Events/Workshops

Save the Date! http://www.coloradosbdc.org/events

Location: Fremont Sanitation District conference 107 Berry Pkwy, Cañon City, CO ? 81212 The SBDC, Canon City Chamber of Commerce & Fremont Connect are excited to partner and have the opportunity to offer a social media training seminar series for the business community free of charge courtesy of our sponsor The Canon City Daily Record! Please mark your calendars and plan to join us. Facebook Fundamentals for Business • Company Page • Content (What to write and when to write it) • Paid Advertising • Getting Likes • Coupons • Events

Are you looking for a little motivation to put your business strategies on paper? Attend the 3-hour GUIDED Business Plan™ class to learn a proven method to write your business plan, client proposal or strategic growth plan. Seasoned business owners as well as new start-ups have used the GUIDED approach to take their business to the next level. Whether you need motivation or a practical step-by-step instruction, the GUIDED Business Plan | Starter can help you develop a foundation for your company and ultimately increase your chances of having a successful business.

Speaker: Melanie Rae, Author of GUIDED Business Plan™

Linked In is a power online marketing tool for business-to-business companies. Aside from its enormous reach, perhaps the most significant characteristic of LinkedIn is that it levels the playing field. LinkedIn effectively permits any company to compete with larger and more well-established businesses. Business owners now have the ability to tell their company’s story, share interesting content in multi-media formats, highlight specific products or events, engage followers, and establish yourself as experts in your industry. Professionals, who otherwise may not know about your organization, have access to all of your pertinent information on LinkedIn. Come join us for this advanced session on how to expand your reach on Linked In.

Speaker: Cory Arcarese, CArc Media

Speaker: Allied Wealth Advisors

If you are interested in selling your business then this workshop is for you! Some of the questions covered include: What is your best strategy? Who will buy it? When should you sell? Not simply an overview of the topic, this presentation will cover multiple strategies. Results of such strategies include: • Reduce or eliminate Capital gains • Have more money for retirement • Leave more money to your heirs • Increase liability protection

Speaker: Allied Wealth Advisors

Learn about Colorado export assistance resources and the basics of export finance. This discussion looks into valuable information that will help you craft your own "export business plan". Connect to the marketing, business planning, and data resources you need to grow you company’s export sales. Review the basics of export finance and answer your questions about federal loan guarantee programs for exporters, export credit insurance, and letters of credit. This course will also introduce participants to the United States Export Assistance Centers!!! For business owners who wish to expand their business, they may do so with SBA backed funding and loans. Currently there are three loan programs offered through the SBA.

Speaker: Lonnie Koyama ~ US Small Business Administration

What would be a fair listing price for a business and how is it determined? Will a lender finance the acquisition? Does selling a business within the industry provide opportunity to command a premium price? Join us in learning about the roles of market analysis and business evaluation in developing a realistic business worth assessment.

Speaker: Julie Morey

The Risk Management for a Small Business presentation provides an overview of risk management and is designed to help participants to understand how risk management can benefit their business. After completing this webinar you will be able to: - Identify the common risks associated with a small business. - Identify the external and internal factors which affect risk for a small business. - Identify situations that may cause risk for a small business. - Identify the common warning signs of risk for a small business. - Implement, monitor, and evaluate a risk management plan for a small business.

Speaker: Will Hardin ~ US Small Business Administration

Speaker: Allied Wealth Advisors

If you are interested in selling your business then this workshop is for you! Some of the questions covered include: What is your best strategy? Who will buy it? When should you sell? Not simply an overview of the topic, this presentation will cover multiple strategies. Results of such strategies include: • Reduce or eliminate Capital gains • Have more money for retirement • Leave more money to your heirs • Increase liability protection

Speaker: Allied Wealth Advisors

How do I get started with Government Contracting? What is the difference between commercial contracting and government contracting? What is a contract? How are “set-aside” contracts and goals determined? In this course, participants will learn the ins and outs about government contracting. Participants will also be introduced to the external agencies such as the Procurement Technical Assistance Center, (PTAC) which work with the SBA and Federal Contractors to help award contracts to small businesses.

Speaker: Lonnie Koyama ~ US Small Business Administration

"Educate attendees on the requirements and business needs for a continuity program to include threats and risks, applicable regulations and continuity standards (OSHA, ISO, NFPA, etc.), and the value of implementing a Business Continuity Program scaled to their requirements.”

Speaker: Brian Siravo, Accinctus LLC

The reality is that 90% of Americans carry a cell phone. Utilizing mobile marketing or business makes sense to get in touch with people nearly instantly. So, instead of hoping people log in to their email and somehow find your message as more important than the other hundreds of emails, you deliver a text message to their text messaging system. Come learn about the different types of mobile advertising and how your business can use it effectively to market your products and services.

