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Greetings!
We here at the SBDC Network would like everyone to know that we will be continuing our support of businesses affected by the recent Colorado wildfires. Disaster Relief Centers in Colorado Springs and northern Colorado will continue to be available as well as specialty consultants to help businesses bounce back from this disaster. The SBA recently announced its plan to offer federal disaster loans to Colorado Residents. See the full press release here. The SBDC Network was also given a $100,000 grant for the continuing service of the businesses affected by this tragedy. We look forward to using these funds to better serve and help businesses affected both physically and financially by the fires. The SBA disaster support is extremely welcome but will be brief, and we look forward to continuing this support for as long as there is a need. We welcome any and all businesses and hope that they will continue to take advantage of these resources.
In other news, the SBDC Network has continued to stay busy throughout the summer. We have now had two enormously successful Women's Small Business Conferences. Each Conference had over 160 attendees gaining knowledge in everything from marketing and social media to accounting and legislative issues. It is always energizing to see firsthand the value derived from these conferences as well as hear the attendee's appreciation and gratitude. We look forward to hosting the Durango Women's Conference and Keystone Women's Conference next year and thank all of you who have helped make these such successful events.
Looking forward, the fun does not stop there, and we continue to stay busy. We have an Emerging Ventures Conference planned for September 6th. In addition, we have two Veterans Conferences set for October and December. Stay tuned for dates and times!
Stay tuned for upcoming Conference dates and times. More news and exciting opportunities below. Please 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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Success Story: Wolf Creek Jeeps
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 Stephen Matthews is just as busy as a "retired guy" living in South Fork as when he was employed and ran his other businesses. In fact, Stephen's email address is "retiredinsouthfork." But some people just can't stay retired. He just opened a new business, Wolf Creek Jeep Rentals, out of the 8200 Mountain Sports location in South Fork, Colorado. He contacted the SLV Small Business Development Center (589-3682) for assistance.
Stephen told us about his experience with the SBDC. "I want to add that Donna and Dan's help has been invaluable, as it helped me get past some of the State of Colorado registrations without issue. One item that is more difficult to explain is that sometimes it is just good to have someone listen to your ideas and give you their honest evaluation on your thoughts. This is something I really have appreciated. Donna and Dan (SLV Small business Development Center) offer a wealth of information to the community and the entire Valley. "
Stephen moved to South Fork in June of 2011 from Oklahoma. He has been busy volunteering with his church, the Chamber, Foundation, Visitors Center and enjoys hiking and fishing. As an entrepreneur, he looked around and saw a void in recreational opportunities for visitors and locals to access some of the beautiful back country in the San Juan Mountains. After spending some time researching and learning the ins and outs of the industry, he purchased three top of the line Jeep Sarahas and opened his doors officially on June 1, 2012. Check out http://wolfcreekjeeps.com/ for more information.
Stephen has an interesting background in global education, and was instrumental in a Japanese-U.S. teacher exchange program in the mid 2000's. He was also invited to England to participate in an educational technology reception with Parliament. He has enjoyed seeing young adults advance and move forward with their education, but says his leadership was only a small part. "We could not have seen the improvement had it not been for the faculty and staff whom he has the greatest of respect. I never wanted them to feel that they worked for me, but that we worked together as partners and instilled in the students that failure was not an option." He has been involved in the corporate world and has successfully run other businesses with the same philosophy: failure is not an option.
Wolf Creek Jeep Rentals will assist experience or novice back country explorers and will equip them with trail maps, driving tips, area information and operating instructions. Call ahead for availability and reservations at (719) 849-8244 if you are interested in this adventure. They are open daily from 8a .m. to 5 p.m. So much for being "retired in South Fork!
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NxLevel Online for Entrepreneurs
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Are you Ready to invest in your Business Dreams?
You've got the dream, you have the drive, now give yourself the edge you need to succeed!
NxLeveL® Online brings expert advice and instruction to where you are, when you need it.
Your Business needs a solid foundation: Build one in your time, at your pace.
NxLeveL® Online for Entrepreneurs delivers practical guidance as you create your business plan.
 Get hands-on training with:
⇒ Bookkeeping
⇒ Marketing
⇒ Financial Projections
⇒ Lending Negotiations
⇒ Management & Organization
The entrepreneur who plans is the entrepreneur who succeeds!
To learn more, contact us today!
Jayne Reiter, Colorado SBDC Consultant
jaynereiter@comcast.net
www.lcsc.edu/nxlevel
303.892.3840
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Small Business Tip: Motivating Your Employees
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 The term motivation can be used in several contexts. Sometimes, the concept of motivation is used to try to institute new behaviors in the workplace. In other cases, motivation seems like the main ingredient for keeping employees on their
toes. Or, it is a general term for showing appreciation for a job well done. It can also be used to retain good employees.
