Create Your Own Blog Workshop
In Monte Vista
$10 for Chamber Members
($15 for non-Chamber Members)
Monte Vista Info Center (next to Monte Villa Inn, 947 1st Avenue, Monte Vista, 81144)
Tuesday, May 24, 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Bring your laptop, pictures, logo, and business description.
Seating is limited.
Contact Donna Wehe at the SLV Small Business Development Center at 589-3682 or
donna@slv-sbdc.com to register.
The San Luis Valley SBDC is partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The support given by the U.S. Small Business Administration through such funding does not constitute and express or implied endorsement of any of the cosponsor(s)’ or participants’ opinions, products or services.
April 25, 2011
April 5, 2011
Watch out for this Scam
Warning: Fake Secretary of State Letters Sent to Business Owners
You may have gotten one of these letters in the mail. When you first look at it, it looks authentic. There is a seal and language threatening business owners will become "noncompliant" or delinquent" if they fail to respond. It then asks for $225 and an enclosed form to be returned to file a periodic report.
Beware! Don't fall prey to these letters. These letters are not from the Secretary of State's office. The letters are actually sent from a Nevada company, Corporate Controllers Unit LLC. There is a disclaimer in small print toward the bottom of the letter stating the letter is not from a government agency. Do NOT send this group any money!
Yes, you are required by law to file an annual periodic report, but you can do so on the Secretary of State's website for only $10.
You may have gotten one of these letters in the mail. When you first look at it, it looks authentic. There is a seal and language threatening business owners will become "noncompliant" or delinquent" if they fail to respond. It then asks for $225 and an enclosed form to be returned to file a periodic report.
Beware! Don't fall prey to these letters. These letters are not from the Secretary of State's office. The letters are actually sent from a Nevada company, Corporate Controllers Unit LLC. There is a disclaimer in small print toward the bottom of the letter stating the letter is not from a government agency. Do NOT send this group any money!
Yes, you are required by law to file an annual periodic report, but you can do so on the Secretary of State's website for only $10.
April 4, 2011
QuickBooks for Advanced Users in Del Norte
QuickBooks™ for Advanced Users
Sponsored by the SLV Small Business Development Center and the Del Norte Chamber of Commerce
• Speed up cash flow with credit card payments
• Use classes to stay organized
• Changes with newer QB versions
• Tips for sales tax payers
• Q &A (submit questions before workshop)
Tuesday, April 26, 1:00-4:00 p.m.
At the County Annex Building in Del Norte
965 6th Street, Del Norte, Colorado
The San Luis Valley SBDC is partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The support given by the U.S. Small Business Administration through such funding does not constitute and express or implied endorsement of any of the cosponsor(s)’ or participants’ opinions, products or services.
Sponsored by the SLV Small Business Development Center and the Del Norte Chamber of Commerce
Contact Liz Weaver at 657-2845 betty35weaver@yahoo.com
Or Donna Wehe at 587-5151 donna@slv-sbdc.com
$10 to Del Norte Chamber Members
$20 per person if non-member
• Speed up cash flow with credit card payments
• Use classes to stay organized
• Changes with newer QB versions
• Tips for sales tax payers
• Q &A (submit questions before workshop)
Tuesday, April 26, 1:00-4:00 p.m.
At the County Annex Building in Del Norte
965 6th Street, Del Norte, Colorado
The San Luis Valley SBDC is partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The support given by the U.S. Small Business Administration through such funding does not constitute and express or implied endorsement of any of the cosponsor(s)’ or participants’ opinions, products or services.
March 16, 2011
Check out the beautiful cranes
Thanks to the photgrapher and Denver Post for sharing these images:
http://photos.denverpost.com/mediacenter/2011/03/sandhill-cranes-in-colorado
http://photos.denverpost.com/mediacenter/2011/03/sandhill-cranes-in-colorado
February 8, 2011
Healthy Living Shoppe finds success in Alamosa
Twenty years ago, Donna Chappell helped a friend create and establish a health store in Twenty-Nine Palms, California. She had such a good time that when her family decided to move back to Alamosa, she opened up another health store here. In April, 2010, Donna opened the Healthy Living Shoppe doors on 817 Main Street.
The San Luis Valley community welcomed the Healthy Living Shoppe, and her business has flourished even though she has only been open less than a year.
As soon as you walk in the door, there is a sense of calmness and warmth. She carries a wide variety of products such as the weight loss Homeopathic hCG drops, plus Bach Flower remedies, books by Abraham on the Law of Attraction, bulk herbs and teas, essential oils, cards for all occasions as well as unique gifts, supplements and natural beauty products.
Donna enjoys helping her customers find a solution by assisting them with attention to their needs. She goes one step further and follows up with customers to see if they are satisfied with their purchases.
With the assistance of the San Luis Valley Small Business Development Center, she now has an online presence, http://www.healthylivingshoppe.blogspot.com. If you’d like to visit her new blog, you may leave a comment at the bottom of the post.
However, if you are in town, don’t forget to stop into the Healthy Living Shoppe for all your health and beauty needs done naturally. Her Monday through Friday hours are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and she is also open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturdays. The phone number for the store is (719) 480-6017. You may contact the SLV SBDC at 589-3682.
The San Luis Valley community welcomed the Healthy Living Shoppe, and her business has flourished even though she has only been open less than a year.
As soon as you walk in the door, there is a sense of calmness and warmth. She carries a wide variety of products such as the weight loss Homeopathic hCG drops, plus Bach Flower remedies, books by Abraham on the Law of Attraction, bulk herbs and teas, essential oils, cards for all occasions as well as unique gifts, supplements and natural beauty products.
