South Metro Denver SBDC Receives Support from a Number of Local Companies and Organizations
Many people are aware that the South Metro Denver SBDC receives a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration each year to provide free counseling and training to entrepreneurs. However, there are many more organizations that support the SBDC in its mission to equip you to succeed in business!
When the South Metro Denver SBDC receives its grant money, it then has to raise outside funds and match the grant amount through a combination of in-kind and cash donations. As host of the South Metro Denver SBDC, the South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce provides bot …
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Colorado Leading Edge: NxLeveL™ for Entrepreneurs Helps Small Business Owners Plan for Success
Are you a small business owner looking to grow and expand your business in 2012? The Colorado Leading Edge: NxLeveL™ for Entrepreneurs course is here to help!
NxLeveL™ for Entrepreneurs is an intensive business planning course geared towards entrepreneurs who have been in business 18 months or more and want to improve or grow their businesses. Participants will graduate with a fully executed business plan.
The course will cover:
• Planning and Research: Entrepreneurial Essentials
• Organizational Matters: Management and Legal Structure
• Market …
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SBA to Honor Small Businesses at National Small Business Week May 20-22 in Washington, D.C.
The nation’s top entrepreneurs will be honored at the U.S. Small Business Administration’s National Small Business Week events May 20-22 in Washington, D.C. A series of award ceremonies, small business events and educational forums will mark the 59th anniversary of the agency and the 49th annual proclamation of National Small Business Week.
National Small Business Week is cosponsored by the SCORE Association as well as numerous corporate and trade sponsors to be announced.
More than 100 outstanding small business owners from across the country …
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Colorado SBDC Network Lead Center to Host Colorado Creative Industries Summit in April
The Colorado SBDC Network Lead Center is excited to announce it is hosting the Inaugural Colorado Creative Industries Summit this spring! This two-day event will provide inspiration, networking and learning opportunities for Colorado artist-entrepreneurs, owners of creative sector businesses, nonprofit cultural workers, and emerging creatives.
The theme of the summit will be Cultivating Common Ground and will include keynotes and workshops featuring Colorado creatives who are talented, inspiring and motivational.
The Governor's Arts Award event will be …
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Celebrate Your Customers Everyday
Every year there is a Customer Appreciation Day, but I say let's buck the system and celebrate customers every day. Here are some great ways you can tell your customers how much you appreciate them. Send a thank-you note to every customer. Do not attempt to sell them anything, simply thank them for the business. If you don't have a customer database, start one. Loyal customers are created by following up after the sale. Run a "real" customer appreciation promotion. Think about what your customer would really enjoy and find a way to provide it. Do they need a … Read Full Post »
SBA Offers “FREE” Webinar Series Promoting Entrepreneurship Education and Small Business Growth
WHAT: The U.S. Small Business Administration will host a series of webinars in recognition of the sixth annual National Entrepreneurship Week. The emphasis will be on financial empowerment and building the entrepreneurship skills of the next generation of small business owners, using business basics, social networking and business strategizing.
WHEN: February 21-24, 2012, daily at 3:00 p.m. (ET)
WHO: Webinar topics and presenters are
Felipe Wright, CEO
Intelligent Information Technology Solutions
Topic: Entrepreneurship Empowers Everyone …
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Top Tips to Keep Taxes from Being Taxing
It's a fact of life. Everyone has to pay taxes, and so do businesses. Don't make them taxing. Here are some things to remember to make tax time as easy as possible. 1. Deductions.Keep detailed records of expenses including healthcare, salaries and rent. If more than half of your trip was devoted to business, you can deduct your travel expenses, as well as other business-related expenses such as meals or hotel stays. 2. Employee Taxes. Be sure to pay the proper amount of unemployment, FICA, Medicare, Social Security and federal and state taxes. Check with your acco … Read Full Post »
Colorado Lending Source Hosts Free Webinar on SBA 504 Loan Program
Are you a small business owner looking for a loan? Colorado Lending Source is hosting a free webinar on February 23rd covering this very topic!
This webinar will provide you with an overview of the Small Business Administration's 504 Loan program, including loan structure, eligible uses and and any recent changes or updates to the program. This webinar will also cover the refinance options currently available under this loan program.
The webinar will take place on Thursday, February 23rd from 10:00am-11:00am. Registration is available at https://www3.gotomeeting.com/ …
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Small Business Tax Workshop
Presented by Accion & Mi Casa Resource Center
On February 21st, Accion, a microfinance organization, and Mi Casa Resource Center are teaming-up to host a workshop to help small business owners with understanding and filing their 2011 tax returns.
Attendees will have the chance to:
Learn valuable tips
Discover best practices from industry experts
Ask one-on-one questions with A Resource, a business planning and consulting firm
There is no fee to attend this seminar! For further information or to RSVP, please contact Gwen Bonilla at gbonill …
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5th Annual Angel Capital Summit
The Rockies Venture Club will be hosting its 5th Annual Angel Capital Summit focused on connecting investors and entrepreneurs with a “learn – see – do” schedule, beginning with a full day of Investor and Entrepreneur Boot Camps, followed by interactive “pitches” by up to forty entrepreneurs seeking funding for their companies and an Investor Forum for angel investors to collaborate.
