Events/Workshops

Sign up for our Start-Up Accelerator Track and get 3 start up classes for the price of 2. You'll also receive focused attention to help connect you to the best possible resources for your business, including being matched with an SBDC general consultant to help you make the most of the classes you'll be taking. Included in the Start-Up Accelerator Track are our most popular and informative classes for new businesses. Between July 1, 2016 to December 20, 2016, you will be allowed to register for one session each of: 1. So You Want to Start a Business - Define your business and connect with SBDC resources 2. Make it Official - Learn how to register your business and the different types of business entities 3. Strategic Planning to Meet Your Business Goals (3 part class) - Build the foundation of your business plan, a living document to guide your future business decisions Upon registration, we will call you to see which sessions you want to attend for each of the 3 workshops. Solidifying your plan will help ensure that your business will end up where you want it to be. With the Larimer SBDC, you'll lay the foundation your business will need to succeed.

An 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 David Brown, Incubator Program Manager & SBDC Assistant

Thinking about selling your handmade wares online? The San Luis Valley SBDC is hosting Etsy's new Craft Entrepreneurship Program that will teach you the skills and knowledge to start an online Etsy Business. The course consists of 12 hours of classroom time, spread out over six weekly sessions (four 2-hour sessions and one 4-hour photography workshop). Each lesson covers a different topic such as marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), product photography and basic accounting. Please bring your own laptop or check one out at the library.

Speaker: LeeAnn Cisneros has developed a very successful Etsy business over the past 5 and is owner of a retail craft store also, LeeAnn's Heaven Scent Creations in Alamosa.

This 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

Join Kevin Savage, Senior Manager of Compliance in Supply Management and Small Business Liaison Officer (SBLO), to learn how small businesses do business with Ball Aerospace. Location: Boulder Public Library Canyon Room (North Entrance)

Speaker: Kevin Savage, Ball Aerospace

Have you been doing the same things year after year and achieving the same results? This seminar will include a summary of basics that are important to every retailer's growth! Do you have a mission? Do your customers agree that your mission is being fulfilled? Are you retaining customers and adding new ones daily? How do you measure and reward for excellent performance with your employees? Your employees are the face of your business - do you like what you see? One of the largest expenses as a retailer is your inventory. We will discuss how to make smart decisions regarding inventory levels, measuring performance by class/dept. and ensuring you take the right steps to clear old inventory to make room for fresh receipts. Once your inventory arrives, is your store beautifully put together and do you change it around to provide a fresh new look for your customers? Once the people and product are right, how do you market your store to drive new business? These are the key topics in this seminar - Vision, People, Product and Marketing. Join us to learn how to fine tune your business to improve your cash flow and overall profitability!

Speaker: Annette Pedersen, Summit View Retail Solutions After spending over 30 years in the specialty women's and men's apparel business, Annette Pedersen decided to take her passion for training and retail knowledge to independent retailers throughout the United States. As a regional vice president for a national women's retailer she was responsible for up to 120 store locations and prided herself in building revenue and sales by focusing on the development of teams, providing training in leadership, merchandising/display, hiring/training, mastery of customer service, marketing and inventory management. Having graduated with a Masters in Organizational Leadership, she has much to teach and share with others. Additionally, she can relate firsthand with the struggles of independent retailers since she owns her own better women's consignment boutique. Her retailing consulting firm, Summit View Retail Solutions, strives to build financial security for independent retailers by providing them the best expertise in the industry.

Starting a business is not for the faint-hearted. Most of us were never taught to be business owners: we were taught to be employees. This 10 week course is designed to help entrepreneurs develop a business model and business plan through a discovery process that starts with a business concept, moves to designing and testing a viable (profitable) business model that results in an executable plan of action (business plan). The class is taught using a blended learning format that combines an online learning platform with classroom time. The online learning platform will be filled not only with the information needed to write a business plan, but to actually start and run a business. Class time will be dedicated to interactive learning exercises and guest experts to act as guides for your business success. You will complete a formal written business plan and internal working business model that will build the foundation of your business. The course registration fee includes one participant and access to the online training materials and business resource library. For multiple registration or more information, please call 303.460.1032 after your initial registration. Unregistered guests will not be admitted to the course. Seating is limited.

Speaker: Glenn Plagens

Do you want to run your business better and smarter? If you know what to look for in your financial statements, you can do just that! This course will improve your capability to read financial statements (primarily Balance Sheet and Income Statement). It is intended for small business owners and their bookkeepers who want to gain new or additional insights into their business financial performance. The focus of the class includes: * Understanding the importance of cash flow management * Good cash flow practices * How to read your balance sheet * Variable versus fixed cost analysis, and the implications for your business * How to read your income statement, and use it to improve your business * The importance of gross margin percentage * Analyzing trends in your business * General introduction to financial ratios for your industry.

