Small Business Denver :

The Cash Collateral Support Program

2013-05-15T09:15:00-06:00

Did you know Colorado has special programs in place to help invigorate and catalyze business lending?

The Cash Collateral Support Program:

Sometimes small and medium sized business owners lack sufficient collateral to satisfy lenders requirements. To address t

Colorado sales tax rules can be taxing, but there is help!

2013-04-22T13:50:00-06:00

As the saying goes, someone always pays a tax! If you sell any type of tangible product in Colorado, there are sales tax(s) required to be collected and paid. The bad news is there is no easy shortcut to cover the applicable tax rates for all the different jurisdictions in Colorado. The good n

Is anyone lending to small business?

2013-04-04T08:00:00-06:00

Yes! The South Metro Denver Small Business Development Center has well-funded lending partners who are looking for opportunities to assist businesses with their capital needs. These lenders work with our clients who meet standard lending guidelines. Set up a free and confidential one-on-

The Five C's of Credit and Your Loan Request

2013-03-28T10:30:00-06:00

What are the five C’s of credit and how do they affect my loan request?

When a lender reviews a potential loan candidate, they generally evaluate the application according to the five C’s of credit. Each of the categories illustrates an important

Do You Want to Be as Successful as McDonald’s?

2012-07-03T09:00:00-06:00

McDonald’s is one of the most successful franchises in the world. Is it because they have the best tasting hamburger? (Or is it the french fries?) Actually, one of the reasons McDonald’s is so profitable is that a hamburger in Chicago, New Orleans and San

Is Your Company Prepared to Respond After a Disaster?

2012-06-30T00:00:00-06:00

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

How do you Determine your Networking ROI?

2012-06-15T10:30:00-06:00

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

6 Tips to Increase Cash Flow Now

2012-06-06T15:00:00-06:00

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.

10 Business Survival Strategies for a Bad Economy

2012-05-31T09:10:00-06:00

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 stalli

Current Marketing Trends – Getting Your Content Marketing Strategy Started

2012-05-25T09:15:00-06:00

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 indepe

Why You Should Market to Millennials

2012-05-21T08:45:00-06:00

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 "

Advice to Ignore When Starting a Business

2012-05-15T10:00:00-06:00

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 ma

5 Lessons Your Mother Taught You About Business

2012-05-10T16:00:00-06:00

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

25 Ways to Get Your Business Unstuck

2012-05-02T11:00:00-06:00

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.

How’s Your Follow Through?

2012-04-24T10:30:00-06:00

How many times have you gone to a networking event and had great conversations, traded business cards and then never followed up? This happens more times than we care to admit. Here are 3 tips to help get you moving into action after a great networking event.

Six Steps to a Winning Sales Strategy

2012-04-16T08:50:00-06:00

1. Overall Goal and Vision for your Sales Strategy
• What do you want the product or service to do for your business?
• Determine if a need exists for your offering and work to outline a clear Vision and goal for a successful product la

Five Ways to Improve Your Website

2012-04-13T09:30:00-06:00

You have heard that it is essential as a small business owner to have a website, but did you know your website may be able to save you time? Try these tips to save some valuable time.

1. Add pages.Make sure your website has an FAQ page and a Contact Us page with you

Six Steps to Successful Strategy

2012-04-06T11:00:00-06:00

Trying to develop a strategy to deal with an issue in your business? How about a strategy for the future of your company? Here are 6 steps to use anytime you're looking to develop a successful strategy:

1. Define the problem(an

Are you SMART About Your Goals?

2012-03-30T09:00:00-06:00

Have you given thought to your business goals for 2012? Every year, I create my vision board for what I want my business to accomplish in the coming year. My vision board has both business and personal goals. I then post it in my office so I can see it every day. This is a constant reminder fo

How to Get a Small Business Loan

2012-03-26T12:00:00-06:00

Want to get a small business loan? Banks and other lenders are really only concerned about one thing; getting repaid. After all, that is how they still make the bulk of their revenue; making loans and getting repaid both interest and principal. Thus, to qualify for a business loan, you simply

Is Your E-mail Address Destroying Your Business?

2012-03-22T08:30:00-06:00

Somewhere along the way, e-mail addresses for small-business owners went haywire, and it's costing their companies revenue!

The process of picking a business e-mail address should be a very simple one. Instead, it results in bizarre addresses on business cards and lost e-mails f

The Positioning Statement: Don't go to Market Without It!

2012-03-16T08:45:00-06:00

Do you know what business you are in from your customer's perspective? If you do, and you also know how you want your company to be perceived in the market, then a well-crafted positioning statement should provide the focus and direction needed to produce an effective marketing communicati

Who are your Clients Really?

