Panel Discussion on 6/15: Women in Business & Investment

Register here now for panel discussion.

Four women, all business experts in their industry verticals, will speak on June 15, beginning at 12:30 p.m., in the ballroom at the Madeline Hotel. This is the second and final event in the Business at Elevation summer series in Mountain Village that aimed to connect business leaders with current and aspiring business owners and entrepreneurs.

Keynoting this Business at Elevation event is Elizabeth Kraus, co-founder and chief investment officer of MergeLane, a startup accelerator and fund that targets companies with at least one woman in leadership. Kraus is also very active in the national and statewide effort to improve the entrepreneurial ecosystem and mobilize angel investors.

Kraus will be joined by three other business women – Kristin Holbrooke, Jen Taylor, and Patty Denny – to address the topic of women in business and investment more broadly.

“Studies show that startups with at least one woman in leadership outperform those without, yet only 18 percent of startups have at least one female founder,” explained Kraus. “Investing in women is not only the right thing to do, it is the smart thing to do.”

PANEL:

Kristin Holbrook | Retail: Founder of Two Skirts,: Kristin has successfully maintained a retail presence in Telluride for over 15 years. Part of her ongoing success is how she merchandises the store: clothes selection mirrors Telluride tastes to a “T,” which means no uber trendy labels; rather an appeal to our box canyon’s unique lifestyle from day to day. Another component of Kristin’s – and the store’s – enduring popularity is customer service: Kristin and her salesforce wear the clothes well, but more than that, regular customers are made to feel like family. In addition, Kristin, a former Telluride Foundation Citizen of the Year (2014), has always been a very generous supporter of regional nonprofits. In other words, part of her business strategy includes giving back. Come hear Kristin’s thoughts on how to create a sustainable retail enterprise.

Kristin Holbrooke

Jen Taylor | Outdoor Industry: Jen is founder of Mountain Sprouts, an outdoor apparel company featuring outerwear for active kids. In 2007, the company sold to Mountain Khakis, and since that time Jen has been part of the team as the brand manager and director of creative development. An avid lover of the outdoors and super passionate about the industry, Jen has been instrumental in supporting emerging companies in the outdoor space as a founder of the Manufacturers of Outdoor Gear Sale, now the GEAR UP Festival, which takes place on the Western Slope in collaboration with Chacos. GEAR UP provides the opportunity to sell direct and move inventory.

Jen Taylor

Patty Denny | Manufacturing: Life is oh so sweet for this former Broadway actress-turned-chocolatier: Patty has created one of Telluride’s favored (and flavored) brands from her famous hot chocolate to the fourteener series. Her creativity has elevated Telluride Truffle to a category of must-stops in Telluride. And she has established a worldwide presence, shipping her confections to several countries and throughout the U.S. Commercial space in Lawson Hill serves as the location for her manufacturing facility. Patty also sells products through an e-commerce site and a retail shop in town.

Patty Denny

“Having this diverse panel of women who are experts in various industries, from investment to retail and manufacturing, are sure to inspire and help create a network of regional business women,” said Nichole Zangara Riley, director of marketing and business development for Mountain Village.

For more details and to register, visit Business at Elevation: Women in Business and Investment.

Heavy appetizers and beverages will be provided.

Business at Elevation is a partnership between Mountain Village and Telluride Venture Accelerator.