The LA SBDC Network offers no-cost virtual business workshops for small businesses in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties.
November 2024
WEBINAR Legal Corner: Avoid the Business Killers
Starting your business may not be the toughest challenge you will face…. but the Business Killers might be. The good news….. Many Business Killers are preventable. Learn low & no cost, Legal and Management methods that work! Topics covered: Banking Credit Leases Contracts Cash Flow Bad deals (legal and not) Ownership clashes Tax basics Free resources Accounting principles Regulations Join Attorney Ben Martin who loves helping new and small businesses, survive and thrive. With over 20 years of experience working for SBDCs,…
Find out more »WEBINAR Human Resources: Do’s and Don’ts of Hiring
This training is designed to assist California small business owners create a realistic and compliant strategy to legally hire employees. Instructor: Sara Nicholson (SBDC Advisor) REGISTER NOW
Find out more »WEBINAR Biz Basics: Accounting: The Basics of the Language of Business
Accounting is the system of tracking the income, expenses, assets and liabilities of business. Owners, managers, bankers, investors – use accounting terms and concepts to describe the events that make up the “story”. This workshop will explain the basics of how to make journal entries including debits and credits, the structure of financial statements, important financial ratios, and, more importantly, how to “account” for the transactions in your business. Instructor: Andrew Strachan (SBDC Advisor) REGISTER NOW
Find out more »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 Multichannels: How Social Media, Marketing & Webspace Creation Work Together to Build…
A cross-disciplinary workshop showing the relationship between Marketing, Website Design, and Social Media to build, promote and market a small business. This Multichannel workshop presents three advisors who’ll share their expertise of their field and its application to small businesses as they proceed through the SBDC process. At the end of each advisors presentation there will be a 30 minute Q&A to ask questions across the multichannel. Instructor: Chérmelle Edwards, Debbie Goldfarb and Omari Valentine (SBDC Advisors) REGISTER NOW
Find out more »WEBINAR How to Become a Vendor (Contractor)
One way to increase sales for your business is to become a vendor or contractor to public agencies and private organizations. This workshop will provide a overview of how to decide if contracting is right for you, as well as cover the elements you need to know to begin the pursuit of new contracting opportunities. This workshop will be taught by Michael Williams, a Small Business Advisor with the El Camino College SBDC, proudly offering over 30 years of experience…
Find out more »WEBINAR Business Plan Overview
Building a successful business requires vision, and the coordination of efforts in several areas. The process of starting and running a business can be overwhelming without a good plan. A good solution to understanding all of the moving parts of your business is to write a business plan. In this webinar we will discuss: -The internal and external purposes of a business plan -A review of the types of plans: Traditional, one page, Canvas, Pitch Deck -Writing strategies and tips,…
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 Amplify Your Holiday Marketing Plan—Get A Free Guide!
