July 2025
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 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 Website E-Smarts Series
7/15/2025 - Website 101 How to Plan Your New Website: This workshop is a starter course for business owners looking to build their first website. We will discuss what makes a good website and look at some things to consider before making an investment in one. We will compare and contrast the various options available in the marketplace for building a website, and cover the basics of search engine optimization, analytics and website security. 7/17/2025 - Website 102 Usability Design Basics…
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 HR What Every Employer Needs to Know About Workplace Safety
Every employer in California is required to create and carry out an effective program to meet the requirements of Cal/OSHA's Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) regulation. What to Expect: The training that we will provide reviews the basics of the IIPP, the newer Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP) and Indoor Heat Illness, existing Safety Data Sheets and CA nonemergency COVID-19 Prevention Procedures. We will explore the minimum requirements for all employees and provide resources directly from the State that…
Find out more »WEBINAR Sales Taxes for your Small Business
This webinar will provide answers to your questions about sales taxes. Do you need to charge sales tax, how much should you be charging your customers, how do you apply for a sellers permit, what is a marketplace facilitator, when and how should you pay the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration your sales tax that is owing, how do you complete a sales tax return?… and more During the webinar, the presenter will show attendees how to prepare…
Find out more »WEBINAR Biz Basics: What Business Should I Start?
Thinking of starting a business, but not sure what kind? You’re not alone. Many aspiring entrepreneurs are fueled by passion and the dream of being their own boss—but often lack clarity on the type of business that truly fits their strengths, lifestyle goals, and market realities. In this interactive 2-hour workshop, you’ll learn how to: Clarify your personal motivations and entrepreneurial strengths Explore and compare different business models Evaluate your business ideas with practical tools Identify the type of business…
Find out more »WEBINAR Biz Basics: Marketing 101
Understanding the basics of marketing is vital for successful launch and growth of any business. Marketing is the discipline where you learn how to create & maintain demand, relevance, reputation, competitive positioning and more. Marketing is integral in all facets of launching, growing and maintaining your business in the short and long term. Marketing provides unique insights and direction to develop a product/service, identify/reach your target market, create compelling content, engage/inform customers and establish brand relevance. During this class we will introduce the concepts…
Find out more »WEBINAR Legal Corner: Copyrights for Creators
Who are the creators? You are!!! They are people and businesses creating things: in print, movies, plays, articles, digital images, merchandise, books (audio, e-books, hard copy) art, logos, pictures, music (sheet and recordings), video, recordings of various types, web based courses, fashion, poems, screen plays (movie scripts), product instructions, social media and Websites. What are copyrights? Legal rights to protect your ownership of the tangible things you have created. In short, Restricting ownership and the use of your creation to you alone!!! Unless people pay you!!! Instructor: Ben Martin (SBDC…
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 Double Your Leads, Halve Your Effort: AI Automation for Smart Growth
What if you could grow your business without working longer hours? In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how to build a powerful, automated marketing system—supercharged with AI—that works for you 24/7. Whether you’re a solopreneur or managing a growing team, this session will show you how to leverage cutting-edge tools to attract more leads, convert them into loyal customers, and boost your revenue with less stress and more consistency. In this workshop, you’ll discover: How to attract and capture high-quality…
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) and writer, photographer, and cultural strategist working across social media platforms. She specializes in creating brand-aligned content for businesses and…
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 »August 2025
WEBINAR Orientation: What the SBDC Can Do for You!
This workshop will provide attendees with information about the program requirements and the different services and training offered by the SBDC. The key fundamentals essential for starting and maintaining a successful business will be reviewed. As capital is the life blood of any business, your questions concerning capital and how the SBDC can assist in this effort will be addressed. And as a special bonus, the critical reasons why products/services sell will also be discussed. Attendance is required for existing,…
Find out more »WEBINAR Legal Corner: How to Check if a Name is Available & Not Serious Trouble for Your Business?
