FlatScreenSales.com opened its 100% online store January 1, 2009.  Owner Scott Hammons is pleased to offer a wide selection HDTVs and projectors with competitive prices, expert personal service and free delivery. Being a purely online store allows Scott to better compete in pricing with any store and provide a personal buying experience for the customer to help them select the TV that's right for their needs. 

The Aurora BDC's Small Business Specialist Chuck Hahn helped Scott optimize his web site's search engine.  His business is seeing sales across the country that even included an HDTV delivery by boat to a remote harbor town in Alaska.

FlatScreenSales.com has already received the coveted Amazon shopping 5 Star Customer Feedback Rating through his online sales.  Scott is a 24-year military veteran who brings his record of service and excellence to business...and we thank him for his service!

Sales and use tax seminars are ongoing at the Colorado Department of Revenue - - from beginning to advanced.  These strongly recommended classes are free and held at various locations; pre-registration is required. Online class registration...

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The Denver Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, will host business leaders from around the country when the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce convenes its 30th annual convention in Denver from September 16-19 at the Colorado Convention Center.

Although it's a bit overwhelming, integrating some aspect of the social media would allow your business to experiment with the latest means of communicating information about your product or service. Keep in mind that one size does not fit all, however, adding a new way to create interest in your business with a new audience may be worth a little trial and error. Just as an example, posting eight 'tweets' a day may add new followers in your field of business. Perhaps you can create a unique video for YouTube. Maybe Facebook, Myspace or LinkedIn would work better for you. It's all fair game, but it's not all right for your business, so get out there and experiment and decide what works for your business. Trying to keep up with technology may require hiring an up-and-coming 'expert' in social media, but check the big world out for yourself first. Here's a web site, Social Media Today, to get you started...and a couple of New York Times articles about Twitter and Facebook.

Starting a restaurant is not quite as easy as baking a pie!  But, there is a step-by-step process that helps getting your Certificate of Occupancy go smoothly:

     Step 1 - - Fact Finding
     Step 2 - - The Application Process
     Step 3 - - Obtaining Permits
     Step 4 - - Inspections

As a restaurant start-up begins to tackle each step, there are many cost considerations that, unless they're part of the overall plan for capital, may stop the process mid-stream. One example is the installation of a grease trap, an expensive item that needs to be in a restaurant's start-up budget. Hiring a reputable contractor is also an important part of the process.

Read the brochure: "Starting a Restaurant - Things to consider" BEFORE putting money down on a lease. The City of Aurora wants you to succeed, and the Aurora Business Development Center can offer expert help as you develop your food service business plan.  Call Santos Blan, Small Business Specialist, at (303) 326-8693, and schedule an appointment as your first important step to starting a restaurant.

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Speaking of Restaurants in Aurora...

Take a "World Culinary Tour" right here in Original Aurora.  Several dates are available in September, but please RSVP by Sept. 14th. See the flyer for more information.