Helping existing and new businesses grow and prosper.
November 2018 Newsletter
Happy November! As we enter this time of reflection and thanksgiving, the SBDC will be reaching out to clients to check in on your progress and track any outcomes of our work together. DId the SBDC team help you start a business? Grow your revenue? Acquire funding? Create or save jobs? These are the metrics we use to show success and that helps us secure funding so that we can keep working with Southwest Colorado businesses! At the SBDC Individual client business information is ALWAYS kept strictly confidential; only aggregate data is reported.

We had a busy October at the SBDC with lots of client appointments and several great training workshops.

Thanks to Janice Moen, Ben Frihauf, David Albrechta and Erin Beezley for presenting our first "Starting Your Nonprofit Business" workshop on October 26. We appreciate the economic impact our nonprofit businesses create in our region. We hope to repeat this workshop, and our "Understanding IRS Form 990," in 2019.

Thanks to everyone who joined us for an Introduction to QuickBooks class with Laura Hokanson in Mancos or Pagosa Springs. We have one more Introduction to QuickBooks class scheduled for November 27th from 9am-4pm at TBK Bank (formerly First National Bank of Durango). See below for details and a link to the registration.

For those of you using the QuickBooks Online, we are excited to have Amber Davis of To The Penny bookkeeping and payroll services teaming up with the SBDC to provide classes and consulting for that platform. We should have more on that soon.

The Southwest SBDC will be participating in a statewide initiative to provide more health, safety and wellness resources to Colorado small businesses. To kick this off, we hosted a free workshop to help businesses understand the ACA changes and what's available on the healthcare market. Coming later this year, we will host a 3-part series on supporting mental "wealth" in the workplace. The Durango Chamber and the La Plata Economic Alliance will be co-hosting a Health Care Forum on November 14. See the flyer below.

Our next Starting Your Business workshop is scheduled for November 8 at the Durango Library. Spread the word to anyone you know who might be thinking about starting or buying a business in the near future. Thanks to 1st Southwest Bank for sponsoring these classes! A link to the registration page with more information is below.

The SBDC, in conjunction with Whole New Concepts, will be offering an intensive business planning and strategy series called "Whole Farm and Ranch Business Series" beginning in late November in Durango. See below for more details. Scholarships will be available to agriculture businesses for this class. All businesses are welcome as curriculum can be modified for non-agriculture businesses.

Just a reminder, a disaster declaration for the 416 Fire has triggered the Small Business Administration (SBA) to offer low-interest, long -term relief loans to businesses in all five counties of Southwest Colorado. Let us know if we can assist you in this process.

The Southwest SBDC is now on Instagram , Facebook , Linkedin , and Twitter . We'd love to have you follow us to stay up to date on local business news, events and trainings, and curated content from across Southwest Colorado.

Thanks for all you do to make Southwest Colorado a great place to live and visit!

Thank you, 
Mary Shepherd
Deputy Director
Southwest Colorado SBDC
The Southwest Colorado SBDC provides FREE business counseling to businesses in the Four Corners area of Colorado.
Please share your suggestions for upcoming newsletters!
Send comments to: Shepherd_M@fortlewis.edu 
Upcoming SBDC Workshops
Starting Your Business Workshop
  • November 8, 2018. 8:00am - 1:00pm. Durango Public Library. $25. Learn More

Intro to QuickBooks Workshop
  • November 27, 2018. 9:00am - 4:00pm. TBK Bank in Durango, Colorado. $70. Learn More

Agriculture Accounting Workshop
  • Saturday, December 1, 2018. 9:00am - 12:30pm. Public Service Community Room in Dove Creek, Colorado. $10. Learn More

