Affordable Small Business Events Near You: February 15 through 28
by Chris Martinez | Feb 15, 2019 | Finance, Leadership, Management, Networking, Resources, Sales & Marketing
This is your bi-weekly calendar for in-person events in California and virtual events you can join from anywhere. Here are the best upcoming events from February 15 through 28.
Here are the best upcoming events from February 15 through 28.
Women Mentoring Women
Location: 1470 Fruitvale Ave. Oakland, CA 94601 (map it)
Contact: Iveeth Valerio | ivalerio@anewamerica.org | (510) 532-5240
Organization: AnewAmerica Community Corporation
Join the conversation: Women Mentoring Women Business Start-Up with Laura R. Gardea at AnewAmerica Community Corporation.
For questions or to register please call (510) 532-5240.
Legal Essentials for Doing Business Online
Date: February 20, 2019 | 12:00 pm PDT – 1:00 pm PDT
Location: 455 Market St. #600 San Francisco, CA 94105 (map it)
Contact: mauna@startsmallthinkbig.org | (415) 966-2187
Organization: Start Small Think Big
Join attorneys from Cooley LLP for a conversation on the legal basis in operating a business online.
Website Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies, including whether and when you need to use them, what you should include, and what they mean
Copyright infringement issues when adding textual and photographic content to your business website and how to avoid problems
Social media intersection with business and law, including website comments sections and employee privacy
Intellectual Property: Protecting Your Ideas, Brands, Designs
Location: 275 5th St. San Francisco, CA 94103 (map it)
Contact: Erin Morris | emorris@rencenter.org | (415) 348-6227
You may have the right to protect your unique business name, ideas, or creations from being tarnished or knocked off by a competitor, but how do you do that affordably on a tight budget?
This workshop is an introduction to different types of intellectual property (focused primarily on copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets), and will provide you with self-help resource information to start building a simple but solid foundation of protection through rights searches, NDA's, registrations, licenses and other tools.
Effective Digital Marketing: Plan, Push, & Promote
Date: Starts February 19, 2019 | 6:00 pm PDT – 9:00 pm PDT
Location: Gardena Valley JCI—2nd Floor
1964 W. 162nd St. Gardena, CA 90247 (map it)
Contact: Mariko Lochridge | MarikoLochridge@ltsc.org | (213) 473-1658
Organization: Asian Pacific Islander Small Business Program
Join APISBP for this free 8-part workshop series for entrepreneurs and social media managers and receive hands-on training to start, improve, and build their digital marketing campaigns.
Learn how to create an effective Kickstarter campaign and make your goal or launch a brand on Instagram and create effective digital footprints, and more!
Classes meet weekly on Tuesdays starting February 19th through April 2nd at the Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute.
Drive New Business with Social Media
From understanding the different social media platforms, to choosing what to say and where to say it, this workshop will give you the keys to the most effective social media marketing for you.
Let instructor Joan Stanford of Jazzy Pen make social media easy so you can capture likes, shares, and customers!
Understanding Legal Structures
Location: BusinessSource Center North Valley
13420 Van Nuys Blvd. Ste. 121 Pacoima, CA 91331 (map it)
This class will help you learn about the different business structures and the required licenses and permits your business may need.
Corporations & LLC's
DBA Definition
Turning Your Passion Into A Business On Etsy
Contact: Sarah Espinosa | sespinos@uncfsu.edu | (910) 672-2683
Organization: Fayetteville State University Veterans Business Outreach Center
Etsy is a rapidly growing online marketplace for selling handmade goods, vintage items, and craft supplies. With more than 54 million members, there's no better place to launch your own creative small business. In fact, sellers took home over 34 billion in sales in 2017 alone.
Attend this class to learn how to sell your artwork, jewelry, crafts, and vintage items.
How-to topics include:
Grow your brand and reach new customers with SEO tools
Register and start selling on Etsy
Share the story of your craft in your profile, item photos, and shop banner
Escape the 9-5 grind and focus on your passion
Understand the basics of your small business strategy with an in-depth look at Etsy's tools to help you succeed online
Build & Protect Your Business Credit Score Webinar
Contact: atu@asbtdc.org | (479) 356-2067
Organization: Arkansas Tech University Small Business and Technology Development Center
Like individuals, businesses have their own credit scores. However, the way they are reported and your ability to freeze them is quite different. Strong business credit can open up opportunities to grow your business, including attractive financing options. You need to be proactive to build and protect your commercial credit ratings.
