Nancy Murphy of Paonia teaches business classes at Mesa State College, works as a marketing consultant, and volunteers her time and skills at the Grand Junction Business Incubator Center, 2591 B-3/4 Road, where she counsels new business owners or those thinking about starting a business.

Murphy has worked both nationally and internationally, managing marketing budgets from $15,000 to $15 million.

“So I have a pretty broad marketing background,” Murphy said. “It's really fun to work at the Incubator with people who've worked for a larger company but now are trying to do something on their own.”

“Sometimes you have to put the reins (on some people) while other times you have to help people plod along a little quicker than they would otherwise.”

Murphy has worked in strategic marketing for 25 years, some of that time for luxury car makers BMW and Volvo.

She's one of about a dozen active volunteer counselors at the Incubator, a nonprofit organization that offers low-cost business classes and free consulting to Mesa County residents.

“We are pretty proud of them,” said Julie Morey, director of the Incubator's Small Business Development Center.

“All have owned a business in the past or currently,” and collectively represent a wide area of expertise, Morey said.

“So when someone calls, we book them with the best counselor for that topic.”

Those interested in volunteering submit an application, a resume, and go through a counselor certification process. The certificate is recognized by the governor's office of Economic Development and International Trade.

“It means they are qualified to advise businesses and they've been through a training program to help ensure that,” Morey said.

The training includes business ethics, learning about all the resources available at the Incubator, and signing confidentiality and conflict of interest agreements.

Additional training is provided in specific areas if needed.

“It's very customized for each counselor,” Morey said.

Counselors bring a wide variety of expertise with them. They've worked as certified public accountants, in management for Frontier Airlines, and retail stores, and as an engineer for General Electric.

Roger Martin retired in 2004 from commercial banking after 35 years. Three months ago he started volunteering twice a month at the Incubator.

“It's a great program. You never know who you're going to meet until the day before,” Martin said. “It's really interesting to listen to their dreams.”

Kathy Reed teaches environmental classes at Mesa State College and business courses at Colorado Christian University. She also has her own consulting business. She began volunteering at the Incubator in 1993, and still counsels there on an as-needed basis.

“I enjoy meeting with the different potential and actual small business owners,” Reed said. “I like knowing I can contribute, and help people out and make a difference.”

Another volunteer counselor, Glen Dennis, opened Valley Office Supply in Grand Junction in 1980, with four employees and little money. The store managed to stay in business through the economic bust of the early 1980s, and in 1987, the business purchased a 12,500 square-foot building, grew to 25 employees and added another company, Colorado Copy Center.

It helps clients to bounce ideas off of someone, said Murphy, who's volunteered for about a year.

“I love doing it,” Murphy said. “It's interesting. It's really problem-solving.

“People are motivated, excited, and energetic. It's a real dynamic process.”

Reach Sharon Sullivan at ssullivan@gjfreepress.com.