BizBeat | January 2008

This year marks the 55th anniversary of the agency, and the 45th annual proclamation of Small Business Week. Small business owners from across the country will be honored for their accomplishments as the nation’s leading small businesses. The highlight of events will be the announcement of the National Small Business Person of the Year.

“Small businesses drive our economy, creating jobs and opportunities for Americans in every community across the country,” said SBA Administrator Steve Preston. “The SBA is very proud of the vital role it plays in enabling America’s entrepreneurs, and we are excited to be able to recognize a few of these great success stories during the week.”

National Small Business Week 2008 will begin with three days of events in Washington, D.C., where more than 100 outstanding business owners from across the country will be recognized. In addition to the State Small Business Persons of the Year, men and women involved in disaster recovery, government procurement, small business champions as well as SBA partners in financial and entrepreneurial development will be honored.

A focal point this year will be a series of executive panel forums on Health Care, International Trade, Energy, and Finance. In addition, there will be a procurement session with corporate buyers and prime contractors who will discuss small business partnering and mentoring opportunities for small businesses seeking government contracts.

On April 24, Small Business Week moves to New York, where SBA will participate in the closing bell ceremony at NASDAQ to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Women’s Business Center program. The program has served more than 650,000 new and growing small business owners in the past five years alone. An awards event celebrating the top small business lenders and a financial forum on community investment, cosponsored with the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City, will culminate activities in New York. Read more...

Desert Ceramics is the latest arts-related business in the East End Arts District. The company was established in 1996. It has been a family-owned business since its inception, offering one of the finest selections of high quality ceramic greenware found in the United States.

What is 'greenware'? The common hobby ceramic definition is: those items that have been cast in a plaster mold until the item is leather hard, at which time the item is removed from the mold and allowed to dry, but still remains in the "green" or uncured state, hence the name. Remember when you played with mud pies as a child? Just like those old mud pies, greenware can be quite strong, yet fragile if mishandled.

With a selection of the latest releases from the leading mold companies ranging from animals to teapots, you will be sure to find something at Desert Ceramics to suit your fancy! They offer plates, mugs, tiles, serving pieces, vases, animal figurines, and more.

Visit the paint-your-own pottery studio for all ages and art abilities in the East End Arts District. Choose a piece of pre-made bisque pottery, design and paint it, then leave it to be kiln-fired for pick up or shipping a week later.

SBA Salutes the Nation’s Best Entrepreneurs at
National Small Business Week April 21-25, 2008

For more information on the above seminars and programs, please call the Aurora BDC at (303) 326-8690 or visit our web site.

SBA Salutes the Nation’s Best Entrepreneurs at National Small Business Week April 21-25, 2008

For more information on the above seminars and programs, please call the Aurora BDC at (303) 326-8690 or visit our web site.

SBA Salutes the Nation’s Best Entrepreneurs at
National Small Business Week April 21-25, 2008