Join credit expert Gerri Detweiler, education director for Nav, on this free webinar as she explains how to build, leverage and protect your business credit.
The different credit bureaus compile these reports and how they are used
Business credit scores and the factors that help build strong scores
Key ways business credit is different from personal
Quick steps you can take now to build business credit
Free ways to monitor your business credit
Your 2019 Marketing Tune-Up: Save Time and Money with Inquiry
Are you ready to really rock your marketing in 2019? Join this interactive webinar to gain clarity and next steps for your 2019 marketing visions and plans.
Before spending time or money on marketing strategies, get clear on who you serve, your industry resources, and potential collaborators. You'll learn how to do your due diligence before spending a dime on efforts that don't work.
Small business owners can learn the basics behind great marketing to engage and attract clients all year long. Join us to gain new skills in creating content, designing posts, developing marketing collateral, and updating your website.
Lending Club Success Story: Newport Health Services – Jim Parrott
by Chris Martinez | Dec 20, 2018 | Finance, Leadership, Management, Resources, Success Story
After 30 years in the medical consulting field, Jim started a new business in addiction recovery services. He built Newport Health Services into a successful sober living program in Southern California. When he needed a small business loan to establish his company's first sober living home, Opportunity Fund and Lending Club were there to help.
Our customers inspire us every day, and we want to regularly share those stories to inspire you, too.
Supportive Solutions for Recovery
Jim Parrott started Newport Health Services and Axiom Recovery in 2016. After three decades in medical practice management and consulting, he saw a need to connect recovering addicts to services that help them transition from prison to the final stages of recovery.
Newport Health Services began from Jim's experience with addiction in his own family. Inspired by his son's journey through incarceration and addiction recovery, Jim began his work with two business partners, also in recovery and have managed similar sober living connection programs.
"In California there's a shortage of sober living beds, anywhere from 10,000 to 15,000 across the state," Jim said. "In 2017, we had room for 20 beds and filled all of them within 10 days."
Newport Health Services works with everyone central to the client's life post-prison: probation officers, court appointed attorneys, rehabilitation centers, and families to locate and gain admittance to local rehabilitation facilities best suited to help them with recovery. Newport Health Services provides no cost help to clients and their families.
"Our first year, we helped about 200 inmates primarily in the two large jails in Orange County," Jim said.
The company established its first sober living facility under the Axiom Recovery name thanks to a small business loan from Opportunity Fund. He came to us through our partnership with Lending Club. The $21,000 loan helped establish the four unit apartment complex in Huntington Beach.
Helping Small Businesses Create Change in the Community
The working capital provided everything they needed to make the space livable. Jim and his staff took an unfurnished building and turned it into a safe place for clients to recover. The team opened a second sober living home also in Huntington Beach with space for up to 10 people, then opened a new detox center in the same town with space for six residents in March.
Newport Health Services provides addiction recovery support in safe, homey environment (photo courtesy of Michael Microulis)
With 30 years of experience as an entrepreneur with several successful enterprises under his belt, Jim knows what to look for in a small business lender. "I felt Opportunity Fund was interested in helping small businesses succeed rather than making a high interest loan and walking away," he said. "Other lenders I talked to tried too hard to sell me a product that was too expensive and didn't fit what we needed."
Our business loan advisor Rexie Dumagan helped Jim get the money he needed quickly to close on the apartment unit he wanted for his business. Jim pointed to that as a key moment for his small business. "It would have been very difficult for me to write a check for $20,000 to get started on the first sober living house," he said.
Jim hopes to expand Newport Health Services by opening an individual outpatient therapy center. Whatever new ventures the company takes in addiction recovery and sober living, Jim keeps his focus on expanding within Southern California. He's also expressed his hope to contribute to Opportunity Fund in the future.
We're proud to support entrepreneurs like Jim who make a positive impact in their community.
