What makes entrepreneurial stories so captivating? Is it the resilience and vision shown in tough times, or the brilliance in seizing unique market opportunities? Perhaps it's the courage to venture into the unknown, betting boldly on an unconventional idea.

Often, these entrepreneurs start or expand their business with just a spark - an idea and the determination to bring it to life. Their journeys remind us that with the right skills and mindset, your own success story is achievable. Enjoy!

Envision Web Designers 
Jessica Sorden, Founder 
Salida CO
envisionwebdesigners.com

“What I realized when setting up my business was - I don’t need to do this alone and I wasn’t meant to have all the answers. I needed to be around people that lift me up, think differently, and propose new ideas. Before I knew it I was surrounded by supportive, creative and progressive thinkers.”
- Jessica Sorden

Envisioning Success: Jessica Sorden's Transformation from Corporate Burnout to Web Design Maestro

In the beautiful town of Salida, Colorado, where the mountains echo with stories of solo entrepreneurs and makers, Jessica Sorden, the creative mind behind Envision Web Designers, embarked on a journey of personal and professional transformation.

The couple years following the birth of her child, corporate burnout as an ECommerce Manager led to her to contemplate what is best for her and her family - and what is helping and hurting that cause. Her postpartum experience became a catalyst for change. She delved into the world of attachment-centric parenting, became a Baby-Led Sleep & Well Being Specialist and a Certified Lactation Consultant & local volunteer. This helped her feel deeply rooted in her world as a mother, but something else needed to change.

Jessica's confidence to leave her corporate career fell into place after she submitted a free one-on-one business consulting form on the Central Mountain SBDC website. She had her first of a few impactful meetings with an SBDC consultant that she looks up to, carved out her action plan, and still has check-ins with today.
 
Next she attended the LeanUp Start + Scale Series Cohort training guided by who she calls yet another brilliant SBDC consultant. She spent 8 interactive hours crafting her Lean Canvas & business plan and vetting new product ideas on paper. She also relished meeting other like-minded local business owners and created new connections.

The spring Female Freelancer Mastermind Series added another layer to Jessica's toolkit. Surrounded by a diverse cohort she gained valuable insights and learned low-cost, actionable tactics to apply to her business. 

Late-spring she also attended The Power of WE conference where she was both a guest and exhibitor. Not only was it awe inspiring to be surrounded by hundreds of talented women, but she made connections to further strengthen her presence in this bustling High-Rockies business community. 

Every one of her interactions with the SBDC supported her path of a progressive business journey, providing her with tools for strategic growth as well as a sense of community belonging and a network.

Envision Web Designers, Jessica's company, stands as a testament to her commitment to supporting solo and small businesses locally and globally. Her tailored WordPress and Shopify websites reflect not just technical expertise but also a deep understanding of her clients' goals and visions. With a focus on on-site search engine optimization, keyword research, and compelling messaging, Jessica helps give her clients an online recipe for success.

Beyond her role as a website expert, Jessica helps educate others on how to succeed online. She is now one of our Marketing Power Hour distinguished experts, teaching business workshops, including 'Get More Organic Website Traffic - Easy On Page SEO Improvements' and 'Online Store - E-Commerce Best Practices + Emerging Trends.'

As Jessica looks back on her journey and anticipates the opportunities of 2024, she appreciates the invaluable support from the Central Mountain SBDC. Through their consultations, workshops and mastermind series, she discovered more than just knowledge; she found her community.