HOOPER – Approximately 40 people attended the Rocky Mountain Micro Finance Institute (RMMFI) ribbon cutting celebrating its anniversary and its area 14 graduates on Saturday, Sept. 21, at Ruby Rose Bakery in Hooper.
A mini-business bazaar was also held as part of the festivities with local vendors and graduated entrepreneurs, selling many different items, that were both homemade and from their local stores.
Free food was also served at the event, including pulled-pork sandwiches, coleslaw, macaroni and cheese, and a generous piece of peach pie with ice cream for dessert.
Daliah Torrez, who is a graduate and Digital Marketing Manager for the institute, was the hostess of the event. Everyone cheered and clapped for the graduates.
Torrez spoke about the institute and what they do for entrepreneurs.
“We just celebrated 16 years in business. We try to do these community events at least once a year in the Valley. We try to get all the entrepreneurs that have graduated from the program from the area together for this event, that's why we held this here today. There have been a ton of entrepreneurs that have gone through the program already,” Torrez said.
Torrez explained that the institute gives entrepreneurs education on how to start a business, and all the aspects of running a business. There are also grants and loans available to graduates.
“This is a great program for anyone who is interested in starting a business, because we realize it can be hard,” she said.
Torrez explained that people who enroll and get involved with the program are paired up with mentors, including financial mentors and accountability mentors, to help ensure that everyone that’s going through the program is getting what they need from it.
“There are different phases to the program, there are some eligibility requirements involved in getting started. We do look at income and household size. Once it is deemed that you are eligible, you just move into the program from there,” Torrez said.
Rocky Mountain Microfinance Institute or RMMFI according to its website is focused on helping individuals and communities that have been overlooked by traditional businesses and financial services. Torrez stated that the program does try to focus on people in rural areas too.
“The program takes you through many different aspects of business, including core, finance, marketing, business operations, and so much more. We do try to work with rural communities a lot. We want to see people succeed that are interested in creating their own businesses, that’s what the institute is focused on and that’s what it’s all about.”
Local RMMFI graduate Jennifer Graves attended the event and said it helped her open an art studio in Monte Vista.
“They have many individualized programs that help you with your specific area of business interest. It’s a well-supported program that can take you from point A to point B and really teach you the ins and outs of running a business by yourself. I would recommend this to any entrepreneur looking at opening their own business, but not having all the information that they need to do so. The mentorship programs alone open your mind to so much and really help you in ways that support your individual dreams. I am very proud of the art studio that I have in Monte Vista, and I feel like RMMFI really helped me and opened a clear path to help me get there. I hope other entrepreneurs will consider enrolling. It is a fantastic program,” Graves said.
Ruby Rose Bakery is at 11704 N Highway 17 in Hooper.
For more information, visit www.rmmfi.org or call 1-303-522-9266.