We hope this story has inspired you, too. At Opportunity Fund, we offer easy-to-get, fast, and affordable small business loans to help small business owners succeed. Visit our home page to find out more.
Opportunity Fund is tackling economic inequality so that hard work and perseverance means a shot at getting ahead, not just struggling to get by. Our programs are supported by a community of donors and investors whose contributions help to fund small businesses, support college students, and build stronger families and vibrant neighborhoods. Since 1994, the team has deployed $600 million and helped 20,000 families earn, save and invest in their own futures. Opportunity Fund has earned a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America's largest independent charity evaluator, for our commitment to accountability and transparency.
Affordable Small Business Events Near You: December 17 through 31
by Chris Martinez | Dec 17, 2018 | Finance, Leadership, Management, Networking, Resources, Sales & Marketing
This is your bi-weekly calendar for in-person and virtual events in California. Here are the best upcoming events from December 17 through 31.
Here are the best upcoming events from December 17 through 31.
Website Building Basics—Building and Publishing Your Very Own Website
Date: December 18, 2018 | 9:00 am PDT – 12:00 pm PDT
Location: 300 Ellinwood Way—Bodega Room
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 (map it)
Contact: Oscar Dominguez | (925) 671-4570
Organization: Contra Costa SBDC
Join this interactive workshop for an introduction to building and publishing your very own website. The workshop is suitable for any level of experience or ability.
Bring your laptop and start working on topics like:
Introduction to WordPress
WordPress website set-up
WordPress Themes, plugins, and menus
Page and blog article creation and editing
Security, performance, and backup features
WordPress website placement on the internet
Domain names and hosting
Mobile friendly and customer-centric design
Photos and videos for your website
Compelling calls-to-action
Contact information on your site
Traffic measurement through analytics
Franchising 101 – How to Select, Finance, and Operate a Franchise
Date: December 19, 2018 | 11:00 am PDT – 12:30 pm PDT
Location: 455 Market St. Suite 600 San Francisco, CA 94105 (map it)
Contact: (415) 744-4244 | sfomail@sba.gov
Organization: U.S. Small Business Administration San Francisco District Office
With so many different franchises for sale today, figuring out which franchise opportunity is the right business opportunity can be daunting and difficult. In this class, learn about the franchise buying process and how to successfully get into business for yourself.
Franchising basics
Factors to consider when selecting a franchise
Trends for today's expanding economy
Franchise myths and misconceptions
Financing your new business
Average investment for franchises in the Bay Area
Strategies for finding the best business system for you and your family
Your franchise as a tangible asset
If you're exploring franchise ownership, looking to become your own boss, curious about financing options, or interested in building long-term equity, this free event is a great place to start.
Starting a Small Business
Date: December 20, 2018 | 12:00 pm PDT – 1:00 pm PDT
Location: Lodi District Chamber of Commerce
35 S. School St. Lodi, CA 95240 (map it)
Organization: NEC Small Business Development Center—San Joaquin Delta College
This informative workshop is a great place to start planning and get your business started on the right foot.
Topics for this one-hour session include:
Legal requirements and regulations
Sources of financing
Free business resources
Date: December 17, 2018 | 5:30 pm PDT – 7:30 pm PDT
5121 Van Nuys Blvd. Ste. 300A Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 (map it)
Join us for this free workshop on financial projections and learn the importance of key concepts for better financial management such as:
Assumptions for the projection
Financial statements, including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements
Common Legal Questions For Businesses
Location: Fullerton Public Library Main Branch
353 W. Commonwealth Ave. Fullerton, CA 92832 (map it)
Contact: score114csm@gmail.com | (714) 550-7369
Organization: Orange County SCORE
New business owners often have questions regarding the formalities required to get their business off the ground. Join this free seminar to help you determine the best legal structure for your business. Learn about the common types of contracts in small business with tips for entering contracts. We'll also discuss how to protect the intellectual property of your small business.
Access to Capital
Location: JVS
5446 Sepulveda Blvd. Culver City, CA 90230 (map it)
Contact: Nate Nguon | nnguon@pacela.org | (323) 293-6284
Organization: PACE Finance Corporation
Join this free workshop to learn more about where to get capital for your young business. If you're confused by all the options, or you're an entrepreneur or owner of a startup or growing small businesses, this seminar will help you navigate the complex world of access to capital.
