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Greetings!
 | | Kelly Manning |
This month I would like to announce several exiting upcoming events to help your small business.
Next week we will be hosting a Veteran's Small Business Conference in Colorado Springs, May 25-26. This is a two day conference that will feature project specific contracting opportunities, educational seminars, one-on-one counseling, valuable networking opportunities, and exciting keynote speakers! You will have the opportunity to meet Contract Specialists and learn expectations about upcoming projects. There will be multiple training sessions with different tracks to meet your needs. Don't miss the great speakers during breakfast and lunch. Register
Also, in Colorado Springs on June 9th will be the 2011 Small Business Day. The purpose of Small Business Day is to celebrate the successes of small businesses and to build a sense of community within the attendees that support local small business efforts. This event is meant to create awareness about the importance of small businesses to the local economy. This year's focal point is to highlight the importance of ethics within all businesses - small or large. The keynote for the seminar and luncheon is Sherron Watkins, best known as the "whistleblower" at Enron. As Former Vice President of ENRON Corporation, Ms. Watkins alerted then-CEO Ken Lay to accounting irregularities within the company.
Register
On the other side of Denver, The Northeast-East Central Colorado Small Business Development Center and the Greeley Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the 2011 Business in Action Event on June 17th. This program is designed for business professionals from companies of all sizes in all industries. Take advantage of this opportunity to gain a wide variety of expertise and put your business in action! The forum will feature three training tracks focusing on different aspects of finance, marketing, and legal issues.
Register
In July we will be hosting two women's conferences, one in Durango and one in Breckenridge. We are still confirming the agendas but the dates and locations are set, July 14th at the Doubletree Durango Hotel and July 28th at the Village Hotel Breckenridge. We will be updating our website, www.coloradosbdc.org when we finalize more information.
We hope you're planning on attending these exciting events to help you maximize the economic potential of you business and make sure you continue to check our website for all the updated conference information and agendas.
Sincerely,
Kelly Manning
State Director
Colorado Small Business Development Centers |
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Success Story: Table Mountain Creative Concrete |
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 After a career in the trucking business, Stan Squires wasn't ready to retire. "He wanted to leave something beautiful behind," said Sheila Squires, Stan's wife and co-owner of Table Mountain Creative Concrete. "He's always been artistic, and he's a wonderful woodworker and welder."
So Stan, now 65, got online and learned about all kinds of businesses. "He came across decorative concrete which, in 2004, was still relatively new in Colorado" said Sheila. "We felt like we were coming in on the ground floor, and we were excited about trying to build a business together.
Today - in addition to Stan as president and CEO, and Sheila as marketing director - Table Mountain Creative Concrete employs six additional individuals. Over the past six years, the gross revenues of this contractor business have progressively grown; and while they once worked out of their home in Golden, they now boast an office and showroom in Wheat Ridge serving both residential and commercial clients.
"Building the business wasn't always easy, there were some blind corners," Sheila admitted. "When we met Jeff Gilbert of the Denver Metro Small Business Development Center, the pieces started to fall in place."
"Jeff counseled us on every level and helped us understand the importance of surrounding ourselves with the right people to help us grow a smart business and make smart decisions" she added. According to Sheila, more and more people are becoming educated about the beauty and benefits of decorative concrete. Clients commonly ask for "a floor like Starbucks."
"Our mission is to stain, engrave, overlay and stamp existing concrete to make it more aesthetically pleasing," said Sheila. "One of the things I love about what we do is that each floor or patio or driveway is one-of-a-kind. When properly maintained, our concrete finishes provide an attractive and durable surface for years and years." |
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DOE Announces New Funding Opportunities | | |
 The U.S. Department of Energy's ("DOE") Advanced Research Project Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) is accepting concept papers for new funding opportunities in five technology research areas.
The Fiscal Year 2011 budget allocated $180 million to the program, and approximately $130 million of this money will go towards funding projects in the five new research areas. The remainder will be invested in existing agency programs.
(1) Plants Engineered To Replace Oil (PETRO) - PETRO is a biofuels program that aims to create plants that capture more energy from sunlight and convert that energy directly into fuels with a goal of creating biofuels for half their current cost.
(2) High Energy Advanced Thermal Storage (HEATS) - This program seeks to develop cost-effective thermal energy storage technologies including those that deliver solar-produced electricity around the clock and use thermal storage to improve the driving range of electric vehicles by up to 40 percent.
(3) Rare Earth Alternatives in Critical Technologies (REACT) - Participants in the REACT program will attempt to create technology alternatives that reduce or eliminate the dependence on rare earth materials in electric vehicle motors and wind generators.
