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Local Small Businesses Recognized for Job Growth

by KREX News Room
by Jordan Sherman

Story Created: Sep 17, 2012 at 7:15 PM MDT

Story Updated: Sep 18, 2012 at 8:23 AM MDT

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.- The Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce honored 12 local businesses promoting job growth..

The businesses were recognized at the Chamber's quarterly luncheon Monday at the DoubleTree by Hilton.

The purpose of the luncheon was to create a positive networking environment for business owners.

Twelve businesses were recognized for creating a combined 54 jobs in the Grand Valley: Bulldog Machine and Production, E-Waste Recyclers, Jerry's Outdoor Sports, DT Swiss, Rapid Response of Western Colorado and Paragon Restoration and Building, Wax What, Inc., CPC Solutions, Harrah's, Habitat for Humanity, Winery Restaurant, CPC Solutions and Grease Monkey.

The businesses combined to invest $5 million in technology and renovations to create the jobs.

The event's keynote speaker was Jake Jabs, president and CEO of American Furniture Warehouse.

Jabs shared with local business owners how he turned his single furniture store in Denver into a Colorado furniture giant.

"The secret to the free enterprise is to find a demand and fill that demand. That's what a lot of you guys are doing right here," said Jabs to the crowd of business entrepreneurs.

Bulldog Machine and Production added 18 of the 54 jobs by seemingly taking Jabs advice.

"These guys, when they first started out, just planned on turning pipe, doing threading on drill pipe for rigs, and when they saw that the market wasn't that strong here, they decided to go into other avenues," said Malea McPherson, public relations director for Bulldog Machine and Production.

Bulldog then invested in $400,000 worth of machinery to begin manufacturing parts and servicing the oil and gas field, effectively creating their own niche in the marketplace.

However, Jabs says honesty is the best policy for those who want to thrive in this tough but recovering economy.

"It's so important to just be honest. If you're not honest today, the social media can kill you like blogs, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and all that stuff," said Jabs.

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