Gain More Positive Online Reviews and Manage the Negative Ones
Date: December 18, 2018 | 8:00 am PDT – 9:00 am PDT
Contact: uppervalleyscore@gmail.com | (603) 448-3491
Organization: SCORE Upper Valley (N.H.)
Online reviews for your business are important now more than ever. As the digital world shapes consumer behavior, reviews on sites like Google, Facebook, and Yelp have a huge impact on your ability to grow your business.
Join this free webinar to learn how to generate 5-star reviews and how to handle negative reviews. Get started with exercises to manage your online reputation.
The Nuts & Bolts of Podcasting for Business Success
Date: December 20, 2018 | 10:00 am PDT – 11:00 am PDT
Have you considered launching a podcast for your business, but thought it would take too much time? Do you hate the sound of your own voice? Does the idea of learning new technology make you break out in hives? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this presentation is for you!
Join this free webinar to discover actionable steps for creating a podcast in less time. Learn through real-world examples, along with proven techniques for repurposing content, and understand how to incorporate podcasting into your existing marketing and outreach activities.
Don't worry: this won't be be a tech-heavy conversation. We'll discuss innovative techniques for launching and managing a podcast—and loving your own voice!
Why a podcast is beneficial addition to your existing marketing strategies
How to launch a podcast, using simple on-the-go tools such as a smartphone
What are time-saving hacks for creating content quickly
Which tools are best to identify and engage an audience for your podcast
How to use a podcast as a networking tool at live events
Money Now, Money Later: Wealth-Building Tactics for Small Business Owners
Contact: Bianca Blomquist
Organization: Small Business Majority
How are you building wealth for you and your workers? Are you considering establishing a retirement plan for yourself and your workers? Through this free webinar with Working Solutions, Small Business Majority will help you navigate the retirement landscape in California and help you sort through your options to secure your future.
An overview of the U.S. retirement savings gap, how small business is part of the solution
Common retirement options for small businesses in California
Tips to help determine the best option for your business
Questions you can ask prospective plan providers or brokers
A question and answer period with Working Solutions will follow.
Affordable Small Business Events Near You: December 1 through 16
by Chris Martinez | Nov 29, 2018 | Finance, Leadership, Management, Networking, Resources, Sales & Marketing
This is your bi-weekly calendar for in-person and virtual events in California. Here are the best upcoming events from December 1 through 16.
Here are the best upcoming events from December 1 through 16.
Coffee with a Business Adviser
Date: December 3, 2018 | 2:00 pm PDT – 4:00 pm PDT
Location: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library—SJPL Works 3rd Floor
150 E. San Fernando St. San Jose, CA 95112 (map it)
Contact: sjplworks@sjlibrary.org | (408) 808-2310
Organization: SJPL Works: Career & Business
Come and meet with expert business advisers with real world experience who help local businesses. These advisers are here to answer any questions and to provide guidance and feedback. Attendees will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis.
Parking validation for 4th St. garage will be provided at the program.
Before You Sign That Lease
An experienced business and real estate attorney will help you learn how to make well-informed commercial tenant decisions and prepare for landlord negotiations. Please note: this class does not constitute legal advice.
Ideas to Assets—A Practical Guide to Patents and Trademarks
Location: 1887 Monterey Rd.—2nd Floor San Jose, CA 95112 (map it)
Contact: Emily Navarra | emily.navarra@sba.gov | (415) 744-6805
Join this free workshop to learn legal principles and considerations for converting ideas into assets. Topics include:
Understanding requirements and procedures associated with protecting an invention (patent) and a brand (trademark)
Securing intellectual property rights (acquiring or conveying ownership or use rights by assignment or license)
Working with others in the process, such as manufacturers and distributors
Enforcing (or defending against) claims of possible infringement
Please note: this class does not constitute legal advice.
Do you have what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur? It's more than business savvy—it also takes time, commitment, and the willingness to take risks. Join this free workshop to discuss all of the above and help you determine if you're ready to start a business.
