A Look Back at 2011 for the South Metro Denver SBDC
After an award-winning 2010, the South Metro Denver Small Business Development Center has had an equally successful 2011!
In the past year, the South Metro Denver SBDC consultants have helped over1200clients create 179 jobs, raise over $16 million in capital formation, secure $38million in contracts, and obtain $10.5 million in SBA loans for their businesses. South Metro Denver SBDC clients also retained 135 jobs and increased their sales by over $7 million.
The South Metro Denver SBDC also assisted number entrepreneurs through training programs and seminars. Our center& …
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2012 South Metro Denver SBDC Legal Series Continues in March
Looking for answers to your small business legal questions, but can’t afford to meet with an attorney? The South Metro Denver SBDC may have your solution!
Our center has teamed up with sponsor Minor & Brown P.C. to offer a small business Legal Series in 2012. Throughout the year, we will have attorneys from Minor & Brown present on a variety of legal topics and how they relate to small business.
The first installment of this year’s series took place on January 24th. 15 entrepreneurs attended as Barb Wells, Director/Shareholder at Minor &am …
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39 Cost-Cutting Tips for Your Small Business
The beginning of a new year is a good time to re-examine your spending and look for ways to trim the fat and increase your bottom line. Here are some cost-cutting tips to get you started. Save on postage by delivering invoices and statements via email. Download free online forms instead of buying them at office supply stores. Offer catalogs and brochures as pdf downloads to save printing and shipping costs. Turn down the heat or turn up the A/C. Turn off unnecessary lights. Set your printer to draft mode to save ink. Re-fill your own printer cartr … Read Full Post »
New Online Course Introduced for Native American Small Business Owners
Native American entrepreneurs have a new tool to help determine if they’re ready for business ownership and to help them get started. Native American Small Business Primer: Strategies for Success is a free, self-paced online business course developed for Native American business owners. The course provides an overview of basic business principles and makes them aware of the programs and services available from the U.S. Small Business Administration.
The new online course: emphasizes business planning and market research as essential steps to take before going int …
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South Metro Denver Economic Development Group Hosts Business Empowerment Series
The South Metro Denver Economic Development Group (EDG) is proud to announce its 2012 educational outreach event in partnership with the South Metro Denver SBDC!
The Business Empowerment Series (BES) is an educational program dedicated to timely and relevant business issues affecting small business owners throughout the region. Each month, a different topic will be presented by field and industry experts with a local focus and small business slant. Past topics covered have included financial planning, marketing, human resources, business insurance, financing, and more. …
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Colorado Lending Source Hosts Free Webinar on Special Loan Programs
Are you a small business owner looking for financing for your business? Each month, Colorado Lending Source offers web trainings to help entrepreneurs better understand the small business financing available through their organization.
This month, Colorado Lending Source’s webinar will cover Special Loan Programs. The two programs featured will be:
The Small Business Administration's 7(a) Loan Program and how Colorado Lending Source can assist bank lenders with their 7(a) packaging as well as. The SBA 7(a) loan program can be used by small busine …
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Report Says SBDCs Are Essential for Small Business Access to Programs
The U.S. Small Business Administration’s national network of Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) plays an essential role in the economic development of their states and local communities through their direct, face-to-face counseling for small businesses, according to a report released today by the SBA. The report, produced by the National Small Business Development Center Advisory Board, focuses on SBDCs’ impact on small business access to SBA’s programs and services, including access to SBA capital, procurement, disaster and international trade programs.
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Top Marketing Trends for 2012
The top marketing trends for 2012 will predominantly revolve around social media and mobile devices.
New mobile and social technologies continue to arise, thus the biggest trends for the year are all vastly interrelated in these two areas. Below are our top five trends for the year.
1. Social Media Marketing
Because social is such a big focus for the year, we have broken social down into additional sub-categories.
Social Mobile- With smart phone sales expected to surpass computer sales in 2012 (more than 450 million smart phones are expected to be sold this year …
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Free Veteran Resource and Job Fair
On January 26, 2011 The Department of Colorado’s Employment Committee and Colorado American Legion Employment Committee will hold their Second Annual Job and Resource Fair at the Plaza Hotel Conference Center in Longmont. * The Fair is FREE and open to all veterans - Active, Guard, Reserve & former service members! * Attend the FREE Resume writing for federal jobs seminar presented by Avue Technologies - preregistration is required! *Attend the FREE Starting a small business seminar presented by the Colorado SBDC - preregistration is required! *VA Regional … Read Full Post »
Local Library Districts Assist Entrepreneurs Through Market Research, Other Business Resources
Did you know the Arapahoe Library District (ALD) and Douglas County Libraries (DCL) each provide a variety of free resources to entrepreneurs throughout the south metro Denver region?
