"CEF truly listened to our needs and continues to help us make our dreams become reality. In addition to our loan, we received a grant, quickbooks for a year, and website design services. CEF truly wants to see us succeed. We have felt that every step of the way."
– Melissa Blumenshine & Mandy Martin, Owners

Q&A with Owners, Melissa Blumenshine & Mandy Martin

Give a high level overview of your business. What products or services you offer, where you're located, etc.
Freewheel Limited is a pop-up roller skating rink on its journey to becoming a permanent rink. We are located in Longmont, Colorado and have been operational since March 2023. The idea was conceived in March 2022 and we completed a business accelerator through eforall.

How did the idea for your business come about?
Upon becoming bored with entertainment options in Longmont, Mandy and I decided that we wanted to open a roller skating rink. Our local rink closed in 2003 and we felt it was time to bring a rink back to Longmont. We successfully completed a summer 2022 business accelerator by eforall.

Describe your typical customer and what you love about your customers.
Our typical customers are people who love roller skating. More specifically families with children. We love the joy that roller skating brings to all members of the family.

What led your business to seek out new/additional funding?
We were in need of funding to be able to purchase rental skates and our portable skate floor.

What was your experience like in working with CEF?
CEF truly listened to our needs and continues to help us make our dreams become reality. In addition to our loan, we received a grant, QuickBooks for a year, and website design services. CEF truly wants to see us succeed. We have felt that every step of the way.

What were you able to do with the funding you received from CEF?
We were able to purchase our skate floor tiles and a portion of our rental skates.

Tell us about some of the defining moments for you in your business, whether struggles or successes.
Getting a loan for our small business made us feel that our dreams were attainable. We feel that everyone we’ve worked with at CEF believes in our business. Our launch event was also very special.

What difference has working with CEF's Business Navigation team made for your business?
The opportunities that have been given to us have made an impact on our business. Business navigators have given us invaluable information that we would not have found elsewhere.

What is something you're looking forward to in the next 3-6 months in your business?
We are hoping to be looking at buildings for our business.