Are you ready to be a Holiday Marketing Rock Star? Whether you sell products or services to consumers or businesses, join this webinar to maximize your marketing impact in November & December. This Workshop Will Teach You How To: • Use my marketing tips to create and amplify your holiday marketing plan • Maximize the impact of your holiday marketing for your target customer • Bundle and create more effective & more profitable promotions • Tie into national campaigns to…
Find out more »WEBINAR Social Media Solutions: Making Facebook Ads Work For You
This workshop will uncover the mysteries of using Facebook Ads to grow your business. Regardless of your experience in Facebook Ads, this training will teach you how to set up your campaigns for success and get more from your advertising budget. In this workshop you will learn: i. If you’re running your Facebook Ads correctly ii. The 5 pillars of successful Facebook Ads iii. The one thing that may be holding back your Facebook Ads iv. Why a marketing funnel is essential in…
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 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 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 »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 »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 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 »January 2025
WEBINAR Legal Corner: Stop the Madness! Getting Control of Time and Organizing Your Business
Kick off 2025 by organizing your business and working smart by using proven techniques to identify challenges. We’ll discuss methods to relieve and/or eliminate them! Learn how you can have a life and a successful business at the same time. By getting your business organized, you’ll set yourself up for a productive and successful year ahead! 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,…
Find out more »WEBINAR Preparing for a New Year-How to do an HR Audit
This training is designed to assist California small business owners audit their in-house HR files, HR processes, and prepare for a new year, especially with all of the new HR laws that are coming into reality on January 1, 2025. Instructor: Sara Nicholson REGISTER NOW
Find out more »WEBINAR Website E-Smarts Series
1/14/2025 – Website 101 How to Plan Your New Website: This workshop is a starter course for business owners looking to build their first website. We will discuss what makes a good website and look at some things to consider before making an investment in one. We will compare and contrast the various options available in the marketplace for building a website, and cover the basics of search engine optimization, analytics and website security. 1/21/2025 – Website 102 Usability Design Basics…
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 »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 Sales Taxes for your Small Business
This webinar will provide answers to your questions about sales taxes. Do you need to charge sales tax, how much should you be charging your customers, how do you apply for a sellers permit, what is a marketplace facilitator, when and how should you pay the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration your sales tax that is owing, how do you complete a sales tax return?… and more During the webinar, the presenter will show attendees how to prepare…
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 Creating a Public Relations Campaign for Your Business
Publicizing your business is one of the most important steps a small business owner can take. Letting prospective customers/clients know about your business while building relationships with them is essential for growth and stability. In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn the fundamentals of launching a public relations campaign. Attendees will discover the importance of research, planning, identifying their key audiences and developing strategies and tactics. Participants will consider case studies, and be guided step-by-step through the process of creating their own public relations campaign. This is an essential workshop for any small business owner.…
Find out more »WEBINAR E-Smarts: Digital Marketing Automation-Leverage Your Business Growth
This workshop will go over how you can set up an automated Digital Marketing system to grow your business by leverage your time using systems. Regardless of your business, you will learn how to take advantage of automation to beat your competitors and free up your valuable time. In this workshop you will discover: How to find and attract potential customers How to take interested leads and turn them into paying customers How to increase the lifetime value of your customers How…
Find out more »WEBINAR Transition from Handyman to Construction Company Owner!
Ready to Level Up? Join us for an Eye-Opening Presentation! What You’ll Learn: – Transform your skills from handyman to business owner! – Steps to obtain a contractor’s license hassle-free. – Launching your very own Construction business Who Should Attend: – Handymen looking to elevate their careers. – Individuals interested in starting their own Construction company. – Anyone eager to learn the ropes of the trade. Don’t Miss Out! Secure Your Spot Now. Your Journey to Construction Success Begins…
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 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 »WEBINAR Pump Up Your 2025 Marketing Plan—Get My Checklist!