2012-03-13T09:20:00-06:00

If you were given five minutes to write down everything you knew about your clients how many items could you come up with? The more time we spend with our clients the better we get to know them. Think about the depth of conversations you can have if you knew their likes, dislikes, motivations

Safeguarding Your Business for Today's Economy

2012-03-07T12:30:00-06:00

It's something we hear about all the time - today's economy. Here are some tips to safeguard your business from becoming a casualty of the economy.

1. Be proactive. Rather than trying to grow, this may be the time to maintain your business.

Celebrate Your Customers Everyday

2012-02-22T08:35:00-06:00

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 an

Top Tips to Keep Taxes from Being Taxing

2012-02-17T08:00:00-06:00

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.

Better Your Business Blog

2012-02-09T09:00:00-06:00

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.

Places to Look for Small Business Grants

2012-02-03T10:00:00-06:00

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 examp

39 Cost-Cutting Tips for Your Small Business

2012-01-27T14:15:00-06:00

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.
Downlo

Top Marketing Trends for 2012

2012-01-19T09:15:00-06:00

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

Four Tips to Beat the Feast or Famine Syndrome

2012-01-10T08:55:00-06:00

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,

12 Free (Or Almost Free) Tools To Grow Your Business In 2012

2011-12-27T14:50:00-06:00

Whoever said nothing in life is free didn't do their research. It turns out there's a wide selection of free tools and solutions out there to get your business off the ground. This list of 12 free -- or almost free -- online tools will help you take your plan from the table napkin to t

Attention Food Entrepreneurs: Food Network is Looking for You!

2011-12-21T12:10:00-06:00

A new Food Network series is looking for FOOD ENTREPRENEURS. Specifically, people who have left their previous career to start a new restaurant (or similar business).

Must have little-to-no prior professional culinary experience

Must be planning t

Create a Referral Attitude

2011-12-12T08:45:00-06:00

Think about what would be different for you if you received all or most of your business from referrals. This could be the the optimal result for you. Having raving fans that knew exactly what you did, that your customer experience was world-class beyond all others and your best clients

Make Your Small Business ADA Compliant

2011-12-06T15:00:00-06:00

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has finally published the long awaited implementation regulations to the ADA (referred to as the ADAAA). Designed to simplify the determination of who has a "disability," these regulations make it easier for people to establish

5 Ways to Use Your Website to Attract More Clients

2011-12-01T14:10:00-06:00

Is your website bringing you new clients? When is the last time you took a long hard look at exactly how your website helps you attract clients?

Implementing the following five tips will transform your website into a client attraction tool. If you do all of them the likelihood

Holiday Business Tips

2011-11-28T16:05:00-06:00

The sound of jingle bells isn't far off! If you are a retailer or look to holiday sales to boost your bottom line you know the holiday season is already in full swing. Here are some tips to boost your sales during this year's holiday season.

1. See the spirit.<

Things Not to Say to Your Customers

2011-11-23T14:50:00-06:00

With Black Friday just days away, here are a few things you don't want to get caught saying to your customers. Otherwise, you may watch them walk out the door and never come back.

1. "I'm surprised you haven't heard about our product."Ins

Five Will Get You 10 - Time Management Tips

2011-11-17T09:35:00-06:00

Time management has always been important to me. It seems, everywhere I go, people are trying to discover how to fit more into their days, myself included. I know that managing my time will save me hours in the long run, but is the opposite also true? Does rushing around cost me time? When I&#

Gain National Recognition For Your Company Through ABC News

2011-11-15T13:50:00-06:00

ABC World News with Diane Sawyer recently started a new series called "Made in America," designed to recognize products that are made in the United States and the companies that make them.

As a part of the initiative, ABC News has created an interactive map on their

Getting Exposure for Your Small Business

2011-11-11T13:15:00-06:00

No matter how wonderful your service or product is, you won't make any money if people don't know about it. With the holidays fast approaching, there are a number of things you can do to get your name out there and many of them won't cost you anything but time. Here are eight tips

Exit Planning and Why It's So Important for Small Businesses

2011-11-08T11:20:00-06:00

How much time do you spend thinking about business exit planning? If you're like many of the small business owners we meet - not much.

Now, I know what you are thinking... 'But, I'm not ready to sell my business. Why do I have to think about exit planning for my bu

What You'll Need to Apply for a Small Business Loan

2011-10-27T12:30:00-06:00

What You'll Need to Apply for a Small Business Loan

When it comes to applying for loans, most lenders require the same kinds of information. Each loan program has specific forms you will need to fill out, but for the most part, you'll need to submit th