Is Your Company Prepared to Respond After a Disaster?
When a disaster occurs, it’s often the misleading bit of information shared by an outsider that gins up rumors about a damaged business shutting down. Obviously, this situation undermines the company’s ability to recover. That’s one big reason why precise, effective communication – within the organization, and out to the public – is vital during an emergency. Now that the Colorado wildfire, tornado and flood season has begun, it’s a good time to set up an effective crisis communications strategy. You want to develop a plan to ma … Read Full Post »
Avocet Accounting Services Uses Success Tracks Program to Guide Their Growth
As a small business owner whose company works to help other entrepreneurs succeed, Bill Martin understands the challenges and rewards of running your own business. As an accountant and licensed attorney, Bill’s business experience was vast and varied. He had spent years helping managers and boards of directors improve their operations, integrate technology, and develop staff. But after working for almost 30 years, he decided to move into the world of small business.
In 2007, Martin founded Avocet Accounting Services, specializing in outsourced co …
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Colorado Lending Source FREE Webinar-Special Loan Programs
Colorado Lending Source is hosting their next free webinar on July 19th!
This webinar will provide you with information about two financing options available to small businesses:
The Small Business Administration's 7(a) Loan Program, what it can be used to finance, and how we can assist bank lenders with their 7(a) packaging.
The Colorado Main Street Loan program, which is a direct micro loan fund offered exclusively through Colorado Lending Source to businesses in Northeastern Colorado.
This webinar will take place on T …
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Success Tracks Strategic Planning Program Looking for Participants for 2012-2013 Session
After graduating five small business owners from the 2011-2012 Success Tracks program, the South Metro Denver SBDC is ready to launch a new session!
Success Tracks is a six month coaching program designed to help existing business owners create a strategic vision for their business and develop a one-page strategic plan to implement this vision. The program is based on the Rockefeller Habits and includes a full assessment of where the business is today and where the owner wants to take it, two coaching sessions and one group meeting per month, weekly action steps to buil …
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SBA Simplifies Online Disaster Loan Application
Applying for disaster recovery assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration just got easier thanks to revisions made to its electronic loan application, significantly reducing the number of screens an applicant must read while filling out the form.
“Our goal is to provide support for those rebuilding after a disaster, and we wanted to make the process more user-friendly,” said SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills. “Whether it’s a hurricane, tornado, earthquake or devastating flood, the SBA can step in to help communities get bac …
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Library lends business expertise
When it came to conducting research and seeking out resources, there was a time when most people didn’t think much further than their local library. Nowadays, some of the resources that libraries offer are such well-kept secrets that people simply don’t take advantage of them the way they used to. Take, for instance, the team of seven specially trained adult and business librarians at Douglas County Libraries that are willing to, for free, tackle almost any individualized business issue you can think of. “We get everything from startups to expansions … Read Full Post »
Free Webinar: What Are the Top Five Disaster Risks to Small Businesses?
Small businesses are particularly vulnerable to losses caused by natural disaster, cyberattacks, and – on a smaller scale – structural failure due to random events like faulty sprinkler systems or localized fires.
One of the first steps in creating a business continuity plan involves assessing risk. Join Agility Recovery and the U.S. Small Business Administration in a live online discussion on Tuesday, July 10 for a discussion on how to protect your business from the risks that could force you to close your doors for good.
SBA has partnered with A …
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Government Resources to Help With Difficult Financial Times
Our mission at SBA is to to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise, and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. Our friends at USA.gov and GobiernoUSA.gov, the official web portals of the U.S. government, have put together helpful information on how to get help for difficult financial times. If times are tough for you and your family, or your employees, we encourage you to sign up for the e-mail updates below: Sign up in one-click for information to get help with dif … Read Full Post »
Borrego Springs Bank Announces SBA Export Express Loan Program
Borrego Springs Bank has announced their latest financing option for small business, the SBA Export Express loan program. According to the Wall Street Journal, exports are up 25.6% over 2009. Through the newest addition to their already popular Borrego Express Capital platform, small businesses who have been in operation for at least 12 months and are either currently or intend to export their products in the next 12 months may qualify for up to $50,000 in unsecured financing. Small businesses which have been in operation for at least 24 months and are ei … Read Full Post »
How do you Determine your Networking ROI?