Speaker: Cory Arcarese, CArc Media

Find out if this course is for you! Join us at this informational briefing for a class overview, coursework syllabus, course expectations, and get your questions answered. Class starts in January 28th. Are you: • Starting a new business? • Adding a new line of products or services to your business? • Struggling to get enough sales? • Wondering if your idea will work? • Feeling like a train wreck? • Looking for tools and guidance for creating an innovative business? This six week, hands-on, intensive Crash Course provides a real-world foundation for building your business smarter, faster and profitably. You will learn how to: • Leverage your failures • Effectively funnel your energy and resources • Turn your idea into a viable business Join us for this FREE informational session! RSVP to reserve your spot

Speaker: Nelia Harper

This seminar is an excellent primer for firms just getting started and wanting to learn how to do business with CDOT. Find out what they buy, how they let contracts for goods and services, and where to find contract opportunities. This workshop with also include a discussion about CDOT's small business program and how they can help you become more competitive in bidding on CDOT projects, as well as an overview of the services available on the contractor kiosk. How You Will Benefit: • Get an inside look at how CDOT operates and what they buy • Learn about the different contracting methodos CDOT uses and how you can participate in the bidding or proposal process • Discover where to find contracting opportunities that fit your business • Learn how to leverage Bid Express and the Daily Journal for bidding • Develop a strategy for becomeing a CDOT contractor, consultant or supplier Suggested Audience: • Small Business interested in contracting with CDOT

Speaker: Cathy Kramer, Connect2DOT Program Manager

This class is a prerequisite for business start-ups to schedule a one-on-one counseling session at the South Metro Denver SBDC. You must attend 1 basics workshop (Business Start-up or Business Plan Basics) and 1 Successful Business Fundamentals workshop prior to consulting. This class will cover the essential building blocks necessary for businesses to start, grow and prosper. We will discuss how to formulate your value proposition, analyze your market competition, and determine what it takes to successfully compete in today’s business climate. We will also discuss the challenges of running a start-up company, as well as how to build the foundation of a successful business model.

Speaker: Marcia McGilley, South Metro Denver SBDC Executive Director

Do you understand the nitty gritty of what it takes to start your business? This helpful overview seminar covers the necessary steps to successfully launch your new business venture. Bring your questions about launching your business and meet others who are doing the same! How You Will Benefit: Learn about legal structures, licenses and forms, and tax requirements Uncover potential financing considerations Suggested Audience: New Entrepreneurs

Speaker: Nancy Barnett, Denver Metro SBDC Business Consultant Nancy Barnett assists entrepreneurs with their start-up businesses. She is co-owner of APIS Business Solutions, an accounting/bookkeeping firm that also offers human resource consulting. Barnett has 25 years of experience in corporate training, human resources and vocational training. Her passion is helping business owners start or improve their businesses by understanding all the components necessary to build a strong business foundation. She takes pleasure in helping owners with strategic planning and business plan development. Barnett holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Pacific Western University. She was awarded her professional certification as senior professional in human resources by the Human Resources Certification Institute/Society for Human Resources Management. Barnett is also a certified NxLeveL instructor.

Are you thinking about forming an LLC? Planning to create a partnership? Not sure how to register your business with the Secretary of State or Internal Revenue Service? Wondering what an EIN is and what it means to your business? Join us for this two-hour workshop facilitated by a business attorney and an accountant as they go through the pros and cons of entity types, explain how to register your business along with the necessary forms and processes, and discuss other tips and how to avoid pitfalls before you start your new venture.

Speaker: Attorney Tom Selken and Teresa Kaufman, CPA

A 2 1/2 hour overview of everything you need to know to start and grow your company including business licensing requirements, the business planning process and business financing options.

Speaker: Julie Morey, SBDC Director

A free seminar: Every start-up faces similar issues; however, a start-up online business faces special issues. Unlike a typical brick and mortar store, customers may come from anywhere in the state, the region, or halfway around the world. While the customer base is exponentially higher than a brick and mortar, e-commerce business owners must consider additional tax issues, shipping contracts, terms of use, different company structures and more.

Speaker: Elizabeth Lewis, Attorney At Law

Attorney Theresa Pickner walks you through the nuts and bolts of starting your own business, including legal entity selection, taxes (sales, use, and payroll), liability protection, registering your trade name, and more. This workshop will help save time and stress by helping you determine which agencies to contact along with the forms you will need, and by providing the information necessary to make key decisions before completing your paperwork. You will receive a packet containing reference materials and forms you will need to get your business started right away. Attendees may also arrange for a private consultation for up to an hour with Theresa Pickner at no extra charge. Workshop Presenter: Theresa A. Pickner, Attorney at Law, Pickner Law Cost: $45/attendee; $35/attendee with Boulder or Longmont Chamber membership Location: Boulder SBDC main office- 2440 Pearl St. (SW corner of Pearl and Folsom, inside Boulder Chamber Center) Presenter Bio: Theresa A. Pickner has been practicing law in Colorado since 1989, and she has been presenting the Start-Up Essentials workshop at the Boulder Small Business Development Center for over 15 years. Theresa's fields of expertise include: Existing Businesses, Business Start-Ups, Taxation, and Estate Planning. Theresa will help you understand the process and give you the confidence to make the best decisions. For over twenty years, she has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs and individuals. She is the co-author of The Small Business Legal Tool Kit. Specialities include: legal entity selection taxes (sales, use, income, payroll) liability protection registering trade names governmental filings and more The Colorado Small Business Development Center Network is partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA.) The support given by the SBA through such funding does not constitute an expressed or implied endorsement of any of the co-sponsors' or participants' opinions, products or services. The Colorado SBDC is a partnership between the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, the SBA, Colorado's institutions of higher education and local development organizations.

