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Greetings!
 | | Kelly Manning |
Last week our nation thanked and paid tribute to our military veterans and active service men and women for their service to our country. Their continued sacrifices and dedication is humbling. We are thankful and honored for all they have done and are doing on a daily basis.
The SBDC network is pleased to have been involved with efforts to return service to those who have so faithfully served our country. The San Luis Valley SBDC on Nov. 10th hosted the Resource Fair for Veterans and Active Duty Personnel and Family Members. On Nov. 9th the Colorado Springs SBDC had the 1st Quarterly SBDC Veteran Conference, hosted by Peterson Air Force Base. The collaboration of area resource partners served to assist transitioning military, veterans and spouses of veterans in their entrepreneurialism. Additionally, the Colorado SBDC was proud to be a sponsor of the first annual Rocky Mountain AUVSI (Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International) Symposium on Nov. 9th.
Thank you again to all our veterans. If you or someone you know has served or is actively serving, we encourage you to take advantage of the services offered by the SBDC to veterans. Please visit vetbizassist.org for more information.
Sincerely,
Kelly Manning
State Director
Colorado Small Business Development Centers |
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Success Story: Foundation Fight Gear |
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Article and photography by Dawn Wilson, Med Vet Communications
Many people dream of working for themselves. But running a business lets Joe Keilman, Owner and Founder of Foundation Fight Gear, put his tactical skills to work while also testing products to find the best for his customers.
Foundation Fight Gear is an online retailer focusing on martial arts gear and apparel. Products include uniforms, gloves, punching bags, rash guards, pads and much more for beginner to professional martial artists.
Keilman's business idea started with a little frustration in the martial arts industry, an area where he has practiced mixed martial arts competitively for the last two years.
"In my own martial arts training I found I couldn't get the quality gear I needed, couldn't find good equipment and I couldn't try on apparel and gear," states Keilman. "Other martial artists told me the same thing again and again, so Foundation was born."
Keilman started with the Larimer County Small Business Development Center (SBDC) about a year ago where he was connected with other entrepreneurs who helped him turn his business ideas into a viable business. Numerous meetings with counselors and professional advisors gave him the guidance needed to write a business plan that ultimately helped to secure a start-up loan through Colorado Enterprise Fund. And today, he continues to receive help evolving his business plan.
"I find I have to constantly re-evaluate what I am doing with my business to make sure what I am doing is profitable," said Keilman. "The advisors helped me see that a lot of what I expected, such as a storefront at start-up, wasn't realistic."
Today Foundation Fight Gear, which officially opened in May 2011, sells most of their products online at FoundationFightGear.com. Keilman has continued to expand his business and is now the exclusive supplier for clubs, such as the Colorado State University Judo Club, and supplies local schools with martial arts equipment. |
| Why companies are choosing Colorado | |
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Mike Long, Arrow Electronics CEO |
In a recent Denver Post article, Arrow Electronics CEO Mike Long explains why his company chose to move their world headquarters to Colorado. He cites the Colorado Blueprint and the people of Colorado as determining factors. "Reading this plan, I learned in specific detail how Colorado would work with Arrow to create a remarkable future for us all," says Long. Read more: State "Blueprint" sold Arrow Electronics on Colorado - The Denver Post |
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Guidant Financial offers assistance to Veterans | | |
Guidant Financial is proud to work in conjunction with the IFA and the Joining Forces
initiative to reach the goal of putting 100,000 veterans, including 5,000 wounded warriors, back to work by 2014.
 | | Empowering Veteran Entrepreneurs |
On Thursday, Nov. 10, Guidant announced a commitment to help fund 500 veteran-owned businesses and provide full scholarships for their services through VetFran for one veteran per month for the next 12 months. They will continue to offer a 10% discount on services to all veterans.
The video to the right was created to inspire others to help veterans in whatever way that they can. Click the button to the right to watch it.
For those who have served our country and would like to learn more about Guidant's initiatives for veterans, please contact Doug Smith at 888.472.4455 x3210. |
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Sharon King: 2011 State Star | | |
State Director Kelly Manning announced that Sharon King has been selected as the 2011 State Star of the Colorado SBDC Network.
"I am delighted to make this announcement, and to recognize Sharon King for extraordinary contributions to the work of the Colorado SBDC and small business in Boulder County," said Manning.
King is the Director at the Boulder Small Business Development Center which is hosted by the Boulder Chamber of Commerce. King was chosen for being an outstanding performer, making a major contribution to the Colorado SBDC program, and showing a strong commitment to small business in Boulder County.
 "It is an honor to accept this award," said King, "and to have the opportunity everyday to assist so many entrepreneurs achieve the dream of starting and succeeding in their own business."
In 2010 the Boulder SBDC helped to create 192 jobs in Boulder County while retaining 193. They assisted in 69 new business starts and the formation of $6,816,845 in capital investment.
A special awards reception honoring the ASBDC 2010 State Stars was held on Friday, September 6, 2011 in San Diego, California in conjunction with ASBDC's 31st Annual Conference. |
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Leading Edge spurs new business in San Luis Valley | |
Kay Harmon has been a San Luis Valley resident for 24 years and has always been active in the community. She owned and operated Monte Vista Secretarial Service from 1990-1999, which concentrated mostly on small local non-profits. Kay originally took the Leading Edge course when her husband opened his own welding business. This time, she entered the Leading Edge class to renew and explore different growth options for a re-engineered company offering support to other San Luis Valley entrepreneurs.
Cindy Morin, after successful management careers in both the Racehorse and Relocation industries, moved to Alamosa three years ago to return to a rural setting and to be near her sister. She entered the Leading Edge class to round out her management skills as she felt that she had great experience in understanding how companies ran but never had the view from the top down, as the owner sees and understands their company.