Women in Business Leadership Series: Making Your Voices Heard by Policymakers
Date: December 6, 2018 | 8:30 am PDT – 10:00 am PDT
Location: San Diego SBDC
880 National City Blvd. National City, CA 91950 (map it)
Contact: Claudia Moreno
Have you ever wanted to engage in local or statewide policy as a small business owner? Are there issues you're interested in speaking out about as a small business or community advocate?
The San Diego's Women Business Center and Small Business Majority invite you to join us for a free presentation on how to become a small business advocate and how entrepreneurs can use their voices to impact local and statewide change.
Learn about ways small business owners have partnered with Small Business Majority and other business groups to move the needle on important legislation. Topics include:
Best practices for reaching out to policymakers and legislators
Media engagement
Tips on tying in your small business story/perspective
Current legislation and issues to get involved with, including healthcare, retirement, and access to capital
Location: 5121 Van Nuys Blvd. Ste. 300A Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 (map it)
Join us for this free session will cover a wide range of state and federal tax issues that confront small businesses. Learn how different types of business entities are taxed (sole proprietorship, partnership, C Corporation, or S Corporation), and the tax consequences of classifying workers as employees or independent contractors. The presentation will also review specific tax and filing requirements imposed by California and the federal government, and how small businesses can comply.
What's Next for Digital Marketing
Contact: Donna Botti | donna.botti@scorevolunteer.org | (215) 391-1305
Organization: Montgomery County (Penn.) SCORE
Join this free webinar to discuss digital marketing trends of the past year and take a look ahead to 2019. Learn strategies and tactics to include in your new year marketing plans. Start the new year off right by understanding the the hottest trends to take advantage of to grow your business or nonprofit.
Nine Key Elements of Success
Contact: Cindy Doyl | cdoyl@wsu.edu | (509) 358-7890
Organization: Washington Small Business Development Center
Join us for this interactive talk where we'll discuss the nine crucial elements of creating success and how to do it a smart manner. Apply specific concepts from the webinar into your business world and draw connections between the modifications in your current actions and increased future success in business.
What the Healthcare Law Means for your Small Business
Contact: Xiomara Peña
This webinar will focus on what the Affordable Care Act means for small businesses and the federal provisions available to help small business owners understand how the law will affect your business. A question and answer period will follow the presentation.
Small business tax credits (available to businesses and tax-exempt non-profits)— who's eligible for them and how to claim them
Marketplace updates
Shared responsibility
Cost containment
Tools and resources available for small businesses interested in learning more about the law
Success Story: Tere's Nail & Beauty Supply
by Chris Martinez | Nov 19, 2018 | Finance, Leadership, Management, Networking, Resources, Success Story
Teresa used her experience as a cosmetologist to open her own beauty supply business in Anaheim. Two small business loans from Opportunity Fund are helping her expand her inventory and meet her business goals.
All the Right Pieces for Success
Teresa started Tere's Nail & Beauty Supply in the Anaheim Indoor Marketplace in 2010. She used her expertise as a licensed cosmetologist to break out on her own and start a business.
"About 80 percent of my clients are Hispanic," Teresa said. "From my time working in the beauty industry, I know women are always looking for the latest beauty products. I saw the opportunity in the industry and the location in Anaheim, so I went for it."
Teresa's shop at the gigantic Anaheim Marketplace may be small, but it's packed with a wide selection of beauty supply needs: acrylic nails, makeup, hair extensions and wigs, and more. Teresa's work goes beyond just selling what a client needs to look good. She also specializes in beauty technique instruction.
"As a cosmetologist, I can educate to my clients how to apply nail products in a professional way," she said. "I show my clients how do their own beauty treatments so they can save money."
Teresa did everything right as a small business owner, from capitalizing on her talents to finding the perfect location. Still, she had trouble finding the right business lending solution to help her grow her business.
The Right Business Funding Connection
Teresa needed a small business loan to purchase more inventory. "I wanted to expand the variety of what I sell," she said. "I saw how that could boost my sales."
Our small business loans helped Teresa keep the latest products in stock and boost her sales (photo courtesy of Michael Microulis)
In her search for small business loans, Teresa found nothing but high interest rates and lackluster customer service. When she met Opportunity Fund loan consultant Osbaldo Velazquez at an access to capital seminar in Orange County, she saw the opportunity she'd been waiting for.
