There’s a conception of entrepreneurs as rugged individuals who pull themselves and their ventures up by their bootstraps. They work for themselves, call their own shots and assume the risks of their pursuits.

I’m not an entrepreneur myself, but I’ve reported on their activities long enough to know there’s a lot of truth to that description. I’m still amazed, in fact, by the efforts of those who believe they’ve got better products and services to bring to market and are willing to work that hard to realize their aspirations. Don’t forget, either, a lot of the big corporations that have grown into recognizable brands started out as small businesses birthed by determined individuals.

I’ve also learned over the years successful entrepreneurs are invariably a savvy bunch who take advantage of every opportunity and find ways to operate more efficiently. If there’s help to be had, they seek it out. That includes the people they hire to help their ventures grow, counselors who offer them guidance and mentors who share their experience and wisdom. In that respect, entrepreneurship becomes a team sport.

All this comes to mind after interviewing Jeff Engell, the new director of the Small Business Development Center in Grand Junction. Engell offered an important reminder of all the resources available in the Grand Valley to help entrepreneurs succeed — whether they’re starting businesses, growing existing operations or planning how to sell or pass along mature enterprises.

Engell has been on an entrepreneurial journey as founder of a consulting firm that assisted businesses and governments around the world. Now he’s eager to help other entrepreneurs along their journeys. He oversees programs and services at the center that include free and low-cost counseling and instruction.

That’s not to mention all the additional resources available at the Business Incubator Center, which houses the Small Business Development Center. Those resources include low-cost space and shared services as well as a revolving loan fund that provides access to financing to small businesses.

That’s also not to mention the other organizations and agencies in the Grand Valley that support businesses in so many ways — the Fruita, Grand Junction and Palisade chambers of commerce come to mind, as does the Grand Junction Economic Partnership and Mesa County Workforce Center. So, for that matter, do banks, accounting and legal firms and staffing and HR companies.

Engell raised an excellent point in our interview. Entrepreneurs are often experts in the products and services they’ve developed. But they could need some help in the operational side of business — accounting, financing and marketing.

Entrepreneurs remain rugged individuals. Their individualism motivates them to work for themselves and determine their destinies. But savvy entrepreneurs also know better than to reinvent wheels. They seek out the people and resources who help them succeed.

Phil Castle is editor of the Business Times. Reach him at 424-5133 or phil@thebusinesstimes.com.