Speaker: Theresa A. Pickner, Attorney at Law

This free seminar introduces the attendee to the business, economic, and legal requirements of self-employment. Attendees of this workshop will learn the process of selecting the most appropriate business structure, business requirements, and taxation fundamentals.

Speaker: Chuck Hahn, Small Business Specialist

This class is a prerequisite for start-ups to schedule a counseling session at the Larimer SBDC. Explore the basics of business ownership, including entrepreneurship, planning for a profitable business, pitfalls to avoid and how to reach your customers.

Speaker: John Murphy

Starting a business can be challenging and uncertain. This 5 hour course is designed to help you navigate through the steps you need to start a business. Presenters include a Small Business Specialist, Marketing Expert, Small Business Banker, and Attorney and an Accountant. Topics to be covered include: ·         Business Planning ·         Legal Structure ·         Taxes ·         Marketing & Market Research ·         Financing Options

Speaker: Joe Keck, Jack Llewellyn, Shawn Candaleria, Cassie Alexander, Lindsey Nicholson, John Lopez, Coelene O'Kane

Taking the first step to starting your business can be difficult! This workshop will be a realistic starting point for all budding entrepreneurs. The hour and a half workshop will be PACKED and FAST PACED. At the end, you will have a good feel for the level of effort and commitment it will take to make your business successful. If you’re serious about starting a business, you don’t want to miss this workshop. This will be a Lunch 'n Learn...Feel free to bring your lunch!!

Speaker: Rick Sundahl, Grey Wolf Systems

This fee-based seminar introduces the attendee to the economic and compliance issues of starting a restaurant. Learn the conceptual and practical business requirements of starting a restaurant, and the city and county requirements in transferring ownership or developing a new restaurant. This workshop is in collaboration with Tri-County Health Dept.

Speaker: Santos Blan, Small Business Specialist and Tri-County Health Dept.

A 2 1/2 hour overview of everything you need to know to start and grow your company including business licensing requirements, the business planning process and business financing options.

Speaker: Julie Morey, SBDC Director

Learn about legal structures, registration, licenses, market research, business planning, obtaining financing, insurance, taxes, employer responsibilities, and sources of assistance. (Minimum course size is 6 and 25 maximum.)

Speaker: Jesse Esparza

This class is a prerequisite for start-ups to schedule a counseling session at the Larimer SBDC. Explore the basics of business ownership, including entrepreneurship, planning for a profitable business, pitfalls to avoid and how to reach your customers.

Speaker: Nelia Harper

During this course you will learn about legal structures, registration, licenses, market research, business planning, obtaining financing, insurance, taxes, employer responsibilities, and sources of assistance. (Minimum course size is 6 and 25 maximum.) Instructor: Jesse Esparza

Speaker: Jesse Esparza

Cómo Comenzar y Operar Correctamente su Negocio Nuevo. Existen muchas reglas para los negocios, y hay muchas preguntas que tiene uno que piensar en abrir su negocio ¿A cuál mercado se dirige? ¿Quiénes son su competencia? ¿Tiene la destreza directiva necesaria para operar su negocio? Teniendo el dinero necesarios para comenzar y operar su negocio es muy importante. Estas y mas preguntas seran las respuestas del seminaro, Cómo Comenzar y Operar Correctamente su Negocio.

Speaker: Jesse Esparza

This class is a prerequisite for business start-ups to schedule a one-on-one counseling session at the South Metro Denver SBDC. You must attend 1 basics workshop (Business Start-up or Business Plan Basics) and 1 Successful Business Fundamentals workshop prior to consulting. This class will cover the essential building blocks necessary for businesses to start, grow and prosper. We will discuss how to formulate your value proposition, analyze your market competition, and determine what it takes to successfully compete in today’s business climate. We will also discuss the challenges of running a start-up company, as well as how to build the foundation of a successful business model.

Speaker: Marcia McGilley, South Metro Denver SBDC Executive Director

Attorney Theresa Pickner walks you through the nuts and bolts of starting your own business, including legal entity selection, taxes (sales, use, and payroll), liability protection, registering your trade name, and more. This workshop will help save time and stress by helping you determine which agencies to contact along with the forms you will need, and by providing the information necessary to make key decisions before completing your paperwork. You will receive a packet containing reference materials and forms you will need to get your business started right away. Attendees may also arrange for a private consultation for up to an hour with Theresa Pickner at no extra charge. Workshop Presenter: Theresa A. Pickner, Attorney at Law, Pickner Law Cost: $45/attendee; $35/attendee with Boulder or Longmont Chamber membership Location: Boulder SBDC main office- 2440 Pearl St. (SW corner of Pearl and Folsom, inside Boulder Chamber Center) Presenter Bio: Theresa A. Pickner has been practicing law in Colorado since 1989, and she has been presenting the Start-Up Essentials workshop at the Boulder Small Business Development Center for over 15 years. Theresa's fields of expertise include: Existing Businesses, Business Start-Ups, Taxation, and Estate Planning. Theresa will help you understand the process and give you the confidence to make the best decisions. For over twenty years, she has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs and individuals. She is the co-author of The Small Business Legal Tool Kit. Specialities include: legal entity selection taxes (sales, use, income, payroll) liability protection registering trade names governmental filings and more The Colorado Small Business Development Center Network is partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA.) The support given by the SBA through such funding does not constitute an expressed or implied endorsement of any of the co-sponsors' or participants' opinions, products or services. The Colorado SBDC is a partnership between the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, the SBA, Colorado's institutions of higher education and local development organizations.