Products, Services, Businesses... all need names. The trick is finding and using a name that won't get you sued or be a marketing nightmare!!! Imagine being in court when the Judge says the names you use belong to another business. You must pay $$$$$ You can't use the name customers know you by!!! Now all the time and money spent on All ads, websites, URLs, Logos, Signage, Flyers, on the products you haven't sold yet etc. All wasted -- you have to start from step one to launch your…
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 Healthcare Cost Savings for You and Your Small Business
This workshop will cover the topics of medical expense deductions you can take for you and your business, Medical Expense Reimbursement Plans, Health Reimbursement Arrangements, High Deductible Health Plans and Health Savings Accounts. Find out ways to reduce your healthcare costs and save money for you and/or your employees. Instructor: Maureen Thielen (SBDC Advisor) provides bookkeeping, accounting and tax consulting services to new and existing businesses. After working for more than 15 years at regional CPA firms, Maureen now trains clients on QBO,…
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. Chérmelle Edwards (SBDC Advisor) and writer, photographer, and cultural strategist…
Find out more »WEBINAR How to Become a Vendor (Contractor)
One way to increase sales for your business is to become a vendor or contractor to public agencies and private organizations. This workshop will provide an overview of how to decide if contracting is right for you, as well as cover the elements you need to know to begin the pursuit of new contracting opportunities. This workshop will be taught by Michael Williams, a Small Business Advisor with the El Camino College SBDC, proudly offering over 30 years of experience…
Find out more »WEBINAR Creating an Effective Public Relations Plan
Publicizing your business is one of the most important steps a small business owner can take. Letting prospective customers/clients know about your business while building relationships with them is essential for growth and stability. In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn the fundamentals of launching a public relations campaign. Attendees will discover the importance of research, planning, identifying key customers and developing strategies and tactics. Participants will consider case studies, and be guided step-by-step through the process of creating their…
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 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 Legal Corner: An Owner’s Effectiveness Tool Box with Low and No Cost Tips and Solutions
In this webinar the goal is to help you become efficient, using methods, tips, and user friendly tech for day to day management and to set yourself up for long term success. We will cover: Avoiding legal and money set up mistakes Techie moves to reduce your workload Best ways to set up your daily management Tools used to reduce your stress and save time User friendly decision making methods How to monitor your business Staying ahead of things and save your time…
Find out more »WEBINAR Orientation: What the SBDC Can Do for You!
This workshop will provide attendees with information about the program requirements and the different services and training offered by the SBDC. The key fundamentals essential for starting and maintaining a successful business will be reviewed. As capital is the life blood of any business, your questions concerning capital and how the SBDC can assist in this effort will be addressed. And as a special bonus, the critical reasons why products/services sell will also be discussed. Attendance is required for existing,…
Find out more »WEBINAR Biz Basics: Lean Business Planning
Lean business planning is not what you think. Not a big formal plan. Not just for startups. Quick and practical tool for managing through a crisis. It's as quick and easy as a few simple bullet point lists and tables to set down milestones and metrics. Plus powerful tools to manage sales, spending, and cash flow. Make a quick dashboard for getting through a crisis. Join this webinar as Tim Berry, founder of bplans.com and Palo Alto Software, shares the simplicity and ease…
Find out more »September 2025
WEBINAR Legal Corner: Business Survival-Learn the 4 Main Ways to Avoid Liability
Business survival-Learn the 4 main ways to avoid liability so your business can survive then thrive! You'll get to see how good management moves cost less and they keep away those situations you'll need to pay a lawyer or loosing an avoidable lawsuit. The webinar goes over how to manage your business with the tools of LLCs; Corporations; Contracts; Insurance; AND at No Cost or very low cost to you! Instructor: Ben Martin (SBDC Advisor) and Attorney who loves helping new and small businesses, survive and thrive. With over 20 years…
Find out more »WEBINAR Legal Corner: How to Value a Business
Join our informative webinar on how to value your business, presented by investment banker, financial expert and business advisor Michael DeDonato J.D., M.B.A. Why Attend: Learn the 10 essential reasons to value your business, including exit strategy planning, buy/sell agreements, and securing funding Discover the 11-step process for accurately valuing your business Understand key financial metrics like Seller’s Discretionary Earnings (SDE) and EBITDA, and when to use each Get insights from an experienced investment banker who has helped numerous business owners sell…
Find out more »WEBINAR Fast Track Start-Up Crash Course 3-day Series
