The LA SBDC Network offers no-cost virtual business workshops for small businesses in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties.
February 2024
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 »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 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 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 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 Biz Basics: How to go from Handyman to Construction
Join us for this insightful presentation to learn how you can go from Handyman to starting a Construction company. Upon completion of this course, participants will discover how to obtain a contractor’s license and start a Construction business. Presented by our advisor, Michael Williams who has 30 years of experience helping people pass the CSLB exam. Topics we will cover: Business Organization Business Finances Employment Requirements Bonds, Insurance and Liens Contract Requirements and Execution Licensing Requirements Safety Public Works Instructor: Michael…
Find out more »March 2024
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 Personal 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 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 E-Smarts: How to Use Technology to Adapt Your Business and Reach New Customers
As consumers get younger & more tech-savvy, businesses need to pivot to find and appeal to new customers. We will investigate the strategies used by successful companies, and look at the various areas that you can adapt your business in the Digital age. Keeping up with the times is vitally important to keep your edge in a competitive marketplace. You will learn how to use technology to: Find new customers Improve your customer communications Get more leads and sales Integrate…
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 Drip Marketing Campaigns-Automate & Maximize Your Lists!
It’s time to market smarter by targeting customers using drip marketing campaigns to maximize your impact and identify your next best customer. Learn how to automate your follow-up and bring more customers to your website, shopping cart or donation page. Get my 10 Tips to segment your marketing lists, use landing pages and customize content for easy marketing automation. We’ll target your emails and landing pages, tag key list properties and provide social media tools and post tips to deliver…
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 CROWDFUNDING SERIES: The Newest Way For Startups & 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 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 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 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 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 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 CROWDFUNDING SERIES: The Newest Way For Startups & 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 CROWDFUNDING SERIES: The Newest Way For Startups & 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: How to Make Your Contract Choices
Learn what choices you can have in contracts for your business. When we go to a restaurant…. they have menus to let us know what is possible for us to order. You pick your item…they ask “how would you like that” cooked? or seasoned? or a special version? Learn what is available to ask for in contracts and tips about “how would you like that” to benefit your business. Contracts in business are like hamburgers at In & Out Burger. Know what you want… you…
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 CROWDFUNDING SERIES: The Newest Way For Startups & 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 CROWDFUNDING SERIES: The Newest Way For Startups & 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 »April 2024
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 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…
Find out more »WEBINAR Sales Taxes for your 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 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 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 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 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 Human Resources: 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 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 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 though leader through the use of video. Instructor: Saida Pagan REGISTER NOW
Find out more »WEBINAR Social Media Sells-Facebook Ads, Instagram, Pinterest & More
Social Media Marketing sells products, services and helps your business while also enhancing your brand and PR. The key is to combine organic posts, social selling and paid advertising that targets past customers and prospects similar to them. Find out the demographics of popular social media platforms for selling along with the latest strategy to achieve your marketing goals. Let’s strategize to achieve your marketing goals for your business. Did you know that sales teams that use social selling achieve higher…
Find out more »WEBINAR Legal Corner: How To Set Up & Register Your Business
This in-depth webinar 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 •…
Find out more »WEBINAR E-Commerce Series: How to Sell Online
How to Sell Online – Part 1 4/18/2024 Selling things online in many ways mirrors selling in person. Learning the basics of eCommerce can help you make right decisions while setting up your own online store. In the first webinar of the series, we will discuss the options faced by new store owners and how to choose the right fit for your business goals. We will look at the initial steps needed to launch a store and put yourself in…
Find out more »WEBINAR Legal Corner: Community Property Impacts on Your Small Business
Even if you’re not married, you better know the answers: Which spouse has the right to run the business? Is it OK to hide business finances from your spouse? Do you need both spouses to sign a contract? Can you lose business ownership if you get married? Who owns the business if a spouse dies? Will unfaithful spouses lose their business ownership? Do you need a Prenuptial or Postnuptial agreement? Couples together 7 years — are they married by law? Join…
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 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 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: 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 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 »May 2024
WEBINAR Human Resources: 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 came into reality on 1/1/2024. Instructor: Sara Nicholson REGISTER NOW
Find out more »WEBINAR Producing, Performing and Posting a Business Vlog
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 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 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 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…
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 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 Instagram vs. TikTok: Crafting Engaging Stories for Community Building and Sales
In the dynamic landscape of social media, platforms like Instagram and TikTok stand out as leaders in storytelling. Both offer unique features catering to diverse audiences, making them powerful tools for community building and driving sales. Let’s delve into the strengths of each platform and explore examples of effective storytelling. 1. Understanding Instagram and TikTok: – Instagram: A visual-centric platform where users share photos and videos through feeds, stories, and IGTV. – TikTok: A short-form video platform known for…
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 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 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 Marketing Trends & Best Practices
The past three years have been chaotic and unforgiving to brands that didn’t or were unable to adapt to drastic changes in the way they do business. And, although we’re past COVID and its immediate impact we are still dealing with uncertain economic times, disrupted supply chains and labor shortages. Despite all of this—businesses have survived, and many have thrived among this challenging environment. Join Debbie Goldfarb and Larry Johnson from the SBDC to learn more about the key economic and marketing trends/challenges…
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 Legal Corner: Leases, Landlords and Lawyers…Avoid the Overkill!!!