Speaker: Theresa A. Pickner, Attorney at Law

A 2 1/2 hour overview of everything you need to know to start and grow your company including business licensing requirements, the business planning process and business financing options.

Speaker: Julie Morey, SBDC Director

Forget Business Plans! The business planning method for the 21st Century is more practical and effective in not only starting a business but in growing a business through the different stages of business growth. A business model describes the value an organization offers to its customers. It illustrates the capabilities and resources required to create, market and deliver this value, and to generate profitable, sustainable revenue streams. The BIZMODEL Workshop offers systematic methodologies of business development strategies to deliver value and innovation to business planning: • A new perspective on business strategy using a business model template which will help you: 1. Identify your true business model and niche 2. Identify your real customer segments 3. Focus on the big picture (lowering the planning risk) 4. Reach beyond existing demand to show the scalability of the business 5. Develop the strategic sequence for the business 6. Identify key organizational hurdles 7. Build execution into the strategy How to structure the business to insure future growth using a reproducible manner, leading to opportunity while minimizing risk To help ensure the business model can be implemented in a way that it supports a viable business each participant will be given a follow up appointment to complete a business model that can be implemented/or presented to a lending institution. A light continental breakfast and light lunch will be served.

Speaker: SBDC Consultants

Did you know 80 percent of small businesses without a business plan will fail in their first five years? Whether you are starting a new business, growing an established business, or launching a new product or service, a solid business plan will help prevent unexpected problems and provide you with a roadmap to success. In this seminar, learn why you need a business plan, what goes in it and what lenders look for. How You Will Benefit: Understand what financial documents you need Learn how to determine start-up costs Get tips on writing techniques that appeal to lenders and investors Take home a sample business plan Suggested Audience: Business Owners, New Entrepreneurs

Speaker: Nancy Barnett, Denver Metro SBDC Business Consultant Nancy Barnett assists entrepreneurs with their start-up businesses. She is co-owner of APIS Business Solutions, an accounting/bookkeeping firm that also offers human resource consulting. Barnett has 25 years of experience in corporate training, human resources and vocational training. Her passion is helping business owners start or improve their businesses by understanding all the components necessary to build a strong business foundation. She takes pleasure in helping owners with strategic planning and business plan development. Barnett holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Pacific Western University. She was awarded her professional certification as senior professional in human resources by the Human Resources Certification Institute/Society for Human Resources Management. Barnett is also a certified NxLeveL instructor.

Join us for this informative seminar that covers the basics of preparing a successful business plan. Topics to be discussed include: •The purpose of a business plan •What information your plan should contain •The financial documents you will need •How to determine start-up costs •Market research and its importance •What lenders look for

Speaker: Anthony Masucci, South Metro Denver SBDC Sr. Business Consultant

When starting a business many people register with the Secretary of State’s office, buy a laptop and start providing services. However, in order to protect yourself and your family, the steps involved in starting a business, especially if home-based, may be more complex. It may require getting a business license, paying an occupational privilege tax, having special insurance, and having contracts with your landlord or lender renegotiated. In addition, if you meet with clients at your house, or store sensitive information, you may be opening yourself up to more liability than you originally thought. Come learn about the legal and tax issues that may arise when you open your new business from professionals who work with small businesses every day. (Minimum course size is 6 and 20 maximum)

Speaker: Elizabeth Lewis, Law Office of E.C. Lewis, P.C.

This workshop will assist you in knowing what the banks are looking for in a borrower. You will learn what issues the banks are dealing with on their side of the table and how to approach those challenges. Find out what type of loans fit your situation and how they can be used with an emphasis on Small Business Administration (SBA) lending. Discover what to provide and what to expect when you approach a financial institution to meet your company's capital needs. Money, you need it to get started, you need it to establish yourself, and you need it to grow, so learn what's involved with borrowing it!

Speaker: Todd Guymon, Verus Bank

This free seminar introduces attendees to the requirements for obtaining financing for a business. Attendees will learn about SBA loan programs, non-traditional financing sources and the components of a comprehensive loan package.

Speaker: Santos Blan, Small Business Specialist

An overview of how small businesses can manage risk through insurance. We will highlight the circumstances when insurance may be required by law. After completing this module, the participants will be able to: **Identify the types of insurance required by a small business ** Identify other types of insurance a small business should consider ** Explain why insurance is important for a small business

Speaker: Will Hardin ~ US Small Business Administration

Improve your Small Business Value module provides an overview of selling small business and succession planning and is designed to help participants to understand how selling a business can benefit their business. The Succession Planning for Local Business Owners After completing this training, you will be able to: * Explain how to change the ownership of a business through selling, closing, or transferring the business to successors. * Explain how to establish an exit strategy for retirement which includes a succession plan, transferring ownership of the business, and paying taxes

Speaker: Will Hardin ~ US Small Business Administration

You’ve started your business. You have business cards, your EIN, and maybe even a few customers. However, you may be missing a lot of the legal needs of your business, especially if you started without the help of an attorney. In this seminar, we will go into the issues that arise after you start your business – protecting your brand, using the internet to promote your business, hiring employees, negotiating leases and getting paid! Also, plan your exit strategy so that you can run your company and it doesn’t run you.