Take our 3-day Fast Track “bootcamp” program. This course was developed by industry professionals to provide you the basic tools you need to start your business. This is ideal for prospective businesses with little to no time but a willingness and desire to learn the language of business, determine whether starting a business makes sense and if so, specific steps to start the business. The purpose of this course is to provide an overview only. If you need additional detail or class instruction,…
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 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 Writing a Solid Press Release
You’ve got a hot new product or service that you would like your prospective customers to know about. Or maybe, there has been a problem at your business that is attracting media attention. Whatever, the circumstance, knowing how to prepare a professional press release is a valuable skill for any business owner. In this webinar, we will examine what the media is looking for in a good press release. This a a hands-on workshop where participants will learn the parts of a press release and how to attract the attention of media…
Find out more »WEBINAR HR Basics and Preparing your Business for Employees
This critical HR training will guide you through the basics of what HR is and how to prepare your business for employees before you hire them. Learning these steps will help protect your business from unintended risks and provide you valuable California based HR knowledge and best practices. Instructor: Sara Nicholson (SBDC Advisor) brings over 25 years of HR experience, helping small business owners find solutions to their human resources needs. REGISTER NOW
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 Transition from Handyman to Construction Company Owner!
Ready to Level Up Your Career? Join Us for a Free, Informative Presentation! What You'll Learn: - Transform your skills from handyman to business owner! - Steps to obtain a contractor’s license hassle-free. - Launching your very own Construction business. Who Should Attend: - Handymen/Handywomen looking to elevate their careers. - Individuals interested in starting their own Construction company. - People eager to learn the basics of the trade and business. Don’t miss out on this valuable opportunity! Your Journey…
Find out more »WEBINAR 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: Stop the Madness! Getting Control and Organized to Run Your Small Business
Learn a number of efficiency methods used by successful people in business. Learn how to become more efficient while also making your business life easier and keeping your sanity too. Easy to use and with positive results. All at no cost or very low cost! Instructor: Ben Martin (SBDC Advisor) and Attorney who loves helping new and small businesses, survive and thrive. With over 20 years of experience working for SBDCs, Non-profit Entrepreneurship Programs, and Pro Bono service to people wanting to build their futures.…
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 automated flows along…
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 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 E-Smarts: 20 WordPress Tips & Tricks for Small Businesses
WordPress is by far the most popular content management system. From blogging to eCommerce, it can be a powerful tool for small business website owners to enhance their online presence. In this webinar, we will review some of the key features and benefits of WordPress, how it differs from other platforms, and how you can set yourself up for success. Attend this 2-hour Webinar to discover: How to get started on WordPress Which features set it apart from the pack Must-have…
Find out more »WEBINAR 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 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 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 »October 2025
WEBINAR Sales Taxes for your Small Business
This webinar will provide answers to your questions about sales taxes. Do you need to charge sales tax, how much should you be charging your customers, how do you apply for a sellers permit, what is a marketplace facilitator, when and how should you pay the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration your sales tax that is owing, how do you complete a sales tax return?… and more During the webinar, the presenter will show attendees how to prepare…
Find out more »WEBINAR 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 Legal Corner: Save Your Bacon… ABCs of Contracts
What do small businesses need to know about contracts? While Covering the Basic principles of contracts, you’ll learn how to avoid the pitfalls hidden in written and oral contracts and learn how to negotiate and to write them. Learn how to make a checklist to identify your contract needs. Instructor: Ben Martin (SBDC Advisor) and Attorney who loves helping new and small businesses, survive and thrive. With over 20 years of experience working for SBDCs, Non-profit Entrepreneurship Programs, and Pro…
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 HR Basics and Preparing your Business for Employees
This critical HR training will guide you through the basics of what HR is and how to prepare your business for employees before you hire them. Learning these steps will help protect your business from unintended risks and provide you valuable California based HR knowledge and best practices. Instructor: Sara Nicholson (SBDC Advisor) brings over 25 years of HR experience, helping small business owners find solutions to their human resources needs. REGISTER NOW
Find out more »WEBINAR Contacting the Media and Developing a Media List
