Q: What’s your name, title, business?

A: Royce King, CEO, www.YourStartup.Coach. See her full bio, here.

Q: Tell us about your entrepreneurial journey.

A: Opening my first business in 1989, I was drawn into entrepreneurship and from that point on could not envision my life in a corporate career. I became a serial entrepreneur, owning a string of 12 businesses, mixing failure and success. In 2012 after numerous friends connected me with companies to mentor through Startup Weekend, MBA students starting social enterprise companies, and other opportunities, I learned I was a gifted coach. Two years later I began charging for my coaching packages. To date, I have coached more than 200 startups and have narrowed down my focus to verticals I enjoy and areas of expertise where I've seen results. 

Q: What was the most powerful lesson you learned on this journey?

A: That every business needs a coach. There are blindspots, missed opportunities, and dangers an entrepreneur can't see because he is too close to the situation. 

Q: How do you apply this to your mentoring?

A: First, I practice what I preach; I hire two coaches. Second, I offer very personalized coaching because I've learned that we are dealing with EQ, IQ, personality styles, and other factors that make each situation unique. 

Q: Why are you involved with SCAPE?

A: I love startups! They make the world an exciting place, seeking innovation and being connected to community while thinking globally. When I moved to Pagosa Springs last year, I thought my chances of working with local startups would be impossible. Then I heard of the startup ecosystem and SCAPE from a server in a Durango restaurant and immediately looked it up, stopped in and introduced myself, and offered to coach.

Q: Why should someone apply for SCAPE?

A: Getting mentorship during early stage growth can save you time and money and allow you to pivot before investing in a direction that won't work. SCAPE has some highly successful business owners that can give valuable advice from decades of real-life experience. If only I had that chance, it wouldn't have taken me years of trial and error and slow growth.

Q: What do you love most about Southwest Colorado?

A: I can't see myself living anywhere else (except Italy!). We have beauty that's unlike anywhere else. I love the casual vibe, the outdoor recreation, and the people. We live in a place that's Heaven on Earth.