Minority Business Office of Colorado

February is Black History Month, a time for us to focus on the unique and lasting contributions Black Americans have made in our country and our great state of Colorado.

More than forty minority-serving organizations were supported and 105 new minority businesses were created with support from our office.

We close out 2023 with a look back on the work done to empower Coloradans to thrive in our economy, check it out👇

OEDIT 2023 Wrapped | Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade Thursday, December 14, 2023 Submitted by [user:field_first_name] 14 Ways OEDIT has Supported ColoradansWe close out 2023 with a look back on the work done to empower Coloradans to thrive in our economy. Let’s unwrap 14 ways OEDIT has worked hard to make Colorado work for all. Why 14? OEDIT has 14 ...

During this holiday season, with minority-owned businesses. Behind every item we purchase, there's a story of determination and resilience.

Minority entrepreneurs bring diversity and innovation to our communities. By choosing to shop local with , you're not just buying a product; you're supporting local minority-owned businesses and empowering their journeys.

Join us in celebrating these incredible individuals and their hard work. This holiday season, let's make a difference with every gift we give. 🌟

As the year comes to a close, December is the perfect time for small businesses to reflect on their current performance and chart a course for the year ahead. From budgeting to goal-setting and discovering growth prospects, December is when strategic planning takes center stage.

It's also the month to close your books, renew processes, websites, and facilities, and most importantly, plan for taxes.

Contact your local SBDC to learn essential strategic skills for a prosperous future 👇 https://sbdc.colorado.gov/

This holiday season purchase your staff gifts from minority-owned businesses. Every gift tells a tale of determination and success. Support local minority entrepreneurs and inspire others with their stories of achievement. 🌟

Find local minority-owned businesses with
👉https://shopbipoc.com/

Today we honor Rosa Parks on Rosa Parks Day.

She didn’t set out to become “the first lady of civil rights.” But when she refused to give her seat up to a white passenger on a bus on December 1, 1955—and was arrested as a result of it—the impact of her act of defiance was far-reaching, and inspired a nation.

Today we remember her key role in the American civil rights movement.

Consider using some of your funds to support immigrant entrepreneurs! See you on the 30th!
Register here https://buff.ly/40J0Vsv

¿Eres el dueño de un pequeño negocio y buscas una oportunidad para crecer y expandir tus horizontes? 🚀

El Business Office se ha asociado con RTD para encontrar 100 pequeños negocios, sin importar la industria, para unirse a la red de proveedores de RTD.

¿Qué ofrecemos?
✅ Obtén la Certificación SBE sin costo alguno.
✅ Aumenta tus posibilidades de ser contratado.
✅ Tendrás asistencia técnica disponible durante todo el proceso.

¿Interesado? ¡Simplemente haz clic en el enlace a continuación para aplicar y comenzar tu proceso para convertirte en uno de los 100 pequeños negocios que se unirán a RTD como proveedores!

https://bit.ly/45Ko5Qi

Are you the owner of a small business seeking a chance to grow and expand your horizons? 🚀

The Minority Business Office is partnering with RTD to find 100 small businesses, regardless of the industry, to join RTD’s network of suppliers.

What do we offer?
✅ Get SBE Certification at no cost
✅ Increase your chances to get contracted
✅ You’ll have technical assistance available through the process

Interested? Simply click the link below to apply and start your process to become one of the 100 small businesses to join RTD as a vendor!

https://bit.ly/45Ko5Qi

Happy Holidays and ! It's not too late to take advantage of the resources from U.S. Small Business Administration, linked below!

Shopping SMALL is celebrated today but the tradition continues tomorrow and forward. 😉👇

https://www.sba.gov/about-sba/organization/sba-initiatives/small-business-saturday

The annual RMGPA Winter Conference and the Advance Colorado Procurement Expo will be combined into one premier event to connect buyers and sellers.

This event is for all businesses that desire to do business with state, local, K-12 and higher education entities and other businesses. All businesses are welcomed and encouraged to participate.

Learn more via the link below. 👇
https://bit.ly/49bsP4y

Calling all Veteran Business Owners! Did you know that you can work with the Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center to get and pursue federal contracts!

Also, in honor of Veterans Day today, our office is closed.

Learn more 👇

Office of Veterans Business Development on LinkedIn: #smallbusinessowners #vetcert #vetbiz 🚨 Attention veteran ! It’s time to get certified. 🚪 This U.S. Small Business Administration certification can open doors to…

During Native American Heritage Month, we celebrate the legacy of Indigenous history and present-day contributions to our great state and those who continue to shape our society, lead their communities, and impact Colorado culture today.

"ShopBIPOC is a growing directory of over 450 small businesses owned by minorities throughout the state." This article from the Denverite tells the story of the growing ShopBIPOC marketplace where minority businesses in Colorado are centrally located.