Learn how to market your business more effectively in 2025. This workshop will help you improve your marketing goals and use my marketing checklist to target your market with the right digital marketing tools to get the results you desire. We’ll brainstorm using my checklist to jumpstart your marketing plan to grow your business or organization faster in 2025. This Workshop Will Teach You: • What marketing tools are working in 2025 & what’s not. • How to use my checklist to…
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 »February 2025
WEBINAR Writing a Winning Press Release to Publicize Your Business
You’ve got a hot new product or service that you would like your prospective customers to know about. Or maybe, there has been a problem at your business that is attracting media attention. Whatever, the circumstance, knowing how to prepare a professional press release is a valuable skill for any business owner. In this webinar, we will examine what the media is looking for in a good press release. This a a hands-on workshop where participants will learn the parts of a press release and how to attract the attention of media…
Find out more »WEBINAR Legal Corner: 2025 Resolutions & Smart Business Moves
Like getting paid? Do you want less liability risks? Want to be prepared for 2025’s challenges or threats? Are you determined to make your 2025 goals happen? If this sounds kind of OK to you, join us. Learn contract terms that protect you, get you paid, reduce losses, avoid court, and strengthen your cash flow. Also, covered are steps and tools to make your goals a reality. Smart moves. All are No Cost or Low Cost. Don’t attend this webinar if you rather: Work harder, not…
Find out more »WEBINAR Money Matters: Angel Investment 101 for Start-Ups
Funding and financing your business are extremely important. One of the options that comes up is angel investment. What does angel investment mean? How often does it happen? Is your business a candidate? What steps to take? What do you need? Webinar presenter Tim Berry has been on both sides of this table. He successfully raised investment for his business. And he has been an angel investor for more than a decade. In this webinar, Tim answers key questions…
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: Accounting: The Basics of the Language of Business
Accounting is the system of tracking the income, expenses, assets and liabilities of business. Owners, managers, bankers, investors – use accounting terms and concepts to describe the events that make up the “story”. This workshop will explain the basics of how to make journal entries including debits and credits, the structure of financial statements, important financial ratios, and, more importantly, how to “account” for the transactions in your business. Instructor: Andrew Strachan (SBDC Advisor) REGISTER NOW
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 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 E-Smarts: 20 WordPress Tips & Tricks for Small Businesses
WordPress is by far the most popular content management system. From blogging to eCommerce, it can be a powerful tool for small business website owners to enhance their online presence. In this webinar, we will review some of the key features and benefits of WordPress, how it differs from other platforms, and how you can set yourself up for success. Attend this 2-hour Webinar to discover: How to get started on WordPress Which features set it apart from the pack Must-have…
Find out more »WEBINAR How to Become a Vendor (Contractor)
One way to increase sales for your business is to become a vendor or contractor to public agencies and private organizations. This workshop will provide a overview of how to decide if contracting is right for you, as well as cover the elements you need to know to begin the pursuit of new contracting opportunities. This workshop will be taught by Michael Williams, a Small Business Advisor with the El Camino College SBDC, proudly offering over 30 years of experience…
Find out more »WEBINAR Human Resources-New Rules for the New Year 2025
This critical HR training will guide you through the basics of what HR is and how to prepare your business for employees before you hire them. Learning these steps will help protect your business from unintended risks and provide you valuable California based HR knowledge and best practices. Instructor: Sara Nicholson REGISTER NOW
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 AI for Social Media: An Intro to Best Practices for Integrating AI into Real World Content
This workshop will define the basics of Artificial Intelligence (AI) through the lens of ChatGPT. What is AI? What is ChatGPT? Should ChatGPT be used in your social media strategies? We’ll discuss how to use ChatGPT as a tool to create, visualize and strategize content for social media. Instructor: Chérmelle Edwards (SBDC Advisor) REGISTER NOW
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 »WEBINAR E-Smarts: Dominating Your Local Market Online
This workshop will go over methods and strategies to leverage online marketing and social media to dominate your local market. If you’re looking for ways to attract new customers then this training will show you how to avoid common pitfalls and get ahead of your competition. In this workshop you will discover: i. The 4 areas of Digital Marketing that are essential to a successful business ii. Why the way people perceive you online makes all the difference iii. The proper way to…
