Good article on how to apply for an SBA loan today from (click here) Vistage, the new brand for what used to be called TEC, The Executive Council.

Of course the big question for the startup and small business owner is whether or not it makes sense to invest time and money to try and get a loan.

Amar Bhide, who was here in Denver with us last week, makes a convincing case that chasing money doesn’t make nearly as much sense as chasing customers in his seminal Harvard Business Review article, “How Entrepreneurs Craft Strategies That Work” and/or his book The Origin and Evolution of New Businesses, which has been called the most important book ever written about startup by the publisher of Inc Magazine (click here to see quote).

I just sent this email to all members of the Denver Startup Forum, the new community of practice for entrepreneurs and their advisors, with members from around the world. Join us (free) at http://DenverStartup.ning.com

Here's the email I just sent:


Dear Denver Startup Forum Member,

Visit with Amar Bhide here in Denver was terrific. Watch here for details from a writeup expected in the Denver Daily News, thanks to them, the Denver Lions Club, The Burnsly Hotel, and the Daniels College of Business for making it such a success!

We are now going to have monthly Denver Startup Forum meetings, once a week was just too much. Watch for our next video the 2nd Thursday of each month, or if you are going to be in Denver the meeting announcement the Saturday prior.

If you are in Denver (or if you have friends who are) you might be interested in 1) New peer advisory group, 2) weekly startup workshop, and/or 3) annual conference:

1) New Franklin Circle now forming. In 1727 Ben Franklin started meeting with his friends for "mutual improvement," new group forming now in Denver http://www.orgsites.com/co/poorrichard/
Interested? For more info email John@JohnWren.com

If you're not in Denver and would like to start a group with your business associates, check out http://www.wikihow.com/Start-a-Franklin-Circle-Adult-Self-Directed-Learning-Group

2) This Friday (May 1) Daniel Perlman, MD www.PorterHospital.org and Carol Barbeito www.CarolBarbeito.com will share their startup experience with us at the Denver IDEA Cafe. Details and RSVP at http://www.meetup.com/Denver-IDEA-Cafe/calendar/10051898/

If you are not in Denver, I'd love to help you get an IDEA Cafe going in your part of the world. Contact me for more information if you are interested.

3) May 12 I'll be at the Rockies Venture Club 21st Annual Colorado Capital Conference. They are looking for presenters:
http://coloradocapitalconference.org/

Do you want help finding your next great customer? Call me and let's brainstorm how I might be of service to you.

John

John S. Wren, MBA+
Life's short, start now!
www.JohnWren.com
(303)861-1447

Please forward this along to any of your family, friends, or business associates who might be interested, OK?