Doing Better than the Big-Name Brands

One of the biggest strengths of local businesses is our ability to create lasting relationships that inform, nurture and strengthen our businesses and those of our peers. Think about this: when the non-local competition faces increased costs and decreased revenue, what is their response? They close stores, lay people off, and demand lower prices from their vendors - anything to maintain the profit margins they (and their investors) require. And what about local businesses? How many of you have forgone your pay in order to pay your employees? Or given a little more time to your customers to pay that invoice?

Don't get me wrong. This isn't about poor businesses decisions or lack of planning. This is about dealing with the challenges and pressures of being in business while remembering the people that are involved. Doing what it takes to provide the goods and services that are a part of your business, but not forgetting to take care of each other.

We may not have the deep pockets of multi-national corporations, or the favor of politicians to swing more pork-barrel and earmarked funding. But what we do have is each other.  And in each other we have a vitally rich resource of community, which can provide support in real and high-impact ways.

The solutions to the challenges we're facing as business owners and community members will not be found in a secret handbook for entrepreneurs (that is hidden by those who really have it together). They are discovered and created by us when we come together and pool our resources to be more successful and share what we've learned.

The members of the Mile High Business Alliance have already started this. In the last twelve months, almost one hundred of our neighbors have joined together with the expressed mission to build better community through better business. Our Local Flavor Guides, local business directory, Colorado Local First campaign, Inventing Business Series and other events are about this need - to invest our resources and time to strengthen the relationships between business and community. We invite you to find out more about our programs, join the business alliance and support the Colorado Local First campaign. More importantly, we invite you to connect with the passionate, resourceful, committed business owners who make our communities so unique.

Here are a few events this month to help you get connected. Please do join us for at least one of these, as we explore the MHBA theme for the rest of 2008: "Doing Better than Big-Name Brands."


Local Biz Coffee Meeting
Informal opportunity to make new connections
When: Tuesday, September 9th, 8:00 - 9:00 am
Where: Illegal Grounds Coffeehouse, 725 E. 17th Ave.
Find out more


Uptown Local Flavor Celebration
Fun social event with local food and brew in the Uptown Neighborhood
When: Monday, September 15th, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Where: Vine St. Pub Event Space, 1700 Vine St.
Find out more


MHBA Members-Only Social Event
Connect with other members and explore our 2008 theme
When: Tuesday, September 23rd, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Where: Reserve List Wine Tasting Room, 1886 S. Pearl St.
Find out more


Business Workshops
Please take our workshop interest survey now so we can schedule workshops that will provide the resources you need!