Colorado Small Business Council
Our Colorado Small Business Council consists of small business owners from various industries across the state. Council members volunteer their time and entrepreneurial expertise at board meetings, public events and in the media to help Small Business Majority identify and address the biggest issues facing small businesses today.
Sarita Parikh
Sarita Parikh is the owner of Mind, Body, & Play Therapies, a physical therapy private practice focusing on creating optimum health and wellness, and the co-founder of Glow + Gather, a retail lifestyle and wellness brand that believes in social impact and sustainability.
Sarita’s experiences as an Indian American have guided her passion for social, economic, and environmental justice. Her commitment to addressing diversity, race, and equity, and belief in the role of regenerative business as a path to uplifting communities and creating change led her toward entrepreneurship.
From healthcare to retail, Sarita has 20 years of experience successfully starting and running companies committed to facilitating health, creating impact, providing mentorship, advocating for social, economic, and environmental justice, and building community. She serves on multiple non-profit boards and councils focusing on policy, advocacy, healthcare equity, small business, sustainability, and empowering diverse and inclusive communities.
Sandra J Payne
Sandra Payne and her husband, Steve, bought Denver Concrete Vibrator 25 years ago. The company has survived many challenging economic times including 9/11, the Great Recession and COVID-19. The business environment, especially for small businesses, is changing rapidly. Small businesses struggle with the ever-increasing cost of materials and shipping and recuriting and retaining a skilled and reliable workforce.
Before her journey into concrete vibrators, Sandra had many years of experience infinance, project management and marketing from careers in banking and telecommunications. That extensive experience still didn’t quite prepare her for owning a small business. It has been quite a ride!
In their spare time, the Paynes love spending time with their wonderful daughterand two adorable dogs.
Jeff Rogoff
Jeff Rogoff is the owner of Sazza Restaurant. Prior to starting his own business in 2006, he held various positions in the hospitality industry. Entrepreneurship was a way for him to provide for his family and make his own hours. Now, 17 years later, Jeff and his family are working together to keep operations running.
Jeff’s vision was to put a healthy and local twist on an American favorite dish—pizza. Over the years, he has built his business into his local community by working with local farmers and suppliers to get fresh and organic ingredients for his menu.
Michelle Talarico
Michelle Talarico is Co-owner and Director of Development for Picnic Basket Catering, Cravings Five Star Events and Buffalo Gals Grilling Company. She has been a leader in the Colorado Springs community for over 35 years. She is a Colorado College alum with a passion for community and service, and has served on many non-profit boards including Colorado Springs Leadership Institute, Colorado Caterers Association, The International Caterers Association, Pikes Peak Hospice and Palliative Care and Care and Share. Michelle is a 2002 graduate of the CSLI program at The Center for Creative Leadership in Colorado Springs, Care and Share, NAMI and The Colorado Event Alliance. She has served as chair of several successful fundraising events including board chair for the Colorado Springs Leadership Institute. Michelle recieved the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC's 2021 Athena Award and The Colorado Springs Leadership Institute's 2024 Smith Tutt Postive Impact Award.
In April 2023, Michelle was sworn in to City Council District 3. Michelle and her partner Kathy have been making a direct social Impact to the Pikes Peak Region for over 30 years. Her companies have been constant winner in the Gold Best Catering Category for thirty plus years in the Independent, The Gazette, The Business Journal, Colorado Meetings and Events and Top 100 Women Owned Business in Colorado 2024. Her companies employ one hundred full and part-time employees in Colorado Springs and beyond. Michelle has one son, Sam Talarico, who is a 2021 graduate from The University of Colorado Boulder and the light of her life. Sam and his wife Lily have a son, Landon, who adds even more illumination to a beautiful journey.
