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Greetings!
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Kelly Manning
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As 2011 winds down I am very pleased as I look back over the last eleven months. Year to date, the Colorado SBDC has helped in creating more than 1,500 jobs and retaining 3,353. Additionally, there were 305 new business starts and total capital formation of over $118 million. In a year where many businesses shrunk, struggled or closed their doors, those involved with the Colorado SBDC have managed to launch and flourish. This is made possible by our highly knowledgeable counselors, our dedicated center directors and staff, and our host of partners and supporters. We thank you all!
Below you will find many great opportunities in the month of December and into January. The Colorado American Legion Employment Committee Job and Resource Fair, along with the 2nd Annual Southern Colorado Small Business Resource Conference are great opportunities to learn about community business resources, attend valuable workshops, and network. Many of our centers around the state also have great training events this month.
Have a safe and fun Holiday Season!
Sincerely,
Kelly Manning
State Director
Colorado Small Business Development Centers
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Success Story: The Little Bird Bakeshop
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Article and photo by Erin Bibeau, Erin Bibeau Photography
The Little Bird Bakeshop opened its doors on December 14, 2010 and in the past year has developed a loyal following. On any given morning, a passerby wandering through Old Town Square in Fort Collins can peer through the bakeshop's inviting facade and watch customers sipping coffee and enjoying delicious chocolate croissants, chocolate walnut cookies, and other pastries. With its friendly atmosphere and fresh, creative confections, it  | |
Amy Wyatt, The Little Bird Bakeshop
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will take only a glance before you walk through the door to see for yourself what all of the smiles are about. Once you do, you will find yourself a loyal follower as well. Amy Wyatt has always wanted to be a pastry chef. Her passion has carried her from a bakery in Boulder, to the Pacific Institute of Culinary Art in Vancouver, BC to New York City, and eventually home to Fort Collins. "Everything just fell into place," she says of her return to Northern Colorado two years ago. "The location opened up and funding became available." Amy's passion is the creativity that she puts into her creations. "I get to create something every day. It doesn't have to be the same thing. The spontaneity keeps it interesting. I love the creative aspect of it, it is my artistic outlet and people get to enjoy it." Amy first met with a counselor at the SBDC a year and a half ago when she was having difficulty with a name for her business. She had chosen a name and there was a conflict with another local business. "The SBDC helped. The counselor advised me not to open a business already struggling." Amy took this advice and decided to cut her losses and find a different name. Amy credits the SBDC with contributing greatly to her success. "The name concept was very difficult to let go of." As Amy was letting go and creating a new name, the issue was creating somewhat of a buzz and the Coloradoan wrote an article about it. Since then, Amy has received positive feedback from customers on the name of her bakeshop and it has brought locals through her doors. "The outside, objective insight and encouragement" she received from the SBDC has been a key contributor to her success. Amy keeps up with the SBDC by reading SBDC monthly emails and publications. The counselor who assisted her through the name change decision has  | |
Assorted goods of The Little Bird Bakeshop
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been into the bakeshop a few times. Once things settle down a bit Amy plans to take some of the SBDC classes. Amy considers one of her keys to success is the people who have chosen to be her staff at The Little Bird Bakeshop. "They really like being here and enjoy working with the customers." Friendships have developed quickly between staff and customers and The Little Bird Bakeshop has already found loyal fans. The shop is not a traditional bakery. The menu is constantly evolving and Amy's primary focus is on breakfast pastries. They bake two varieties of bread each day, and you'll find the fresh bread available in the late afternoon, convenient if you want a loaf for dinner, rather than the early morning tradition of some bakeries. This is just one of many details that make The Little Bird Bakeshop unique. With the help of the SBDC, The Little bird Bakeshop has found its niche and brings sweetness and warmth as a welcome addition to Old Town. |
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Colorado American Legion Employment Committee Job and Resource Fair
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Thursday, January 26th 2010 Plaza Hotel Conference Center 1900 Ken Pratt Blvd. Longmont, CO 80501 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
The Fair is FREE and open to all veterans - Active, Guard, Reserve & former service members!