Osbaldo was able to approve a $5,000 loan in September 2016 for Tere's Nail & Beauty Supply. The working capital helped Teresa grow her business right away with increased purchasing power for inventory. She returned for a second $5,000 loan in February 2018 to help with boosting inventory again.
"The process was very fast," she said. "Osbaldo indicated the documents and I needed when we talked so I knew what I would need to have. With the first loan, the funds were deposited within two days. The second loan was even faster because the information already was there, so we did the whole process was taken care of over the phone."
Now that Teresa has the inventory she needs to make more sales, she's focused on the future of her business. Her goal is to expand her sales to wholesale vendors, and she hopes to return to work with us again for working capital when she needs it.
We're excited to watch Tere's Nail & Beauty Supply grow and we're proud to support hardworking Latina entrepreneurs like Teresa.
Affordable Small Business Events Near You: November 15 through 30
This is your bi-weekly calendar for in-person and virtual events in California. Here are the best upcoming events from November 15 through 30.
Here are the best upcoming events from November 15 through 30.
Social Media Marketing 101 for Black & Latino Small Businesses
Date: November 17, 2018 | 9:00 am PDT – 1:00 pm PDT
Location: Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Silicon Valley
1887 Monterey Rd. Ste 2105 San Jose, CA 95112 (map it)
Contact: info@hccsv.org | (408) 248-4800
Organization: Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Silicon Valley
Newspapers, print flyers, and billboards are so 1990! Everyone is on their phones scrolling on Facebook and Instagram. 2018 is calling!
Black and Latino small business owners: join us for this half day workshop on how to strategically market a business and how to attract the right customers through social media. Learn how strategic posting, paid ads, and video marketing can help you get eyes on your product or service. It's time to get in the game and reach people where they spent their time—on social media.
Boots To Business: Reboot
Location: Veterans Home of California, Fresno
2811 West California Ave. Fresno, CA 93706 (map it)
Contact: events@vbocix.org | (916) 527-8400
Organization: Veterans Business Outreach Center—Region IX
Join the Veteran Business Outreach Center in Fresno for a one day introduction to entrepreneurship workshop. This free seminar will help veterans understand the steps, stages, and activities related to launching and growing a business as a post-military career.
Get started with ideas and resources in training modules:
Module 1: Introduction to the entrepreneurial experience
Module 2: Basics of opportunity recognition
Module 3: Markets & your competitive space
Module 4: The economics of small business start-up
Module 5: Picking the correct legal entity for your business
Module 6: Financing your venture
Module 7: Moving forward—Business planning
Module 8: Moving forward—Resources to support you
Intellectual Property—Protecting your Ideas, Brand, and Designs
Date: November 28, 2018 | 6:00 pm PDT – 8:00 pm PDT
This workshop will introduce you to different types of intellectual property—focused primarily on copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets—and will provide you with self-help resource information to start building a simple but solid foundation of protection through rights searches, NDA's, registrations, licenses, and other tools.
Insurance—How to Protect You and Your Business
Location: 8825 Aero Dr. Suite 102 San Diego, CA 92123 (map it)
Contact: workshop0140@scorevolunteer.org | (858) 283-1100
Organization: San Diego SCORE
Every business has certain risks related to its operation. Insurance coverage is critical to protect your business and personal assets. Join this free workshop to learn all about insurance for your business:
The types of insurance you'll need
The level and amount of insurance you'll need
Ways to get the insurance coverage you'll need
San Diego SCORE's expert insurance seminar leader will address key issues:
How do I get the most out of my insurance dollar?
What insurance is an absolute must to avoid great risk to my business?
How do I value my buildings and personal property?
How will damage to my property affect my revenue and profit?
What about using my own car or employees' cars in business?
What are the issues if I use subcontractors?
How do I evaluate the insurance indemnity provisions of contracts?
Should I use an insurance agent or broker? How do I find one?
Which employee benefits (life, health, 401k) should I consider?
Should I consider disability insurance? Buy/Sell? HSAs?
Stress-Free Business Taxes
Date: November 17, 2018 | 10:00 am PDT – 12:00 pm PDT
Take the stress out of preparing for your business taxes! We'll cover the basics, from business tax requirements through working from home to deductions, credits, and record keeping to get you ready for a stress-free tax day.