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 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 Double Your Leads, Halve Your Effort: AI Automation for Smart Growth
What if you could grow your business without working longer hours? In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how to build a powerful, automated marketing system—supercharged with AI—that works for you 24/7. Whether you’re a solopreneur or managing a growing team, this session will show you how to leverage cutting-edge tools to attract more leads, convert them into loyal customers, and boost your revenue with less stress and more consistency. In this workshop, you’ll discover: How to attract and capture high-quality…
Find out more »WEBINAR Understanding Qualifications for Government Contracts
One way to increase sales for your business is to become a vendor or contractor to public agencies and private organizations. This workshop will provide an overview of how to decide if contracting is right for you, as well as cover the elements you need to know to begin the pursuit of new contracting opportunities. This workshop will be taught by Michael Williams, a Small Business Advisor with the El Camino College SBDC, proudly offering over 30 years of experience…
Find out more »WEBINAR Legal Corner: Succession Planning–Businesses Passing to the Next Generation
Are you thinking about passing the business you have built on to your family? Are you giving them ownership? Are you passing on your role as the manager? This may be the most important decision you make for your family. What are the lessons to learn about this from Covid 19 pandemic? Instructor: Ben Martin (SBDC Advisor) and Attorney who loves helping new and small businesses, survive and thrive. With over 20 years of experience working for SBDCs, Non-profit Entrepreneurship…
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 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: Get More Free Traffic to Your Website with These Simple SEO Techniques
Is your website getting all of the traffic it should be? Is it pulling in leads and sales? If not, your target audience may not be able to find you. Google search drives the majority of traffic on the internet. Learn the basics of search engine optimization (SEO) and start growing your search presence organically, using tried and true methods that are 100% free! You will Learn: The difference between on-site and off-site SEO How to optimize your pages to…
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 Win The Inbox Battle—Email Marketing 2025 Latest Action Tools
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. 2025 email marketers can use the latest action tools to motivate opens & engagement. Liz reveals her top 2025 tips to achieve better results. Save time & get better results using tools like: AI, CRM, Social Management, integrated apps, landing pages, SMS & so much more! This Workshop Will Teach You how to:…
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 (SBDC Advisor) brings over 25 years of HR experience, helping small business owners find solutions to their human resources needs. She has worked across Southern California and Mexico, guiding business owners with…
Find out more »WEBINAR Legal Corner: How To Set Up & Register Your Business
This in-depth workshop addresses a multitude of important topics regarding legal entities and other important decisions you will need to make as a business owner. One of the first decisions will include how the company will be structured. Because of this, we will cover the basics of regulatory filings that permit new owners to properly set up entities in California. Our discussion will cover legal formation for startups, including: • LLC’s, S-Corporations, C-Corporations • DBA’s • Business permits • Resale…
Find out more »November 2025
WEBINAR Orientation: What the SBDC Can Do for You!
This workshop will provide attendees with information about the program requirements and the different services and training offered by the SBDC. The key fundamentals essential for starting and maintaining a successful business will be reviewed. As capital is the life blood of any business, your questions concerning capital and how the SBDC can assist in this effort will be addressed. And as a special bonus, the critical reasons why products/services sell will also be discussed. Attendance is required for existing,…
Find out more »WEBINAR Legal Corner: Prepping Your Business for Hard and Uncertain Times
Wow... The News is sounding not so good in so many ways. Just like you would on the personal level, you need to prepare for changes impacting your business. Economic troubles, political upheaval, and various disasters have an extra powerful impact on the small businesses. Learn some moves you can make to ride out the tough times as best you can. Most of them free and user friendly. Instructor: Ben Martin (SBDC Advisor) and Attorney who loves helping new and small businesses, survive and thrive. With…
Find out more »WEBINAR HR What Every Employer Needs to Know About Workplace Safety
Every employer in California is required to create and carry out an effective program to meet the requirements of Cal/OSHA's Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) regulation. What to Expect: The training that we will provide reviews the basics of the IIPP, the newer Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP) and Indoor Heat Illness, existing Safety Data Sheets and CA nonemergency COVID-19 Prevention Procedures. We will explore the minimum requirements for all employees and provide resources directly from the State that…
Find out more »WEBINAR DBA Practicum—Join Us Today to File Your DBA!
