Identity Theft &Your Business

Did you know that October was National Cyber Awareness Month? National Cyber Awareness Month was started in 2004 by the Department of Homeland Security in order to raise awareness of the growing dangers of cybercrime–including identity theft.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, identity theft affects millions of American consumers each year. Identify thieves also target businesses in order to fraudulently obtain lines of credit in order to purchase goods that can be sold for cash. The Colorado Secretary of State has put together a convenient pamphlet that provides tips on how you can protect your business and what to do if you believe your business has been the victim of identity theft.

The Secretary of State’s website also has a “Prevention Checklist” as well as an exhaustive Resource List that contains links to where businesses can receive free help and information regarding this growing cybercrime.

The Little Bird Bake Shop

The Little Bird Bakeshop opened its doors on December 14, 2010 and in the past year has developed a loyal following. On any given morning, a passerby wandering through Old Town Square in Fort Collins can peer through the bakeshop’s inviting façade and watch customers sipping coffee and enjoying delicious chocolate croissants, chocolate walnut cookies, and other pastries. With its friendly atmosphere and fresh, creative confections, it will take only a glance before you walk

Broken Arrow

Bob O’Borne was taught by his father at the age of 5 to shoot a long bow. When he was old enough, he harvested the mighty “Wapati” and joined the United States Air Force. He traveled around seeking out different animals with his bow until he settled in Colorado. Bob has always had a desire to own his own shop but did not have the time or opportunity. He believed, “You will never rise to

Midwest-Masters/ Spoiler Dude

United States Army veteran Paul Hasty had already been successfully installing window tints, car bras, and spoilers in the Pikes Peak Region for almost fourteen years before reaching out to the Pikes Peak SBDC. Just call him the Spoiler Dude of Spoilerdude.com. With a strong love for cars, Paul decided to open up his business with the challenges of educating customers. Paul differentiates Spoilerdude.com by anticipating customers’ wishes and questions with answers prior to work.

Ku Cha House of Tea

Originally from China, husband and wife entrepreneurial team, Qin Liu and Rong Pan graduated from the Leeds School of Business at Colorado University with the dream of starting their own company. The original business idea was from Qin’s Business Plan Preparation class while enrolled in CU. In 2005, they launched their business, drawing upon the 5000-year-old tradition of drinking tea. In 2007, Qin and Rong changed the company’s original name from “The Leaf – All

San Luis Valley Health and Wellness

Humans are meant to move. Physical activity and good diets keep our bodies working as ﬁnely tuned machines. Not doing so, has unhealthy conseqences. Modern society has allowed for increasing inactivity in most people. Health and wellness clubs in communities play a vital role in helping their members remain motivated to pursue personal ﬁtness goals that ﬁt their lifestyle and share ideas on workouts, diets, and overall healthy living. Imagine being Justin and Brittany growing

JITA Contracting Inc.

With the help of the SBDC, Joel Aguilar was lucky enough to get his 8 a certification for JITA Contracting, Inc. from the SBA and has grown his business tremendously. With the help of the SBDC, Joel Aguilar was lucky enough to get his 8 a certification for JITA Contracting, Inc. from the SBA and has grown his business tremendously. He explains, “It took us over five months of filling out over 1,300 pages of