Start Up Workshop
Location: 2900 S. Crenshaw Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90016 (map it)
Contact: Cathleen Hy | chy@pacela.org | (323) 293-6284
Learn how to properly launch your business to ensure success in this free workshop. Topics include:
Legal forms of ownership
Licensing and tax requirements
Capital and labor costs
Lease versus purchase
And more business start-up issues
Differences and Similarities of Nonprofits and For-Profits Entities
Date: November 26, 2018 | 6:30 am PDT – 7:00 am PDT
Organization: U.S. Small Business Administration Virginia District Office
Join this free webinar to learn the similarities and differences of nonprofit and for-profit entities. The course will demonstrate how the two entities are similar and the major differences that distinguish them apart. Participants will learn about the governance structure and important factors that distinguish the two under legal requirements.
Let's Talk Business! Top 20 Online Tools for Small Business Owners
Date: November 28, 2018 | 12:00 pm PDT – 1:00 pm PDT
Contact: Ryan Norskog | rnorskog@thurstonedc.com | (360) 464-6060
Organization: Washington Center for Women in Business
Join the Washington Center for Women in Business for this free webinar that will help you find the best online tools to grow your small business.
How the Tax Reform Affects Your Small Business
Date: November 29, 2018 | 10:00 am PDT – 11:00 am PDT
Contact: (678) 335-5600 ext. 3
Organization: Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs
Join ACE SBA Women's Center for their latest Lunch & Learn webinar and learn how the tax reform affects your small business:
What key business tax revisions are included in the bill?
How do I apply changes in the new bill to my business?
How does the tax reform impact my income tax return?
What can I do before the end of the year to save on income taxes?
Affordable Small Business Events Near You: November 1 through 14
by Chris Martinez | Nov 1, 2018 | Finance, Leadership, Management, Networking, Resources, Sales & Marketing
This is your bi-weekly calendar for in-person and virtual events in Northern and Southern California. Here are the best upcoming events from November 1 through 14.
Every two weeks, we're promoting affordable events that help small business owners run their businesses better. This is your bi-weekly calendar for in-person and virtual events in Northern and Southern California.
Here are the best upcoming events from November 1 through 14.
Basics of Starting a Business
Date: November 7, 2018 | 5:30 pm PDT – 7:30 pm PDT
Location: Sierra SBDC
10183 Truckee Airport Rd. Suite 202 Truckee, CA 96161 (map it)
Contact: nnvclassesscore@gmail.com | (844) 232-7227
Organization: SCORE Northern Nevada
This free workshop will introduce you to the basic issues to address before you venture into the world of business. Begin the process with success with these topics:
Your idea: Evaluate, test, and protect
Launch your business
Celebrate Veterans Small Business Week: Turning Contacts into Contracts
Date: November 8, 2018 | 10:00 am PDT – 12:00 pm PDT
Contact: sfomail@sba.gov | (415) 744-6777
Organization: San Francisco SBA Entrepreneur Center
You are invited to a very special National Veterans Small Business Week event celebrating Veteran Entrepreneurs. Come learn how to do business with the government (state and federal) and how to fund your business venture through different term loan programs.
10 am – Registration and Networking
10:15 am – Opening statement and Brief introductions
10:30-11:30 am – Contracting with the Federal Government and the State of California
11:30-12:00 pm – Financing Your Business
Women's Empowerment Night
Location: Moseley's Hilltop Tasting Room
2158 Hilltop Dr. Redding, CA 96002 (map it)
AWE Redding California, WE Thrive Women's Business Center at JEDI Group, and Women of Vision Movement invites you to an evening of networking, wine, and fun at Escape Redding.
Small Business Legal Academy
Date: November 3, 2018 | 10:00 am PDT – 3:00 pm PDT
Bet Tzedek's Small Business Legal Academy, sponsored in conjunction with the VEDC's Women's Business Center, is a free workshop bringing the top lawyers from various law firms to help guide and counsel the Los Angeles small business community. In addition to receiving critical legal information via a presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to receive one-on-one legal consulting—all free of charge.