For small businesses in Arapahoe County, the Arapahoe Library District offers the following:
One-on-one appointments with skilled business librarians through the “Book a Librarian” program
Access to a number of market research and industry trend databases, as well as free assistance from the business librarians in using these programs
Workshops and classes on a va …
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Mike Johnston Uses Expertise, Internet to Consult With SBDC Clients
He may be in California, but Mike Johnston is eager to meet with clients from the South Metro Denver SBDC to help them grow and be successful. Mike sets appointments with SBDC clients, then they meet over an Internet connection using a webcam and shared screen to talk about websites, search marketing, e-commerce and other topics. Clients can then print out the graphic file and notes to use to put Mike's advice into action. "In an hour-long session we can do everything we would do in person, and usually more," Mike said.
"I enjoy the challenge of working with small bus …
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Disaster Planning Tips Discussed During Free Webinar Hosted by SBA and Agility Recovery Solutions
Natural disasters exacted a significant financial toll on the United States in 2011. The Insurance Information Institute reports that insured losses from a series of disasters – which included devastating spring tornadoes in the Midwest, floods in the southeast, wildfires in the southwest, and Hurricane Irene – totaled $35.9 billion.
Small businesses were hit particularly hard as many were forced to close during these disasters, causing economic injury to many that were already struggling. The factors that cause financial losses after a disaster, however, ca …
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Association of Small Business Development Center's Offers Variety of Web Resources
Looking for a one-stop shop for all your small business questions? The Association of Small Business Development Center’s (ASBDC) website is a great place to start!
ASBDC is the most comprehensive small business assistance network in the United States and its territories. The mission of the network is to help new entrepreneurs realize their dream of business ownership, and assist existing businesses to remain competitive in the complex marketplace of an ever-changing global economy.
Hosted by leading universities, colleges and state economic development agenc …
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Four Tips to Beat the Feast or Famine Syndrome
You've probably heard the saying, "When it rains, it pours." Most consultants would love to be that busy-with clients lined up waiting for their services. The reality is, though, that consultants are more likely to experience the feast or famine syndrome: streaks of challenging, profitable work, followed by stretches of the doldrums with no work in sight. Here are four tips to help you strike a balance between serving your existing clients and marketing your practice. 1. Allocate Marketing Resources Effectively Without question, your best source for new consulting wo … Read Full Post »
Small Business Growth Summit Hosted by Revenue North
The Revenue North Small Business Growth Summit is 100% focused on helping small businesses increase their profitability through revenue growth in the most cost-effective manner possible. To that end, we have gathered experts in sales, marketing, customer retention, customer service, planning and personnel to share proven ways to grow your business—all for only $99 per person or $299 for up to 5-member staff. Here is what you can expect… Training from regional/ local experts. Every single session to be directly related to revenue and profit growth. Fanat … Read Full Post »
Special Seminar: Do You Want More Out of Your Business in 2012?
Do You Want More Out of Your Business in 2012? Presented by Terry Peltes Do you want to grow? How much? What's realistic? Is your business ready for growth? How will you get there? As a business owner, you must be absolutely clear on the answers to these questions! But don't worry if this causes you to feel some anxiety or pressure - we're here to help! Attend this free business-building workshop by a real business growth and development expert and learn: How to gain a competitive edge, potentially dominate your market, and earn high … Read Full Post »
Denver Beer Company Turns Hard Work into Big Success
When college buddies Charlie Berger and Patrick Crawford opened the Denver Beer Company this summer, it was the culmination of over two years of hard work and dedication towards making a shared passion a business reality.
"I was a home brewer, brewing beer in my bathtub, and enjoyed it a lot," says Crawford. "I found out Charlie was a professional brewer, so I called him up and asked him if I could come over and brew a beer with him one day."
The two began brewing together on the side, trying out new recipes and bringing their beer to barbecues and other get-to …
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Rep. Diana DeGette Hosts Small Business Forum on “Access to Capital”
Whether you’re starting a business or building the one you have, you need a lot of information to help you make sound financial decisions and to know what resources are available when you need help the most. Join Congresswoman Diana DeGette as she hosts a forum to educate local small business owners in the 1st Congressional District of Colorado on lending resources and the necessity of a strong business foundation.
The forum will bring together business professionals and small business owners to provide guidance and best practices on creating a successful business plan as well as …
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