Speaker: Pavel Verbsky, CPA

Your website can be a vital tool in generating leads for your business. Come learn how to maximize the potential of your website by increasing website traffic with Social Media: Blogger, Tumblr, You Tube, iTunes, SEO.

Speaker: Cory Arcarese - CArc Media

Are you a successful business owner who wants to maximize your tax savings by utilizing year-round tax strategies? Are you worried or concerned about IRS audit? Are you committed to take your business to the next level by educating yourself on tax and accounting strategies? If this sounds like you, then this introductory tax and accounting workshop is for you!

Speaker: Natalya Itu, CPA

Effective September 1, 2016, the CDOT Engineering Contracts Program is implementing the use of an “Appendix J Process” which will reimburse consultants for gaps in salary rates resulting from pay raises (and ultimately costs incurred) that went into effect prior to the renewal of their respective Master Pricing Agreement. This is an interim process to address qualified situations dating back as far as January 1, 2016. Future and more streamlined processes are under evaluation but there was an urgent need to address the current calendar year before Task Orders begin to expire. To assist with his process, CDOT is hosting a training session for all Professional Services consultants that currently have or are interested in obtaining a Master Price Agreement with CDOT. The purpose of this training is to provide guidance on how to request reimbursement for Architectural and Engineering (A/E) salary increase expenses for the period from when salary increases are first incurred and when the Master Pricing Agreement (MPA) is renewed (signed).

Speaker: CDOT Engineering Contracts Dan Markham, Markham & Associates

The Credit Card industry is changing. Do you know how this impacts your business and are you ready for EMV (EuroPay, MasterCard, Visa)? Why are there so many cards that do not have the chip yet and does it make a difference with my rates? This workshop will also cover Apple Pay and Samsung Pay, PCI Compliance, Equipment and more.

Speaker: Kim Smith

Have a small business? Not sure what to do with all the HR regulations, managing employees, or employee paperwork? Do you want an easier way to determine if an employee is right for you? Or to know how to safely fire someone? In one day you'll learn the best practices in setting up the HR systems for your small business. Topics include: Hiring, firing, discipline, termination, new OT regulations, performance evaluations, independent contractor versus employee, and more!

Speaker: Courtney Berg, CourtSide Consulting LLC

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

Today more people are starting their own business for many reasons; downsizing where they worked for many years; following a lifelong dream; freedom, etc. This half day workshop will get you in motion. Our facilitators will walk you through the start up steps: 1. What’s in a Name 2. Determine a Legal Structure 3. Where to register your business name. Check the Secretary of State Business data base to see if it is available. 4. How to get an FEIN (Federal Employee Identification Number). 5. What business licenses you need. 6. Doing Business with your municipality 7. Understanding Federal State, county and city tax requirements. 8. Understand how to obtain a business bank account. 9. Why you need business insurance. 10. Business finance and taxes. 11. Meet with counselors to get questions answered and set up a follow up appointment. This training will take a few hours but in the end you will have a better understanding of how to start and run your business and all the confusion surrounding licensing and legal requirements will be behind you. What is more you will be an entrepreneur with a network of advisers and documents to get you off on the right foot. Light continental breakfast provided.

Speaker: Kendra Fernandez, FBD Strategies Chuong M. Le, The 3iLaw Jean Starr, City of Brighton Sales Tax Division Jennifer Holmes, City of Brighton One Stop Center Lynn Weintraub, Colorado Business Accounting and Consultants Corp. Valerie Escatel, Valley Bank & Trust Gabe Lopez, Nationwide Insurance Teri Sanchez, SBDC

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. Contact the Aurora SBDC for payment options.

Speaker: Chuck Hahn, Small Business Specialist

This workshop will help you understand business loan basics, types of loans, and how a loan can be crucial to your business success.

Speaker: First Citizens Bank, Aurora

No matter what business you’re in, attracting and retaining top talent is always an issue. How do you successfully recruit and retain qualified employees? This is just one area that we will explore with our panelists. How do you make yourself stand out in the vast offering of services in our area? This event will especially interest anyone involved in the health and wellness industry or people looking for direction from business owners who have been there and done that. We’ve assembled a great panel of professionals to address business issues that they have experienced firsthand.

Speaker: Dr. Brian Flemming is a licensed Chiropractor with over eleven years of experience and owner of Align in Loveland. Dr. Plummer uses her knowledge of natural medicine to support and inspire her patients at Sage Holistic Health in Loveland to cultivate health in mind, body and spirit. Maureen McCann, Agency Director of HomeCare of the Rockies. The agency offers in-come services for seniors in Larimer, Boulder and Broomfield Counties with a staff of over 80.

