small business

On our last blog we posted JumpStart 2012, the Office of Economic Development's plan for re-energizing the local economy by opening up more loan options for small businesses. This week, our Executive Director Mickki Langston, was interviewed by the Denver Post to find out what she thought about how this plan will affect small businesses in Colorado. “Any effort that they make in strengthening and supporting small business is going to be great for the community.”

Businesses invited to celebrate National Workforce Development Month with free, half-day educational program

The Mile High Business Alliance will have a table at the Denver County Fair, will you? This new spin on the traditional fair will be from July 28th-31st. There will be themed Pavillions including Buy Local, Farm and Garden, Animal, Youth, Green, Fashion and Holistic. No fair would be complete without a carnival, delicious local food, and live performers including Devo! 

In the June edition of the University of Denver Magazine, Kathryn Mayer wrote, "Eat Like a Pioner." 

This article highlights 18 local restaurants in Denver that are owned by University of Denver alum. What Mile High Business Alliance is most proud of is that five of our very own members were highlighting in this article! Denver Pizza Co., Encore, Sazza, Snooze and Vert Kitchen are all Mile High Business Alliance Members as well as innovative and successful restaurant owners in Denver.

Having started several business organizations, including LLC's, C-Corps, sole proprietorships and tax-exempt organizations, I am often asked the following question: "should I start a non-profit or a for-profit business?"

With the rise of socially-invested, mission-driven entrepreneurs, this question occurs more frequently than in the past. More people are forming businesses to address problems, provide value or build community. So how do you know what to choose? 

In this post, I'll share some common-sense advice to help you understand the differences. However, I am not a lawyer and therefore you should consult one before making decisions about your business. 

Nine of ten of Denver's Mayoral candidates gathered with 130 guests at the Tattered Cover on Wednesday evening to discuss the future of Denver's local economy. Candidates Carol Boigon, Michael Hancock, Doug Linkhart, Danny Lopez, James Mejia, Jeff Peckman, Ken Simpson, Theresa Spahn and Thomas Andrew Wolf participated in conversation around the important role small and local business plays in Denver's economy.

We're glad to see word getting out about next week's forum with the Mayoral candidates!

We're in the Washington Park Profile: http://washingtonparkprofile.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogc...

It's going to be a great event full of meaningful dialogue about the future of our local economy.The Civic Canopy will be our expert moderators while Colorado Audio Group will provide stunning audio-visual technology. Thanks, guys!

Don't miss this chance to connect with Denver's future Mayor! RSVP required: www.denvermayor.eventbrite.com.

The Mile High Business Alliance, along with the Alliance for Sustainable Colorado and Eat Denver, will host a Mayoral Candidates Forum on March 23. Denver’s Mayoral candidates will discuss policies concerning economic development and small business development throughout the Greater Denver Area and the State of Colorado.

In the 2011 Colorado legislative session, The Mile High Business Alliance along with sponsor Representative Su Ryden introduced House Bill 1142 State Economic Impact of State Procurement to The House Committee on Economic and Business Development.

While the bill died in a tie-vote, we are grateful to have made it that far in the process and to be promoting the evidence that our economic policies must adapt if we want a strong economy. 

The rest of this post provides more information about the bill, addressing reactions to the bill, and provides much of the information we've found that supports our approach.

We found this article published by the New Rules Project to be very interesting. 

In discussing the national Chamber of Commerce, Stacy Mitchell writes: 

"The U. S. Chamber's actual membership is only about 300,000 businesses. And while small businesses are a prominent part of its public image, the Chamber's boardroom is dominated by large corporations. Its 125-member board includes representatives of just two local chambers and only a handful of small businesses. The rest comprise a veritable who's who of the country's most powerful corporations: Pfizer, Alcoa, JP Morgan Chase, and so on.