Small businesses have a distinct advantage when determining how to best motivate employees. Your employees, like all people, differ widely in what motivates them. Some people like public acknowledgement before their peers. While others would rather have their finger nails extracted with pliers than receive public adulation. As a small business owner, you should be sensitive to
what floats the boats of each of your employees.
10 Ways to Motivate in the Workplace
1. Create More Time. There's only 24 hours in each day and surprising an
employee by calling it a day a couple of hours early or extending their
lunch hour is a welcomed and greatly appreciated act. If you really want
to excite an employee, let them go a couple hours early on a Friday
before a long weekend. Adding a couple of hours to their personal time
is something only the boss can do!
2. All Hands on Deck. Many employees feel segregated from the business of
the business. In small companies, your employees may wear many hats,
yet they still feel like they don't know what's going on. Try including all
employees in company wide communication. If you are setting goals or
instituting new procedures, gather your whole team together and share
your plans. Engaged employees will be motivated to reach goals and
celebrate wins. Be sure to keep confidential information as such. Read all 10 Motivational Tips Here. This tip was brought to you by Momentum Business Consulting and the Boulder SBDC. |
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Colorado Buyers and Sellers Procurement Assistance Fair
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 The fourth annual Buyers & Sellers Procurement Assistance Fair will be held Aug. 21 at the Tivoli Center on the Auraria Campus in Denver. The event is put on by the Colorado Minority Business Office, a division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade.
At the fair, organizations can meet with a wide range of vendors, especially as they seek to expand the diversity of their partnerships. In previous years, the fair has attracted about 250-500 business people, most of them Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), women-owned or minority-owned small businesses.
When: Tuesday, August 21, 2012
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.: Free Business Training Sessions and Panel Discussions
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.: Free Procurement and Contracting Fair
Training Sessions and Panels
Where: Tivoli Center on the Auraria Campus
● Marketing and Branding ● Networking and Getting Leads
● Bonding, Insurance, and Compliance ● Getting on a GSA Schedule
● RFP Analysis and Proposal Writing ● Panel: DBE, SBE, MWBE Ins and Outs
● Panel: Researching Business Opportunities: Federal, state, and corporate
Procurement and Contracting Fair: Meet with over 50 State, City, School, and Prime Contractor purchasing and contracting specialists
Tables available: $250 for small businesses/$500 for large businesses
Contact: LeRoy Romero, State Minority and Women's Business Office
Email: l.romero@state.co.us
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Colorado Emerging Ventures
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The Emerging Ventures Event is a full day event specifically developed to support scalable businesses with high growth goals -- including bioscience, IT, aerospace, cleantech, outdoor and natural products and other key industries. It will provide insights both established and startup, post- and pre-revenue businesses -- poised for growth.
Experts present 12 practical breakout sessions in three Tracks:
- Building for Growth (Building Your Sales Team: Develop Your Product Roadmap)
- Access to Capital (Equity and Debt Financing Resources; Crowdfunding)
- Bridge to Technology and R&D (How to work with NREL, CU-Tech Transfer)
When and Where?
Thursday, September 6th, 2012
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
UCAR Conference Center, 3080 Center Green Drive - CG1, Boulder. Colorado
Cost?
Attendance is No Charge to qualified ventures. RSVP REQUIRED -- Space is limited!
Click here for more information.
To Register Now!
Please contact Sharon King directly at:
303-442-1475 x3
720-207-4303 cell
Sharon.king@boulderchamber.com
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Small Business Export Promotion Grants
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APPLICATIONS NOW BEING ACCEPTED FOR EXPORT-PROMOTION GRANT
The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) is now accepting applications for the Colorado Export Development Grant (CEDG).
The grant was created four years ago to help qualified Colorado small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) export their products and services to new global markets. Grantees receive up to $4,500 per company on a reimbursement basis to offset the costs of such activities as business-to-business matchmaking services; translation of business-specific conversations, marketing materials and/or website; travel expenses (airfare/hotel) incurred to meet with potential buyers/distributors; and trade show exhibition and/or attendance.
To qualify for the CEDG, applicants are required to demonstrate their readiness to export, present a clear and attainable project aimed at achieving sales in a new market and show how use of the program funds would ultimately lead to the retention and/or creation of jobs in Colorado. Award amounts are at the discretion of OEDIT and selection of grantees will be made through a competitive process based on the quality of proposals and export potential of applicants.
The CEDG is open to qualified small business from all industries. The program is jointly funded by the OEDIT and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
Last year, CEDG funds were awarded to 23 small and medium-sized enterprises located in 13 different Colorado counties and from a variety of industries such as agriculture, automotive, bioscience and cleantech.