Whether you are in business or thinking about starting a business, two necessary requirements are the investments of time and money. It is essential that these investments provide a return that is measurable over some period of time that you determine. Networking is a great way to earn returns for your time, when you network seriously and with a purpose. Here are 3 tips to enhance your networking ROI. Tip #1 Make effort to learn from everyone you talk with. This is not just business card exchange, it needs to be useful foundation for deciding how to … Read Full Post »
Colorado SBDC Network Presents NxLeveL(TM) for Entrepreneurs Online
Are you Ready to invest in your Business Dreams?
You've got the dream, you have the drive, now give yourself the edge you need to succeed!
NxLeveL® Online brings expert advice and instruction to where you are, when you need it.
Your Business needs a solid foundation: Build one in your time, at your pace.
NxLeveL® Online for Entrepreneurs delivers practical guidance as you create your business plan.
Get hands-on training with:
Bookkeeping
Marketing
Financial Projections
Lending Negotiations
Management & …
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Colorado to Provide Small-Business Capital with $17M in Federal Funds
Small businesses in Colorado are getting a $17 million boost through two new capital access programs announced by Gov. John Hickenlooper, the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), and Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA). The programs, Colorado Capital Access and Cash Collateral Support, will help businesses with 750 or fewer employees obtain loans from their local bank for working capital, inventory, real estate or equipment purchases, or lines of credit. “Colorado has more than 570,000 entrepreneurs and small business … Read Full Post »
3rd Annual Southwest Colorado Women’s Small Business Conference
The Colorado SBDC Network, Southwest Colorado SBDC, Fort Lewis College and others are proud to announce the 3rd Annual Southwest Colorado Women's Small Business Conference on Friday, July 13th.
Attendees will have the opportunity to attend educational seminars, receive one–on–one counseling, participate in valuable networking opportunities, and hear exciting keynote speakers! There will be two tracks available focusing on start-up businesses and existing businesses.
The event includes one full day of speakers and three tracks of workshops. Last year' …
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Colorado Lending Source Hosts Free SBA 504 Loan Webinar
Colorado Lending Source is hosting a free webinar this month!
On June 27th, small business owners will have the opportunity to learn more about the U.S. Small Business Administration's 504 loan program. Participants will get an overview of the program, how it works, the 504 loan structure, eligible uses, and recent updates to the program. The webinar will also discuss refinance options currently available through the 504 loan program.
Date: Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Time: 9:30am-10:30am
Where: Online
Register: At https://www3.go …
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Are You Ready to Lead Your Company Through a Crisis?
The unusual disaster events that occurred in 2011 demanded cool-headed and fast action from those in leadership positions. When earthquakes, wildfires and hurricanes struck, millions of business owners had to make quick decisions about the safety of their employees and the protection of their property.
The ability to properly lead becomes increasingly difficult in times of disaster. So in addition to making a preparedness plan, it’s also a good idea to discover ways to take charge while staying focused on what’s important – employee safety and a …
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6 Tips to Increase Cash Flow Now
Cash flow is an ongoing challenge for independent retailers, as it is for many small businesses. Sales growth remains modest at best, and credit remains largely unavailable to many independent retailers. That puts many squarely behind the eight ball. Here are 6 tips that can help you drive more dollars to the bottom line: 1. Focus your marketing on your proven customers. These are the customers who have demonstrated already that they value what you do and the merchandise you sell. (What else can you offer them?) These are customers who have shared thei … Read Full Post »
Colorado Community Media Aims to Become an Industry Leader
For many years, Colorado Community Media has been an avid sponsor of the South Metro Denver SBDC. And the company has continued to provide their support during many changes over the years!
The company is owned and operated by Jerry Healey, who got his start in the newspaper industry with the Miami Herald after graduating from Northeastern University. Initially thinking he would move to Manhattan and work for AT&T after school, he reconsidered after his interview with the Herald in sunny Miami and upon his return to snowy Boston.
“I started thinking …
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Help Two Former Colorado Leading Edge: NxLeveL™ Graduates Secure Funding to Grow Their Businesses!
After graduating from the Colorado Leading Edge: NxLeveL™ for Entrepreneurs course, two companies, Sushimee and Bead It!, experienced a large amount of growth and success. Now, both businesses have entered the Mission: Small Business competition in hopes of securing additional funding to support the continued growth of their operations- and need your votes to do so! Sushimee, a candy sushi company started by 10-year-old Miles Louison with the help of his mother, Fall 2011 NxLeveL™ graduate Lynnea, hired a chef and rented a commercial kitchen to expand production.&nb … Read Full Post »