Speaker: Elizabeth C. Lewis, MS, JD, Law Office of E.C. Lewis, P.C.

This class is intended to teach attendees how to network with other business owners within the community. Many skills such as overcoming objections, prospecting and one-on-one etiquette will be taught. Also, it will define the differences between types of networking groups and events.

Speaker: Lynda Cink and Brian Swanson, LnB Connectors

If you fired all of your employees today, would you hire them all back tomorrow? Many managers won't correct their employees' behavior because they are afraid of getting sued. Getting employees to meet expectations is one of the hardest aspects of management. In this seminar you will learn a proven discipline process to change your employees' behavior. This process also provides the documentation you need to terminate your employee if their behavior does not change. (Minimum course size is 6 and 20 maximum.) Instructor: Courtney Berg

Entrepreneurs are visionaries with a passion for business, yet can panic when it comes to hiring their first employees. This hands-on workshop focuses on the steps you need to take as an employer when bringing someone new on board. Come join us and let me help you navigate the maze of Human Resources (HR) including: contractors vs. employees, sourcing talent, insurances, legal compliance, payroll, compensation, managing people, healthcare reform, and the ‘most common pitfalls small business owners make.’ This class is beneficial to business owners preparing to hire, or even employers that are already established with 6 -12 employees and are poised for the next phase of growth. HR Tools and templates will be provided to all participants. (Minimum class size is 6 and 20 maximum.) Instructor: Lisa Dailey, Sr. HR Consultant, HR Choice

This seminar will present concepts that will help the small business person recruit the best talent possible in a market where there is a widening labor pool talent divergence from employer-driven needs and requirements. Program Objectives: 1) How to draft a concise job description. 2) How to conduct a compensation analysis 3) How to advertise your vacancy using networking, social media and traditional channels 4) How to evaluate talent-the best fit versus the "teachable fit."

Speaker: Traci Marques, PPWFC and Bob Gemignani, PPWFC

Now, more than ever, it is imperative that managers understand how to effectively manage workers from varying generations. In these uncertain economic times, many older adults are postponing retirement. All the while, younger employees are entering the workforce alongside them. Getting everyone to work together and maximize productivity can be a real challenge for managers. In this training, you will gain insight into what drives members of different generations, and how to use that to motivate them and bring out their strengths.

Speaker: Maureen Carney, Peer Assistance Services

Now, more than ever, it is imperative that managers understand how to effectively manage workers from varying generations. In these uncertain economic times, many older adults are postponing retirement. All the while, younger employees are entering the workforce alongside them. Getting everyone to work together and maximize productivity can be a real challenge for managers. In this training, you will gain insight into what drives members of different generations, and how to use that to motivate them and bring out their strengths.

Speaker: Maureen Carney, Peer Assistance Services

In today’s global world, good customer service is no longer good enough. Customer service needs to focus on building outstanding customer experiences and relationships. More satisfied customers are lost to competitors who provide satisfying outstanding service or experiences. You can work with a customer who is dissatisfied and expresses their dissatisfaction, but a customer that is merely satisfied will quietly walk away from your business with no explanation. This customer will not return your calls or e-mails later. They are the silent customer who never bonded with you as a product or service provider. In this session as a participant you will: • Adapt the newly learned tools to your own work situations and learn how others utilize the skills effectively. • Discover practical, ready-to-use ideas for various phases of your interaction with your customers. • Build confidence in handling tricky situations, leading to more enjoyment of customer interactions, and an increased feeling of job satisfaction and accomplishment. • Walk away with a personalized, self-created service brand which will energize you in your service role and guide you in challenging situations.

Speaker: Valerie Escatel, Valley Bank & Trust and Teri Sanchez, Brighton Economic Development Corporation

Learn the what, how and why of bookkeeping. Understand what bookkeeping can tell you about your business and how it can help you manage. Learn what data you need to keep track of, how to avoid common mistakes and when to call in a bookkeeper or accountant. Discover effective bookkeeping from chart of accounts to financial statements.

Speaker: Chris Stolte, CPA

One of the biggest challenges in starting and running a small business is dealing with the finances. Most small business owners are not accountants, but still need to understand how much money they are bringing in and how that money is spent. This seminar will introduce you to Quickbooks, the most popular small business accounting software on the market, and show how it can help you manage your business and save you time. Topics Covered will include: * It is Installed…now what? How to get through the Set-up Process * Creating an effective Chart of Accounts * Small Business Accounting 101: What every owner should know * Strategies for Managing Cash Flow * How to Make Paying Bills less Painful * Incoming!!! Strategies for Getting Paid Faster

Speaker: Bethany McManus

Over the 3 sessions (Fridays, April 25 - May 9; 8:30-12:30) this series of hands on classes will cover what QuickBooks can do for you. You will learn how to back up your system, navigate through the program, and a brief overview of setting up a sample company. Other topics include how to manage your checkbook, handle credit card payments, reconciliation of accounts, accounts payable, accounts receivable and analyzing your financials by using reports. This class is perfect for the person who has never used the program or is within their first year of use.

