ColoradoBiz articles from December 2008

ColoradoBiz archives from December 2008

Punch lines, driving machines and attitude; Wende Curtis (comedy works) and Lisa Schomp (Schomp BMW) launch expanded businesses in a tough climate.(COTE'S [colorado])
December 1, 2008... Wende Curtis and Lisa Schomp come from slightly different perspectives. Curtis, the owner of two comedy clubs and related booking and marketing businesses, counts herself among the bleeding hearts and was ecstatic when Barack Obama won the...

Thoughts from the Genghis Kahn school of management; A little tough at times, but a great leader and instinctive manager of people.([on] MANAGEMENT)
December 1, 2008... Genghis Kahn was the greatest conqueror of all time, measured by the land mass he controlled. His empire at its peak was more than 5 million square miles, more than twice that of Alexander the Great and five time that of Hitler. He had more...

Karma capitalism: going beyond the basics.
December 1, 2008... Corporate responsibility. Community relations. Philanthropy. These terms are used across the business sector to describe partnerships between businesses and charities. In 1983, American Express spearheaded a revolutionary marketing...

Some modest proposals for our new president; Let's start with a $5-a-gallon gas tax.([the] ECONOMIST)
December 1, 2008... Dear Mr. President: Now that the seemingly endless campaign is finally over, it is time for you to figure out what to do with this mess you've inherited. I know you will welcome some advice. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Let's begin with...

ColoradoBiz Q&A: Tracy Huggins, executive director of the Denver Urban Renewal Authority.(Interview)
December 1, 2008... The thousands of people who visited Denver this summer for the Democratic National Convention encountered a city that no longer rolls up the carpet at 5 p.m. The Denver Urban Renewal Authority has been behind many of the projects that have led...

35 years of innovative design.(READERS [respond])(Letter to the editor)
December 1, 2008... Your article, "Business in the Fast Lane" (October), was both fun and informative. However, with all due respect, you missed one - the 35th anniversary of Boulder-based Communication Arts Inc., the multi-disciplinary design firm that's done...

King Soopers should pay customers for self-service.(READERS [respond])(Letter to the editor)
December 1, 2008... I liked your article, It was well written and made sense. ("A Fair Price," Jell Rundles, September) But let's take it one step further. My local King Soopers just eliminated some of their regular check stands and doubled their...

Correction.(Correction notice)
December 1, 2008... Calcon Constructors Inc. posted revenues of $81 million in 2007, not $60.1 million as reported in the ranking of general contractors last month.

Xcel rides with the wind.(ENERGY)
December 1, 2008... T. Boone Pickens seems to be on the television all the time anymore, talking about wind power. Pickens, who in 2004 swiftboated John Kerry's presidential hopes, has essentially taken a page from the environmental movement, redefining renewable...

On the record.([state of the] STATE)
December 1, 2008... ON ONE HAND, IT'S A DISCRETIONARY PRODUCT. ON THE OTHER HAND, YOU COULD SAY IT'S A VICE, AND VICES DO WELL IN RECESSIONS. PEOPLE STILL WANT TO HAVE SOMETHING TO GET EXCITED ABOUT OR SOMETHING TO SPEND THEIR TIME ON. --Wunderdog's Greg...

By the numbers.(STATE [OF THE STATE])(State Business Tax Climate Index)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... 13 - Colorado's ranking in the 2009 State Business Tax Climate Index, as prepared by the Tax Foundation. The index measures the "business friendliness" of each state. Wyoming was No. 1. New Jersey was No. 50. $250 million-How much Digital...

Alfalfa's founders recall origins of natural foods grocer.(NATURAL FOODS)
December 1, 2008... Their memories may be a little fuzzy-did early investors put up $5,000 or $10,000 each? --but the founders of Alfalfa's haven't forgotten the passion that led them 25 years ago to create a natural foods grocery store that would become a local...

Film commission wants more movie money in Colorado.(THE ARTS)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Most Coloradans are unaware that Colorado loses millions of dollars in film industry revenue simply because Colorado lacks the tax incentives offered the industry elsewhere. "Last year, the film 'Nowhereland'--which features Eddie...

