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)

Financing Your Business
Thurs., September 1st, 1:00 - 3:00 PM, FREE
Learn how successful borrowers choose the right financing options and make their proposals attractive to funding sources.
Offered again, Thurs., Oct. 6th, 9:00 - 11:00 AM

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.
Offered again, Wed., Oct. 19th, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

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.
Offered again, Thurs., Oct. 13th, 1:00 - 4:00 PM

Basics of Starting Your Business
Wed., September 14th, 1:00 - 4:00 PM, FREE
Excellent information to get your business underway - - the proper way!
In collaboration with Arapahoe/Douglas Works! at the Lowry Campus (see map)
Offered again, Tues., Oct. 18th, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, at the Aurora Municipal Center

QuickBooks for Beginners -- Parts I and II
Thurs., Sept. 15th and 22nd, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Must take both classes -- two 3-hr. sessions @ $50/Aurora residents & businesses; $70/all others
Session I is important introductory material to bookkeeping and the QuickBooks software.
Session II is hands-on experience using the software.
Familiarity with a computer keyboard and Windows operating system required.

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.

Plan Your Web Site
Tues., October 4th, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, $*
If you build a web site, be sure you can generate traffic, using essential components of effective e-commerce.

Public & Private Contracts 101
Wed., October 12th, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM, FREE
Procurement specialists from Buckley AFB, the SBA, CH2M Hill, the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) and the City of Aurora discuss the ins and outs of government and corporate contracting/sub-contracting, including obtaining 8(a) certifications.
Last time offered this year.

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

Tools for Business -- Visit the Aurora Chamber's home page--click
on Tools for Business Success.   Ask about the Aurora Chamber's Business Before Hours, Lunch and Learns and Business After Hours.

HEADLINES!
Duke and Georgetown University students protest wages for workers.
Will Ken Starr indict a sitting president?
AOL closes the Ireland discussion groups.
Greenberg, CEO at AIG, jokes with the press about hiring an anti-trust
lawyer for his firm.
Biondi Jewelers opens in Aurora.

These are all headlines from 1989. The opening of Biondi Jewelers was not a headline at the New York Times as the other topics, but the jewelry store has weathered upturns and downturns in the economy since that time.

Upon graduation from college, Dennis Smestad started working in the jewelry business and saving money to purchase equipment and furniture, while his wife, Michelle, continued to work as a paralegal. He needed a business plan to pursue financing for a dream that started in his youth. Dennis and Michelle received technical assistance in writing the business plan from the Aurora Small Business Development Center. After much iteration, the plan was completed. They shopped with several local banks and were finally able to secure financing through 1st Bank of Aurora and the SBA for the purchase and construction in 2007-08 of their new free standing building at Cornerstar.

Biondi provides uniquely designed products, as well as those of other designers. Their ongoing business success has been predicated on extraordinary customer service and hard work. They host special events that benefit the community, including the annual Prom Dress Sale, Girls Night Out and All That Glitters. Read more at their web site.  Dennis and Michelle personally greet their clients who drop by for some restoration or repair, an appraisal, or custom design services -- including second generation customers, who are looking for that unique cut that exemplifies the quality of product they expect from...Biondi Jewelers.

15755 E. Briarwood Cr., Aurora, CO  80016 -- (303) 680-8725

Tips, Articles, Posts and Links

Building Brand Loyalty: "I need to BELIEVE in a brand to fully support it, to be loyal to it, and to recommend it...LOYALTY grows from:

• Providing a Consistent Product
• Outstanding Customer Service
• Standing by One’s Word

I must be consistent and never stop listening." by Rachel Blaufeld (for StartUp Nation, July 15, 2011)

DIA Concessions -- Proposal links...

Household Chemical Roundup (link for more info...)
Saturday, September 10, 2011, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
13645 E. Ellsworth Ave. in Aurora (Aurora residents only)
(one block north of Alameda Ave. & Potomac St.)

Art Walk on the Fax -- Enjoy open studios and galleries, face painting, food, music and after-hours happy hour at the Afterthought Theatre on Friday, September 9th, 5:00 - 8:00 PM, in the Aurora Arts District, along East Colfax from Clinton to Geneva Streets; www.auroraartsdistrict.com or (303) 344-4310.

Join the Aurora Chamber at the Aurora Fox for the 25th Gala Benefit for Performing Arts in Aurora -- This year's show is a smorgasbord of the upcoming season's shows.  On September 10th, 6:00 PM, enjoy a lovely evening of food and wine, a silent auction and, of course, the magnificent performance, then dessert, featuring food and drink by Carrabba's Italian Grill.  Reserve your Producer, Director or Star status.

   It's Oktoberfest in Aurora!
Helga's German Restaurant will host Oktoberfest on October 7th, 8th and 9th, located at 14197 E. Exposition Ave. (just south of the Aurora Town Center).  The festival will feature authentic German food, music performed by local German bands, German folk dancers, games and activities, a German-engineered car show, wine tastings, and European cultural demonstrations. Read the press release, or visit www.helgasdeli.com.

Move Towards Separate Accounting Standards
for Private Companies Begins

"Making 'one shirt fits all' causes difficulties in the financial industry, but so does having two sets of standards.  What side of the argument are you on?"
-- James Brendel, CPA, CFE for Hein & Associates LLP (through BlueCoast Media Group)  Read complete article...

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. 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.