*FREE Resume writing for federal jobs seminar presented by Avue Technologies - preregistration is required!
*FREE Starting a small business seminar presented by the Colorado SBDC - preregistration is required!
*VA Regional Office,VA Hospital and VA Voc Rehab will be there to assist veterans with claims and Medical Registration!
*Veterans Service Officer will be present to assist veterans with questions and provide assist!
*Business will be looking to hire. So please come prepared with resumes and dress professionally!
For Employer/Education/Resource Organization Registration go to |
Annual Southern Colorado Business Resource Conference
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The Southern Colorado Small Business Development Center is thrilled to invite you to the 2nd Annual Southern Colorado Business Resource Conference. This free resource conference will take place on Tuesday December 13, 2011 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Pueblo Convention Center (320 Central Main St, Pueblo). The one day conference will feature a Resource Exhibit Hall with a variety of community business resources and service providers, and a series of workshops on some of the most popular business topics.
Don't miss out on the opportunity to expose your business to a variety of federal, state and local resources that can assist with business outreach, retention and expansion opportunities to help your business grow and prosper.
Workshops include:
*Procurement Opportunities
*SBA Services and Programs
*Franchising 101
*AND MORE...
For more information or questions, please contact the Small Business Development Center by phone: 719-549-3224, email: sbdc@pueblocc.edu or visit our website at www.coloradosbdc.org.
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2012 Colorado Companies to Watch
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 Support your members and businesses in your community.
Promote Colorado Companies to Watch (COCTW) - nominate businesses in your community for this prestigious year-long awards program. Help honor high-performance, 2nd-stage companies from all industries that develop innovative products and valuable services, create quality jobs, and build new industries for Colorado.
Nominate Qualified Companies - check out details at www.Colorado.CompaniesToWatch.org
Nominating is EASY and FREE
- No fee to the nominator or applying company
- Nominate by submitting your nominee's complete contact information and an optional statement about their success
- Nominees are contacted by email, congratulated, and provided with application instructions
- Note: nominators can chose to remain anonymous
Thank you for your efforts in supporting this great program. Contact us with any questions at coctw@lowe.org.
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Colorado.gov
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The State of Colorado recently launched its new website at Colorado.gov.
 The website showcases the "Work, Live, Play" motto and allows for easy access to government agencies and information. The Colorado SBDC is very pleased to be highlighted front and center under the "Work" tab. Neat functions of the site also include the My Neighborhood Map which allows users to quickly and easily find locations of government services ranging from DMVs and fire departments to state agencies and light rail stations. Be sure and take a moment to explore the new site!
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Food Network Casting
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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 to open a brick-and-mortar space where there will be walk-in customers (restaurant, bakery, sandwich shop, etc.).
- Must be aiming to open between now and autumn 2012.
Those chosen will receive culinary & business coaching from Bobby Flay (a chef,
 restaurateur, and fixture on the Food Network) as well as invaluable national publicity. Please email your stories to foodtvshow@gmail.comPlease outline your timeline, budget, menu, team, and especially what's at stake for you in this endeavor (why you are doing it and what risks, financial as well as personal, you are taking). We are highly interested in the "human-interest" angle of your story.
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CORE Catalyst recruiting new participants
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CORE is a local nonprofit whose mission is to promote sustainable business practices. We believe that we all can benefit from a more sustainable economy in Colorado.