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 »March 2025
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 Creating a Media List and Contacting the Media
A customized media list is a must-have resource for successful business owners. In any given year, there are typically several opportunities to contact the media with the goal of getting positive coverage for your product or service. Compiling your own media list requires an investment in time and effort–but the results are well worth the hard work. There are also paid services, and in this workshop, participants will learn where to find them and how to determine which best suits your…
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 Legal Corner: Leases and Landlords. Avoid the overkill
Learn tools & tips on leasing a business space. Avoid being overwhelmed by the lease itself, the landlord who wants you to sign it, and the legalese lawyers put into the lease. There are both great and terrible landlords out there.Your challenges are that landlords are using the same basic “tools” in leases written by their lawyers to favor the landlord…… Instructor: Ben Martin (SBDC Advisor) and Attorney who loves helping new and small businesses, survive and thrive. With over 20 years of experience…
Find out more »WEBINAR Business Plan Overview
Building a successful business requires vision, and the coordination of efforts in several areas. The process of starting and running a business can be overwhelming without a good plan. A good solution to understanding all of the moving parts of your business is to write a business plan. In this webinar we will discuss: -The internal and external purposes of a business plan -A review of the types of plans: Traditional, one page, Canvas, Pitch Deck -Writing strategies and tips,…
Find out more »WEBINAR Money Matters: Angel Investment 101 for Start-Ups
Funding and financing your business are extremely important. One of the options that comes up is angel investment. What does angel investment mean? How often does it happen? Is your business a candidate? What steps to take? What do you need? Webinar presenter Tim Berry has been on both sides of this table. He successfully raised investment for his business. And he has been an angel investor for more than a decade. In this webinar, Tim answers key questions…
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) has…
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 CROWDFUNDING SERIES: The Newest Way For Startups and Entrepreneurs to Raise Capital
In the past, when someone wanted to fund something — be it a project, a company, or anything that required capital to start — there were a few ways to raise money. They could take on debt from a loan. They could raise money from friends, family members, and angel or VC investors. They could even take the “bootstrapping” route and scrounge up as much money as possible to fund the project themselves. In the late 2000s, a fourth option…
Find out more »WEBINAR Legal Corner: 20 Free Tips to Avoid 2O Scary Legal Problems
“You can pay now or you can pay more later.” Instead, use these tips to avoid having to pay!!! We’ll walk you through over 20 plus solutions for 20 situations that can lead to “Legal” issues in your business. We’ll cover from before you open, through Start up, and into the future. Plus, you can ask about hypothetical situations you are concerned about. Instructor: Ben Martin (SBDC Advisor) and Attorney who loves helping new and small businesses, survive and thrive. With over 20 years of experience working…
Find out more »WEBINAR Human Resources Basics and Preparing your Business for Employees
This critical HR training will guide you through the basics of what HR is and how to prepare your business for employees before you hire them. Learning these steps will help protect your business from unintended risks and provide you valuable California based HR knowledge and best practices. Instructor: Sara Nicholson (SBDC Advisor) brings over 25 years of HR experience, helping small business owners find solutions to their human resources needs. She has worked across Southern California and Mexico, guiding…
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 Crisis Management for Small Business
As the unprecedented events in Los Angeles in 2025 have shown us, crises can happen at any time. Although there are situations that are totally beyond the control of a small business owner, being prepared with a plan of action can go a long way in mitigating the financial and reputational damage that can occur when the unimaginable happens. This webinar offers a step-by-step guide to identifying potential crises, deciding in advance what to do if and when a crisis does occur…
Find out more »WEBINAR How to Increase Profitability
Do you know what to do to increase the profitability of your business? In this workshop, learn the 5 ways to improve profitability. Learn how to review your company’s financials and compare your business performance with industry competitors. In conjunction with your advisor, you will be able to access reports customized for your business that shows where you are excelling and where improvement is needed. You will also see how to quickly and easily create an online pitch or business…
Find out more »WEBINAR Transition from Handyman to Construction Company Owner!