For more information about the CEDG and to apply, please contact Stephanie Dybsky at stephanie.dybsky@state.co.us or 303.892.3840. The 2012 CEDG application cycle will close on September 14, 2012.
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The Denver Energy Challenge
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Certifiably Green Denver 
Certifiably Green Denver provides free, confidential, non-regulatory environmental assistance to Denver's small business community. The program helps small businesses find opportunities to improve efficiency and profitability while minimizing environmental liability through pollution prevention.
Contact Certifiably Green Denver for more information or how to get started. Program staff will visit your business to complete a comprehensive assessment to identify water conservation and energy efficiency options, practices to minimize waste generation and disposal costs, and other sustainable practices that will save money and positively affect your public image with customers.
More information found here. 
Denver Energy Challenge
Beginning Aug. 8th the Denver Energy Challenge is teaming up with Elevations Credit Union to offer low cost energy loans for Denver businesses (and residents). The Denver Energy Challenge is a free energy program provided by the City and County of Denver to help residents and businesses cut energy waste, while saving money and increasing indoor comfort and air quality. Free energy advisers are provided along with access to exclusive rebates and financing when you sign up.
To date over 4,300 residents and 940 businesses are participating in the Challenge and cutting energy waste with help from free energy advisors. Energy loans have been made possible through a revolving loan fund from the U.S. Department of Energy Better Buildings Program. Call 720-865-5520 today to speak with an adviser and see what options are available for your business.
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NorthEast Business Resource Center Lender Forum
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Colorado Springs Disaster Recovery Center
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 The Disaster Recovery Center is transitioning from a face-to face resource to telephone and internet. On Monday, July 16, DRC information and referral services moved to the Citizens Service Center at 1675 Garden of the Gods Road.
The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will continue to host the Small Business Resource Table to provide face-to-face assistance to all small businesses in need.
The SBDC office location is at 1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway.
Hours will be Monday through Friday 8:30 am - 5 pm, Closed on Weekends.
Helping small businesses recover from the affects of the Waldo Canyon Fire is our priority.
Stopping by the SBDC or calling for an initial assessment will ensure that you are privy to all the most recent updates and resources for small businesses as they become available.
More information can be found at the Colorado Springs SBDC website.
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Upcoming Events
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Denver Metro
August 22 & 29, 2012
Sales Basics I & II
Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, 1445 Market St, Denver, Co 80202
9:30am - 11:30am
Cost: $60
Register here
August 23, 2012
Lunch Brown Bag: What Marketers Must Know to Maximize Results of Social Media
Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, 1445 Market St, Denver, Co 80202
11:30am - 1:00pm
Cost: $15 (includes lunch)
Register here
NxLevel Business Plan Classes
See links for dates and info!
NxLevel for Start-Ups
NxLevel for Creatives
NxLevel for Veterans
Greeley
Wednesday, August 29th
The Affordable Care Act & Your Business
Aims Event Center, 5590 W 11th St, Greeley, Co 80634
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Cost: FREE
More information can be found here
Southern Colorado
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Customer Service Seminar
Pueblo Community College - Gorsich Advanced Technology Center
900 W. Orman Ave, Pueblo, Co 81004
5:30PM - 7:30PM
Cost: FREE
Register - email SBDC@pueblocc.edu, or call 719-549-3224
Thursday, October 5, 2012
Colorado Entrepreneurship Marketplace
Pueblo Convention Center, Pueblo, Co
All Day
Cost: $30
Register - email SBDC@pueblocc.edu, or call 719-549-3224
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Southern Colorado Business Resource Conference
Pueblo Convention Center, Pueblo, Co
All Day
Cost: FREE
More information - email SBDC@pueblocc.edu, or call 719-549-3224
South Metro
Thursday, August 16th
Business Plan Basics
Smoky Hill Library, 5430 S. Biscay Circle, Centennial, Co 80015
6:30pm - 8:30pm
Cost: No Charge
Register here
Tuesday, August 28th
Sales for the Entrepreneur
South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce
2154 E Commons Ave, Centennial, Co 80122
9:00am - 11:30am
Cost: $25
Register here
Grand Junction
Friday, August 17th
Open Coffee Club - Discuss Topics of Interest with Small Business Owners
Cups Coffee House, 3090 North 12th Street, Grand Junction, Co
10:00am - 12:00pm
Cost: Free
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Pumping Up The Dream - Starting a Business in Western Colorado
The Business Incubator Center, 2591 Legacy Way, Grand Junction, Co 81503
1:30pm - 4:00pm
Cost: $50
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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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Register 