Speaker: Presented by Kirsten Woy, certified QuickBooks Pro Advisor

Are you using QuickBooks™ and view it as an electronic checkbook? There is so much more to learn and appreciate about this small business software that holds approximately 92% of the marketplace. This class will explain what to watch for after a couple years’ use of the software, discuss some basic financial reports, and some “time bombs” that might exist in your accounting information. (Minimum course size is 6 and 20 maximum.) Instructor: Fran Coet CPA, CVA, & CFP, Coet & Coet P.C.

Speaker: Fran Coet CPA, CVA, & CFP, Coet & Coet P.C

Focus on better understanding your financial statements--income statement and balance sheet to increase profitability and minimize tax consequences. This course will provide you with: 1) The basics of financial statements-Income Statement & Balance Sheet 2) A historical look at your financial with futuristic look for your business--Profitability Analysis & Budgeting consideration 3) Self-evaluation of your company 4) Identifying opportunities for increased profitability 5) Comparative Analysis for Budgeting 6) Planning for the consequences of taxes Business owners striving for an understanding of accounting for their business as it relates to profitability and taxability.

Speaker: Carolyn Sundahl, Sundahl & Associates PC

Use the power of QuickBooks software to take control of your business accounting and make your life easier come tax season. In this hands-on workshop, learn how to create invoices, receive and record payments, enter and pay bills, reconcile bank accounts and pull financial statements through a QuickBooks case study. Bring your laptop with QuickBooks software, or a laptop with QuickBooks 2012 software will be provided for you. Limited spots are available in this course. How Will You Benefit: 1. Learn basic features of QuickBooks 2. Understand why it's important to track accounting information 3. Practice data entry for customers and vendors 4. Discover how to "close out" a month 5. Pull accurate financial reports Suggested Audience: Entrepreneurs new to QuickBooks software

Speaker: Priscilla Orozco, Denver Metro SBDC Business Consultant Priscilla Orozco-Garcia is an accounting and financial professional with more than ten years of experience in financial practices, serving an executive role in providing credit training, education, industry knowledge and services, nationally and internationally for lenders, and banking institutions. She is also the owner of YTD Bookkeeping Service LLC, a company that provides the bookkeeping needs to other companies. She works with a variety of clients that are in different industries such as trucking, medical, distribution center, restaurant and product & service.

Are you using QuickBooks™ and view it as an electronic checkbook? There is so much more to learn and appreciate about this small business software that holds approximately 92% of the marketplace. This class will explain what to watch for after a couple years’ use of the software, discuss some basic financial reports, and some “time bombs” that might exist in your accounting information. (Minimum course size is 6 and 20 maximum.) Instructor: Fran Coet CPA, CVA, & CFP, Coet & Coet P.C.

Very popular class that gives a walk through of this highly used accounting software. Follow along as the instructor works live in QuickBooks. Pros and cons of different versions are discussed, so it is helpful if you are trying to decide which version to purchase. It is, however, very helpful if you have some experience with the program, even if it is just to download the free version and spend some time working with it prior to class. Even those who are very experienced with QuickBooks will get something out of the class..

Speaker: Donielle VanGieson is a long time Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor who owns Key Business Solutions, Inc., and has been a SBDC Consultant for 7 years in the San Luis Valley.

Some entrepreneurs start a business with out considering how profitable it should be. Others come to realize after more than a year of losses that perhaps the business is not viable. In this seminar you will learn how to determine if your new business idea can be profitable, or your existing business more profitable than in the past, and how. You will also learn sources of money to fund your business and which ones are appropriate for the stage of your business or for the intended use of the funds. How You Will Benefit: • Learn the difference between profit and cash flow • Understand the operating cycle for your business and how it affects the amount of cash you have • Know what working capital is and how much you should have • Learn how to calculate financial breakeven and translate it into a metric for use in your business daily to keep you profitable • Learn the sources of money for start-up or early stage businesses • Understand what lenders want to see to approve a loan

Speaker: Dale Clack, Denver Metro SBDC SBDC Business Consultant Dale Clack has over 15 years of experience in corporate financial management roles in the functions of corporate income tax, capital budgeting, controllership, and corporate finance. He was active as a CPA for 20 years including 6 years with a “Big 4” CPA firm. Clack served for 5 years as the corporate CFO of a company with over $50 million in sales. He has been a business broker for over 10 years and holds the Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) designation from the International Business Brokers Association. He has consulted with many small businesses about growth and exit strategies.

This is a great course for the small business owner, or for assistants, who primarily handle the finances! This interactive QuickBooks Pro - Part 1 introductory course will cover: 1. How the software works and how to navigate through the program; 2. How to create a new Company with QuickBooks including settings preferences, setting open balance, and entering customers, vendors, and accounts; 3. How to enter vendor information, as well as descriptions & prices for products and services; 4. How to work with registers, including opening registers, making entries, and reconciliation; and 5. How to handle bills in QuickBooks, including how to enter & pay bills; entering discounts from vendors You can register by calling (719) 255-3844, or by clicking the link below:

Speaker: Len W. Martin, CPA LWM Enterprises, Inc.