Ready to Level Up Your Career? Join Us for a Free, Informative Presentation! What You’ll Learn: – Transform your skills from handyman to business owner! – Steps to obtain a contractor’s license hassle-free. – Launching your very own Construction business Who Should Attend: – Handymen looking to elevate their careers. – Individuals interested in starting their own Construction company. – People eager to learn the basics of the trade and business. Don’t miss out on this valuable opportunity! Your Journey…
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: 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 »WEBINAR Content Marketing That Grows Your Business-Emails, Blogs & Shares
Is Your Content Marketing Growing Your Business? With AI integrated with search and cookie control changes, your content can make a big difference for your marketing results. Content marketing is ruled by keywords, SEO and your ability to provide content that your audience values and shares. Learn how to identify and find content that encourages engagement and delivers your target market to your website, landing page or physical location. See how to encourage your target audience to share and refer your…
Find out more »WEBINAR Social Media Solutions: Making Facebook Ads Work For You
This workshop will uncover the mysteries of using Facebook Ads to grow your business. Regardless of your experience in Facebook Ads, this training will teach you how to set up your campaigns for success and get more from your advertising budget. In this workshop you will learn: i. If you’re running your Facebook Ads correctly ii. The 5 pillars of successful Facebook Ads iii. The one thing that may be holding back your Facebook Ads iv. Why a marketing funnel is essential in…
Find out more »WEBINAR Social Media: How to Tell Your Story, How to Sell Your Brand
This workshop is to help businesses with existing social media platforms to take their business to a higher level. This workshop will answer: What is Social Media storytelling. What is the difference between building a business and selling a brand? You will learn key ways to tell a story without overselling your audience. We will discuss examples of current brands and businesses who are leveraging specific platforms to ‘sell’. You will leave the webinar with an understanding of how to communicate…
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 »WEBINAR HR What Every Employer Needs to Know About Workplace Safety
Every employer in California is required to create and carry out an effective program to meet the requirements of Cal/OSHA’s Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) regulation. What to Expect: The training that we will provide reviews the basics of the IIPP, the newer Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP) and Indoor Heat Illness, existing Safety Data Sheets and CA nonemergency COVID-19 Prevention Procedures. We will explore the minimum requirements for all employees and provide resources directly from the State that…
Find out more »April 2025
WEBINAR Using Video to Promote Your Small Business
What are some smart ways to use video and other images to increase your chances of selling your goods or services? What are some best practices for video production and on-camera presentation? Is video already part of your public relations plan? Want to learn more? Join us for this information-packed webinar, and find out how you can promote your business and establish yourself as a tough leader through the use of video. Instructor: Saida Pagan (SBDC Advisor) and media trainer, communication…
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- Legal Corner: Protecting Your New Idea From Day One to the Day the Money Comes
Losing ownership or control of your potential money making idea can start on the very first day. Yes…. Really! On day one. You need a low or no cost system. Learn how to protect what you created or developed with tools and methods that you can use again and again. Instructor: Ben Martin (SBDC Advisor) and Attorney 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…
Find out more »WEBINAR Human Resources: Basics and Preparing your Business for Employees
This critical HR training will guide you through the basics of what HR is and how to prepare your business for employees before you hire them. Learning these steps will help protect your business from unintended risks and provide you valuable California based HR knowledge and best practices. Instructor: Sara Nicholson (SBDC Advisor) brings over 25 years of HR experience, helping small business owners find solutions to their human resources needs. She has worked across Southern California and Mexico, guiding business…
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 Money Matters: Angel Investment 101 for Start-Ups
Funding and financing your business are extremely important. One of the options that comes up is angel investment. What does angel investment mean? How often does it happen? Is your business a candidate? What steps to take? What do you need? Webinar presenter Tim Berry has been on both sides of this table. He successfully raised investment for his business. And he has been an angel investor for more than a decade. In this webinar, Tim answers key questions…
Find out more »WEBINAR Biz Basics: How to Estimate Startup Costs & Cash Flow
How much will it cost to start your business? What are the different categories of costs I need to be concerned about? Financial preparation is key so that you can plan ahead in starting your new venture. Topics include: Steps needed to calculate start-up expenses Calculating the first 90 days projected monthly costs Ongoing expenses Conducting a margin analysis and a break-even analysis Initial cash flow projection will be reviewed and presented in this hands-on session. Instructor: Andrew Strachan (SBDC…
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 Legal Corner: Owners and Managers, Here Are Your Tools! All of them free.