An 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 David Brown, Incubator Program Manager & SBDC Assistant

Learn about a tested methodology for business owners who want to develop, test, and validate business models and value proposition to start new businesses or increase innovation in existing businesses. Use the tools that will help minimize the chaos and uncertainty.

Speaker: Santos Blan, Small Business Specialist

Customers know what they want. They have many choices and you want them to enjoy your company so much that they will tell their friends! Your staff is the key. How customers are treated by your staff can make or break the customer experience. Sometimes it is the smallest staff interaction that will be the difference between a customer being delighted or never returning at all. How you hire, train, manage and terminate your staff is paramount to your success. This seminar will provide you with easy-to-use tools to improve your staff’s performance and therefore your customers’ experience. After this seminar, you will know: • Some questions to ask in the interview to find the right staff member for your culture • The three keys to training your staff • How to communicate your expectations and hold your employees accountable • How to terminate employees without destroying their self-worth

Speaker: Courtney Berg

Are you going to be seeking financing for your business? Whether it is an existing business or a brand new start-up, there are several things you need to know BEFORE you approach a lender. We're bringing in John Berkhausen of Cache Bank & Trust to give you the rundown of what you need to know. Bring your lunch and join us to learn: What Are Your Choices? • Microloan, SBA, Conventional Bank Loan • Overview and comparison of different loan types Preparing to Approach Your Lender • Credit scores (FICO) and how to repair if needed • Understanding your financials-Balance Sheet, Income Statement, Cash Flow Statement • What are the 5 C’s of Credit? • What are the expectations for…Capital Injection (owner’s investment), Cash Flow (what is cash flow), Required Documents, Timeline (turnaround time) and Costs

Speaker: John Berkhausen, Cache Bank & Trust

Ready to start a business in Colorado? This comprehensive Business Startup Orientation has been designed as a starting place for anyone who is considering jumping into business for the first or seventh time. This seminar will provide you with a Colorado Startup Guide, free library resources to support your business, web resources, as well as a general overview of things to consider when starting a business. Join us in person for this workshop! During this workshop, you'll learn about: -Business licensing requirements -Business required taxes -Legal forms or organization -Components of a business plan -Essentials for marketing -Management requirements -Financial planning -Means to fund a business

Speaker: Jesse Esparza

Business Model Canvas ~ Customer Engagement & Marketing Strategy Learn how to use the Business Model Canvas tool to focus and strategize for your business. Using the canvas, based on the book, Business Model Generation (Written By: Alexander Osterwalkder & Yves Pigneur) we’ll create "a shared language for describing, visualizing, assessing, and changing business models" This workshop will cover the building blocks used in the Canvas and allow business owners, senior management and key employees to visually view and innovate for your business. • Understand and succinctly capture your business model • Innovative approaches to doing business • Ideas to create value and build new business • Improve or transform your organization • Interactive and hands-on format • Learn how to systematically understand, design and implement a new business model - or analyze and renovate an old one

Speaker: Lindsey Stapay, Director of Northwest Small Business Development Centers

Effective selling begins with establishing and maintaining relationships based on trust. Prospects are evaluating you beginning with your prospecting activity to determine if you might be someone that can be trusted with meeting their needs. Beginning with the first few minutes and through-out the selling process sales people are either intentionally adding to their “trust account” or unintentionally making withdrawals and harming the client/salesperson relationship. Along with building this trust, too many salespeople focus on selling and have not really considered whether the prospect is qualified to buy or not. Selling is the easy part of the process if the prospect has been properly qualified. This comprehensive two part course will teach you: • The importance of having an efficient and effective sales system • Why prospects are sometimes so frustrating to work with • The four elements of trust • The true purpose of bonding & rapport building • The value of developing an effective questioning strategy • The 3 levels of “PAIN” • It is hardly ever about the money • A better way to understand the decision process • The sale is virtually closed or lost before the fulfillment step • How not to lose what you don’t have

Speaker: Don Overcash, Sandler Training

The Limited Liability Company was a fantastic way to start your business, but as everything else, there is a limit to the initial benefits. As your LLC prospers and grows, it may be more advantageous to convert to Sub Chapter S status. Aside from the tax advantages of changing to Sub S status and a decrease in federal taxes, there is greater flexibility in managing the growth and development of the business. Learn about the tax and other residual benefits at this workshop.