A California business operates under a DBA (short for "doing business as") when it uses a legal name other than its own to conduct operations. DBAs are sometimes known as "trade names" or "fictitious names," and businesses must register with the California Secretary of State before conducting operations using a DBA. California law requires any sole proprietors, partnerships, limited liability companies (LLCs), or corporations that want to conduct their operations and sign legal documents under a name other than their own…
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 Using Video to Promote Your Small Business
What are some smart ways to use video and other images to increase your chances of selling your goods or services? What are some best practices for video production and on-camera presentation? Is video already part of your public relations plan? Want to learn more? Join us for this information-packed webinar, and find out how you can promote your business and establish yourself as a tough leader through the use of video. Instructor: Saida Pagan (SBDC Advisor) and media trainer, communication…
Find out more »WEBINAR Biz Basics: What Business Should I Start?
Thinking of starting a business, but not sure what kind? You’re not alone. Many aspiring entrepreneurs are fueled by passion and the dream of being their own boss—but often lack clarity on the type of business that truly fits their strengths, lifestyle goals, and market realities. In this interactive 2-hour workshop, you’ll learn how to: Clarify your personal motivations and entrepreneurial strengths Explore and compare different business models Evaluate your business ideas with practical tools Identify the type of business…
Find out more »WEBINAR Amplify Your Holiday Marketing Plan—Get A Free Guide!
Make the most impact this holiday season by amplifying your messages using digital and traditional media that continues to deliver. Get our holiday season guide and tips to help you thrive. Did you know that for many companies, the holidays are critical to wrapping up the year to meet their annual goals? From fundraising to well wishing, you can turn the holidays into opportunities while reminding your customers why they love your company. Whether you are a non-profit or sell products…
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 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 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) and writer, photographer, and cultural strategist working across social media platforms. She specializes in creating brand-aligned content for businesses and…
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 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 Legal Corner: What You Should Know When Buying a Small Business or Franchise
Learn the important things you should be doing to protect yourself when buying an existing business or a franchise opportunity. "Turn Key Solution" "it's already put together"? Those are common sayings but the reality is very different. Franchises are often sold like "they are proven successful systems" and that "government protections" make the deal a winner. It's not the reality. We'lll go over reducing risks and also ways to judge whether the deal works for you or not? Ways that are low cost/ No cost moves. Instructor: Ben Martin (SBDC Advisor) and Attorney who loves helping…
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 Wave Accounting for Startups and Service Businesses
Keeping track of your business income and expenses is crucial to the financial health of your company. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be complicated! This webinar will cover how to use Wave, a free online accounting software program to help keep you on track. Wave is designed for small business owners. No jargon, just an easy accounting software for small business that makes sense. This webinar is not for companies with inventory. Instructor: Maureen Thielen (SBDC Advisor). She provides bookkeeping, accounting and tax…
Find out more »WEBINAR Business Plan Overview
Building a successful business requires vision, and the coordination of efforts in several areas. The process of starting and running a business can be overwhelming without a good plan. A good solution to understanding all of the moving parts of your business is to write a business plan. In this webinar we will discuss: -The internal and external purposes of a business plan -A review of the types of plans: Traditional, one page, Canvas, Pitch Deck -Writing strategies and tips,…
Find out more »WEBINAR Transition from Handyman to Construction Company Owner!