(4) Green Electricity Network Integration (GENI) - The GENI program will fund the development of innovative control software and high-voltage hardware to reliably control the electricity grid and improve power grid management and transmission
(5) Solar Agile Delivery of Electrical Power Technology (Solar ADEPT) - Focusing on integrating advanced power electronics into solar panels and solar farms, the Solar ADEPT program will invest in advances in magnetics, semiconductor switches, and charge storage that could reduce power conversion costs by up to 50 percent for utilities and 80 percent for homeowners.
Companies interested in applying for any of these programs have until May 19, 2011 to submit a concept paper. Details on the open solicitation and how to apply are available here. |
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SBA Jobs Act Tour |
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 Meet with leaders from SBA and give input on new regulations and learn how you can take advantage of new tools, including:
- Getting an SBA loan
- Competing for federal contracts
- Finding a mentor, counselor or training
- Starting or increasing exports
We'll explain how to use these new tools. And we want your input on regulations, and how
we can help you grow your business and create jobs.
Denver - Tuesday, May 24, 2011
PPA Event Center - 2105 Decatur St.
www.sba.gov/jobsacttour/Denver |
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Focus on Europe - World Trade Day 2011 | | |
 Direct Access to European Markets'
World Trade Day - Denver's premier full-day conference on international trade and business opportunities will present Europein a realistic, yet opportunistic light. In addition to connecting participants to each other, we will showcase the powerful World Trade Center network, directly connecting businesses of the Rocky Mountain to businesses in key markets in Europe. The recent currency fluctuations in the Euro and economic challenges in the region have caused skepticism and concern for Europe as an opportune market. Therefore, a sub-theme on international finance will reflect an honest snapshot, while informing participants of opportunities to hedge currencies, mitigate risk and secure funding opportunities.
View the flyer: World Trade Day - Europe
Register: http://www.rmwtci.org
Date: May 17, 2011 |
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Main Street Loan Program Supports Small Business in NE Colorado | | |
 Colorado Lending Source in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture have launched Colorado Main Street Loans, a new small business loan program in northeastern Colorado. The program will provide $450,000 in revolving, non-agricultural loans to small businesses in northeastern Colorado in an effort to stimulate economic growth and create jobs.
"While our economy continues to regain its footing, many small business owners and entrepreneurs are ready to expand or start up new businesses but lack the access to necessary capital," said Senator Michael Bennet. "These new, targeted loans will be a welcome source of funding to help northeastern Colorado small businesses grow and create jobs."
Colorado Main Street Loans of $20,000 to $35,000 each are available to small businesses located in towns with populations of fewer than 25,000 people in Eastern Elbert, Kit Carson, Lincoln, Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Yuma, Washington and Weld counties. Eligible companies must qualify as small businesses under U.S. Small Business Administration requirements.
Financing via the Colorado Main Street Loans can be used for working capital needs, start-up operating costs, building construction or renovation, the purchase or development of land, acquisition of equipment, feasibility studies or debt refinancing.
For more information about the Colorado Main Street Loans, including application information, go to www.ColoradoLendingSource.org.
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The Mediation Process | | |
 Mares-Dixon & Associates is offering a program that offers a step by step approach to mediating workplace disputes, contract disputes, environmental issues, racial and cross-cultural conflicts and community disputes. You will learn:
· How to structure and facilitate the mediation process
· How to communicate effectively in a highly emotional or toxic atmosphere
· How to help parties present issues, concerns and proposals in ways that get results
· How to work with attorneys and other representatives in mediation
· How to resolve financial issues
· How to avoid or move beyond impasse
· How to structure sound, realistic, mutually acceptable settlements
· How to manage power issues and ethical dilemmas
· How to establish a private mediation practice or a mediation program inside your organization
To register please call or email Judy Mares.
Cost: $995
Dates: July 18 - 22, 2011
October 17 - 21, 2011
Location: Boulder, Colorado
Phone: (303) 842-2097
E-mail: Judy.Mares-Dixon@earthlink.net
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| Business Tip: Three Keys to Successful Commercial Leasing | |
 Leasing commercial space is one of the most important decisions a brick-and-mortar business ever makes. Office, industrial and/or retail space are big financial investments, and the process can appear very confusing. But it does not have to be. Here are three keys to a successful leasing experience:
- Get the Right Advice. Some commercial real estate brokers specialize in representing landlords, others in representing tenants. Get a broker/advisor whose specialty is tenant representation, and who will go to bat getting you the best deal obtainable in your marketplace.
