The LA SBDC Network offers no-cost virtual business workshops for small businesses in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties.
November 2024
WEBINAR Navigating SBIR/STTR (Research & Technology) Grants
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs provide an opportunity for small businesses to tap into federal funding to conduct research and development on promising new innovations and technologies. With $4 billion available annually, the programs are a source of seed capital for early stage companies. SBIR/STTR funding can also serve as a pathway to equity financing by allowing businesses to demonstrate feasibility of new technologies and move toward commercialization. This webinar will cover…
Find out more »WEBINAR Improve Your Personal Credit for Lending Opportunities
The “Improve Your Personal Credit for Lending Opportunities” workshop is designed to help individuals and business owners understand the factors that affect their credit scores and learn strategies to improve them. Whether you are looking to apply for a personal loan, business loan, or credit line, having a strong credit score can significantly increase your chances of approval and favorable terms. During this workshop, participants will learn about the different credit bureaus and how they calculate credit scores, the common…
Find out more »December 2024
WEBINAR Creating a Vlog to Promote Your Small Business
Have you been thinking of establishing a business vlog, but need some support in getting it off the ground? Do you want to find additional ways to add value and increase engagement on your social media platforms? If so, this workshop is for you. With free or low-cost resources, tools and platforms at our fingertips, writing, producing, delivering and posting a vlog on a regular basis does not have to be costly or difficult. In this interactive workshop, attendees will discover how to create a calendar…
Find out more »WEBINAR Orientation: What the SBDC Can Do for You!
This workshop will provide attendees with information about the program requirements and the different services and training offered by the SBDC. The key fundamentals essential for starting and maintaining a successful business will be reviewed. As capital is the life blood of any business, your questions concerning capital and how the SBDC can assist in this effort will be addressed. And as a special bonus, the critical reasons why products/services sell will also be discussed. Attendance is required for existing,…
Find out more »WEBINAR Biz Basics: How to Start Your Business Financials in Excel
Overcome your fear of starting with an empty Excel spreadsheet and become proficient to create your own Profit and Loss statement for your business. This workshop will cover the basic Excel functions necessary to develop your financials and then build a basic Profit and Loss statement. We will also see how you can download your bank activity and use filters to analyze the data, a powerful tool. Basic computer knowledge is required for this class. Instructor: Andrew Strachan (SBDC Advisor) REGISTER…
Find out more »WEBINAR Money Matters: How to Finance Your Business
This workshop will provide an overview of available options for financing your business. Equity and debt options as well as crowd funding and the process for raising capital from friends and family will be discussed. Details on what you need to know to apply for a business loan, as well the required documents and paperwork needed for the application process will be provided. The various types of financial institutions and which institutions are currently loaning money and what you will…
Find out more »WEBINAR Biz Basics: Marketing 101
Understanding the basics of marketing is vital for successful launch and growth of any business. Marketing is the discipline where you learn how to create & maintain demand, relevance, reputation, competitive positioning and more. Marketing is integral in all facets of launching, growing and maintaining your business in the short and long term. Marketing provides unique insights and direction to develop a product/service, identify/reach your target market, create compelling content, engage/inform customers and establish brand relevance. During this class we will introduce the concepts…
Find out more »WEBINAR Legal Corner: Head Start for 2025. Organize to thrive!
How you start can set up how well the year goes. Success is not from big events. Life is not like the movies. It comes best by steps to get moving, and steps to keep your momentum. These steps are for the days leading up to launching your 2025. Often an hour or less, no cost or no cost, and you don’t need anyone else. Good for any owner or business that wants success by working smarter, not harder. Take what you like and leave the rest. We cover:…
Find out more »WEBINAR HR New Hire Onboarding
New Hire Onboarding teaches you the many various mandatory new hire paperwork requirements and processes to successfully bring a new employee into your business in California. Doing it correctly from the beginning minimizes your risk of unintentional violations of the many State and Federal HR mandates. Instructor: Sara Nicholson (SBDC Advisor) REGISTER NOW
Find out more »IN PERSON EVENT- Orientation: What the SBDC Can Do for You!