This workshop will focus on learning the basics of business taxes, including forms of different business entities, business use of home and car, record keeping, Schedules C, SE, and ES, Form 1040 and more. (Minimum class size is 6 and 20 maximum)

Speaker: Fran Coet, CPA, CVA, & CFP Coet & Coet PC

Get your taxes and recordkeeping organized in order to Minimize Your Tax Burden. Topics include self employment tax; estimated tax payments; tax deductions such as travel, meals and home office; sales & use tax; 1099's vs. W-2's; owners health insurance and enterprise zone tax credits.

Speaker: Paul Mueller, CPA

Get your taxes and recordkeeping organized in order to Minimize Your Tax Burden. Topics include self employment tax; estimated tax payments; tax deductions such as travel, meals and home office; sales & use tax; 1099's vs. W-2's; owners health insurance and enterprise zone tax credits.

Speaker: Kevin Dryg, CPA, CVA

No Website? No Budget? No Problem! This seminar is available in-person only; it is not available as a live webinar.

Are you doing a great job of communicating your value proposition or your hook to your target market? Small businesses and start-ups especially, need to think not just about who they are, what they look like, and what they do, but also what they want to mean to their customers. They need to identify their hook and then find their voice. With a strong brand, the branding will often fall into place. A business, large or small, can have great branding but still might not have a great brand. In marketing terminology, ‘branding’ is syntax and ‘brand’ is semantics. Ideally, a company should have a strong brand supported by strong branding, but some very successful companies have great brands despite having goofy names, ugly colors, and tortuous slogans. How? They do a great job of communicating their value proposition, or hook. In this hands-on workshop we will work on defining the value proposition (hook) of your company offering, as well as your product (yes, there is a difference), and address your brand vs. branding — understanding the difference between them, and the role they play in communications will better position your business for success. Participants are encouraged to bring samples of some of their marketing materials they are currently using in their business.

Speaker: Amanda Griffin, Griffimages, Photography & Design, LLC (Colorado Marketing Chick)

Small business owners often struggle to find the right marketing mix that brings them business without wasting their time or money. In this interactive seminar, learn what you need to create your own marketing plan. You’ll focus your efforts so you avoid wasting time and money on marketing that doesn’t work. How Will You Benefit: Discover who your customers are Learn how to reach them Develop a marketing message Leave with building blocks for your own marketing plan Suggested Audience: Business Owners, Marketing Professionals

Speaker: Wendy King, Denver Metro SBDC For Wendy King, marketing isn’t just another business…it’s about creating the magic that leads to a steady stream of perfect customers. A strategic marketing expert and founder of bForward Group, she helps small and mid-size businesses move forward turning their marketing plans into roadmaps for results. Her background -- which spans several industries and continents -- helps her instantly understand the problems companies face while trying to grow. With a focus on practical, real-world advice and a preference for cost-effective marketing strategies, Wendy's motto, "Moving Your Business Forward," shows in everything bForward Group does.

You will learn how to build a toolkit for effectively marketing your business. This class is designed to arm you with the knowledge you need to build an arsenal of tools to effectively market your business. You will learn to understand how to build a foundation for a strong brand identity; assess what materials will be best to help you reach your audience and understand what it takes to get the right tools ready and working for you.

Speaker: Gretchen Gaede

Come see the importance of Social Media Tools. (SMT). They are low cost, high yield tools that you can create and control OR pay someone to assist you with engaging content. Come see the importance of Social Media Tools, especially on Facebook. They are low cost, high yield tools that you can create and control OR pay someone to assist you with engaging content. Learn the basics of setting up and using a personal Facebook account, including privacy settings for your personal account. Find out how to create a "Business Page" on Facebook, including privacy settings for the page. Become familiar with navigating and updating this page.Learn the basics of setting up and using a personal Facebook account. Understand basic privacy settings, which type of FaceBook "Pages" work for your needs. Find out how to create a "Business Page" vs. "Promotional/Event Page" on Facebook. Become familiar with navigating and updating this page.

Speaker: Joyce Feustel

This fee-based seminar introduces marketing principles, concepts and tactics for a business. Attendees will learn the concepts of product, price, place and promotion. Learn how to research and identify the characteristics of a customer, conduct market research through electronic databases, develop marketing tactics and strategies to promote products and services, and explore the elements of a marketing plan.

Speaker: Chuck Hahn, Small Business Specialist

Description coming soon!

Speaker: Cory Ostos Arcarese, founded CArc Media

This class applies to business owners and their salespeople. Learn to: *Grow your revenue, one customer at a time *Increase your average sale *“Close the sale” *Help an irate customer *Create a better experience for your customer Learn about the sales process. Help customers choose your products and services. How much is a customer worth? Why do you lose customers? How do we get more sales per transaction? You will learn these things and more. This class is taught by a business professional with many years of coaching and sales experience. Most of the sales knowledge passed on in this class applies regardless of your products or services.