Whole Farm and Ranch Business Workshop Series
  • November 30 - December 1st, 2018. 9:00am - 4:30pm. Durango Rec Center. Learn More.
  • December 7th - December 8th, 2018. 9:00am - 4:30pm. Durango Rec Center. Learn More.
  • December 14th - December 15th, 2018. 9:00am - 4:30pm. Durango Rec Center. Learn More.
SBDC Success Story - Spire PT & Wellness
“I want my clients to own their health, empower them to take charge, help them learn, take ownership of their bodies and do what they love.”  That is a quote from Jacki Gilpin.  She is the owner of Spire Physical Therapy and Wellness, located in Cortez, CO.  She chose to leave her previous job as a staff therapist as the clinic’s primary focus was on the bottom line.  The structure emphasized billing more each visit and having a patient come in more often instead of getting the patient better.  Jacki said, “There was frustration working in that system.  I was getting burned out on the clinic’s demands and not enjoying the profession.”

SBDC Welcomes New Consultant - Amber Davis
Amber has been providing bookkeeping & payroll services to Durango businesses for over 15 years. She is also the founder of Luminous Sojourns & New Hat Baking, and was the former Operations Coordinator at the La Plata County Economic Development Alliance. Amber will be providing accounting and QuickBooks Online consulting for our SBDC center!

Starting Your Business Workshop
Join us next Thursday to learn the ins and outs of starting your own business at our Starting Your Business Workshop!

Course topics include:
  • Registration issues, legal structure, business planning process, financing your business, marketing etc.

When: Thursday, November 8th from 8am - 1pm at Durango Public Library.

Cost: $25. Payment can be made before the class or by credit card over the phone 970-247-7009. Checks made payable to Fort Lewis College. Please arrive a few minutes early- Checks, cash or credit cards accepted
Introduction to QuickBooks Workshop
Join us for a full day workshop to learn the ins and outs of QuickBooks Desktop! Laura Hokanson, CPA will introduce you to QuickBooks, the most popular small business accounting software on the market, and show how it can help you manage your business and save time.

Course topics include:
  • Setting up your account, creating an effective chart of accounts, creating lists, creating customers and tracking their sales information, basic sales and payment processing, how to make paying bills less painful, banking and credit card transactions, the power of a good profit and loss report and more!

When: Tuesday, November 27th from 9am - 4pm at TBK Bank Durango.

Cost: $70. Payment can be made before the class or by credit card over the phone 970-247-7009. Checks made payable to Fort Lewis College. Please arrive a few minutes early- Checks, cash or credit cards accepted.

The Whole Farm & Ranch Business Workshop Series
Join us for an intensive and hands-on course designed to help entrepreneurs with comprehensive training on starting and operating a small business. The course will help both start-up and existing businesses. During this course you will learn how to use the Holistic Management Decision-Making process to create a financial plan, business plan and marketing strategies. You will also gain access to valuable resources and one-one-one business consulting. This course qualifies you for FSA borrower training credit.

This course is ideal for large and small acreages, new and seasoned producers, land managers and other natural resource based businesses who desire to create healthy land, high quality of life, profitability and long term sustainability through regenerative strategies.

This course is offered as three 2-day sessions:
  • Session One: November 30th - December 1st
  • Session Two: December 7th - 8th
  • Session Three: December 14th - 15th
The Colorado Shared Ownership Summit will be a coming together of the Colorado co-op, credit union, and ESOP sectors. As part of the Conscious Capitalism Conference series at the  Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility  in CU’s Leeds School of Business, in partnership with the  College of Media, Communication and Information , the summit will be one-day event in November 2018, showcasing the strength and diversity of shared ownership models in the state, from farmer co-ops to online platforms. It will be a chance for leaders in these businesses to come together, learn from each other, connect with students, and work together to support the next generation of community-ownership entrepreneurs.

When:  November 7, 2018 08:30 AM – 06:00 PM

Where:  Wittemeyer Courtroom, Wolf Law
2450 Kittredge Loop Dr
Boulder, Colorado 80305 United States
SBA Disaster Loans Available to Small Businesses Impacted by the 416 Fire
All 5 Counties of Southwest Colorado are Eligible for SBA Disaster Loans Due to 416 Fire. The SBA is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses economically impacted by the 416 fire. The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in Archuleta, Dolores, Hinsdale, La Plata, Montezuma, Ouray, San Juan, and San Miguel counties in Colorado; and San Juan County in New Mexico.