- Negotiate Options. Once you have identified the space you want to lease, with the help your tenant representative and attorney, you will want to negotiate renewal options and rights to lease the adjoining space to facilitate your expansion as your business grows. These options can be very valuable to you down the road, so obtain them upfront.
- Identify 'Hidden Costs'. Most commercial leases along the Front Range are NetNetNet (Triple Net.) That means that in addition to a base rent, you, the tenant, pay your share of the Real Estate Taxes, Insurance on the Building, Common Area Maintenance and Utilities. These are pass-throughs which generally increase over time. Do your homework to identify them upfront, so you don't get an ugly surprise.
This message is brought to you by RealPropertiesAdvisor Casey Partners, Ltd. headquartered in Boulder. For more information, visit www.caseypartners.com or call 303-665-6000. |
| Minority Business Office | | |
 Upcoming MBO Events
Small Business Resource Fair
Coming together to help your small business:
- One-on-One Conseling
- Small Business Panel Discussion
- Exhibitors:
- Bankers
- Gov. Contractors
- Bus. Resources
- Networking Partners
- Business Workshops
- Lending Matchmaking
Date: Thursday, August 18th, 2011
Time: 10:15 am - 3:45 pm
Place: Denver Public Library
10 West 14th Ave.
Denver, CO 80204
Register here
For information related to minority business events please contact LeRoy Romero at: l.romero@state.co.us |
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Upcoming SBDC Events | | |
South Metro Denver:
Thursday, May 19th
Business Empowerment Series
Fertilizing Your Business Doesn't Stink - Learn the 5 Best Practices to Organically Grow Your Business
Cost: No Charge (Breakfast Included)
South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce
6840 S. University Blvd.
Centennial, CO 80122
7:30 am - 10:00 am
Wednesday, May 25th
Business Start-Up Basics
Learn the Basic Steps to Start a New Business
Cost: No Charge
Smoky Hill Library
5430 S. Biscay Circle
Centennial, CO 80015
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Please register at the South Metro Denver SBDC.
Colorado Springs:
Wednesday - Thursday, May 25th - 26th
Veteran's Small Business Conference
Real Contract Opportunities
Cost: $65
Double Tree Hotel Colorado Springs
1775 E Cheyenne Mountain Blvd.
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Register here
Thursday, June 9th
2011 Small Business Day
Celebrate the Success of Small Businesses
Cost: $55 (Morning Seminar $20, Luncheon $40)
Double Tree Hotel Colorado Springs
1775 E Cheyenne Mountain Blvd.
Colorado Springs. CO 80906
8:00 am - 1:30 pm
Please register here
Boulder:
May 27th - June 24th
Sales Series
Building Your Prospecting Plan, Book the First Appointment, Succeed at a Sales Meeting, Close the Deal
Cost: $79
Boulder Chamber
2440 Pearl Street
Boulder, CO 80302
Thursday, May 19
Marketing Plan Essentials
Break Your Marketing Plan Down Into it's Core Elements
Cost: $45
Boulder Chamber
2440 Pearl Street
Boulder, CO 80302
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Please register here.
San Luis Valley
Tuesday, May 24th
Create Your Own Blog
Bring your laptop, pictures, logo, and business description
Cost: $10 ($15 for non-chamber members)
Monte Vista Info Center
947 1st Ave.
Monte Vista 81144
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Thursday, June 9th
Disaster Preparedness for your Business
Cost: Free ($5 non-chamber members)
Upstairs at the Depot
610 State Avenue
Alamosa, CO 81101
7:30 am - 9:00 am Continental Breakfast Included
To register please contact Donna Wehe at 589-3682 or donna@slv-sbdc.com
Northeast, East Central
Friday, June 17th
2011 Business in Action Forum
Finance, Marketing, and Law
Cost: $40 ($55 non-chamber members)
University Center at UNC
2045 10th Ave
Greeley, CO 80639
8:00 am - 2:30 pm
Register at www.greeleychamber.com
Southern
Tuesday, June 21
Make Time Work for You
Increase Productivity, Improve Customer Satisfaction, and Boost Employee Moral
Cost: Free
Pueblo Community College - Occhiatro Theater
GATC Building, 900 W Orman Ave.
Pueblo, CO 81001
To register contact the Southern CO SBDC at 719-549-3224 or SBDC@pueblocc.edu
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  Colorado Small Business Development Centers A division of
Denver, CO 80202 | |
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