take the daunting task of building the business up by breaking it into easily managed tasks. The end product was a complete and properly assembled plan that was ready for presentation. It was an amazing opportunity to present our project and product to community members who have been in our shoes and started businesses themselves.”

Applin called the Jump Start course an “incredible experience.”

“Having little background in business, it gave me information and insights to formulate a business plan and learn business strategies along the way,” Applin said. “Another great perk was learning through the chamber and knowledgeable professionals who took their time to come in and share their expertise. I would recommend this program to anyone with an interest in being an entrepreneur.”

The Sublette County Chamber of Commerce is committed to “fostering and creating a sustainable business climate in Sublette County.” A significant portion of the chamber’s mission is to assist entrepreneurs in taking their dreams and turning them into viable, sustainable businesses.

The Sublette County Chamber of Commerce wishes to thank its generous sponsors, knowledgeable judges and all of the students who worked so hard to make their dreams of opening a small business come true.