10 Business Survival Strategies for a Bad Economy
What do you do when your steady source of income suddenly disappears? That's a question many businesses are asking themselves these days. These suggestions can help you land on your feet when times get lean. The prospect who seemed excited about your product last month is stalling this month. Another company says they want to buy from you, but want you to cut your price in half. When you called the buyer you usually deal with at third company, you got a recording saying, "The number you dialed is no longer in service. Please dial 0 for the receptionist." Then you found out … Read Full Post »
SBA, AARP Team Up to Connect Older Americans With Resources to Start, Grow Businesses
The U.S. Small Business Administration and AARP are launching a strategic alliance to provide counseling and training to entrepreneurs over the age of 50 who want to start or grow a small business. Through SBA’s online training courses and its nationwide network of business mentors and counselors, the two organizations expect to train 100,000 “encore entrepreneurs,” men and women over 50 who are starting or running a small business.
“No matter what your age, if you have an idea or a business that’s ready to move to the next level, the SBA wants to make sure …
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Current Marketing Trends – Getting Your Content Marketing Strategy Started
If you need proof of the emerging value of content marketing, look no further than the inclusion of Red Bull Media House on Fast Company magazine’s list of The World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies.
The media arm of the energy drink company became an independent entity in Europe in 2007 and did the same in the United States in 2011. Red Bull Media House actively creates content that supports the extreme sports lifestyle demographic that makes up a large part of its target marketing. One of the media company’s most recent successes was a documentary about snowboarders c …
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South Metro Denver SBDC Hosts Small Business Lender's Panel
On Wednesday, June 13th, from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm, the South Metro Denver Small Business Development Center will be co-hosting its semi-annual small business Lender’s Panel with SCORE (the Service Corps of Retired Executives). The Lender’s Panel will be held at the South Metro Denver Chamber at 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 342, Centennial, CO 80122, in the Streets at SouthGlenn. The Sponsor for the event is Colorado Business Bank represented by Darrell Schulte, President of the Littleton Branch, located at Mineral and Broadway. Representatives from a variet … Read Full Post »
From Service to Business – Essential Tools and Programs for Veteran Entrepreneurs
Are you a veteran or service-disabled veteran? Interested in launching your own business?
According to the latest SBA data, of the 27.1 million non-farm businesses in the U.S., 2.4 million are owned by veterans. Moreover, statistics show that the success rate of these veteran-owned businesses is higher than other startups – perhaps a reflection of the discipline, skills, and leadership experience acquired in military service.
There are a number of resources and programs from a variety of government and non-profit associations that are designed specifically to help veterans acc …
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SmallBizLending.org Helps Small Businesses Find & Access Capital
Looking for a one-stop resource in Colorado to help you find access to capital and funding for your small business? We have found it!
SmallBizLending.org is a collaborative project of public, private and nonprofit lending institutions. SmallBizLending.org was created to provide entrepreneurs and small business owners in Colorado with the information and resources to successfully apply for a business loan, access a line of credit, pursue micro-lending solutions or find other financing options.
Whether you run a sole proprietorship, manage a company with under 500 people, or are …
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Why You Should Market to Millennials
Is your small business marketing to Generation Y consumers? If not, you probably should be. Consider the numbers: There are 79 million of them in the U.S., according to 2011 figures, and by 2030, they will outnumber baby boomers (at 56 million). Members of Gen Y, also known as "millennials," either spend or influence the spending of hundreds of billions of dollars each year. As this generation grows into its peak earning years, its spending power will only increase. A new study identifies core generational differences. The comprehensive research by the Boston Consulti … Read Full Post »
Chuck Hahn Takes Mystery out of the Internet for Clients
Chuck Hahn likes to take the mystery out of the Internet for SBDC clients. He hopes to teach clients that Internet marketing is about much more than just having a website and how to effectively market a business using the Internet. For 30 years he worked for Edison International, the fourth largest utility in the U.S., where he had a variety of positions including manager. While at Edison International, Chuck was able to save the company $300 million by developing a major corporate strategic sourcing initiative. Chuck also has extensive experience working for SBDCs. He has worked fo … Read Full Post »
FDIC and SBA Team Up to Offer Financial Education and Mentoring Support
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and U.S. Small Business Administration today announced new resources to support small businesses across the nation. Acting Chairman Gruenberg and SBAs Associate Administrator for Entrepreneurial Development Michael Chodos released Money Smart for Small Business, a training curriculum for new and aspiring business owners.
