Valley’s Leading Edge Course Gives Lessons in Proven Business Methods
How can I manage my business like a true business professional if I don’t have any formal business training, and I don’t have time to go to college?
How can I plan for the growth of my company? How can I explain to my lender my need for financing and increase my chances of getting the loan approved?
If you have asked yourself questions like these, or you are an entrepreneur with a great idea for a business but no idea where to start, then you may want to consider enrolling in the Small Business Development Center’s Leading Edge course.
Leading Edge uses the NxLevel© curriculum and is one of the best and most affordable entrepreneurial training programs on the market today. It aims for these results:
1. Provide basic business skills training, including preparing a business plan.
2. Provide practical guidance in marketing, financial projections and negotiating with lenders.
Over 600 communities in 48 states use the NxLevel© training material, with an average graduation rate of 65%. Existing businesses that have completed the program see a 28% increase in sales, and on average, create one additional job within one year of graduation. Of those graduates not in business, 40% go on to start a new venture.
From a recent San Luis Valley participant’s evaluation:
“If someone has an idea about starting a business, this is the class for you. You have to start somewhere. I know I am going to start a business soon; I am thankful for the Leading Edge Course because it got my wheels turning.”
Leading Edge has been orchestrated in the San Luis Valley for over 25 years. Current classes are being conducted by the Small Business Development Center and participants are from all six counties in the SLV. Many local banks, businesses, government entities and educational institutions have contributed their resources to the success of this program.
Schedule for the Fall of 2010
Class will be co-taught between Certified Trainers Kim Smoyer, Lisa Cyriacks & Donna Wehe. To register, contact Kim Smoyer at (719) 655-0104 or ksmoyer@centurylink.net
Classes will be on Wednesday evenings from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at Moffat School on Hwy 17, Moffat, Colorado. The 12 week seminar costs $250 per business. Up to 3 people per business may attend. A possible $100 back-end scholarship may be available.
Schedule subject to change.
September 1 Introduction to Entrepreneurship
Understand business ownership, develop goals, objectives and mission statement
September 8 Planning and Research - this class will be at Adams State College Library in Alamosa
Use the resources at ASC to learn more about your industry, trends & demographics
September 15 Legal Structure and Management
Learn from an attorney and CPA how the legal structure chosen for your business
may help mitigate tax and other liabilities
September 22 Marketing Analysis
Use market analysis to develop your customer profile and analyze the competition
September 29 Marketing Strategies
Realize the importance of business image; learn what influences price/quality
relationship, and examine tools used to promote your business
October 6 Financial Overview
Gain an understanding of the basic financial statements and how they are used
Pricing your product strategies
October 13 Managing Money & Selling (Marketing)
Learn how budgets, sales forecasts and other tools provide performance feedback
Learn effective sales techniques from experienced business owner
October 20 Money Cash Flows & Effective Signage (Marketing)
Learn the concept of break-even, internal operation controls over cash &
develop cash flows (hands on activity to understand profit and loss statement)
Watch and discuss a 20 minute video about effective signage
October 27 Financial Statements & Ratios
Develop a pro forma balance sheet; learn and practice the important financial ratios
November 3 Financing Your Business (Lender Panel)
From Angel Investors to traditional commercial loans, discussion with a panel of
experts over ways to finance your business
November 10 Green Business & Human Resources & Insurance
Learn the necessity of "going green," employer responsibilities, business insurance
and financial planning options
November 17 Future Growth/Graduation
Now what? Growing pains that face businesses and how to handle them; hear
the succes story of a local small business and how they got there.
Showing posts with label colorado. Show all posts
Showing posts with label colorado. Show all posts
July 19, 2010
May 6, 2010
Shop Rite in Monte Vista, Colorado is a New Business
Shop Rite in Monte Vista
Monte Vista Shop Rite is not just another retail store; it is a discount specialty store that provides what the community wants and needs with unique products and services. With over 35 years of experience in retail, Anita Wazny, owner, said “I know that without customers there is no business. We are customer and market driven and will do what is necessary to maintain a good and healthy relationship with our clientele and will strive to find the right inventory to keep them happy.” She feels fortunate to have employed Erica Medina, who was manager of the former business at this location, and has been a tremendous help in getting the new store up and running. They share a vision to have the store be more like a trading post, catering to local needs. To fulfill this purpose, they have placed a suggestion board by the front door and ask customers for input on items they would like to see on the shelves. They offer free coffee and doughnuts daily to show appreciation for their customers.
The store carries new and unique items as well as much of your daily need items. Among the new products you will find in the store are Italian charms with which you can create a one-of-a-kind bracelet, watchband or keychain. The store is an outlet for fresh baked goods, jams & jellies from the Miller Family Bakery. There is also a consignment area for local craft items that now showcases “cut & curl” candles made by local artisan Bill Mathias. The parking lot has market space for vendors available for a minimal fee.
Anita currently lives in Albuquerque, but was born and raised in Montrose, Pueblo and Denver. She really likes being her own boss and has long wanted to move back to a small town in this state. When she saw this building was at auction, it seemed like the perfect fit for her. Anita contacted the Monte Vista Chamber for information, then followed with contacts with Dick Davidson of the SLV Development Resources Group and Donna Wehe at the Small Business Development Center for information and resources.
Donna and Deanne Elliott, SBDC Counselor for Rio Grande County, helped Anita to refine her business plan in preparation for a loan application, as well as shared marketing and merchandising information relating to our area. The SBDC offers free and confidential business assistance, runs low cost workshops and facilitates the Leading Edge Program. To contact the SBDC, call 719-587-5151 or go to www.coloradosbdc.org.