Donna enjoys helping her customers find a solution by assisting them with attention to their needs. She goes one step further and follows up with customers to see if they are satisfied with their purchases.
February 1, 2011
Social Media Upcoming Workshops in the San Luis Valley
Promoting Social Media Networking and Chamber Membership
February 15
Twitter, You Tube, and Google Apps: Social Media Networking Session. Free for Alamosa Chamber Members ($5 charge for non-members). At the Inn of the Rio Grande, Alamosa, 7:30-9:30 a.m. Rolls and coffee will be served. Please RSVP to Donna Wehe at 589-3682
February 15
Free to Monte Vista Chamber Members. $5 for non-members; light refreshments will be served.
Facebook Show and Tell; network with other business owners using social media.
At the Carnegie Public Library, 5:30-7:30 p.m. RSVP to Donna Wehe at 589-3682.
February 17
Free to Del Norte or South Fork Chamber Members. $5 for non-members; light refreshments will be served.
Facebook Show and Tell; network with other business owners using social media.
At the County Annex Building in Del Norte; 3-5:00 p.m. RSVP to Donna Wehe at 589-3682.
February 15
Twitter, You Tube, and Google Apps: Social Media Networking Session. Free for Alamosa Chamber Members ($5 charge for non-members). At the Inn of the Rio Grande, Alamosa, 7:30-9:30 a.m. Rolls and coffee will be served. Please RSVP to Donna Wehe at 589-3682
February 15
Free to Monte Vista Chamber Members. $5 for non-members; light refreshments will be served.
Facebook Show and Tell; network with other business owners using social media.
At the Carnegie Public Library, 5:30-7:30 p.m. RSVP to Donna Wehe at 589-3682.
February 17
Free to Del Norte or South Fork Chamber Members. $5 for non-members; light refreshments will be served.
Facebook Show and Tell; network with other business owners using social media.
At the County Annex Building in Del Norte; 3-5:00 p.m. RSVP to Donna Wehe at 589-3682.
January 12, 2011
Buzz on Biz...Start out with the right info in 2011
Due to the Jobs Bill , Tax Bill , Health Care Reform and pending Immigration reform , plus a myriad of others that I may have overlooked, there are some major changes to how we do business in Colorado/USA and I'd like to draw your attention to the ones that go into effect starting in January, 2011. Please consult your tax accountant or tax preparer to see how these changes could affect your business.
#1) Minimum wage in Colorado increased January 1st to $7.36 per hour (and $4.34 for tipped). When the State and the Federal amounts don't match, you're obligated to pay the higher one, and this time it is the State of Colorado.
#2) With the extension of the Bush-era tax cuts now in place, how is FICA (Social Security) going to be affected? You will be deducting 2% less but just in 2011. The savings is on the side of the employee. Instead of using the 6.2% rate, it will be 4.2% of wages paid. Employers have until January 31, 2011 to implement the new payroll tax rates, and make any necessary adjustments or corrections by March 31, 2011. The employer tax rate for social security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%) tax remain unchanged from 2010.
#3) Reporting for 1099-Misc is probably going to be changing in phases. Be prepared to report to the IRS the amount you paid each of your vendors if it was over $600 for the year. In order to best prepare (this legislation has the possibility of being appealed/modified ), start requesting a completed IRS W-9 from each vendor. You can download these forms from the IRS web site in order to have the complete legal name, address and Tax Identification Number (EIN or SSN) for your vendor. This is being phased in, some apply in 2011 (i.e. for landlords dealing with unincorporated service providers) and others in 2012. Penalties for not filing 1099s will double in 2011, so please consult a professional on this topic.
#4) If you took part of the HIRE act, it does not pertain to any wages paid after December 31, 2010.
#5) Small businesses can benefit from deducting health care plan expenses.
#6) The IRS announced that the mileage reimbursement rate for 2011 will be $0.51 per mile.
#7) Still pending, but it looks like employers should get familiar with E-Verify , the electronic way to confirm legal status for employees. Stay tuned.
#1) Minimum wage in Colorado increased January 1st to $7.36 per hour (and $4.34 for tipped). When the State and the Federal amounts don't match, you're obligated to pay the higher one, and this time it is the State of Colorado.
#2) With the extension of the Bush-era tax cuts now in place, how is FICA (Social Security) going to be affected? You will be deducting 2% less but just in 2011. The savings is on the side of the employee. Instead of using the 6.2% rate, it will be 4.2% of wages paid. Employers have until January 31, 2011 to implement the new payroll tax rates, and make any necessary adjustments or corrections by March 31, 2011. The employer tax rate for social security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%) tax remain unchanged from 2010.
#3) Reporting for 1099-Misc is probably going to be changing in phases. Be prepared to report to the IRS the amount you paid each of your vendors if it was over $600 for the year. In order to best prepare (this legislation has the possibility of being appealed/modified ), start requesting a completed IRS W-9 from each vendor. You can download these forms from the IRS web site in order to have the complete legal name, address and Tax Identification Number (EIN or SSN) for your vendor. This is being phased in, some apply in 2011 (i.e. for landlords dealing with unincorporated service providers) and others in 2012. Penalties for not filing 1099s will double in 2011, so please consult a professional on this topic.
#4) If you took part of the HIRE act, it does not pertain to any wages paid after December 31, 2010.
#5) Small businesses can benefit from deducting health care plan expenses.
#6) The IRS announced that the mileage reimbursement rate for 2011 will be $0.51 per mile.
#7) Still pending, but it looks like employers should get familiar with E-Verify , the electronic way to confirm legal status for employees. Stay tuned.
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