RFBRC logo with tagline
RFBRC News!
May / June 2012

Thank you to our newest sponsors: The Marriott Courtyard and Residence Inn in Glenwood Springs and Versatile Productions! We'd also like to thank and welcome our newest advisor, Kate Collins of Write Brain West.

 

We would also like to congratulate The Clean Energy Collective on winning the prestigious 50 Colorado Companies to Watch award in 2012! This is well-deserved recognition for one of the Roaring Fork Valley's own! 

 

Whether you're an experienced business owner or an aspiring entrepreneur looking for help, our services range from low cost business counseling to seminars to high-impact networking opportunities. We will connect you with the people, resources, and tools you need to succeed.

 

Get involved!  Become a client, advisor/mentor, or sponsor. Visit: www.rfbrc.org or call us at (970)945-5158.

 

Best,

 

Randi Lowenthal, CEO
IN THIS ISSUE
Upcoming Seminars
Success Story
Comcast Internet Essentials
1st Quarter Report
Governor's Arts Award
CMC New Media Courses
CMC Summer Classes
CCI Grant Opportunities
Aspen Lemonade Day
Other Business News
RFBRC Resources
JOIN OUR MAILING LIST
Upcoming Seminars

Online Marketing for Your Business

Thursday, May 17, 2012 - 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Colorado Mountain College - Aspen Campus

 

Demystify online marketing and learn how today's marketing initiatives can help your business prosper! Topics include creating a keyword strategy, website optimization, blogging, social media, e-mail marketing, and analyzing your strategies. Presented by: Gene Fourney, Interactive West 

 

Inventors' Boot Camp

Saturday, June 2, 2012 - 8:30 a.m. to Noon

Glenwood Suites (2625 Gilstrap Court)

 

If you've developed a product (or are developing a product) this workshop is for you!  Explore the critical phases in the inventing process, including copyrights, trademarks, and patents. This workshop can help you avoid the common mistakes that often lead to failure. Presented by: Rita Crompton, The Inventors' Roundtable, with Ian Osborn and Raymond Burrasca.

 

Seminar fees: $30 for the general public ($25 for clients, advisors, and sponsors of RFBRC)

 

To register: Click here or call 970.945.5158!

Success Story - GarCo Sewing Works
Sewing works

In August of 2011, Beth Shaw, Executive Director of Customized Business Services at Colorado Mountain College, had no idea that attending a women's networking event through the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association would lead to an exciting new project that has the potential to make significant economic impact in the Roaring Fork Valley. At the networking event, Beth began a conversation with Doreen Herriott, a local business woman with more than 15 years of experience in the garment industry, about her ideas for developing a local textile manufacturing facility. Soon after Beth and Doreen's encounter, they brought Jill Ziemann, Director of CMC's Women in Transition and Go 2 Work initiatives, into their discussions and GarCo Sewing Works Training and Design Center was born! (read more ...)  

Comcast announces "Internet Essentials"
Do you know a family who could benefit from home Internet access and opportunities to advance their technology skills? A new program from Comcast called "Internet Essentials" makes home Internet service affordable for Colorado families whose children receive free or reduced school lunch.  Families have the opportunity to:
  • Pay just $9.95/month (+tax) for Internet service  -- with no activation fees, no price increases, no equipment rental fees
  • Buy a low-cost computer - just $149.99 (+tax)
  • Receive free Internet training

Learn more and help spread the word! Visit www.InternetEssentials.com 

1st Quarter Report
To read our first quarter report, click here!
Town of Carbondale Wins Governor's Arts Award

The Town of Carbondale was selected as one of two recipients for the 2012 Governor's Arts Award, which recognizes a Colorado town or city for their collective efforts to enhance their community and local economy through the arts. For the full announcement, click here

New Media Courses at CMC - Start August 2012
Learn the latest digital skills with media mentors and internships at the Isaacson School for New Media.  Courses will include digital media skills including social media, multi-media production, video production, e-commerce, e-business (marketing, development), design, search engine marketing (SEM), photo, and audio/radio. Click here for more details! 
CMC Summer Classes Started on May 14

A full schedule of credit and non-credit courses can be found online at here.   

CCI Grant Opportunities - Deadline June 21!

Colorado Creates provides financial support to nonprofit cultural organizations and government agencies for the production or presentation of arts and cultural activities. Guidelines for the 2012-2013 grant program are available on the Colorado Creative Industries website here Grant applicants for Colorado Creates must be Colorado 501(c) (3) nonprofit organizations, departments of Colorado public colleges or universities, or government agencies. Applicants must have been providing public arts or cultural heritage programs in Colorado for at least three years by the application deadline.

