A core service of the Aurora Business Development Center is the annual slate of business seminars. Taking one or more Aurora business seminars is the best way, at no or low cost, to get a wealth of information in three-hour sessions - - from business planning to marketing strategies, from bookkeeping to sales tax, from government contracts to the food business. Taking an informative class prior to making an appointment with a counselor will make the one-on-one time more productive and focused.
Upcoming Aurora business seminars:
Basics of Starting Your Business
Wed., Aug. 4th, 1:00 - 12:00 PM, FREE
Excellent information to get your business underway - - the proper way!
Offered again: Wed., Sept. 8th, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Writing a Business & Financial Plan
Thurs., Aug. 5th, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, $25/person
Develop the elements of a good business plan, including your financial strategy. Several helpful resources and spreadsheets.
Offered again: Wed., Sept. 22nd, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Sales & Use Tax 101
Thurs., Aug. 12th, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, FREE
Avoid the common sales and use tax mistakes that plague small businesses. Presented by tax professionals from the Colorado Dept. of Revenue and the City of Aurora.
Plan Your Web Site
Tues., Aug. 17th, 1:00 - 4:00 PM, $25/person
Before developing a web site, consider the development stages, best practices, internet demographics and optimizing your business' on-line presence.
Smart Marketing
Wed., Aug. 18th, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, $25/person
Need more customers and sales? Let us help you with your marketing plan!
Starting a Restaurant
Thurs., Aug. 19th, 9:00 AM -12:00 PM, $25/person
Opening a profitable restaurant is not
quite as easy as
baking a pie! But there
is a
step-by-step
process to help the process go smoothly.
For classes through the end of the year, please see the complete on-line seminar schedule.
Planning ahead
QuickBooks, Parts I & II
Tues., Sept. 14th & 21st, 1:00 - 4:00 PM
$45/person - a two-session seminar (3 hrs. each)
Good bookkeeping practices are essential to the success of your business, and the tools of a computerized system are a must. Knowledge of Windows operating system required.
Offered again: Thurs., Oct. 10th & 17th, 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Legal Rules of Business -- a great value!
Thurs., Sept. 16th, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, $25/person
A business attorney provides in layman's terms an overview of legal issues common to business.
Health Care Reform and How It Will Affect Your Business
NEW DATE: Thurs., Oct. 7th, 1:00 - 3:00 PM, FREE
with Agnes Talamantez Carroll & Associates
Topics: New Federal Hire Act; employer tools for HR and small business owners; timelines for reform;
affordable options for benefits - - a cost-containment model; and more. Various speakers. Read more...
Habla español?
GRATIS - Fundamentos de un negocio
con Doña Inéz de ¡Arriba Mi Negocio!
jueves, 23 de septiembre, 1:00 - 4:00 PM, gratis
QuickBooks para Principiantes, Parte I y II
martes, 12 y 19 de octubre, 9AM - 12PM, $45/persona
Favor de llame Santos Blan, (303) 326-8693, para más informes.
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2010 Aurora Business Recognition Awards
Applications due August 15th
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The City of Aurora is seeking nominations for its 2010 Business Recognition Awards Program. The city will honor both small and large outstanding businesses. Nominees must be licensed to operate within both Aurora and the State of Colorado and will be evaluated based on several factors including:
1) Longevity
2) Innovation
3) Exemplary customer service delivery
4) Community involvement
Major companies can also be nominated for a significant capital investment and/or annual revenues. If you have any candidates for the recognition program and would like some assistance with the application, please call. We would be happy to help you. Read more...
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Building Your Brand |
"For small businesses to be successful and sustainable, it is important to have a competitive advantage. The essence of this advantage is to deliver products that make your customers avoid the big retailers for your business. Of course, this is like trying to build a highway to the moon. However, Ron Shaich, of Panera Bread, says there are ingredients to building a competitive advantage that is true of nonfood businesses as well.
First, make sure that the niche you are targeting is large enough to be profitable for you and also has some barriers to entry. Second touches on the quote by Abraham Lincoln about '…never pleasing all of the people all of the time.' Rather, we want people to understand that they make the best possible decision to do business with you because you are the best at what you deliver and others are second best. Finally, maintaining this competitive advantage is difficult. Maybe it is easier to build a highway to the moon." (Nation's Restaurant News) |
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Google and SBA Launch "Tools for On-Line Success" |
Partnership to boost small business. U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and Google announced a new partnership and unveiled “Tools for Online Success,” an array of online resources and training designed to help small business owners harness technology to grow their businesses. The “Tools for Online Success” site features tutorials, video testimonials, and tips from savvy small business people who have leveraged the web to become more efficient, more cost-effective, and more successful.
Read the Press Release...
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Main Street Commercial Energy Efficiency & Conservation |
The city will rebate up to $1,500 for Aurora business owners who make energy efficiency and conservation upgrades to their buildings. The city is layering these rebates on existing Xcel Energy rebates. Soon to be offered through a partnership with the Governor’s Energy Office, the Debt Finance Fund will provide small, low-interest loans for residents and business owners who wish to install solar systems on their buildings. In September, there will be a Rebates Workshop for Contractors, so stay tuned.
Read more about the various rebates, the Recharge Colorado campaign and related upcoming events at the city of Aurora. |
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First of its kind: a One-Day Business Tax Symposium |
Are you a business owner in Colorado, an out-of-state business selling/delivering tangible property to purchasers located in Colorado, or are you just interested in learning more about sales/use tax laws in Colorado? Do you prepare sales and/or use tax returns for business owners in Colorado? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you won’t want to miss a one-day tax symposium on September 30th presented by the Colorado Dept. of Revenue. Read more...
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It's Second Friday in the East End Arts District |
Opening receptions for some wonderful new exhibits will be held on Friday, August 13th, 6:00 - 9:00 PM, including "Flight of Fancy" at The Other Side Arts (TOSA), 1400 Dallas St.
Don't forget to also stop by the House of Flowers for a wine and cheese reception on the 13th between 5:00 and 8:00 PM, 9955 E. Colfax Ave., and help them celebrate their Aurora Sentinel award, "Aurora's Best of the Best 2010".
The closing reception of "A Better Life" will take place at Downtown Aurora Visual Arts this same evening from 4:00 - 8:00 PM, 1405 Florence St. (just one block south of Colfax). DAVA's exhibition explores the themes of education, cultural and economic sustainability and poverty reduction through art, and visitors will enjoy food grown by the students in DAVA's garden.
One of the nation's premier African-American theatre companies, Shadow Theatre, presents "Year of the Woman" -- original sketches, dances and poetry devoted to a single year celebrating women, mothers and daughters (through August 21st).
Click here for a complete list of artists, or visit EastEndArtsDistrict.org. |
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High & Inside is a monthly rundown of everything Rockies - - Colorado Rockies. So, the Aurora Business Development Center was proud to get a mention from Agnes Talamantez Carroll in her "Community Spotlight",
July 2010 issue. Note her upcoming seminars with us (left column). |
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More Excellent On-Line Resources for Your Business
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