The LA SBDC Network offers no-cost virtual business workshops for small businesses in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties.
Events Search and Views Navigation
February 2024
Grow With Google: Build Your Professional Brand
Having a strong professional brand and a well-thought-out career story can open many opportunities for you, especially when it comes to pursuing your next job. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to position your career story in a compelling way, improve your online presence, and build a solid network. Plus, you’ll learn how to answer the common interview question “tell me about yourself” to make a strong first impression in your interviews. REGISTER NOW
Find out more »Webinar – Acquire or Retain? Mastering Customer Strategies in E-commerce
In the dynamic e-commerce landscape, knowing whether to focus on customer acquisition or retention can be a game-changer. Join us to uncover the strategies that will fuel your growth and when to apply them for maximum impact. REGISTER NOW
Find out more »Restaurant Academy: Menu Money: Maximizing Your Profits With Square
Why think about menu costing? It’s the one factor you have control over in an ever-changing economic environment! Learn the basics necessary to stay on top of how much money is spent/earned on your items to maximize profitability. REGISTER NOW
Find out more »Financial Fitness: Balance Sheet
The Balance Sheet is known as the “mother of all financial statements”. It provides a summary of the company’s position during a specific timeframe. It is broken down into three major categories and tracks what is known as the company’s assets, liabilities and owners’ equities. REGISTER NOW
Find out more »Financial Fitness: Smart Credit Strategies for Entrepreneurs
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 »Webinar: Improving Employee Retention, Recruitment and Culture
As employers nationwide continue to struggle to find quality employees, employers must focus on their current staff and company culture to attract the best candidates for new available positions. This webinar will touch on ways to improve your current staff morale, offer tips for recruiting the best available candidates, and focus on your overall company culture. Presented by Kevin McVearry, a business advisor for the SBDC since 2012, with over 25 years of experience recruiting, training, and retaining employees in…
Find out more »Webinar – WBE(Women Business Enterprise)/MBE(Minority Business Enterprise) Certifications
For those interested in expanding their private sector revenues, the WBE and MBE certifications will allow you to do business with major companies under their supplier diversity programs. A step by step guide on what to expect in completing the application, as well as which documents will be required to submit. REGISTER NOW
Find out more »Webinar – I Filed the Articles, Now What? “Next Steps” for Running a Corporation – Part 1
This two-part webinar will teach the “next steps” involved in starting up and running a corporation, such as filing the Statement of Information; appointing the initial board of directors/officers; issuing shares and creating share purchase agreements; the role, duties and liability of directors/officers; preparing and following bylaws; meetings and minutes; selling/transferring shares; California corporation statutes to be aware of; “Piercing the Corporate Veil” and other acts creating shareholder personal liability; and dissolving the corporation. REGISTER NOW
Find out more »Proof of Concept
After months of searching, you have finally come up with a great new business idea. You are confident that your idea will be a game changer. You just know that this idea will provide the financial freedom that you have always dreamed of. However, BEFORE you take YOUR leap of faith, SLOW DOWN! Take a deep breath and ask yourself this one BIG question, ‘What research do I need BEFORE I start my business that will give me a clear…
Find out more »Business Plan Essentials: How to Write Your Business Plan
This workshop to help your businesses develop your business plan. You will review the purpose and benefits of a business plan, key components of the plan, and resources to help with research, business plan formats, and putting it all together. Plus get ready for homework, as you will review key components of your plan with the instructor or your advisor in a couple of weeks after the workshop. REGISTER NOW
Find out more »Business Profit Projections
Business Projections 101 If you are looking to make a profit in your business this webinar is for you! We know that numbers can be scary but with the right help it can be the new best friend of your business. Join us as we take an honest look at what needs must be met to start, grow and keep you in the green. The only thing that can make you cents is MONEY! Let us help! REGISTER NOW
Find out more »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 – Explore Starting Your Home Based Business
This informational Webinar, will give you a good overview of what it takes to Start Your Own Home-Based Business. Having this knowledge will nurture your dream of being self-employed and doing what you want to do in life. From selecting a business and getting it registered to how to balance your home life with our work life, this introduction will help you move forward towards entrepreneurship! REGISTER NOW
Find out more »Webinar – Fundamentals of Food Businesses
