April 2021
LEADING EDGE™ is the business planning flagship program for the State of Colorado.

LEADING EDGE™ INFO Sessions
If you are unsure about taking the LEADING EDGE™ program, Executive Director Marcia McGilley will discuss current programs, including the series for existing businesses, start-up businesses, as well as for home-based child care providers.

Monday, April 5th, 10:30 AM, FREE INFO SESSION | Register here
LEADING EDGE™ Strategic Planning Series
4 sessions for existing businesses
Fridays, April 23, 30, May 7 and 14 -- 9:00-11:30 AM
Topics: 1) Understanding Your Business Model;
2) How Operations and Finances Together Build Success;
3) Marketing To Ensure Sales; and 4) Putting the Plan Together.
Take this golden opportunity to develop your business pitch, create milestones for your business, obtain feedback on how to grow your business, and prepare for potential funding requests. Taught by SBDC certified consultant and instructor Laurie Womer.
A great value at just $200 for the series, or, $60/session (register here).
LEADING EDGE™ Start-Up Essentials
(4 sessions): Tuesdays, April 27 - May 18 -- 6PM-9PM
Topics: Launching Essentials, Marketing Essentials, Cash Flow Essentials and Business Plan Essentials (putting it all together). Entrepreneurs with a completed flexible business plan are more likely to succeed past the start-up phase. Taught by SBDC certified consultant and instructor Neil Pollard.
A great value at just $200 for the series, or, $60/session (register here).
Training Series for Engineering & Professional Services Firms (5 sessions)
For all engineering-related professional services
(surveying, environmental, construction management)

Second Wednesdays, 9AM-11AM, just $100 for the series or $25/session
Keys to Growing a Successful Transportation Consulting Firm -- ON DEMAND (register)
Apr 14: Marketing Tips for Engineering & Professional Services Firms (register here)
May 12: Maximizing Indirect Cost Rates (register here)
June 9: Creating Winning Proposals & Submitting to CDOT (register here)
July 14: CDOT Prequalification & Master Price Agreement (register here)
Pre-register for webinar instructions, updates and reminders.

Note that a start-up workshop is required prior to consulting for entrepreneurs in
business for one year or less. Take Leading Edge™ Start-Up Essentials, or, register for the free Fired Up: I Want to Start a Business!
The Aurora Chamber Diversity and Inclusion Council presents
The SBA, SBDC, and Aurora-South Metro SBDC
Friday, April 9, 2021 -- 9:00 - 10:30 AM
Aurora-South Metro SBCD Exec. Director Marcia McGilley and Assoc. Director Elena Vasconez will talk about how the Small Business Administration (SBA), the Colorado Small Business Development Center Network (SBDC), and the Aurora-South Metro SBDC assist and serve the Aurora and South Metro communities.

The Zoom link will be emailed to all registrants on April 8.
Sponsored by Pinnacol Assurance.
SUCCESS STORY
Havana Street Tattoo opened 15 years ago in Aurora. The tattooing industry has shown its potential for significant growth in the past 10 years and continues to do so, because the customer base and artists offering the service have evolved past an old stereotype into a market of true professional artistry and serious collectors.
In mid-2019, business partners and co-owners, Larry Foussat and Gilbert Ledesma decided to open a new location in Aurora to expand the shop’s client base and create opportunity to contract additional artists. Build-out commenced in January 2020 with an intentional opening date at the end of March. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 shelter in place order was a major obstacle to opening a second business, but there were others as well. Read full story here...
FUNDING AND OTHER PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES
The American Rescue Plan Act provides additional relief for the nation’s small businesses.
Submit first and second draw loan applications to your local participating SBA lender--your bank or a nonprofit community lender (CDFI).

For general information, visit www.SBA.gov/PPP. New deadline for PPP: May 31, 2021.



Watch the On-Demand webinar on PPP Forgiveness with a CPA, Free (register here).
Send a message to the SBDC today:
Email is best; working remotely most days
(303) 326-8686

(303) 326-8808