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Greetings!
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Kelly Manning
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Colorado small businesses and entrepreneurs continue to find themselves in the national spotlight. The Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity (leading indicator of new business creation in the United States) has ranked Colorado 4th in the nation for the highest rate of entrepreneurial activity. We are continuing are climb to the top (ranked 5th in 2010). This index is measured by new business starts each month and is great news for the state of Colorado! It is exciting to watch and be a part of Colorado's growing entrepreneurial culture, as we progress into 2012, wondering what new and successful businesses lay just around the corner!
In other news, the Colorado Creative Industries Summit will be held April 12th and 13th. This summit is a great opportunity for Artist-entrepreneurs and owners of creative businesses to gain valuable business knowledge as well as discuss new and existing ideas. Another prime example of the innovative culture that has begun to thrive in Colorado!
More great news and exciting opportunities below. Check with your local SBDC for workshops and events in your area.
Sincerely,
Kelly Manning
State Director
Colorado Small Business Development Centers
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New Rules for Women-Owned Small Businesses
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Small business administration has been very active these days. They have been issuing rulings left and right and coming down like a ton of bricks on long-established business practices. By the way, GTSI is back to working for the government but they cannot continue subbing to small businesses the way they were doing it.
One of the most notable rulings this fall has been on the small woman-owned businesses.
SBA issued on October 7, 2010 its final rule to implement federal procurement programs for women-owned small businesses ("WOSBs") and Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Businesses ("EDWOSB") (Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract Program, 75 Fed. Reg. 62258). The Rule identifies 83 industries in which WOSBs are underrepresented in the federal contract marketplace, 38 of which the SBA has deemed WOSBs to be "substantially underrepresented" (no surprise to anyone, I am sure). According to the SBA, the Rule seeks to give more opportunities for WOSBs working in these industries.
So, how do you know if you are eligible? To qualify for the WOSB Program, you must be a small business and not less than 51% unconditionally and directly owned and controlled by one or more women who are U.S. Citizens. The same requirements apply to the EDWOSB, except that the regulations add that, to qualify as an EDWOSB, the woman owner must be "economically disadvantaged."
Hope you can take advantage of this program if you are a small business - and if you are a large business, stand by for another requirement in putting together your teaming and subcontracting plans.
For more on this article, click here.
Written by Olessia Smotrova-Taylor, President and CEO of OST Global Solutions, Inc.
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Success Story : Avalanche Roofing and Exteriors  | | |
 Justin Davis is heating things up. His plumbing and heating business, Superior Hydronics Inc., is one year old and has serviced residential clients all over the San Luis Valley. Justin is a Master Plumber with solar certifications and training in geothermal installations. He installs and repairs high efficiency boilers and furnaces, using hot water the smart way to heat up your home or business.
Justin worked with Donna Wehe at the Small Business Development Center when he was starting out on his own. She asked him about the name he chose for his business. "I'm really into using water in the most efficient way. I support any sort of green energy-saving model possible. I recommend on demand water heaters and have installed a number of those to boost efficiency. Higher efficiency means lower bills! Hydronics means 'using water to heat' so I chose that to be part of my business name." He also works with homeowners and contractors to install water filtration systems and will do new construction, remodel, or repair plumbing and heating work.
Justin has 9 years plumbing and heating experience including working as a journeyman plumber for Steffens Quality Plumbing and Heating for 4 ½ years. He grew up in Arizona and moved here from Denver. He is here to stay and loves living in the Valley. He and his wife like to garden, hike and camp. Justin is a musician and an avid disc golfer and hopes to sponsor a tournament this summer.
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Colorado Ranks 4th in Entrepreneurial Activity
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 According to the 2011 Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity, Colorado has the fourth highest rate of entrepreneurial activity in the United States, with 450 new business owners per 100,000 adults. Colorado has numerous tax incentives and business programs to help entrepreneurs excel.
Why is this state a good place for entrepreneurs?
The Small Business & Entrepreneurial Council ranked Colorado the 10th most entrepreneur-friendly state in the country. The Colorado Small Business Development Center Network provides in depth training programs, as well as free and confidential counseling. The Economic Development Commission and the International Trade Office assists business growth and transnational networking, respectively.
 The Colorado Business Resource Guide reports that over half of all Colorado's private sector employees work for small businesses and that nearly 98% of all firms in Colorado are considered small businesses.
Published April 06, 2012 | NewsCore
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2012 Small Business Forum
| |   The 2012 Small Business Forum is coming soon! Small businesses owners are the foundation of a healthy economy and it's vital for us to work together to build our capacities. Many small business owners don't know about or have trouble accessing the resources already existing in our communities, so the Small Business Forum was created to bring these resources together in one place that's accessible for business owners.
Created and hosted by the Mile High Business Alliance, the forum is a full day event that includes complimentary breakfast, lunch, and other refreshments for attendees as they make their way between workshops and sessions. The Forum will be held Friday June 1st, 2012 in Denver, Colorado. Find more information on the Small Business Forum here.