Small Manufacturer's Advant EDGE
Providing small manufacturing companies with
  • Lean Processes
  • Six Sigma Training
  • Facility Layout
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Market Diversification
  • New Product Development
  • Digital Marketing Strategies
  • Export and Import Assistance
  • ISO / Quality Consulting
  • Government Contracting Opportunites
  • Strategic Planning
Colorado SBDC and Xero
Colorado small businesses really love Xero and our online accounting software. From Denver, Durango and every mile-high spot in between – businesses turn to Xero for accounting, time-tracking, ecommerce, inventory and more. Log in online anytime, anywhere on your Mac, PC, tablet or phone to get a real-time view of your cash flow. It’s small business accounting software that’s simple, smart and occasionally magical. Whatever the need, Xero has the solution to fit.

To start a free trial for SBDC clients and see how Xero can add a positive impact to your bottom line, visit xero.com

Look for upcoming Xero training workshops from the SBDC!
La Plata County Economic Alliance
Find out the latest on our employment, home construction, tourism, and other key measures of our local economic performance.


If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the La Plata County Economic Development Alliance and we can walk you through what the data means.

Durango Chamber of Commerce
The Durango Chamber has an array of events and services and can be a valuable partner for your business. Call Rita Simon at 970-247-0312 to become a member today.
UPCOMING EVENTS AT THE DURANGO CHAMBER:   

November 6th from 7:45am - 9:00am
Carver Brewing Co.

November 15th from 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Animas Surgical Hospital
Pagosa logo
The Pagosa Springs Chamber of Commerce offers our residents and businesses a large resource of development services, referrals, education, networking opportunities, and special events to enhance your work and living environment.

Come and explore the Pagosa Chamber website and discover Pagosa Springs and the reason why people love the community where they can live, work and play

Pagosa Picture
Cortez Chamber of Commerce
The Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce has been and continues to be a strong leader in the development of the community. Members include not only businesses, but also nonprofit organizations, governmental entities, and individuals who want to participate in forging a better future for all.
Bayfield Chamber of Commerce


Join Bayfield Chamber of Commerce!
 
Click here  to find out about chamber programs and upcoming events.
We are here to do business!
We are your source for information about issues that affect you, and a voice for local businesses on matters that concern you.

We connect customers to your business.

We help promote the attractions in our community to bring more customers to your business.
Mancos Valley Chamber of Commerce
The Mancos Valley Chamber of Commerce is committed to uniting Mancos Valley residents and businesses to achieve and sustain a high quality of life and a healthy economy consistent with the heritage of the area. The Chamber is your partner in community and business development.
Dove Creek Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Dove Creek Area Chamber is being relaunched for 2017! Dove Creek Chamber Membership is designed to encourage businesses and individuals who want to make a change for the better for the Greater Dove Creek Area, to join and support the community efforts to develop successful businesses, tourism and recreational opportunities so we can "Grow the Future" Together! The website and social media platforms are still being developed, we appreciate your patience as we grow the Chamber and this site. Any and all suggestions and input are welcome.

Women's Resource Center
WRC acts as a one-stop-shop of small business information providing services to enhance women's knowledge about different aspects of entrepreneurship, and help build skills for improving the success of their ventures. The Women's Foundation of Colorado is a proud supporter of WRC's small business services.
Rocky Mountain Indian Chamber of Commerce
MEP logo
The New Mexico Manufacturing extension partnership offers ongoing workshops, and expertise for area manufacturers. Some of the workshops available include: "Lean" workshops and various certifications.
Name | Company | Phone | Fax | Email | Website
A partnership program with the U.S. Small Business Administration. The Colorado Small Business Development Center network 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 an express or implied endorsement of any of the co-sponsors' or participants' opinions, products or services. Any opinions, findings and conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Small Business Administration, the participating Small Business Development Centers, host institutions, ColoradoSBDC.com or InfoAvailable.com .