Fundamentals of Food Businesses gives an overview on the various food business models. From Cottage Food Law (which allows preparing approved foods at home) to full-service restaurants and everything in between. This webinar will allow attendees to explore their ideas and think about different business models for their food business dream, and show steps to each with easily explained phases. Presented by Kevin McVearry, Business Advisor with the SBDC since 2012, with over 25 years of experience opening and operating…
Find out more »Unleashing the Power of AI for Enhanced Online Branding& Marketing
Are you looking to take your online branding, website, and marketing efforts to new heights? But you find the following hindering your online presence? 1. Limited Resources: Limited budget and manpower, struggling to compete. 2. Time Constraints: Joggling multiple hats and various responsibilities. 3. Lack of Technical Expertise: Lack of in-depth knowledge of AI, making you feel overwhelmed. 4. Standing Out in a Crowded Market: You are challenged differentiating yourself from competitors. In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, we understand the challenges you face.…
Find out more »Commercial Leasing Checklist For Businesses
Commercial Lease checklist will point out provisions to which a prospective small business tenant should pay particular attention. The terms lessor and landlord will be used interchangeably. Commercial leases come in many sizes and shapes, from the three- or four-page mom and pop simple lease to the 40 to 50-page complicated lease with multiple addendum and attachments that are usually attendant to high rises, malls, or popular upscale areas. The small business owner will frequently be presented with a form lease…
Find out more »Webinar – DBE(Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) Certification
This webinar will give you a detailed overview of the DBE application as well as the required documents Department of Transportation(DOT) will request. Be aware of the additional benefit that 25% of all DOT contracts must go to DBE certified companies. Join us and learn how to apply. REGISTER NOW
Find out more »Webinar – I Filed the Articles, Now What? “Next Steps” for Running a Corporation – Part 2
This two-part webinar will teach the “next steps” involved in starting up and running a corporation, such as filing the Statement of Information; appointing the initial board of directors/officers; issuing shares and creating share purchase agreements; the role, duties and liability of directors/officers; preparing and following bylaws; meetings and minutes; selling/transferring shares; California corporation statutes to be aware of; “Piercing the Corporate Veil” and other acts creating shareholder personal liability; and dissolving the corporation. REGISTER NOW
Find out more »WEBINAR Legal Corner: Stop the Madness – Getting Control of Time and Organizing Your Business
Start off 2024 by getting your business organized and working smart by using proven techniques to identify challenges. We will discuss methods to relieve and/or eliminate them! Learn how you can have a life and a successful business at the same time. Join Attorney Ben Martin who loves helping new and small businesses, survive and thrive. With over 20 years of experience working for SBDCs, Non-profit Entrepreneurship Programs, and Pro Bono service to people wanting to build their futures. Ben has…
Find out more »Financial Fitness: Smart Credit Strategies for Entrepreneurs
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 »WEBINAR Taking Charge of Your Career through Franchise & Business Ownership
Are you looking to get into business ownership but don’t know where to start? Discover what type of business could leverage your professional acumen and have a team to support you build a successful company. During our webinar learn what type of businesses excelled through Covid and are Recession Resistant. Additional topics we will be covering: Buying into a Franchise & Running your New Business The Surprisingly low upfront cost The different types of Franchise Models Whether franchising is a…
Find out more »Financial Fitness: Ratios
Stand Alone Metrics are Meaningless. Learn which Ratios may be applicable to your business. Financial ratios paint a picture of your business’s liquidity, cash flow, debt, and profitability. The key is to know which ratios are relevant to your business and where to pull the information from. While these figures allow owners to better manage their business, creditors also use them to determine financial stability and access to capital. REGISTER NOW
Find out more »Webinar – AI Content for Websites & Marketing
Artificial Intelligence is here, and likely will be for a while. There is a lot more to learn before incorporating AI generated content into your business website and/or marketing. SBDC Digital Marketing Consultant, Darren Elliott, will provide tips on when you may want to use AI as a tool. Being aware of potential risks when using AI is another area that will be explored. REGISTER NOW
Find out more »Webinar – Introduction to the Corporate Transparency Act
As a business owner, you may have heard about the Corporate Transparency Act. Effective 1/1/24, all LLCs and Corporations must file beneficial ownership information reports with the Federal Financial Crimes Network. Failure to comply may result in severe penalties starting at $500 per day. Join us for an introduction to the Corporate Transparency Act to help increase your awareness and move forward with compliance. REGISTER NOW
Find out more »Webinar – 2024’s Best Email Platforms: Find Your E-commerce Match
Email marketing remains a powerhouse for e-commerce. But with so many platforms out there, which one is right for you? We’ll guide you through the top email marketing platforms of 2024, helping you pick the perfect partner for your business. REGISTER NOW
Find out more »