Speaker: Natalya Itu, CPA

Effective September 1, 2016, the CDOT Engineering Contracts Program is implementing the use of an “Appendix J Process” which will reimburse consultants for gaps in salary rates resulting from pay raises (and ultimately costs incurred) that went into effect prior to the renewal of their respective Master Pricing Agreement. This is an interim process to address qualified situations dating back as far as January 1, 2016. Future and more streamlined processes are under evaluation but there was an urgent need to address the current calendar year before Task Orders begin to expire. To assist with his process, CDOT is hosting a training session for all Professional Services consultants that currently have or are interested in obtaining a Master Price Agreement with CDOT. The purpose of this training is to provide guidance on how to request reimbursement for Architectural and Engineering (A/E) salary increase expenses for the period from when salary increases are first incurred and when the Master Pricing Agreement (MPA) is renewed (signed).

Speaker: CDOT Engineering Contracts Dan Markham, Markham & Associates

Plan the successful launch or growth of your business with the Startup Roadmap workshop. Instructors will use the Business Model Canvas to identify key challenges you’ll need to address as your business grows. Attendees can expect to: • Begin a draft of their Business Model Canvas • Understand how it serves as a foundation for a business plan • Draft basic financial projections and understand cash-flow vs. income • Be provided a list of resources to dig deeper Startup Roadmap is a three-hour, hands-on workshop with a focus on making key business concepts clear, accessible and actionable.

Speaker: Bing Chou, DealerHQ and Ian Netherton, CPA/ABV, CGMA

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: Jayne Reiter, Small Business Specialist

This 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

Key performance indicators are statistical data that indicate how different aspects of your business are performing. Once understood, they offer your employees goals and standards to work toward. Using Key Performance Indicators, you can measure almost any procedure in your company. It’s long been said that you can’t manage what you don’t measure and measuring comes with certain challenges: knowing what you should measure, how to communicate the process to the staff, how to measure with purpose, how to turn the results into realistic operational goals. Learn how to measure wisely, accurately, and with purpose. You’ll leave this class knowing more about: • What is needed to make a good KPI? • What kinds of things make a bad KPI? • Do I need a whole bunch of fancy technology? • How, exactly, will KPI’s put money in my pocket? • And – won’t I look like ‘Big Brother’ when I start measuring?

Speaker: Paul Ousterhout

Speaker: Rich Lindblad

This is a 4-part series taking place on October 6, 13, 20 and 27 that will walk participants through the sales process by covering the following topics (one per week): Building Your Prospecting Plan, Booking Your First Appointment, Succeeding at a Sales Meeting, and Closing the Deal.

Speaker: Steve Parry, Sales Productivity Consultants

Eric Spellmann is the President of Spellmann & Associates, a technology company offering online marketing, social media management, and website design. As the owner of the largest online marketing and web design firm between Dallas and Denver. He will be discussing 10 Free Online Marketing Tools Every Business Should Be Using and the Importance of Being Found on Google & How to Rank Well.

Speaker: Eric Spellmann

This boot camp will help you quickly develop your business plan and determine the feasibility of launching your business. The camp will consist of ten hours of training and covers entrepreneurial essentials, marketing, organizational issues, and financial overview. In addition, each participant is encouraged to schedule five sessions of one-on-one free counseling with an SBDC counselor. Boot camp sessions will meet every week on Thursdays and participants will meet with a counselor sometime during each week. Registration fee includes two participants and one set of materials. NOTE: Both participants must be registered; First - please register online at www.northmetrosbdc.com. Second - please call 303-460-1032 to register the name and data of the second participant. Unregistered guests will not be admitted to the course.

Speaker: Jesse Esparza

Starting a business sounds like a great idea, but do you really know what it entails? There are many reasons people choose to start their own business, but to be successful, you need to enter your venture with open eyes and be ready to plan, pivot and understand your customers. If this is your first or fifth time journeying into entrepreneurship, the Larimer SBDC wants to help you establish a successful foundation. Maybe you’re sure the idea you’ve got will be a profitable business. Maybe your idea is a bit vague and you need help focusing. Maybe you’re thinking of turning your hobby into a business. Regardless of your motivation, this class will help you discover: • How to define your business • Common entrepreneurial myths • Who and where your target market is • Business plan options • Resources available in the community • Other potential entrepreneurs to develop your network This class is a prerequisite for start-ups to schedule free consulting sessions with the Larimer SBDC.

