Often entrepreneurs are so busy running their day-to-day operations that they can lose sight of big-picture strategy. Seeing that dynamic unfold in Steamboat, beloved local and Alpine Bank customer Herald Stout wanted to help get his neighbor business-owners back up to the 30,000-foot strategic view. With this goal in mind, Stout, who passed in 2018, provided the kernel of the idea that flourished into the Alpine EDGE program.
An acronym that stands for energize, develop and grow entrepreneurs, EDGE was established in 2017 to help Steamboat businesses reinvigorate their processes, improve systems and motivate their owners for continued growth and success. Alpine Bank teamed with Steve Muntean of Muntean Leadership Group, a nationally recognized expert in growing business results, creating winning strategies and developing leadership skills.
Before long, the two partners had developed EDGE into an eight-month program, offered by invitation only to 12 local Alpine Bank business customers. It was so popular in Routt County that the partners started a second EDGE series for Vail Valley businesses.
“Alpine EDGE has been an excellent program for bringing great minds together — the local entrepreneurs of Eagle County,” says Brian Nestor, president of Alpine Bank Avon.
Participation is free of charge, and each month’s two-and-a-half-hour session is focused on a different topic – ranging from employee development to effective leadership, from operations support to leveraging accounting, legal and financial relationships. The program is structured so that no competing businesses participate in the same program, so EDGE participants may speak directly, exchange ideas and frustrations, and support one another cooperatively.
Chris and Niffy Bube, the husband-and-wife team behind Steamboat Ski Town Real Estate, LLC, participated in the 2022 Alpine EDGE course.
“It was such a great experience. We did it together, since we’re in business together,” says owner/broker Niffy. “We learned how much our personality traits can influence our business decisions. Knowing that, we can use our strengths to our advantage.”
Six years in, there are now EDGE Alumni Gatherings to continue the business performance momentum and networking opportunities. “There’s so much value in learning from other business owners in town; the supply and demand challenges, workforce issues. It’s fascinating,” says Niffy.
The course is a $9,000 value, available by invitation only and offered at no charge. “I was grateful to be chosen and it was so valuable. It’s one of the reasons I love Alpine Bank,” says Niffy. “It’s who I want to align myself with.”
Business owners interested in receiving an invitation to participate in EDGE should contact Adonna Allen, president of Alpine Bank Routt County, or Brian Nestor, president of Alpine Bank Eagle County.
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