You no longer need to wonder how you can support BIPOC businesses, just use the directory linked below to find BIPOC businesses across the state. 👇

Here's the story of the ever growing this marketplace linked below as well. 👇
https://shopbipoc.com/

https://denverite.com/2023/09/05/looking-to-shop-locally-from-a-black-and-brown-business-owner-shopbipoc-has-an-ever-growing-list-of-all-types-of-businesses/?utm_content=263410759&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin&hss_channel=lcp-42772594

ShopBIPOC | Doing Business with Purpose ShopBIPOC highlights and supports Colorado-based Black, Indigenous, Asian, Latino/a/e/x, biracial, and multiracial businesses

Have you heard the great news about the BMO U.S. Latino Business Loan Program? The program is now available through the Colorado Enterprise Fund!

The program was created to help reduce barriers and support inclusive economic opportunities for more small businesses across the state.

Check out the details below 👇

Colorado Enterprise Fund on LinkedIn: BMO donation creates the Latino Business Loan Program, supports… Excited to be working with BMO U.S. on the Latino Business Loan Program!

Calling all Denver BIPOC business owners.

Check out this in-person event by Mi Casa Resource Center and Huntington National Bank happening tomorrow! It's designed to support under-resourced small businesses in Denver by connecting them with capital, education and community resources.

Learn more via the link in our bio.

Small businesses are critical to the US economy, yet data on how and why small businesses seek financing is limited. Help fill that gap by taking this quick 10 minute survey before Nov. 17, 2023.

Take the survey using the link below. 👇
https://fedreserveboard.gov1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4PKWyQfbGKeIL3g?orgid=PA_SBDC&parentid=&reserve_bank=PHI

"Listening to other people's interpretations of how they were going to use [the grant] kind of inspired me to think differently about what I should be doing."-Kendra and Zach Custer, owners of Anthology Fine Art Custom Framing and Portraits in Englewood

A Colorado business can do a lot with $5,000. Recently, the Denver Business Journal highlighted how OEDIT's Small Business Accelerated Growth Program grant recipients across the state are using their funds to enhance their digital presence. Some businesses have chosen to allocate the grant towards hiring social media managers, photographers, and ad space, seeing it as a valuable investment.

Discover how these businesses are utilizing their grant to boost their marketing efforts for less than $5,000 with the Denver Business Journal👇

What can a Colorado small business do with $5,000? - Denver Business Journal How a small grant can significantly move the needle for a small business owner.

Employee ownership is one way the racial wealth gap can be closed. This legacy Denver business has now empowered its workers by giving them ownership of the company.

Learn more about how Apex Plumbing became an employee-owned business with The Denver Post👇

Arvada business gives power to its workers of color by becoming 100% employee-owned The transformation of one Arvada business into a 100% employee-owned enterprise was accomplished with the help of an investment fund that backs the conversion of companies with substantial workforc…

La brecha de riqueza racial se cierra cuando los empleados son dueños de la empresa. Este antiguo negocio de Denver ahora ha empoderado a sus trabajadores al hacerlos dueños de la empresa.

Obtenga más información sobre cómo Apex Plumbing se convirtió en una empresa propiedad de los empleados con The Denver Post 👇

Arvada business gives power to its workers of color by becoming 100% employee-owned The transformation of one Arvada business into a 100% employee-owned enterprise was accomplished with the help of an investment fund that backs the conversion of companies with substantial workforc…

Let's delve into the inspiring story of Marta and Anna Zeman!

In March of this year, Marta and her sister Anna realized their dream by opening the doors of their bilingual English-Spanish preschool in Boulder offering preschool services for children from 2.5 to 5 years old.

This project had been on their minds for over 3 years. Originally from Venezuela, they both emigrated with their families in 2014. Marta came to Colorado and Anna lived in Malta for over 7 years, and in 2021 she finally arrived in Colorado.

They started this dream from a distance and have been working diligently and consistently over the years to bring to life the project that is now Golden Aspen Bilingual Preschool.

Visit their website here 👉 www.goldenaspenbilingualpreschool.com

This year, Marta and Anna enrolled in the Business Foundations Program and the Small Business Accelerator Growth to acquire even more tools. Today, they have 13 students and are already planning to expand the services of the preschool. Marta emphasized the importance of passion in coping with the multitasking that comes with running your own business.

Let's support entrepreneurs like Marta & Anna who pursue their dreams and enrich our communities!

🌟

Hoy compartimos la historia de Gerardo Mendoza. Seguimos Celebrando al Month🌟

Gerardo, originario de México, comenzó su carrera como profesor de negocios. Sin embargo, en octubre de 2021, dio un paso audaz y decidió emprender su primer negocio: una editorial latina llamada Codex Publishing. Hasta el momento, Codex Publishing cuenta con 20 publicaciones que están disponibles en Amazon. El objetivo de Gerardo es fomentar la lectura en ambos idiomas, pensando en las familias latinas que hablan inglés y español.

A principios de este año, Gerardo se unió al Programa Business Foundations, donde adquirió herramientas esenciales para su negocio. Su consejo invaluable para otros emprendedores: "Siempre busca ayuda. Nadie lo sabe todo cuando comienza, y como profesor de negocios, recomiendo aprovechar las oportunidades de networking y construir una red con otros negocios que están en la misma situación".

¡Sigue la inspiradora historia de Gerardo en 👇 www.codexpublishing.org 📚🌐