Speaker: Mike O'Connell

The North Metro Denver SBDC is hosting the First Annual Adams County Small Business Conference at Front Range Community College. It will be a day full of breakout training sessions and networking. Keynote Lunch Speaker Eric Spellman- How to Rank Well on Google Breakout Sessions Including: Avoiding Wage and Hour Issues: Business and the New Overtime Rule Small Manufactures Advantage 5 Steps to Earning the Most Profit from Your Email List Reduce your Risk in Business Online Marketing Strategies that Work for Every Business Capital Formation and the New Adams County Microloan Fund Economic Development Panel- Learn about the resources your economic development organization can provide for your business. Networking & Ice Cream at the end of the event.

Speaker: Keynote Speaker Eric Spellmann; Spellmann & Associates, Courtney Berg; SPHR, SHRM-SCP, Jesse Esparza; SBDC Consultant/Facilitator, Colorado Enterprise Fund, ACED, Manufactures AdvantEDGE, Adams County Workforce, and more.............

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

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: Steve Imke, Small Business Specialist

Location: The UNC BizHub Collaborative 807 17th Street Suite D. Greeley, CO 80631 Registration Fee

Speaker: Rich Lindblad

One of the largest expenses for any business is personnel. We’re all familiar with the direct costs - pay, benefits, etc. But what about the costs involved in hiring and turnover? In this session you’ll learn about the true costs of employee turnover: not just recruiting, but the other costs involved; direct costs, indirect costs, and opportunity costs. You’ll also learn about the high price of unhappy employees, such as poor customer service, the “one bad apple” effect, and damage to your brand. We’ll look at the causes of employee turnover, such as dissatisfaction and lack of engagement. It’s not all bad news, though – you’ll also get tips on how to address turnover: motivation, engagement, and improving employee satisfaction.

Speaker: Kevin Kays

It's true. 30- 40% of most retailer's sales are done during the Holiday season. Are you ready? Have you set the goals for your team? Thought of contest ideas? How do you engage your sales team to sell more? What will set your store apart from your competition? We will talk about these questions and more when we explore 10 amazing ways to motivate your retail sales team to have the best holiday ever. Be ready to engage with your fellow retailers in this interactive, fun session about how to make the holidays a very special, rewarding season for you, your team and your customers.

Speaker: Annette Pedersen: Summit View Retail Solutions After spending over 30 years in the specialty women's and men's apparel business, Annette Pedersen decided to take her passion for training and retail knowledge to independent retailers throughout the United States. As a regional vice president for a national women's retailer she was responsible for up to 120 store locations and prided herself in building revenue and sales by focusing on the development of teams, providing training in leadership, merchandising/display, hiring/training, mastery of customer service, marketing and inventory management. Having graduated with a Masters in Organizational Leadership, she has much to teach and share with others. Additionally, she can relate firsthand with the struggles of independent retailers since she owns her own better women's consignment boutique. Her retailing consulting firm, Summit View Retail Solutions, strives to build financial security for independent retailers by providing them the best expertise in the industry.

Location: Erie Library 400 Powers Street Erie, CO 80516

"Marketing that Works! Discover What's Right for Your Business" So you just started a new business...you're registered, licensed, and ready to start selling! But how do you get the word out about your new company? Join us to discover the basic things you need to know about marketing your small business. Learn about the marketing skills and tools that will create momentum in your business, and learn how to determine who your customers are and how best to reach them. This workshop will cover: •Why Marketing is Important •How Much Marketing is Enough? •Comparing to Your Competition •Defining Niche, Specialty, and Target Markets •How to Set Goals and Test Your Marketing Efforts

Speaker: Stefanie Dalgar, Small Business Specialist

Starting a business sounds like a great idea, but do you really know what it entails? There are many reasons people choose to start their own business, but to be successful, you need to enter your venture with open eyes and be ready to plan, pivot and understand your customers. If this is your first or fifth time journeying into entrepreneurship, the Loveland Business Development Center and the Larimer SBDC want to help you establish a successful foundation. Maybe you’re sure the idea you’ve got will be a profitable business. Maybe your idea is a bit vague and you need help focusing. Maybe you’re thinking of turning your hobby into a business. Regardless of your motivation, this class will help you discover: • How to define your business • Common entrepreneurial myths • Who and where your target market is • Business plan options • Resources available in the community • Other potential entrepreneurs to develop your network This class is a prerequisite for start-ups to schedule free consulting sessions with the Loveland Business Development Center and the Larimer SBDC.

Speaker: Kathy Stewart

Learn how to set up and track business accounting records and what types of expenses are deductible. Gain better control of your business by learning how balance sheets, income statements and cash flow projections are prepared and what they can tell you about your business. (Lunch Included)

Speaker: Instructor, Helen Roe

Are you a successful business owner who wants to maximize your tax savings by utilizing year-round tax strategies? Are you worried or concerned about IRS audit? Are you committed to take your business to the next level by educating yourself on tax and accounting strategies? If this sounds like you, then this introductory tax and accounting workshop is for you!