Learn how to overcome the most one-sided contract you may deal with. Since Covid, many Landlords are more aggressive and unrealistic. Leases give landlords much more power than they need or know how to use safely. Landlords using these powers can ruin your small business! And can have little or no benefits for the landlords!! Protect your business from lease problems and the increasingly used contracts that look like leases…. but aren’t really leases. Join Attorney Ben Martin who loves helping new and small businesses,…
Find out more »June 2024
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) 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 E-Commerce Series: How to Sell Online
How to Sell Online – Part 1 6/6/2024 Selling things online in many ways mirrors selling in person. Learning the basics of eCommerce can help you make right decisions while setting up your own online store. In the first webinar of the series, we will discuss the options faced by new store owners and how to choose the right fit for your business goals. We will look at the initial steps needed to launch a store and put yourself in…
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 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 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 Using SMS Text Marketing to Grow Your Business!
Are you using SMS (Text) Marketing to Grow Your Business? Today’s consumers rely on their smart phones and many prefer getting information through Text Marketing. However there are rules and best practices that can help you create successful text marketing campaigns and entice your contacts to subscribe. Attend this webinar to learn how to set up and execute SMS Text Marketing campaigns that keep your contacts subscribed and interacting with your company. Learn how to achieve your marketing goals by effectively adding…
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 Legal Tips & Tricks for Service Businesses
This workshop is for service businesses that want to maximize safety and profitability. We will go over: Scopes of Work and other add-ons to contracts Non-competes, NDAs, and other protective agreements Contract terms that are to your advantage How the laws changed being an independent contract Intellectual property ownership guidance Policies that make your business more efficient and better protected Choices of legal structure How to design your business Your web presence and marketing laws Join Attorney Ben Martin who loves helping new and…
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 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 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 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 REGISTER NOW
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 »July 2024
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…
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 REGISTER NOW
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…
Find out more »WEBINAR Social Media 101-The Basics, What, When, Where and Why
Discover the basics of getting ‘on’ social media. In this workshop we’ll briefly cover main social platforms – what are they and how to use them. We’ll discuss key terminology, cover how-to’s (ie.e how to post, share stories, upload a video, write captions and create hashtags.) We’ll cover best practices including how to use apps as a search engine, how to follow, share, comment and engage organically to build followers and community. Instructor: Chérmelle Edwards (SBDC Advisor) 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 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 Win The Inbox Battle—Email Marketing 2024 Latest Action
Are your Email Marketing efforts paying off? Are your contacts engaging & converting? Learn proven strategies to help your messages rise above a noisy inbox. Email open rates have changed. 2024 email marketers can use the latest action tools to motivate opens & engagement. Liz reveals her top 2024 tips to achieve better results. Save time & get better results using tools like: AI, CRM, integrated apps, landing pages, SMS & so much more! This Workshop Will Teach You…
Find out more »WEBINAR Legal Corner: IP – Intellectual Property Protection and Ownership of your “Big Idea”
What are the ways you can own a valuable idea? How to prevent someone from stealing your IP. No Cost, Tips and Tricks you can use today. Avoid the major mistakes people make when creating, collaborating, or marketing your IP. How to use someone else’s ideas…. legally. 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.…
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 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 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 E-Smarts: Google Analytics 4 For Beginners
As Google has announced discontinuing data collection for Universal Analytics, it’s crucial to begin making the switch to for Google Analytics 4. We will walk through how to set up a new GA4 property and how to switch over from UA. We will go over each of the main features of GA4 and discuss which features are the most valuable for small businesses to tap into. Attend this 2-hour webinar to discover: What is GA4 and how it is different…
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 »