Start today. Decide and start setting up tools you will use to manage your business every day. This includes taking you through the setup of Google tools like: Gmail, Gmail Extensions, Google Calendar, Google Scheduler, Drive, Voice and Google Meet. We’ll test drive a free project & task manager. Plus we’ll work with 2 famous personal effectiveness methods: “Eisenhower Matrix” & “Getting Things Done”. PLEASE NOTE: Access to a computer or laptop is highly suggested for this class. Instructor: Ben Martin (SBDC Advisor) and Attorney who…
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 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 Sales Taxes for your Small Business
This webinar will provide answers to your questions about sales taxes. Do you need to charge sales tax, how much should you be charging your customers, how do you apply for a sellers permit, what is a marketplace facilitator, when and how should you pay the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration your sales tax that is owing, how do you complete a sales tax return?… and more During the webinar, the presenter will show attendees how to prepare…
Find out more »WEBINAR Legal Corner: Insurance Explained for Small Businesses
What you need to know about Insurance for your small business. Every business has certain risks related to its operation. To protect your business and personal assets, insurance coverage is critical. You will learn about the myriad types of insurance, the rationale for procuring the various insurance types and come away with an understanding of how various types apply to your business. Specific Learning Objectives: Why Small Businesses Need Insurance? Exactly What Kinds of Coverage Are Available? What insurance is needed for…
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 How to Become a Vendor (Contractor)
One way to increase sales for your business is to become a vendor or contractor to public agencies and private organizations. This workshop will provide an overview of how to decide if contracting is right for you, as well as cover the elements you need to know to begin the pursuit of new contracting opportunities. This workshop will be taught by Michael Williams, a Small Business Advisor with the El Camino College SBDC, proudly offering over 30 years of experience…
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: 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 »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 »WEBINAR E-Smarts: Digital Marketing Automation-Leverage Your Business Growth
This workshop will go over how you can set up an automated Digital Marketing system to grow your business by leverage your time using systems. Regardless of your business, you will learn how to take advantage of automation to beat your competitors and free up your valuable time. In this workshop you will discover: How to find and attract potential customers How to take interested leads and turn them into paying customers How to increase the lifetime value of your customers How…
Find out more »WEBINAR How Social Media, Marketing & Webspace Creation Work Together to Build Brand & Promote Sales
A cross-disciplinary workshop showing the relationship between Marketing, Website Design, and Social Media to build, promote and market a small business. This Multichannel workshop presents three advisors who’ll share their expertise of their field and its application to small businesses as they proceed through the SBDC process. At the end of each advisors presentation there will be a 30 minute Q&A to ask questions across the multichannel. Instructor: Chérmelle Edwards, Debbie Goldfarb and Omari Valentine (SBDC Advisors) REGISTER NOW
Find out more »WEBINAR HR Do’s and Don’ts of Hiring
This training is designed to assist California small business owners create a realistic and compliant strategy to legally hire employees. Instructor: Sara Nicholson (SBDC Advisor) who brings over 25 years of HR experience, helping small business owners find solutions to their human resources needs. She has worked across Southern California and Mexico, guiding business owners with a focus on education, organization, and fairness. REGISTER NOW
Find out more »WEBINAR Crisis Communication for Small Business
When a crisis happens, one of the last things a business owner should have to worry about is how to communicate with clients and other important stakeholders. This webinar will present participants with the tools they will need to put together a communication plan for both internal and external audiences and publics. Rich with details and practical advice, this workshop will provide the type of knowledge business owners require to get ahead of media stories and quell rumors before they…
Find out more »WEBINAR Recession Proof Your Business-Marketing Tips to Thrive!
It’s a good idea to safeguard your business with an eye on a potential downturn in the economy. In fact, many companies have grown their businesses using techniques that focus on securing past customers retention and finding growth in a changing environment. Join our webinar to learn these strategies to grow your business in good and challenging times. Attendees Of This Webinar Will Learn: • What to expect about marketing during a recession or industry downturn. • Customer retention marketing tools, tips…
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