The Summit is a highly interactive event in which attendees will each receive $100,000 in “Venture Bucks” that they can “invest” in their favorite …
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Subcontractor Outreach Event - February 16th
CLARK CONSTRUCTION GROUP (An Equal Opportunity Employer) invites the area Subcontractors and Suppliers, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Women Owned Small Business, HUBZone Business, Veteran Owned and Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business Enterprise to an informational meeting for:
MOUNTAINVIEW-OPERATIONS FACILITY
CHILLER PLANT AND POWER PLANT PROJECT
Located at Buckley AFB, Aurora, Colorado
February 16, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
DoubleTree by Hilton, 13696 E. Iliff Place, Aurora, CO
303-337-2800
Meet the project team and get involved! The bid date f …
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SBA Live Web Chat Will Focus on How to Start a New Business
The U.S. Small Business Administration’s February web chat will offer business start-up advice for entrepreneurs. If you are considering starting a business in 2012, SBA can be valuable resource to help you find a mentor, improve your business skills and get training to help boost your ideas.
WHO: Janice Washington, state director of the Arizona Small Business Development Center Network, will host the February web chat on “New Year, New Business: How to Start it Right.” An experienced business consultant and former business owner, Washington will answ …
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Commercial Real Estate Seminar
Business Empowerment Series - Commercial Real Estate
Presented by the South Metro Denver Economic Development Group
On February 16th, the South Metro Denver Economic Development Group will host its monthly Business Empowerment Series. This month's topic is Commercial Real Estate, looking at trends and issues for businesses in 2012. A commercial real estate expert will discuss the many ways in which you can improve your business by taking care of your leases and sub-leases in the coming year.
The moderator for this month's seminar will be Wendy Nel …
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Better Your Business Blog
Have you thought about branching out into the blogging world? Blogs are an excellent marketing tool. With a blog you can establish yourself as an expert within your field, increase your visibility on search engines and give you a marketing boost. Before you begin, put these tips to work. 1. Name it.Be clever with your name and titles, but not too clever. Be clear, concise and descriptive. 2. Tell your readers about you.Use the About Us section to describe your business and establish your credentials as both a business owner and blogger. 3. Provide contact information.Readers wil … Read Full Post »
Get Tips on Disaster Planning During Free SBA Agility Webinar
Are you Ready to be an Effective Communicator during a Crisis?
Because it’s easy for even the best leader to be overwhelmed when a crisis hits and misinformation shows up in a Twitter feed, managing the flow of information about your company is crucial when an emergency occurs.
Get tips on how to plan a communications strategy that will eliminate confusion and support your recovery efforts during a free webinar on February 14, hosted by the U.S. Small Business Administration and Agility Recovery Solutions.
The discussion will help you assess your company’s need …
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A Absolute Limo Strives to Bring Smiles to Customers
In past careers - volunteer firefighter, paramedic, working in and driving for a funeral home - Mike McLaughlin saw a lot of pain in the midst of unfortunate circumstances. It is due to that experience that he bought a limo business where he strives to bring smiles to his customers; to be able to give them a fun experience to break the cycle of pain of ordinary life. "Everyone needs to get away," he said," and this is one way that you can get away without going far away."
In October, Mike bought A Absolute Limo and has been hard at work growing the business. Since b …
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IRS Tax Tip: Online Tax Center Offers Tools and Resources for Small Businesses and Self-Employed
If you’re a small business or a self-employed individual who needs answers to tax questions, educational materials or tools to help you run your business, check out the IRS’s Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center at www.irs.gov/smallbiz.
This one-stop shop offers extensive resources and online tools to help small businesses and self-employed persons by providing resources such as:
Small business forms and publications
Online applications for an Employer Identification Number
Employment tax information – federal in …
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Places to Look for Small Business Grants
You have probably heard of grants for small businesses. We all like the idea of free money, but don't get too excited yet. Most grants go to states and cities rather than business owners directly. Grants also come with a hearty set of rules or are for a specific type of business (for example, construction). However, there are some grants aimed at saving jobs, communities and industries. Here are two options, in addition to the standard innovation research grants or non-profit grants (programs like SBIR/STTR or grants.gov), that could possibly offer business owners some support: … Read Full Post »
SBA Kicks Off Emerging Leaders Initiative for 2012, Maintains Focus on Underserved Communities
Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration kicked off its 2012 e200/Emerging Leaders executive-level training initiative in 27 cities and communities. Since 2008 the e200/Emerging Leaders initiative has helped nearly 1,000 promising small business owners in underserved communities across the country sustain and grow their businesses, providing training they use to succeed and create jobs.
“Over the last few years Emerging Leaders has helped expand opportunities for many promising small businesses in underserved communities – in particular those that have been most impacte …
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