 Would your company be interested in having a team of MBA students perform an 8-week baseline sustainability assessment? The next round of the Catalyst project starts in January 2012, and CORE is looking for 30 companies with at least 25 employees to participate. The baseline assessments will look at both environmental and social responsibility factors, and the project teams will make recommendations for action steps following the assessment. This is intended for companies that are committed to act but have not yet done a great deal to incorporate sustainability in their strategies. If interested, please email catalyst@corecolorado.org. |
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New Enterprize Zone pre-certification rule
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As of January 1st, 2012 all businesses wishing to claim Enterprise Zone tax credits must first pre-certify. Any business activity which would earn tax credits will not be eligible if  the business has not pre-certified. Pre-Certification is easy, and along with certification, can be done online. For more information and to pre-certify please visit |
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Colorado Lending Source FREE Webinar
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Colorado Lending Source is hosting a FREE Webinar about the Small Business Administration's 504 Loan Program on Wednesday, December 14th at 9 am (mountain time).
 This loan program is utilized by small businesses to finance the purchase, construction and renovation of commercial real estate and/or purchase capital equipment for business use. This webinar will provide you with a basic overview of the program and the recent variations that have been added, including the 504 Refinance Loan for conventional commercial real estate debt. |
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Business Tip: Are You SMART about Your Goals?
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Have you given any 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 for me as to what I am working towards. If we don't know what we are working towards how will we know if we get there or accomplish what we set out to? I create a list of all the goals I want to work on, and then I prioritize the list. What is really important to me and the bigger question is why is this important to me? What will happen if I can accomplish this goal or what happens if I fall short?
I use the A.I.M. S.M.A.R.T. process to make sure I can break down each goal into manageable pieces so I can see and track my progress on a regular basis.
When creating goals determine your A.I.M. What is Acceptable or the least you could do? What is the Ideal or maximum you could do? Then what is the Middle or realistic for you to accomplish? Once you have determined your AIM now we move onto the S.M.A.R.T.
- S = Specific - Your goal needs to be as specific as possible and it needs to be broken down. If it's too vague you will have a harder time breaking it down. For example if your goal is to lose weight this could be too vague. Instead a more specific goal is to lose 10 pounds.
- M - Measurable - How will you quantify success? Again, be as specific as possible here.
- A = Achievable - This would be answered with a yes or no, and why.
- R = Reasonable - Can you accomplish your goal at this time? Is there any roadblock to stopping you? If so, identify and determine if it can be removed.
- T = Time Oriented - What is the time frame to complete the goal? Be sure your timef rame is realistic.
Using this method means you will be more successful in reaching your goals. Here's to your success in 2012! See http://connectselling.com/ for more information.
This tip was submitted by the South Metro Denver SBDC, the tip was written by Gina Kaelin-Westcott, president of High Achievers Sales Coaching.
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Upcoming Events
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San Luis Valley
Tuesday, December 13th
Tax Seminar for the Self Employed
The Depot
610 State Avenue
Alamosa, CO 81101
5:30-7:00pm
Cost: $20/business, RSVP to donna@slv-sbdc.com 719-589-3682
South Metro Denver
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
7:00-9:30am
Thursday, December 15th
Business Plan Basics, Steps to Writing a Successful Business Plan
Smoky Hill Library
5430 S. Biscay Circle
Centennial, CO 80015
6:30-8:30pm
Cost: no charge
Southern Colorado
Tuesday, January 31st
Economic Gardening, GIS Seminar
Location: TBA
5:30-7:30pm
Cost: no charge
Boulder
Thursday, December 8th
Business Research 101
Boulder SBDC at Boulder Public Library
1001 Arapahoe Avenue
Boulder, CO 80302
7:00-8:00pm
Register here
Monday, December 12th
Marketing - With Good Cause
Boulder SBDC at Boulder Chamber of Commerce
2440 Pearl Street
Boulder, CO 80302
3:00-5:00pm
Register here
Wednesday, December 15th
Understanding Your Financials
Boulder SBDC at Boulder Chamber of Commerce
2440 Pearl Street
Boulder, CO 80302
2:00-5:00pm
Cost: $45
Register here
Wednesday, December 15th
Shift Now, 7 Steps to New Success
Boulder SBDC at Boulder Chamber of Commerce
2440 Pearl Street
Boulder, CO 80302
3:00-5:00pm
Register
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 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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