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?

((Please forward to your associates who might be interested, OK? Thanks! John))

April 21, 2009

Dear Friend,

Dr. Amar Bhide www.bhide.net will be with us in Denver this week on Thursday and Friday, April 23 and 24.

Dr. Bhide is the top expert in the world on the topic of startup. His research over the past couple of decades has revealed some big surprises. His book The Origin and Evolution of New Business has been called the most important book ever written about startup by the publisher of Inc. Magazine. One columnist writing about his new book The Venturesome Economy called him the new Malcolm Gladwell. You have several opportunities to learn from his this week:

1) To hear Dr. Bhide talk about innovation and his new book The Venturesome Economy (Princeton University Press), you are welcome to join us Friday in the morning for the Daniels College of Business Power Breakfast. It's free and open to everyone (not just DU alumni), details (including a free parking pass!) and RSVP at http://www.daniels.du.edu/rsvp.aspx or call me with any questions at (303)861-1447

Thanks to the Denver Daily News and the Denver Lions Club for helping us get the word out about this!

2) Dr. Bhide will be our guest at the Denver IDEA Cafe in Friday afternoon. For this one time only, we will be meeting at the University of Denver, the location and link to a map are on the site when you RSVP. As always, we ask that you attend the IDEA Cafe only if you aren't sure what your are going to do on Monday morning as you start a new career, campaign, or new business. We are now limiting attendance to the first 14 to RSVP, so RSVP now to make sure you get a seat at http://www.meetup.com/Denver-IDEA-Cafe/calendar/9998584/

3) Finally, a few of us are getting together with Dr. Bhide for a no-host dinner at the Denver Press Club the evening before, email me if you'd like the details at John@JohnWren.com

4) I'll be arranging media interviews with Dr. Bhide throughout his time with us here in Denver, please forward this along to any report who you think might like to talk with him and/or who might like to attend any of these events.

One way or the other, I hope you'll take advantage of these great opportunities to learn from Dr. Bhide.

And please forward this email along to any of your family, friends, or business associates who might be interested in Dr. Bhide. They will thank you, and so will I if you'll let me now what you've done! Call me if you have any questions.

John

John S. Wren, MBA

Founder, Denver IDEA Cafe and the new Denver Startup Forum
This life is short, let's get started!
www.JohnWren.com
(303)861-1447

Go to 6:00, see me at DEN Tea Party. http://tinyurl.com/d9yfta

Love the CO Caucus? Join us at Denver Speakers Corner, each Sunday afternoon in Civic Center Park. Details and optional RSVP at: http://www.meetup.com/Denver-Speakers-Corner/