Xcel's Platinum high-rise; 1800 Larimer, the first downtown Denver Skyscraper since 1986, aims for the highest 'green' certification.(WHO OWNS COLORADO)
December 1, 2008... It's just a hole in the ground today, but when the 22-story downtown office building opens at 1800 Larimer in June 2010 it is going to be two things Denver either never did have or hasn't had since the Pena administration. Denver hasn't...

Colorodobiz real estate roundup.(Statistical table)
December 1, 2008... DATA PROVIDED BY METRO DENVAR COLDWeLL BANKeR TOTAL PROPERTIES SOLD 2007 VS. 2008. 2007 2008 JAM 3,540 -15.6% 2,987 FEB 3,090 -2.9% 3,001 MAR 4,274...

Craig Smith; ServiceMagic CEO sees growth for referral network amid the downturn.(EXECUTIVE [edge])
December 1, 2008... A couple of years ago, Craig Smith's father-in-law gave him a signed copy of Jack Welch's book, "Winning." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "He stood in line for two hours to get it signed because he knew I admired him," said Smith, the...

2008 CEO of the year; New Belgium's Kim Vordan: tapping a collective energy.
December 1, 2008... Back in 1991, Kim Jordan and Jeff Lebesch hiked into Rocky Mountain National Park with a jug of Jeff's basement home brew and penned a mission statement for the business they were about to launch: "To operate a profitable brewery which makes...

Bankers take credit crisis in stride: Colorado banks have capital to lend for business customers - but it won't be business as usual.
December 1, 2008... "Neither a borrower nor a lender be; For loan oft loses both itself and friend, And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry." --Lord Polonius, Hamlet, 1603 It seems the world is taking Polonius' advice, either through personal prudence,...

Squeeze play; Expect stagnant growth in the years ahead, UMB investment officer says.
December 1, 2008... The economic malaise expected to grip the U.S. economy in 2008 led UMB Financial's economic and investment team to dub it the "long, hard slog" when they first presented their forecast in fall 2007. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Within a few...

The morning after: after touring wine country, Top Company winners rise early to discuss the economy and their businesses.
December 1, 2008... Touring California wine country should have offered the winners of the Top Company awards a refuge from the market chaos. If only they had left their BlackBerrys and i-Phones at home. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] On what would be declared...

Tougher than tough: CEO Fitness Challenge tests the power of the executive class outside the office.(CEO CHALLENGE)
December 1, 2008... As soon as he hits the track at Boulder High School, Ted Kennedy begins running faster, his legs turning over quickly as his breathing and energy increases. He talks faster, too, and soon, as he floats around the track, he is running close to a...

Hope springs eternal--and maternal--at inventor Showcase.(SMALL [biz])
December 1, 2008... Kyle Myhra is only 17 but already a seasoned inventor with stories of fleeting successes and momentary setbacks. Two years ago he made it onto ABC's" American Inventor" with his dog fan-a fan that plugs into your car's cigarette lighter and...

Company Envysion Inc.([small biz] TECH-STARTUP)(Company overview)
December 1, 2008... INITIAL LIGHT BULB: Matt Steinfort worked with venture capitalist Dan Caruso after Caruso bought ICG with Columbia Capital and High Country Ventures, the state of Colorado's investment fund. Caruso introduced Steinfort to another investment...

Colorado cool stuff.(Dohm Icebox USA )(FlyLow Gear )
December 1, 2008... DOHM HEADWEAR/ICEBOX KNITTING: "We're carrying on a 40-year knitting tradition," said Dohm-Icebox PR Director Lori Baker. The company grew out of the late Richard Krueger's Alpine Knitting Mill and still uses the same antique machines...

Steve Govett's Mammoth task.(SPORTS [biz])(National Lacrosse League )(Column)
December 1, 2008... Stewart Schley writes about sports, media and technology from Englewood. Read this and Schley's past columns on the Web at cobizmag.com and e-mail him at ss_edit@comcast.net [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] It's just like the song says. A...

The Prodigal banker.(RUNDLES [wrap-up])(Short story)
December 1, 2008... A certain man, say a wealthy official of a rich and powerful country, had two sons, both bankers, who were perfect sons, and both maintained safety and soundness and met the needs of the flock with tradition, sobriety and well-collateralized...