Speaker: Natalya Itu, CPA

Research shows that employers have a vested interest in helping make their communities great places to live. Attracting a talented workforce is one of our community’s biggest challenges. Creating a vibrant arts and culture scene is a critical aspect of meeting this challenge. Business supporting the arts, and vice versa, will define our local culture which can make a significant impact on economic development. Join Andy Vick (COPPeR) and Dirk Draper (CSRBA) for an informative discussion. This is PART 2 of our community discussion moderated by Linda Weise and Jenifer Furda.

Speaker: -Andy Vick, Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region -Dirk Draper, Colorado Springs Regional Business Alliance

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 the basic features and set-up of QuickBooks including why it’s important to track accounting information, 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 2013 or newer software, or a desktop demo version will be provided for you. Class is limited to 15 attendees and will be filled on a first come, first served with payment (if applicable) basis.

Speaker: Debra Engler

Business owners disciplined in value creation are more financially successful during their ownership and receive greater returns when they sell their businesses. This course focuses on why business owners need to understand where the economic value in their businesses lies, how to measure it and what they need to do to create more of it. The course is taught from the perspective of someone with direct experience in the sale and purchase of small privately held businesses in many different industries. Quantitative and qualitative methods for assessing value are illustrated using real-world examples of a company’s financial and operational information.

Speaker: Jerry Crandall

This workshop explores the tools available to determine where the most appropriate location for the needs of the business. The objective of the workshop is to identify the critical factors that contribute to the sustainability of new and existing businesses. Participants will explore the local economic factors that frame the economic conditions for the neighborhoods in the city.

Speaker: Tim Gonerka, Retail Specialist

Come learn from Craig Mount as he presents on the best SEO practices for small businesses in 2016. He will be discussing current SEO/ tech news, an in-depth ranking strategy portion, and a Q&A for more advanced, specific questions about search engine strategies. This event is for local business owners, national business owners, anyone with an eCommerce site, bloggers, affiliate marketers, growth hackers, veteran SEO strategists, and especially anyone brand new to SEO.

Speaker: Craig Mount is an internet marketing professional and co-founder of ClassyBrain, specializing in search engine optimization (SEO). He has developed a keen understanding of both the major algorithms used in search and the most effective strategies for them. He actively participates in ongoing research about ranking factors for the Google algorithm. Craig is an Advisor to Inbound.Org, a Hubspot & Moz owned company, a Yelp! Elite, host of the monthly SEO MeetUp for Colorado Springs, and a guest-speaker at UCCS for digital marketing.

¿Listo para iniciar una empresa en Colorado? Esta orientación de arranque de negocio integral ha sido diseñada como punto de partida para cualquier persona que está considerando la posibilidad de saltar al negocio por vez primera o séptimo. Este seminario le proporcionará una guía de inicio de Colorado, biblioteca gratuita de recursos para apoyar su negocio, recursos web, así como un resumen general de las cosas a considerar al iniciar un negocio. Únase a nosotros en persona para este taller! Durante este taller, usted aprenderá sobre: - Requisitos de licencia de negocio - Impuestos de negocios requeridas - Formas jurídicas u organización - Componentes de un plan de negocios - Esenciales para el marketing - Requisitos de gestión - Planificación financiera - Medios para financiar un negocio

Speaker: Jesse Esparza

Mike OConnell is the Director of the Larimer Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the former owner/operator of a leading national rustic furniture business. He will talk opportunities and issues that he observes when working with the SBDC’s many clients, including how businesses get into trouble, and how the SBDC can help you avoid those problem areas

Speaker: Mike O'Connell, Larimer Small Business Development Center Director

Looking to start a new business? Then this Getting Started Essentials seminar is for you! Topics covered will include Business Entity options, Federal, State and local requirements, Taxes, Business Model development, Access to Capital and more! Pre-planning is the first essential best practice in starting a new business! Join the SBDC for a seminar to get started in your planning process.

Speaker: Caroline Trani, SBDC Director

Interested in starting your own business or growing the one you've got? The City of Boulder, the Boulder Public Library, and the Boulder Small Business Development Center are hosting an event to provide information about small business resources on the second Thursday of each quarter in the Boulder Creek Room in the Main Library from 3:30-5pm. The session is free and open to the public. Speakers from the city and business community will touch on topics including financial incentives, licensing, sales and use taxes, library resources, and small business support services provided locally.