Speaker: Leon Koyama, SBA Program Manager

Find out about different types of Facebook posts (such as all text, ones with photos, ones with links to websites, etc.) Learn how to use Facebook to share your story and AWESOME BUSINESS or Non-Profit EVENT. Become familiar with the "Insights Feature" of your page which provides you analytics about the page. Determine if there is a value to you in paying for ads on Facebook. Get tips on getting a 6-12 month campaign together. We will touch on time managing tools to plan and build a month plan. As well as tips on encouraging people to “like” your business page.

Speaker: Joyce Feustel

Introduces the fundamentals of creating an online presence with free software. The attendee will learn how to harness the power of a WordPress Blog, build and modify a WordPress site, use and modify themes, install widgets, use WordPress content management system, create menus, modify the CSS (cascading style sheets) behind the theme, and add video and podcasts. Familiarity with a computer keyboard and Windows operating system required.

Speaker: Chuck Hahn, Small Business Specialist

Every smart business owner knows that his or her business needs to be online. Whether it is something as simple as a website for potential customers to find or an all out online presence campaign using social media, email marketing, websites, ad-words, and click-through advertising, businesses are online. However, being online comes with the need to make sure your marketing campaign complies with copyright laws, FTC rules, and state and federal advertising rules. In this seminar, you will learn about legal issues that all business owners should know to be successful, and legal, online

Speaker: Elizabeth Lewis, Law Office of E.C. Lewis, P.C.

What exactly is social media? In its simplest definition, social media uses online and mobile tools to communicate user generated content. Why is this so important? User driven means you, and your potential clients can drive the conversation. The result? Connections with people that generate better information, better ideas, more directed sharing and better leads. Social media tools, such as: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube are completely changing the way people are marketing their companies and themselves. Social Media IS NOT for everyone. It demands time, authenticity, integrity and humanity. But for those who are ready and willing to commit to a social media marketing plan, be prepared to experience powerful results from your efforts. You must have opportunity before you have success. Leveraging the resources of social media, social networking and web 2.0 technologies will allow you to take full advantage of this new world of opportunity. In this class we will go over Social Media, what it is and how to use it effectively. We will review the following platforms: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Youtube.

Speaker: Amy Alcorn

Join Rex Davis for this two-part* seminar aimed at helping you improve or develop your process for bidding and estimating requests for proposals (RFPs) and requests for quotes (RFQs). Using a proven process that has worked for businesses, contractors and trades, you will learn steps to make your proposals more accurate and competitive. This process includes: 1. Pre-estimate planning 2. Quantity take-off (labor, materials, and equipment) 3. Pricing your quantity take-off 4. Overhead, margins, markups, and profit 5. Preparing your proposal for presentation This process works well for construction contractors, yet can be used by any company that bids for work through RFP's and RFQ's. *Part two will be held April 24, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Suggested Audience: Any company that bids for work through RFPs and RFQs.

Speaker: Rex Davis, Rex Davis & Associates, LLC Rex Davis is owner of Rex Davis & Associates, a consulting firm that assists construction companies with their management and estimating practices. With over 40 years of experience in construction, Rex started out as a carpenter. While working in the field he went back to school and obtained several degrees in construction management. Rex began teaching in apprenticeship programs and obtained additional certifications allowing him to work his way up into project management roles before finally forming Rex Davis & Associates in 2001. Rex is happily married to his high school sweetheart and enjoys traveling and outdoor activities.

The Colorado Springs SBDC invites you to attend a free Connect2DOT training opportunity about Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Certification. This workshop is essential for any minority or woman-owned small business interested in applying for Colorado DBE certification and working on CDOT or other transportation and transit projects. You will learn about the eligibility criteria and requirements for DBE certification and the benefits of participating in the program. A CDOT DBE Certification Specialist will be on hand to answer your questions and review applications for completeness. If your business would like to gain a competitive advantage in bidding on CDOT and partner agency projects, this workshop is for you. How You Will Benefit: • Find out if your small business meets the eligibility criteria to become certified • Learn about the application process and how to ensure acceptance • Gain an understanding of program benefits and supportive services • Discover how to find DBE opportunities as a prime and subcontractor • Get key contacts for marketing your certification status Suggested Audience: • Minority and woman-owned small businesses providing highway design or highway construction products and services

Speaker: Cathy Kramer, Connect2DOT Program Manager Randy Liljenberg, CDOT Certification Specialist

Description: This full day workshop is essential for all prime contractors and subcontractors working on CDOT highway construction contracts. Staff from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), including local Region Civil Rights Managers, will provide vital information about how to comply with CDOT and Federal contracting regulations. Topics include: • FHWA 1273 • EEO Contract Requirements • DBE Requirements • ESB Program • CDOT Form 205 • OJT Requirements • Certified Payrolls • Davis-Bacon and Related Acts • Site of Work • Classification of workers • Prompt Payment Suggested Audience: Project Superintendents, Construction Contractor Employees, Consultant Project Managers, Payroll clerks, EEO Officers, Estimators, Others involved in construction contract administration

Speaker: BethAnn Wieder, CDOT Project and Labor Compliance Manager CDOT Civil Rights & Business Resource Center Speaker(s) Company: CDOT Speaker Website: http://www.coloradodot.info/business/equal-opportunity