Taking the Leading Edge class at the same time, Kay and Cindy were inspired to pool their talents and create their own company, Professional Bookkeeping Services, Inc. The Colorado Leading Edge Entrepreneurial
Training Program assists businesses through a 10 to 14 week intensive business education program. Successful graduates of the Leading Edge will have a complete and comprehensive business plan for their business. The primary emphasis of Leading Edge is assistance for existing business owners; however, new and prospective business owners who have a clear idea for their business also participate. Learn more about Leading Edge here.
The next Leading Edge Seminar for San Luis Valley is open for registration and scheduled to begin February 1, 2012. For more information on LE, contact Donna Wehe at the SLV SBDC at (719) 589-3682 or read about it on the blog, http://slv-small-biz-success.blogspot.com/p/leading-edge-seminar.html |
| Colorado Business Express | | |
Colorado Business Express is now available for business start ups. The simple to use website provides users with all the forms and state agency information needed to start a business in Colorado. The site also provides resources on assessing a business idea, writing a business plan, and developing a structure. The "New Business Toolbox" portion helps entrepreneurs determine what is needed to get their business up and running. Resources are also available for existing businesses. Explore Colorado Business Express today! |
| Minority Business Office | | |
What's YOUR "Win Rate"?
Come and learn ways to make your "win rate" better...
Analyzing RFPs and Writing Compliant Proposals
This 2.5 hour seminar will provide you with the essential tools to:
- Interpret and understand what the RFP/RFQ issuer wants to see
- Develop a compliance tracking and management system
- Ensure 100% compliance with the issuer's requirements
- Structure a logical, readable proposal or statement of qualifications
- Make informed "bid/no-bid" decisions
- Cope with a "bad" RFP/RFQ
The seminar is designed for small businesses-both formally and self-certified.
Date/Time: December 9, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Venue: The U.S. Federal Reserve Bank on the 16th Street Mall
1020 16th Street, Denver, CO 80202
Cost: $49 for one attendee and $89 for two attendees. Space is limited.
Advance payment by check, payable to The Write Source, Inc. PO Box 823; Littleton, CO 80160. Please include attendee name(s) corresponding to the photo ID.
Additional information: The Federal Reserve Bank is a secure location. All attendees must be pre-registered by November 29, 2011 and must bring an official photo ID for admission. This means your reservation must be paid in full by November 29th. No exceptions are possible. Access information will be provided at a later date.
Contact Janet Arrowood, The Write Source, Inc. at 303.717.7444 or e-mail her at TheWriteSource2@yahoo.com.
Sponsored by: The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade Minority Business Office; the Denver Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank; and The Write Source, Inc. |
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Business Tip: Save Energy, Save Money | | |
 With every penny saved a small business is that much closer to success. Finding ways to save on energy can be an often overlooked cost saving option for small businesses. As winter sets in, making sure your HVAC system is tuned up and properly set will help with energy savings. For great tips and reminders read the Tips for Energy Efficiency article from the Small Business Administration!
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Upcoming Events | | |
San Luis Valley
Tuesday, December 13th
Tax Seminar for the Self Employed
610 State Avenue, Alamosa (The Depot)
5:30-7:00pm
$20/business
RSVP to donna@slv-sbdc.com 719-589-3682
South Metro Denver
Monday, December 5th
Lender's Panel
South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce
2154 E. Commons Ave. Suite 342
Centennial, CO 80122
6:30-8:30pm
Cost: $10, register at www.smallbusinessdenver.com/events-calendar.cfm
Wednesday, December 7th
Business Start-Up Basics
South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce
2154 E. Commons Ave. Suite 342
Centennial, CO 80122
6:30-8:30pm
Cost: no charge, register at www.smallbusinessdenver.com/events-calendar.cfm
Thursday, December 15th
South Metro Denver Economic Development Group 25th Annual Economic Forecast Breakfast
Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center
7800 E. Tufts Avenue
Denver, CO 80237
7:00am
Cost: $75, register by call 303-795-0142 or visit: http://www.meetup.com/bestchamber/events/39400632/
Thursday, December 15th
Business Plan Basics
Smoky Hill Library
5430 S. Biscay Circle
Centennial, CO 80015
6:30-8:30pm
Register at www.smallbusinessdenver.com/events-calendar.cfm
Denver
Thursday, December 1st
Business Brown Bag - 10 Secrets of Local Search Marketing
Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
1445 Market Street
Denver, CO 80202
11:30am-1:00pm
Cost: $15 (includes lunch)
Register at http://denversbdc.org/CustomContentRetrieve.aspx?ID=1189792
Wednesday, December 7th
Turning Goals Into Results - The Power of the 90-Day Plan
Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
1445 Market Street
Denver, CO 80202
9:00am-12:00pm
Gold/Silver Level DMCC Members: FREE
Bronze Level DMCC Members: $25
SBDC Clients/Non-Denver Chamber Members: $35
Register at http://denversbdc.org/CustomContentRetrieve.aspx?ID=1187907
Wednesday, December 14th
Business Tax 101
Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
1445 Market Street
Denver, CO 80202
6:00pm-9:00pm
Gold/Silver Level DMCC Members: FREE
Bronze Level DMCC Members: $25
SBDC Clients/Non-Denver Chamber Members: $35
Register at http://denversbdc.org/_webapp_1080131/Business_Tax_101
Boulder
Wednesday, December 14th
Understanding Your Financials
Boulder SBDC at the Boulder Chamber of Commerce
2-5pm
Cost: Chamber member - $35, non-member $45
Register at http://www.bouldersbdc.com/?site_id=167&item_id=177552 |
 Colorado Small Business Development Center a division of
Colorado Office of Economic Development
& International Trade
1625 Broadway, Suite 2700
Denver, CO 80202 |
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