Presentation topics include:
Entity formation
Small business tax considerations
Employment law basics
Contracts basics
Time Management: Secrets to Boosting Productivity & Managing Stress
Does it seem like you never have enough time? Are you frustrated by not finishing tasks and seeing more progress in your life and in your business? You don't need more time, you need great time management! Learn to define your non-negotiables to set priorities that truly reflect what's important to you and your business.
Location: 5450 Sepulveda Blvd. Culver City, CA 90230 (map it)
Finding New Business Opportunities
Date: November 6, 2018 | 7:00 am PDT – 7:30 am PDT
Spotting new market opportunities is key for business growth. We'll cover ways to stay on top of business trends, whether it's growing your current business or starting a new one.
Create A YouTube Account for Small Business
Video marketing is the best way to promote your business online. This workshop is designed to give business owners an advantage over their competitors by learning how to setup a YouTube account, how to upload videos, and how to use YouTube to promote their company.
Key points that will be covered:
Choose the right thumbnail
Write effective titles and descriptions
Utilize keywords and taglines to promote videos
The workshop will consist of a step by step walk-through of all of the topics, written step by step instructions, and access to the workshop replay for 48 hours for registered participants.
The Science Behind Sales
Date: November 14, 2018 | 9:00 am PDT – 10:00 am PDT
Contact: (678) 335-5600 ext. 120
Tap into the world of neuroscience to explain the science of trust to improve your ability to make a sale in this free webinar. Learn strategies for how to better communicate with your customers.
Interacting with the three layers of the brain
Creating connections
Establishing credibility
Handling customer objections
Lending Club Success Story: The Point Coffee Shop – Frank Lyons
by Chris Martinez | Oct 22, 2018 | Finance, Leadership, Management, Resources, Success Story
Frank started The Point Coffee Shop after retiring from a long career working for the City of Jacksonville. His coffee shop gives a lot to the community: down home cooking, employment opportunities, and a meeting space for local organizations. Our partnership with Lending Club connected Frank with the working capital loan he needed to keep his business strong, so he can focus on helping his hometown thrive.
Changing Careers While Staying Focused on Community
Frank Lyons started The Point Coffee Shop in Jacksonville, Fla. in 2014. The Point is more than just a friendly neighborhood diner. Aside from serving unique crab patty breakfasts, Frank also serves his community through local advocacy and job creation.
Frank helped shape local policy and create job opportunities for minority workers over a career that spanned four decades working for the City of Jacksonville with local government officials in roles like Fire Chief and executive for Jacksonville Electric Authority. "I was privileged to help change some things in Jacksonville," Frank said. "I'm still trying to."
After retirement, Frank saw a chance to keep working in the community by opening his restaurant. In addition to the neighborhood seniors who come in for a hot, home cooked breakfast, local organizations seek out The Point as a neighborhood hub.
Frank turned his coffee shop into a neighborhood fixture with good food and good company (photo courtesy of Jack Edwards)
"I host meetings here at my business," Frank said. "Neighborhood pastors, people from the Teacher's Association, and the Community Association come here. We took an area that wasn't as active and available to the community, and now people love it."
Frank needed working capital to help purchase equipment. Like many small business owners, Frank had to dig deep to start his business and keep it going. "I started this business on a shoestring," he said. "I had to do it out of pocket after a business partner bowed out. I was determined to make this business work, so I stayed with it."
Growing the Business Within the Neighborhood
Despite running a successful business for years, Frank had few options for business lending. "We heard a lot of promises, but nothing real," he said.
Opportunity Fund business loan advisor Rexie Dumagan helped close a $14,000 loan in November 2017. "Nobody else would help us," Frank said. "Opportunity Fund got us to where we needed to be and where we are today."
The Point's impact as a hyper-local small business extends to all aspects of the community. Frank's five employees all live in the neighborhood, close enough to walk to work every day. His unstoppable entrepreneurial spirit and local pride are driving forces behind The Point's upcoming expansion. "I acquired a building down the street that holds 60 people," Frank said. "Right now, my shop has a capacity of about 22. We get to stay in the neighborhood while expanding our business."
We're proud to support locally-oriented business owners like Frank, and we're honored to watch our small business loans drive positive change in communities in Florida and beyond.