Anita feels it is important to be a contributing member of the community, so has enrolled Shop Rite as a member of the Monte Vista Chamber of Commerce. The new business, located at 1935 Grande Avenue, is in a convenient location to the residents of the east side of Monte, but is worth the trip for everyone else. They look forward to seeing you soon for their Grand Opening.
The phone number for MV Shop Rite is 852-8850. The store is now open Monday through Saturday from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm; Sundays from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Monte Vista Shop Rite is not just another retail store; it is a discount specialty store that provides what the community wants and needs with unique products and services. With over 35 years of experience in retail, Anita Wazny, owner, said “I know that without customers there is no business. We are customer and market driven and will do what is necessary to maintain a good and healthy relationship with our clientele and will strive to find the right inventory to keep them happy.” She feels fortunate to have employed Erica Medina, who was manager of the former business at this location, and has been a tremendous help in getting the new store up and running. They share a vision to have the store be more like a trading post, catering to local needs. To fulfill this purpose, they have placed a suggestion board by the front door and ask customers for input on items they would like to see on the shelves. They offer free coffee and doughnuts daily to show appreciation for their customers.
The store carries new and unique items as well as much of your daily need items. Among the new products you will find in the store are Italian charms with which you can create a one-of-a-kind bracelet, watchband or keychain. The store is an outlet for fresh baked goods, jams & jellies from the Miller Family Bakery. There is also a consignment area for local craft items that now showcases “cut & curl” candles made by local artisan Bill Mathias. The parking lot has market space for vendors available for a minimal fee.
Anita currently lives in Albuquerque, but was born and raised in Montrose, Pueblo and Denver. She really likes being her own boss and has long wanted to move back to a small town in this state. When she saw this building was at auction, it seemed like the perfect fit for her. Anita contacted the Monte Vista Chamber for information, then followed with contacts with Dick Davidson of the SLV Development Resources Group and Donna Wehe at the Small Business Development Center for information and resources.
Donna and Deanne Elliott, SBDC Counselor for Rio Grande County, helped Anita to refine her business plan in preparation for a loan application, as well as shared marketing and merchandising information relating to our area. The SBDC offers free and confidential business assistance, runs low cost workshops and facilitates the Leading Edge Program. To contact the SBDC, call 719-587-5151 or go to www.coloradosbdc.org.
Anita feels it is important to be a contributing member of the community, so has enrolled Shop Rite as a member of the Monte Vista Chamber of Commerce. The new business, located at 1935 Grande Avenue, is in a convenient location to the residents of the east side of Monte, but is worth the trip for everyone else. They look forward to seeing you soon for their Grand Opening.
May 3, 2010
Papers of Distinction in Alamosa, Colorado
Papers of Distinction, LLC
Sally Lopez is not just another retailer in downtown Alamosa. This woman has many artistic talents that she has used to express her faith and give back to her community. She has operated her store for over 11 years and offers a wide variety of retail paper, scrapbooking, stamping and educational materials. She also can provide design and printing of business cards, flyers, invitations, laminating, color copies and book binding. She sells balloons and other special occasion products for the party planner as well.
La Capilla do Todos Santos, San Luis, Colorado
But sitting on her counter near the cash register, one can't help but notice the beautifully arranged musical CD entitled, AGAPE, with a photo of the church that sits on the hill overlooking San Luis (La Capilla de Todos Los Santos). With each CD sale, the proceeds benefit the order of the Theatine Fathers who have served as parish priests in the San Luis Valley. Sally and the Agape Musicians recorded the CD at the Sangre de Cristo Catholic Church in San Luis and at Sally's Grandma Bea's home located across from the church. Then the final mixing and mastering was created by Don Richmond at Howlin' Dog Recording Studio in Alamosa. The music of Andy Manzanares, Jeffrey Jaquez, Sally Lopez, Brother Juan Marinoni Ruiz and Danny Quintana will fill you with the meaning of Agape: "The Love of God." You can find unique, religious "shaker" cards that Sally has created as well. So if you haven't frequented her store on State Avenue, stop by and browse around. Sally is full of surprises! Not to mention that she also plays guitar with Mariachi San Luis, a group well-known for their musical talents from ages 8 yrs. to 60 yrs!
Sally Lopez is not just another retailer in downtown Alamosa. This woman has many artistic talents that she has used to express her faith and give back to her community. She has operated her store for over 11 years and offers a wide variety of retail paper, scrapbooking, stamping and educational materials. She also can provide design and printing of business cards, flyers, invitations, laminating, color copies and book binding. She sells balloons and other special occasion products for the party planner as well.
La Capilla do Todos Santos, San Luis, ColoradoBut sitting on her counter near the cash register, one can't help but notice the beautifully arranged musical CD entitled, AGAPE, with a photo of the church that sits on the hill overlooking San Luis (La Capilla de Todos Los Santos). With each CD sale, the proceeds benefit the order of the Theatine Fathers who have served as parish priests in the San Luis Valley. Sally and the Agape Musicians recorded the CD at the Sangre de Cristo Catholic Church in San Luis and at Sally's Grandma Bea's home located across from the church. Then the final mixing and mastering was created by Don Richmond at Howlin' Dog Recording Studio in Alamosa. The music of Andy Manzanares, Jeffrey Jaquez, Sally Lopez, Brother Juan Marinoni Ruiz and Danny Quintana will fill you with the meaning of Agape: "The Love of God." You can find unique, religious "shaker" cards that Sally has created as well. So if you haven't frequented her store on State Avenue, stop by and browse around. Sally is full of surprises! Not to mention that she also plays guitar with Mariachi San Luis, a group well-known for their musical talents from ages 8 yrs. to 60 yrs!
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