Blogs

Ragamuffin Organizing & Cleaning Success Story Owner: Kami Bowker Story: Kat Rico Photography: Courtesy of Ragamuffin Organizing & Cleaning Not all entrepreneurs start with goals of grandiose riches; in the case of Kami Bowker, owner of Ragamuffin Organizing & Cleaning, she just wanted to be able to make her $300 per month car payment. Just three years later, her cleaning business has grown so rapidly, she has chosen to invest the unexpected growth in her …

      by Brian Cathcart, CPA, MS Larimer SBDC Consultant The Financial Lab You are probably really good at providing the products and/or services of your business. But you might not feel so competent or confident about the accounting and financial analysis part of your business. Maybe you need to change your mindset regarding your financial reporting as something to get excited about.  Don’t you get excited about things that make you money?  Financial reporting and …

Retail Holiday Boot Camp Tuesday, September 22, 2015 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm Speaker: Alyson MacMullan, Peak Retail Group You’ve done your merchandise buying. The calendar is ticking away. You know the biggest retail season is just around the corner. Once you get all that amazing merchandise, what’s your plan for it? Display it and hope for the best? That’s where our Retail Holiday Boot Camp is here to help. Join us on for another “Small Business …

For the first time, the Larimer SBDC will be offering “QuickBooks Online: 3 Part Series” beginning on September 9 and running through September 23.  While the functionality of QuickBooks Online is very similar to what is offered through their traditional desktop software, they are visually very different. QuickBooks Online also has the advantage of integrating with mobile applications that can be used on both a smartphone and tablet. Are you confused about whether to use …

  Friday, August 21, 2015 12:00 – 1:30 PM Five key technologies that you should be using in 2015 to take your business to the next level: 1) Network Security & Data Backup –  Is your network and data really secure? 2) Customer Relationship Management (CRM)  – Are you nurturing your existing clients and bringing on new ones? 3) Social Media & Search Engine Optimization (SEO) – Can potential customers find you on the web?  …

Last week, we held our fourth “Small Business After Hours” event that was targeted at our Health and Wellness businesses. We were excited to host the five person panel event, which was moderated by SBDC Consultant and InnovatioNews publisher, Lee Porter. Our panelists provided valuable information to approximately 30 attendees. In case you missed the event, a main topic of conversation was money. As Lee put it, that’s a big challenge to tackle! The varying …

Friday, August 7, 2015 12:00 – 1:30 PM “Business is a concept, people are the business.”  This is true for all business and when we really begin to appreciate that, the want for a positive experience can outweigh the need for the service. People gravitate toward what they enjoy and enjoyment is a simple concept. In this seminar I will offer you some very simple, cost-effective tips to create a positive experience that your customers …

Summer is in full swing, and among other thing this means farmers markets are at their peak. There are a number of benefits to farmer’s markets, ranging from your own personal health to the health of your economic community. Fort Collins has a vibrant community surrounding its farmer’s markets, in fact, we have 3 to meet your local food needs. If you’re not in-the-know, here’s a list of local markets: Saturdays 8:00 am – 12:00 …

Friday, July 24, 2015  12:00 – 1:30 pm One of the greatest business assets in your online marketing arsenal is hands down your “list”.  Of course the center of the list is the way you collect the data along with the email addresses that are on it. How you get permission, manage it and get your target audience to remain on your list for the long haul.  In this workshop we will show you how …

Friday, June 10, 2015 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm Are you stuck dealing with HR issues for your business? Then this seminar is for you.  Moving from a corporate environment that provided all the resources imaginable to a small business “do it yourself” atmosphere, Courtney Berg, a certified HR professional with both HR and operations management experience, struggled with everything a small business HR department needs. She will teach you the 7 things you need …