Aurora Business Development offers its core services at no or low cost, including informative seminars and one-on-one counseling by appointment on a variety of business topics. Taking a few seminars is the best way to get a wealth of information in each three-hour session. This helps to maximize your time with a Small Business Specialist.

See below for upcoming Aurora business seminars:

* seminar descriptions
* 3rd quarter seminars as a pdf
* complete on-line calendar for 2011
* note the seminar fee structure for 2011
* location: Aurora Municipal Center (map)

LAST CHANCE TO SIGN UP FOR THE AUGUST MARKETING AND BUSINESS PLANNING MODULES:

Marketing in the Fast Lane, modules 1-4 -- complete your marketing plan this August!
Four consecutive Tuesdays, August 2nd, 9th, 16th and 23rd, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
$* $80/Aurora residents/businesses; $100 all others
See also the Business Plan modules below.

Writing Your Business Plan, Modules 1-4 -- complete your business plan this August!
Four consecutive Thursdays, August 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
$* $80/Aurora residents/businesses; $100 all others
See also the Marketing modules above.

Basics of Starting Your Business
Tues., August 9th, 1:00 - 4:00 PM, FREE
Excellent information to get your business underway - - the proper way!

Sales & Use Tax 101
Thurs., August 11th, 1:00 - 4:00 PM, FREE
A must-attend for anyone selling tangible property at wholesale or retail, service businesses, and/or those who prepare returns for Colorado business owners located in Aurora or those doing business in Aurora.

Plan Your Web Site
Tues., August 30th, 1:00 - 4:00 PM, $*
If you build a web site, be sure you can generate traffic, using essential components of effective e-commerce.

Financing Your Business
Thurs., Sept. 1st, 1:00 - 3:00 PM, FREE
Learn how successful borrowers choose the right financing options and make their proposals
attractive to funding sources.

Marketing on a Shoestring
Tues., September 6th, 1:00 - 4:00 PM $*
No/low-cost practical and effective marketing tactics proven successful across many industries.

Legal Aspects of Social Media -- see announcement
Wed., September 7th, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, FREE
Social media can provide unprecedented access to new markets at relatively low cost.  However, the technology comes with its own issues, costs and danger zones. (Last time offered this year.)

Starting a Restaurant
Thurs., September 8th, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, $*
It's not as easy as pie, so learn to start a restaurant according to the rules and regs, and plan to finance it realistically.

Legal Rules of Business -- see announcement
Wed., September 21st, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, $*
An excellent value -- not to be missed!
A business attorney will provide in layman’s terms an overview of legal issues common to businesses.

Before You Sign That Business Lease -- announcement
Tues., September 27th, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, FREE
Location, Location, Location!  Choosing the right location for your business may be the most important decision you make for your business. Uncomfortable with commercial leasing principles and practices?  Get some timely information before you sign the lease.
(Last time offered this year.)

¿Habla español?  Favor de llame Santos Blan,
          (303) 326-8693, para más informes.

It's All About Travel

The Southlands Business Team is a network of multi-faceted small business owners who bring community resources and experts together to create prosperity and stability for Southlands of Aurora.  The meetings are meant to be educational as well as to provide opportunities for teaming up with other community business leaders and owners to network and grow your business. The Southlands Business Team's vision is to grow both in strength and numbers so that community, business and government can work together more effectively in The Southlands.

Kim Sopoci presenting It's All About Travel
Join Kim (a client of the Aurora Business Development Center) for the most exciting industry on the planet -- "Travel".  How would you like to lounge on the beaches, experience the finest resorts, play the best golf courses, swim with dolphins, scuba dive, sight-seeing, deep sea fishing, and more?  Travel more for less money and have more fun in your life!

Friday, August 5th, 12:00 - 2:00 PM
International Bank
24450 E. Smoky Hill Rd., Aurora, CO  80016
$10.00 first-time guest; $15.00 members
Please RSVP to Chelsea Dechaine, (303) 805-0321.
We regret that if you agree to come and then do not show, you will be charged for the meeting.

Southlands Business Team meetings are held the first Friday of each month (the week of Labor Day, the SBT will meet the second Friday).  You will receive a catered lunch and an opportunity to introduce and promote your business. Hope to see you there!

It's All About Travel:  (303) 690-3507; kimsopoci@comcast.net
www.itsallabouttravel.com (under construction; please check back soon)

Tips, Articles, Posts and Links

Five Free Mobile Marketing Tactics -- Click the title for five ideas "that will help you capitalize on the mobile platform for marketing your business":

• Does your web site show up well on mobile handsets?
• Can your site be found on mobile devices?
• Can your business be found through a local search?
• Are you playing the Foursquare game? (Maybe you should...)
• Does your business have a fan club?

-- by Ben Perry, VP of Advertising Operations at MocoSpace, a Boston-based mobile social gaming company. (for StartupNation.com)

SBA's Small Business Resource Fair -- Coming together to help your $mall Bu$ine$$, Thursday, August 18th, 10:15 AM - 3:45 PM, Denver Public Library (registration link).

Tools for Business -- Visit the Aurora Chamber's home page--click on Tools for Business Success.  A friendly Chamber reminder:  "Every employee of a Chamber member is a member of The Chamber."

Nominate a Deserving Aurora Business

The city of Aurora acknowledges businesses within the community that contribute to the city's economic vitality.  Awards are given to a proven tax generator, significant business growth, longevity, innovation, exceptional customer service and/or community involvement.  The Aurora Business Recognition Awards Program committee has added an award for one Aurora business that demonstrates a commitment to sustainability, energy efficiency, renewable energy, waste diversion, water conservation and/or social responsibility.

Selected businesses will be presented with their awards at a celebration hosted by the City Manager and the Business Advisory Board in December of 2011.  To be considered by the selection committee, an application must be received no later than Friday, August 12, 2011.

Criteria   |   Fillable PDF form   |   Online version

The city of Aurora is seeking culinary visionaries interested in opening a
full-service restaurant in the heart of the Aurora Arts District.  The opportunity lies within an eight-block area located along East Colfax Avenue in Historic Aurora.  Funding is available for an experienced restaurateur who meets the program goals and criteria.

To learn more about this exciting opportunity, see the Dish It Up brochure. Proposals are due September 30th.  For full details regarding the program and how you may apply, see the Notice of Availability of Funds (NOFA) and Colfax Economic Enrichment Program (CEEP) Application, as well as the restaurant Excel spreadsheet ® (please download this file).

To register and receive additional informational updates as they become available, please call or e-mail Melissa Rogers, (303) 739-7130 or mrogers@auroragov.org.

Visit the Census 2010 Business Dynamics Statistics page.
For some quick Aurora facts, click here...