Developed in partnership between both agencies, this curriculum is the latest offering in the FDIC’s award-winning Money Smart program.
Money Smart for Small Business provides an introduction to day-to-day busine …
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2012 Small Business Forum
The 2012 Small Business Forum is coming soon! Small businesses owners are the foundation of a healthy economy and it's vital for us to work together to build our capacities. Many small business owners don't know about or have trouble accessing the resources already existing in our communities. The Small Business Forum was created to bring these resources together in one place that's accessible for business owners.
Presented by the Mile High Business Alliance, their partners & sponsors (including the Colorado SBDC Network), the forum is a full day event t …
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Advice to Ignore When Starting a Business
Everyone has advice when starting a business. Here is some advice better ignored. 1. The only way to find freedom is to start a business. Running a business is hard work. Many small business owners find freedom in being their own boss, but just as many don't. Examine your reasons for wanting to start a business and research its potential. The SBDC is a great source for objective feedback. 2. Dream it and it will happen. Just by dreaming doesn't mean anything is going to come of it. Set achievable goals and your dreams will be much more likely to come to fru … Read Full Post »
New Small Business Intuit Applications
SBDC Partner, Intuit, is seeking small business owners to use and give feedback on a pair of iPhone and iPad applications. These apps aim to help small business invoice painlessly, get paid quickly, track expenses, and keep information organized to build better customer relationships. Note that this is currently limited to businesses that are not using QuickBooks today. Participating businesses will receive the applications free for the duration of the 6 month test and will have the opportunity to sign up for additional studies with paid compensation. … Read Full Post »
5 Lessons Your Mother Taught You About Business
It’s the annual rite of spring: the celebration of Mother’s Day. It’s that one day of the year that no matter how busy a small business owner is, they take time out to celebrate the contribution of their mother. Most owners have been influenced by their mothers more than they will ever know. In fact, some of the tried-and-true advice our mothers gave us also contains some valuable business lessons. Here's five pieces of motherly wisdom that no doubt served you well in the business world. 1. “You can do anything.” Not many mothers pro … Read Full Post »
South Metro Denver SBDC Recognizes 2011-2012 Success Tracks Program Graduates
On Tuesday, May 1st, the South Metro Denver Small Business Development Center recognized five entrepreneurs for completing the 2011-2012 Success Tracks program at the 27th Annual Small Business Leadership Awards.
Success Tracks is an eight month program that combines an in-depth business assessment, one-on-one consulting sessions, group meetings, and weekly action steps to help small business owners develop a strategic vision for their business, and a one-page strategic plan to implement that vision. The program, created and run by South Metro Denver S …
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Free Website Building Workshops for Small Businesses
If you don't have a website or online business listing, you'll find everything you need to get started - web professionals at your side every step of the way. If your business is already online, you'll find tools and resources to help you succeed. Space is limited, so register in advance for this FREE event.
Sessions
Build your free website - 1.5 hours
Create and publish a website for your business using Intuit Sitebuilder. We'll provide laptops or a place to plug-in if you bring your own.
* Set up your free website account.
* Register a …
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27th Annual Small Business Leadership Awards Winners Announced
On Tuesday, May 1st, the South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce, Small Business Development Center, and Economic Development Group hosted the 27th Annual Small Business Leadership Awards ceremony at Comedy Works South.
This year, there were 23 nominees across three categories: 6 for Small Business of the Year, 6 for Emerging Business of the Year, and 11 for Brian Vogt Community Leader of the Year. Finalists met stringent criteria and went through a rigorous selection process in order for the Small Business Leadership Awards committee to determine the winners.
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25 Ways to Get Your Business Unstuck
1. Merge your business and professional life, but find an oasis where business never enters daily. 2. Build a business that navigates your “Passion to Pain”. Be able to describe in one sentence what pain your business solves and who has the money to solve that pain. 3. Build a method to systematically stay in touch with your clients, prospects, influencers and connectors on a weekly basis. 4. Each day, pick one critical success factor that you must get done to move your business forward. 5. Filter constant inbound Information like email, voice mails and social me … Read Full Post »