Speaker: City of Boulder, Boulder Public Library, Boulder Small Business Development Center

Missed deadlines, unhappy customers, apathy and conflict can be the kiss of death for your company’s success. You love your business and you hired people who were excited about getting on-board with you. If those employees have started to pull in and temper their initial enthusiasm, however, it’s time to take action. Better yet, why not sidestep the downward slide and create a collaborative team that holds itself accountable for top performance from the get-go? In this interactive workshop you’ll learn how to: • Inspire optimal performance and increase employee retention and engagement • Empower team members with tools that expedite project completion, turn complaints into solutions and free you up to handle the bigger picture

Speaker: Elizabeth Gold

Whether your business is just opening its doors or you’ve been looking at taking your existing business to the next level, you need a plan. That plan will help you make the best possible decisions that will guide your business to where you want it to be. This course will help you develop the living document to guide your business, as well as provide a base plan that can be easily adapted should you choose to seek further financing for your business. You wouldn’t leave on a road trip without a plan, so why should the journey of business ownership be any different? In this comprehensive 3 session course, we provide you with all the tools and templates you need to formulate your strategic plan. The sessions will focus on: Session 1 - Defining your business - Defining your products and services - How to complete market research Session 2 - Creating your marketing plan - Laying out organizational management - Beginning financial statements Session 3 - Determining start-up expenses - Building your financial plan - Pulling everything together You’ll also be encouraged to meet with an SBDC consultant during the course to make sure you’re applying the concepts presented through this course effectively to your business.

Speaker: John Murphy

Explores the commercial and legal issues a business owner faces in leasing commercial property. Before you sign that business lease, learn about: using a tenant broker; understanding the relationship between the broker, lessee and lessor; lease terms, letter of intent, exclusivity, triple net leases, and coming area maintenance; sections of the lease that bind the landlord and tenant (free)

Speaker: Dwight Taylor, Attorney at Law, Rocky Mountain Law Group, LLC Forrest Bassett, Associate Broker, Broad Street LLC

Retail is a blend of art and science. As the store owner you understand your customers and what they want: you provide a point of view and a taste level, the ART. The SCIENCE involves understanding how to maximize the merchandise you bring in to support your vision. Inventory control is the best investment you can make for your store: Poor inventory management is the #1 reason retailers fail. And 1/3 of stores that fail are actually profitable but don’t have enough cash flow to run the business. You will learn Procurement, operational, and marketing strategies & tactics to make your inventory and cash-flow work better for you. We will talk about too much inventory, not enough inventory, gross sales, what percentage most retailers spend on merchandise, and inventory in relation to total assets. This class will walk through the basics of running a retail business and you will come away understanding: • The difference between net profit and cash flow • The 4 Pillars of Retail • How to more accurately forecast your sales • What an Open-to-Buy is and how to create one for your business • How to create a cash flow projection

Speaker: Alyson MacMullan, Peak Retail Group

Ready to start a business in Colorado? This comprehensive Business Startup Orientation has been designed as a starting place for anyone who is considering jumping into business for the first or seventh time. This seminar will provide you with a Colorado Startup Guide, free library resources to support your business, web resources, as well as a general overview of things to consider when starting a business. Join us in person for this workshop! During this workshop, you'll learn about: -Business licensing requirements -Business required taxes -Legal forms or organization -Components of a business plan -Essentials for marketing -Management requirements -Financial planning -Means to fund a business

Speaker: Jesse Esparza

A common challenge for business owners is: Do I do my own bookkeeping or do I hire someone to maintain my books for me? Whether performing the work yourself or outsourcing some or all of the bookkeeping duties this series of workshops is designed to give you the bookkeeping know-how and accounting basics you need to keep your financial house in order. Part 1 – Setting Up Your Accounting Systems Part 2 – Cash In and Cash Out Part 3 – Your Financial Statements are a Powerful Management Tool

Speaker: Suzy Schutz of Apis Business Solutions and eL3

Improve your bottom line with a sound financial reporting foundation. Good organization saves time and money. • Define what you need to track in order to pick the right tools. • Design or redesign your account list to ensure meaningful reporting. • Utilize a month-end checklist to help you get it done right.

Speaker: Suzy Schutz of Apis Business Solutions and eL3

Unlike a typical brick and mortar store, a start-up online business faces special issues—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 C. Lewis, MS, JD, Law Office of E.C. Lewis, P.C.

The Limited Liability Company was a fantastic way to start your business, but as everything else, there is a limit to the initial benefits. As your LLC prospers and grows, it may be more advantageous to convert to Sub Chapter S status. Aside from the tax advantages of changing to Sub S status and a decrease in federal taxes, there is greater flexibility in managing the growth and development of the business. Learn about the tax and other residual benefits at this workshop.

