âù´ºÔºÊÓƵ

About The Business Studio @ âù´ºÔºÊÓƵ

Advisory Council

The advisory council at The Business Studio is designed to guide and improve our programming utilizing the expertise of other business owners. Our advisory council members will serve for three years and provide feedback throughout their tenure to maximize the effectiveness of The Business Studio. We are thrilled to introduce our first group of council members. 

Chad Brown is the co-founder of , a unique distillery in Pine Bluffs, Wyoming, known for its commitment to locally sourced ingredients and small-batch production. After relocating his family from Las Vegas to Wyoming, Chad, along with his cousin and aunt, shifted their focus from creating a malt house to opening a distillery that uses 100% Wyoming-grown grains to produce premium spirits. Their product lineup includes bourbons, rye whiskey, vodka, gin, and other whiskeys, all crafted in-house through a meticulous "grain-to-glass" process. Chad’s dedication to transparency and community engagement has helped Pine Bluffs Distilling build a strong reputation, with the company hosting events like the annual Corgi Derby to raise funds for local causes and donating over $20,000 to support families in need. By prioritizing quality, sustainability, and local partnerships, Chad has helped establish Pine Bluffs Distilling as a key component in his community.

Juan Coronado is an innovative chef and entrepreneur reshaping Cheyenne's culinary and cultural scene as co-owner of in the West Edge district. Alongside partner Seth Stefanik, he has created a unique venue that transitions from a coffee shop by day to a food truck eatery and lively nightlife spot by night, offering everything from espresso drinks and street food to live music and DJ performances. Coronado's culinary journey began with the success of his Los Conejos food truck, which gained popularity for its street food fusion. Beyond his restaurant ventures, Coronado is deeply committed to Cheyenne's growth, helping revitalize the West Edge area and mentoring future chefs as a board member of the Poder Academy. His passion for innovation, inclusivity, and community engagement has made The Railspur a cultural hub that celebrates both Cheyenne’s rich traditions and modern evolution, shaping the city’s future one plate at a time.

Alexis Garrett, founder of , is the creative force behind a boutique leather handbag and accessories brand based in downtown Cheyenne, Wyoming. What began in 2013 as a side project in her garage quickly grew into a successful business after Alexis, a busy mom and professional, realized there were no handbags that fit her active lifestyle. Determined to create a bag that could seamlessly transition from work to play, she began crafting her own designs. The brand’s focus on high-quality materials, customization, and in-house production offers customers a unique connection to the craftsmanship behind each piece. Today, Alexis Drake operates two locations: a flagship retail showroom and manufacturing space in Cheyenne and a store in Fort Collins, Colorado. In addition to selling seasonal collections, Alexis hosts workshops and events where customers can engage in the creation process. Alexis’s entrepreneurial achievements have earned her recognition, including being named Entrepreneur of the Year by the Wyoming Council for Women in 2020, a spot on Forbes’ Next 1000 list in 2021, and Small Business of the Year by the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce in 2021, as well as the Business Beautification Award in 2022. 

Josh Keefe has served the entrepreneurs of southeast Wyoming as a commercial lender, leader at the Wyoming Business Council and as the Assistant Director of Impact 307. He currently serves Wyomingites through his role at the Wyoming Retirement System. With a master's degree in business administration, a bachelor's in finance, and his extensive experience in economic development, Keefe brings valuable expertise to help innovative businesses grow. Keefe is a business owner himself with interests in multiple businesses in SE Wyoming. Keefe is also a recognized leader, named one of Wyoming Business Report's "40 Under 40" in 2019. He is a Cheyenne native and an active participant in local leadership programs and community organizations.

Chef Petrina Peart is a renowned Wyoming chefwith her own business, , and currently serves as the Executive Chef for Governor Mark Gordon. Celebrated for her innovative culinary creations and dedication to using the freshest ingredients, she is a former contestant on the Food Network’s "Beat Bobby Flay," where she nearly defeated the celebrity chef. Petrina is known for her passion for food as both an art form and a sensory experience. Her commitment to sourcing rare and specialty ingredients has made her a true food explorer, often traveling long distances to find the perfect items. With a focus on plant-based, vegetable-forward cuisine, Petrina combines classical techniques with contemporary twists.Chef Petrina Peart's unwavering dedication to her craft and her ability to blend creativity with the freshest ingredients make her a standout figure in the culinary world, continually elevating the dining experience for all who have the pleasure of enjoying her meals.

Heather Shoemaker is the CEO and co-founder of , a leading AI-powered translation software company that enhances customer support by providing accurate translations tailored to business-specific jargon and slang. With a background in international software development and journalism, Heather transitioned into tech after earning a master’s degree in computer science from the University of Colorado-Boulder. She has led Language I/O to significant success, securing $22.7 million in funding and serving global clients like Shutterstock and Rosetta Stone. Recognized on Inc. Magazine’s 2024 Female Founders list, Heather is dedicated to empowering women in tech and driving innovation in the translation industry.

Bob Strasheim, a Cheyenne native and University of Wyoming graduate with a B.S. in Accounting, spent over 40 years in the construction industry, co-founding , a regional contractor specializing in plumbing, HVAC, and underground utilities. Under his leadership, the company earned multiple honors, including Small Business of the Year awards in 2006 and 2020, and the SBA Western Region Contractor of the Year award in 2001. Bob retired in 2022 after a distinguished career and served as board member and chairman of Capital West Bank. He has been actively involved in his community through organizations like Cheyenne LEADS, the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce, and the Wyoming Construction Coalition. Bob enjoys golf, bicycling, and hockey, and lives with his wife, Kim. They have two daughters, Devin and Maddison.

Amy Tighe is the co-owner of in downtown Cheyenne where she handles marketing, merchandising, advertising, public relations, social media management, event planning, and beer-tending. In addition to her entrepreneurial role, Amy has been a dedicated educator with Laramie County School District #1 for over 18 years, currently teaching English 12and Creative Writing. She is known for her ability to adapt to various situations, lead student groups, and manage student-led teams while creating and following academic plans. Amy also advises the Pow Wow Yearbook and Spilled Ink Literary Magazine, where she mentors students in content creation and publication.Outside of teaching and managing a business, Amy is a member of the Wyoming Education Association and the National Council of Teachers of English.