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in this issue:

Owner Michelle Renee with client
The evolution of website design has been swift but not always affordable for small businesses. Michelle Renee recognized this problem and set out to solve it by creating professional websites at lower prices.
 
With a degree in commercial art and over 18 years of design experience, plus a passion for small businesses, Michelle started her website design firm,  Streamlined Business Solutions, in 2010, by designing one-page websites before expanding to larger versions.

Click here to read how Michelle grew her business with CEF financing and business coaching - a story from our 2018 Turnaround Tuesdays monthly social media campaign.
new 
our newest borrowers and those in the news
 
Welcome Borrowers: Each month, the business names of CEF's newest borrowers are posted on our blog so anyone visiting our website can contact you to learn more about your small business. If you haven't seen these lists, click here. Feel free to contact these businesses directly as part of your own B2B marketing strategy.
 
In the News: Kudos to our current and past borrowers who got media mentions since our last issue. To see who they are, click on CEF's Facebook and LinkedIn pages daily for the latest features. Keep up the great work publicizing your businesses! If you need help with that, contact our BAS Team Manager, Robert Anderson, here.

By the way:  Did you know...
We love it when you mention CEF helped you get to where you are today.  Yup, we do because it helps us find other entrepreneurs who want to succeed just like you! 

So s end us your latest news links so you can be highlighted in the next issue of 
Small Biz Builder! (And thanks for remembering to mention CEF in your article:)

 
update 
cef updates

CEF CEO receives denver chamber award

Ceyl Prinster
Ceyl Prinster, CEO and President of Colorado Enterprise Fund, has been named the David E. Bailey Small Business Advocate Awardee by the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce for helping Colorado entrepreneurs and small businesses for the past 30 years. This award is all the more meaningful for Ceyl since David was her boss in her first job as a small business lender at United Bank of Denver. Ceyl will receive her award at a chamber ceremony on 
April 27.   For more details on this CEF honor, please visit our News page here .


2018 national small business week 4/29-5/5

It's that time of year to celebrate the success and contributions of Colorado's small business sector to our state.  National Small Business Week (NSBW), an annual program of the US Small Business Administration (SBA), kicks off Sunday, April 29 through Saturday, May 5. Stay tuned for event updates including CEF's annual startup workshop at the Commons on Champa, Wednesday, May 2, highlighting the Creative Economy.  For details on NSBW events offered statewide, visit the SBA Colorado website .
 
toolbox 
small biz toolbox

contests (time sensitive):
Startup Competition Guide  (international): Year-round deadlines per contest

grants (deadlines vary):
Colorado SBIR/STTR Programs: competitive awards; amounts vary
Longmont Entrepreneurial Fund; up to $25K for startups
106 Small Business Grants  - various local, national, corporate and government programs
Whole Foods Market Local Producer Loan Program: up to $100K; max $25K for startups

resources (free or low-cost):
BAS (CEF's Business Acceleration Services)
SBA
Small Biz Builder Facebook page ( like us to get the latest news and tips!)

review
favorite five*star review


"Love this team and company. I've used them several times and I can't recommend them enough!" 

Caleb Halsey, Squeegee Squad Denver

Want to share what you liked about working with CEF? Review us here so we can feature your five*star review and business photo in a future issue*!

*Part of CEF's Five*Star Fridays bi-weekly social media campaign on Twitter!