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Brewing the American Dream
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 Take your food or beverage business to the next level!
Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream is a FREE speed coaching event hosted by Samuel Adams. Learn about Marketing and Public Relations, e-commerce, packaging, food sourcing and much more.
Meet one-on-one for 20 minute sessions with Samuel Adams employees and local business experts. Network and connect with fellow entrepreneurs. And get in contact with local organizations that support small businesses.
Since 2008, Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream program has been providing business owners in the food, beverage and hospitality industry with the essential ingredients to start, strengthen and grow their small businesses.
To learn more about Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream, click here.
What: Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream Speed Coaching Event
When: Wednesday, April 25 2012
Time: 6:00-8:30 PM
Where: Mi Casa Resource Center
360 Acoma Street
Denver, CO 80223
Food and Drink Provided!
Register here
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Rocky Mountain Cleantech Open Launch
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 The Cleantech Open Rocky Mountain Region is kicking off the 2012 business accelerator competition.
Learn about the annual business competition and the opportunity to accelerate your cleantech start-up with expert training, national visibility and up to $250,000 of cash and services awarded to the national winner. Beyond great networking, we'll celebrate this year's contestants and kick-off the world's largest cleantech accelerator.
The Cleantech Open runs the world's largest cleantech accelerator. Our mission is to find, fund and foster entrepreneurs with big ideas that address today's most urgent energy, environmental and economic challenges. Since 2006, through its one-of-a-kind annual accelerator and competition, the Cleantech Open has helped 581 companies bring their ideas to fruition. These alumni have since raised $660M. Fueled by a network of more than 3,000 volunteers, the Cleantech Open unites the best ideas with the resources they need to bring cleantech solutions to market.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
 7:30 - 9:00 a.m.University of Phoenix
10004 Park Meadows Drive
Lone Tree, CO 80124
A light breakfast & coffee will be served.
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Small Business Tip : Cash Flow As a Financial Management Tool
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Cash Flow As a Financial Management Tool
Projecting cash flow is a critical activity for effective financial management. Predicting the timing for cash receipts and for cash disbursements enables business owners to determine possible borrowing needs and when those needs may present themselves. Waiting to do this until after the need exists limits your options for accessing capital.
Very few lenders, if any, are interested in providing funds for prior debt unless debt refinancing is part of a larger financial package geared toward growing the business. Besides, most loan applications require a proforma cash flow statement, so it makes sense to do that now as part of your ongoing cash management. Lenders want to know when and how they'll be repaid. The cash flow statement answers that question.
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Colorado Creative Industries Summit: April 12-13, 2012
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The Colorado Creative Industries Summit will provide inspiration, networking and learning opportunities for Colorado creatives. Artist-entrepreneurs, owners of creative sector businesses, nonprofit cultural workers, and emerging creatives will come together for this inaugural event.
The theme of the summit will be Cultivating Common Ground and will feature keynotes and
 workshops featuring Colorado creatives who are talented, inspiring, and motivational. The Governor's Arts Award event will be the culminating luncheon on the second day of the Summit, celebrating a Colorado town or city that has effectively employed the arts and creative activity as a strategy for community and economic development.
For more information and Registration click here. |
Upcoming Events
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Colorado Springs
Tuesday, April 17th
The Power of Email Marketing
SBDC Building at UCCS
1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway, Colorado Springs, Co 80933
10:00am - 12:00pm
Cost: $20
Register here
Friday, April 27th
Funding Your Business
SBDC Building at UCCS
1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway, Colorado Springs, Co 80933
10:00am - 12:00pm
Cost: $20
Register here
South Metro Denver
Wednesday, April 18th
Art and Creative Industries Series
The Business Side of Art & Art Marketing
Presented by the South Metro Denver & Aurora SBDCs
Martin Luther King Jr. Library, 9898 E. Colfax Avenue, Aurora, CO 80010
9:15am-3:00pm
Cost: No Charge
Register here
Tuesday, April 24th
Sales for the Entrepreneur
Increase Your Sales and Develop Relationships with Your Customer Base
South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce, 2154 E. Commons Avenue, Suite 342, Centennial, CO 80122
9:30am-11:30am
Cost: $25.00 Register here
Denver Metro
Thursday, April 19th
Marketing Your Food Product Workshop
Community College of Aurora, 1600 East Centre Tech Parkway
Aurora, Co 80011-9036
Register here
North Metro
Wednesday, May 9th
Access to Capital Forum
1STBANK Center, Mountain View Room
11450 Broomfield Lane, Broomfield, CO 80021
8:00am - 10:00am
Cost: No Charge
Register here
Southern Colorado
Teusday, April 24th
The Business Building Benefits of Social Media
Pueblo Community College
900 W. Orman Ave, Pueblo, CO 81004
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Cost: No Charge
Monday, April 23rd Colorado
Produce Growers Food Safety Plan Workshop1001 Santa Fe Dr, Pueblo, Co 4:00pm - 8:30pm Register here |
 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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