This workshop will provide attendees with information about the program requirements and the different services and training offered by the SBDC. The key fundamentals essential for starting and maintaining a successful business will be reviewed. As capital is the life blood of any business, your questions concerning capital and how the SBDC can assist in this effort will be addressed. And as a special bonus, the critical reasons why products/services sell will also be discussed. Attendance is required for existing,…
Find out more »WEBINAR Biz Basics: Lean Business Planning
Lean business planning is not what you think. Not a big formal plan. Not just for startups. Quick and practical tool for managing through a crisis. It’s as quick and easy as a few simple bullet point lists and tables to set down milestones and metrics. Plus powerful tools to manage sales, spending, and cash flow. Make a quick dashboard for getting through a crisis. Join this webinar as Tim Berry, founder of bplans.com and Palo Alto Software, shares the simplicity and ease…
Find out more »IN PERSON EVENT Network & Learn Constant Contact 10 Digital Marketing Tools!
Come network and learn at the Southbay SBDC in Hawthone and Constant Contact. Are you time challenged to use digital media effectively? Learn the 10 digital tools you can start using and how they work together to help you grow your business. Get to know other local business owners while we show you how to use these cost effective tools for your business and answer your questions to apply the tools to your challenge. Seating is limited as this is…
Find out more »WEBINAR Legal Corner: How To Set Up & Register Your Business
This in-depth workshop addresses a multitude of important topics regarding legal entities and other important decisions you will need to make as a business owner. One of the first decisions will include how the company will be structured. Because of this, we will cover the basics of regulatory filings that permit new owners to properly set up entities in California. Our discussion will cover legal formation for startups, including: • LLC’s, S-Corporations, C-Corporations • DBA’s • Business permits • Resale…
Find out more »WEBINAR Wave Accounting for Startups and Service Businesses
Keeping track of your business income and expenses is crucial to the financial health of your company. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be complicated! This webinar will cover how to use Wave, a free online accounting software program to help keep you on track. Wave is designed for small business owners. No jargon, just an easy accounting software for small business that makes sense. This webinar is not for companies with inventory. Instructor: Maureen Thielen (SBDC Advisor) REGISTER NOW
Find out more »WEBINAR Mastering Storytelling for Community Building and Sales: Facebook vs. LinkedIn
Optimize storytelling for community building and sales on two prominent social media platforms: Facebook and LinkedIn. In this user-friendly overview, we’ll explore the unique features of both platforms, compare the benefits of sharing text and image updates, and explore real-life examples of personalities, brands, and companies leveraging these platforms to foster engagement and drive sales. Instructor: Chérmelle Edwards (SBDC Advisor) REGISTER NOW
Find out more »WEBINAR The Basics of Starting a Business
Learn the fundamentals of what it takes to get your business started. We will discuss what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur and the important steps that need to be taken to begin your business. Topics of discussion will include: -What it takes to be an entrepreneur -Legal requirements and different legal types including sole proprietorship (DBA), and LLC and S-Corp, -Building your team of experts, including CPA’s, Atty, Bank, Web and marketing experts and industry mentor -Office…
Find out more »WEBINAR Improve Your Personal Credit for Lending Opportunities
The “Improve Your Personal Credit for Lending Opportunities” workshop is designed to help individuals and business owners understand the factors that affect their credit scores and learn strategies to improve them. Whether you are looking to apply for a personal loan, business loan, or credit line, having a strong credit score can significantly increase your chances of approval and favorable terms. During this workshop, participants will learn about the different credit bureaus and how they calculate credit scores, the common…
Find out more »IN PERSON EVENT E-Smarts: Get More Free Traffic to Your Website with These Simple SEO Techniques
Is your website getting all of the traffic it should be? Is it pulling in leads and sales? If not, your target audience may not be able to find you. Google search drives the majority of traffic on the internet. Learn the basics of search engine optimization (SEO) and start growing your search presence organically, using tried and true methods that are 100% free! You will Learn: The difference between on-site and off-site SEO How to optimize your pages…
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