Speaker: Natalya Itu, CPA

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 digital 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. Location: Boulder Public Library Main Branch, 1001 Arapahoe Avenue in the Boulder Creek Room

Speaker: Theresa A. Pickner, Attorney at Law

Business cards and a website don’t make you a legitimate business. There are steps in the registration process that vary according to your industry, your business entity type, and where your business is operating. If your business is established incorrectly, it can be expensive to fix and leave you open to financial and legal liability. Do you understand the legal and tax implications of establishing your business as an LLC? A corporation? A sole proprietor? How do you register with the Secretary of State? Do you know 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 examine the pros and cons of entity types, and explain how to register your business including the necessary forms and processes. They’ll also discuss other tips on how to avoid common pitfalls before you start your new venture. There is no single perfect business entity, but being informed will help you make a better choice for your business.

Speaker: Attorney Brian Boyes and Paul Matonis, EA

It's true... 30- 40% of most retailer's sales are done during the Holiday season. Are you ready? Have you set the goals for your team? Thought of contest ideas? How do you engage your sales team to sell more? What will set your store apart from your competition? We will talk about these questions and more when we explore 10 amazing ways to motivate your retail sales team to have the best holiday ever! Be ready to engage with your fellow retailers in this interactive, fun session about how to make the holidays a very special, rewarding season for you, your team and your customers.

Speaker: Annette Pedersen, Summit View Retail Solutions After spending over 30 years in the specialty women's and men's apparel business, Annette Pedersen decided to take her passion for training and retail knowledge to independent retailers throughout the United States. As a regional vice president for a national women's retailer she was responsible for up to 120 store locations and prided herself in building revenue and sales by focusing on the development of teams, providing training in leadership, merchandising/display, hiring/training, mastery of customer service, marketing and inventory management. Having graduated with a Masters in Organizational Leadership, she has much to teach and share with others. Additionally, she can relate firsthand with the struggles of independent retailers since she owns her own better women's consignment boutique. Her retailing consulting firm, Summit View Retail Solutions, strives to build financial security for independent retailers by providing them the best expertise in the industry.

Introduces techniques used in social media marketing as an integral component of marketing campaigns for building brand awareness and promoting business. Learn tools which include internet forums, message boards, blogs, wikis, podcasts, picture sharing, video sharing, and social networking.

Speaker: Chuck Hahn, Small Business Specialist

Aurora-South Metro SBDC presents a series of workshops designed for nonprofit leaders in the metro area with budgets under $2 million. Nonprofit Capacity Building Series Program Dates and Topics: o May 19th – Building Your Best Board o July 21st – How to Ask for Money o September 15th – Grant Writing o October 20th – Strategic Communications o November 17th – Volunteer Management o December 15th – Evaluation Overview o January 19th – Fund Development Planning o February 16th – Individual and Corporate Donors Kerri Drumm has spent the last fifteen years working in the nonprofit sector. She has experience on three continents, in two languages and on literally thousands of mission-driven projects and programs. From such diverse roles as Training Manager, Director of Volunteer Activities, Grant Writer, Director of Program Development, Board Member, Counselor and Professor, Kerri has learned what makes nonprofits tick. She partners with leaders to build 'on purpose' organizations. Strategic Communications: • Understanding your audience • The communications audit • Putting together a plan • Measuring your success

Speaker: Instructor: Kerri Drumm, Purpose Aligned Consulting

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This workshop is designed to help you make an informed decision about which legal business entity is best for your business. We will discuss the differences between a sole proprietorship, LLC, S-Corp, and C-Corp. As a result, you will understand the practical and legal implications of each type!

Speaker: Terry Doherty, Doherty Law Firm, P.C.

An 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 David Brown, Incubator Program Manager & SBDC Assistant

Find out about loan and micro-loan programs available for small businesses through lending institutions. The panel discussion will include what lenders look for in a loan package, their criteria for lending and how to qualify for funding. You will also learn about other types of funding including Crowdfunding and use of retirement funds. Panel of lending experts will include: • U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) • The Aurora-South Metro SBDC • Acción • CHFA • Colorado Crowdfunding • Colorado Enterprise Fund • Colorado Lending Source • First Citizens Bank Don’t miss this opportunity to get the information you need to apply for funding.

Speaker: Various Lenders

No matter what accounting system you use, you need to know how to properly record your expense and income transactions. Record sales transactions, checks, debit card activity, credit card charges and deposits with confidence. • Customer invoicing and managing accounts receivable • Paying bills and managing accounts payable • Reconcile your bank and credit card accounts to ensure accuracy

Speaker: Suzy Schutz of Apis Business Solutions and eL3