Aspen Lemonade Day for Kids - June 30, 2012

Lemonade Day is a free experiential learning program that teaches kids how to start, own and operate their own business - a lemonade stand. It has grown from 2,700 kids to 120,000 kids in 31 cities across the U.S. and Canada in 2011 - including Aspen!  Each child that registers receives a backpack with an entrepreneur workbook that teaches them the 14 lessons of Lemonade Day like creating budgets, setting profit-making goals, serving customers, repaying investors, and giving back to the community. Along the way, they acquire skills in goal-setting, problem solving, and self-esteem critical for future success. They keep all the money they make and are encouraged to spend some, save some, and share some. Click here or call 970.920.2130 for more details! 

Other Business News ...

Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (JOBS).  JOBS was signed by President Obama on April 5, 2012. The act makes it easier for entrepreneurs to raise money from large pools of individual investors, especially through online crowdfunding.  Visit here for the complete text of the bill.

 

Cottage Foods Act becomes Law. The Colorado legislature recently enacted Senate Bill 12-048 allowing individuals to produce, sell, and store certain types of "cottage food" products in an unlicensed home kitchen. A copy of the bill can be found here.

 

Save Colorado Jobs Act Passed The Colorado legislature passed, and the governor signed HB-1029. The bill expands the right of local and county governments to exempt businesses from paying taxes on business personal property. Until now, local governments could only give a business an exemption of up to 50% of the tax owed. (Denver Post - 03.24.12)

 

SBA Seeks Applications from Investment Fund Managers.  The U.S. Small Business Administration is inviting experienced early stage investment fund managers to apply for licensing as Early Stage Innovation Funds, as part of SBA's Small Business Investment Company capital investment program.  More information may be found here.

 

Clean Energy Economy for the Region.  A combination of energy efficiency and renewable energy programs and technology advancements are helping local contractors stay in business during tough economic times. Hear more from contractors here 

 

2012 Retail (& Restaurant) Conference and Expo.  Join more than 450 leaders in the Colorado retail real estate market on Tuesday, June 19 at The Inverness Hotel and Conference Center in Englewood. To view the agenda or register, click here.  

 

Access to Capital -- Looking for VC funding?  Top Denver-area venture capital/private equity firms, ranked by number of current investments: 1. Resource Capital Funds: 111; 2. Vestar Capital Partners: 21; 3. Boulder Ventures: 20; and 4. Altira Group LLC: 19 (Denver Business Journal, 04.20.12)

 

Does Your Email Marketing Violate Spam Laws? Businesses these days need to use all types of tactics to get customers through the door. One powerful marketing tool is the use of email. Email is effective, but make sure that your email marketing isn't violating the federal CAN-SPAM Act of 2003. Read more here

RFBRC Resources

New Resources Posted on our website: 

6- Minute Guide to Psychographics

Small Business Taxes - How Business Structure Impacts Allowable Deductions

 

Carbondale Loan Fund. The Town of Carbondale has a revolving loan fund to provide low-interest loans to local businesses located within the town limits of Carbondale. For more details, go to our website. If you have questions, call the Center at (970)945-5158.

 

Help!  We need Advisors and Sponsors!  We need advisors to assist clients with a number of business issues - at this time, we specifically need attorneys and bookkeepers! We maintain a network of successful entrepreneurs and technical experts willing to give time and expertise to help others build and grow their businesses. And, of course, we're welcoming new sponsors at any time!  For more information, click here.

 

Reminders! Buy Business Research. Six reports/maps for $275. Demographic, consumer, and business data.  For sample reports or to order, visit our website. Rent Our Conference Room. Use our conference room for your business and committee meetings.  Copier, printer, scanner, phone, laptops with email and Internet connections, spreadsheet and word processing software, and audio and video conferencing are available for short-term use.  Rates: $20/hour or $100/day.  Call us at (970)945-5158; email: [email protected] or visit our website.  Calendar.  We maintain a calendar of business-related events on our website.  If you have an event to post, send it to: [email protected].

 

Like us on Facebook  View our profile on LinkedIn Visit our blog 

Our Sponsors ...
Founding ($20,000+)
logo Garfield County    KMTS Logo   KUUR Logo
 


Platinum ($10,000+)
Alpine Bank logo  City of Glenwood Springs   logo Town of Carbondale  CMC Logo



Gold ($5,000+)
Colorado Lending Source   Comcast


Silver
($2,500+)


Bronze ($1,000+)
Judith Steinberg
Marriott Courtyard and Residence Inn of Glenwood Springs