Bridge the Distance Makes Training and Webinars Fun and Engaging

As a frequent flier working with companies all over the globe, Jaclyn Kostner thought there had to be a better way to create engaging training sessions and remain connected to her community. So, 20 years ago she launched Bridge the Distance, a company that specializes in training sessions, conference calls and webinars all done over the Internet.

Jaclyn cited a study that found as many as three in five employees multitask (check email, surf the Web, check voice mail, etc.) during online training sessions. The trainings are often dry and boring; consequently employees aren't learning or retaining what their employers would like them to.

Bridge the Distance is the antidote to those types of trainings. Not only are Bridge the Distance training sessions and webinars fun and engaging, they bring human contact into the virtual world and reduce travel costs. "Every day I am communicating with people around the world," she said. "It's so exciting!"

After a friend of Jaclyn's went through the South Metro Denver SBDC's Success Tracks program, Jaclyn was intrigued. For the past several years she has been able to double her sales every year. She knew she wanted to keep her business on that pace, but couldn't do it without mentoring and other help.  "My mentor is Caroline Hanna," Jaclyn said. "She has been phenomenal. I needed a mentor and she was just perfect!"

Jaclyn was one of two Success Tracks graduates announced at the May 3 Small Business Leadership Awards. Success Tracks participants work through the Rockefeller habits, write a one-page strategic plan, and gain valuable assistance tailored to their business needs.

"The SBDC is phenomenal resource for small business people like myself," she said. "I learned so much from the coaching and the workshops. The chamber and SBDC are an amazing resource. They offer specific, concrete, tangible things I can do to grow my business. I see the results of those things every day."

"Jaclyn worked diligently with Caroline Hanna through our SBDC Success Tracks program to write a strategic plan for her business and it is now time for her to launch the new plan for growth.  She was one of our inaugural graduates of the new program and a model graduate," said Marcia McGilley, South Metro Denver SBDC Director.

Jaclyn is continuing her pattern of growth. Just this past year she hired one employee and hopes to add one more plus additional contractors before the end of the year.

To learn more about Bridge the Distance, visit http://www.distance.com/.