Ready to Level Up Your Career? Join Us for a Free, Informative Presentation! What You'll Learn: - Transform your skills from handyman to business owner! - Steps to obtain a contractor’s license hassle-free. - Launching your very own Construction business. Who Should Attend: - Handymen/Handywomen looking to elevate their careers. - Individuals interested in starting their own Construction company. - People eager to learn the basics of the trade and business. Don’t miss out on this valuable opportunity! Your Journey…
Find out more »WEBINAR HR Basics and Preparing your Business for Employees
This critical HR training will guide you through the basics of what HR is and how to prepare your business for employees before you hire them. Learning these steps will help protect your business from unintended risks and provide you valuable California based HR knowledge and best practices. Instructor: Sara Nicholson (SBDC Advisor) brings over 25 years of HR experience, helping small business owners find solutions to their human resources needs. REGISTER NOW
Find out more »December 2025
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 Creating a Vlog to Promote Your Small Business
Have you been thinking of establishing a business vlog, but need some support in getting it off the ground? Do you want to find additional ways to add value and increase engagement on your social media platforms? If so, this workshop is for you. With free or low-cost resources, tools and platforms at our fingertips, writing, producing, delivering and posting a vlog on a regular basis does not have to be costly or difficult. In this interactive workshop, attendees will discover how to create a calendar…
Find out more »WEBINAR Orientation: What the SBDC Can Do for You!
This workshop will provide attendees with information about the program requirements and the different services and training offered by the SBDC. The key fundamentals essential for starting and maintaining a successful business will be reviewed. As capital is the life blood of any business, your questions concerning capital and how the SBDC can assist in this effort will be addressed. And as a special bonus, the critical reasons why products/services sell will also be discussed. Attendance is required for existing,…
Find out more »WEBINAR Legal Corner: How To Set Up & Register Your Business
This in-depth workshop addresses a multitude of important topics regarding legal entities and other important decisions you will need to make as a business owner. One of the first decisions will include how the company will be structured. Because of this, we will cover the basics of regulatory filings that permit new owners to properly set up entities in California. Our discussion will cover legal formation for startups, including: • LLC’s, S-Corporations, C-Corporations • DBA’s • Business permits • Resale…
Find out more »WEBINAR Biz Basics: What Business Should I Start?
Thinking of starting a business, but not sure what kind? You’re not alone. Many aspiring entrepreneurs are fueled by passion and the dream of being their own boss—but often lack clarity on the type of business that truly fits their strengths, lifestyle goals, and market realities. In this interactive 2-hour workshop, you’ll learn how to: Clarify your personal motivations and entrepreneurial strengths Explore and compare different business models Evaluate your business ideas with practical tools Identify the type of business…
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 Marketing Trends & Best Practices
The past five 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 us to learn more about the key economic and marketing trends/challenges that we are facing in 2025. In…
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 set-up…
Find out more »WEBINAR Understanding Qualifications for Government Contracts
One way to increase sales for your business is to become a vendor or contractor to public agencies and private organizations. This workshop will provide an overview of how to decide if contracting is right for you, as well as cover the elements you need to know to begin the pursuit of new contracting opportunities. This workshop will be taught by Michael Williams, a Small Business Advisor with the El Camino College SBDC, proudly offering over 30 years of experience…
Find out more »WEBINAR Orientation: What the SBDC Can Do for You!
This workshop will provide attendees with information about the program requirements and the different services and training offered by the SBDC. The key fundamentals essential for starting and maintaining a successful business will be reviewed. As capital is the life blood of any business, your questions concerning capital and how the SBDC can assist in this effort will be addressed. And as a special bonus, the critical reasons why products/services sell will also be discussed. Attendance is required for existing,…
Find out more »WEBINAR 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 Legal Corner: Action items for Liability Protection. What they are and how they work.
It would be great to know what tools you can use to reduce your liability risks. This webinar goes into specifics about those protections that most people don't really know are available. We will cover how they work and ways you may use them in the future. Contracts terms, Insurance topics, LLCs, and management tools to identify what you need specifically for your business operations. Instructor: Ben Martin (SBDC Advisor) and Attorney who loves helping new and small businesses, survive and thrive. With over 20 years…
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 Start a Retirement Plan for Tax Savings and Your Retirement
In this webinar, learn about the different retirement plans that you can set up for yourself and/or your employees. The Traditional and Roth IRAs, SEP, Simple, 401k, Profit Sharing, Defined Benefit and CalSavers plans will be discussed as well as contribution and distribution rules for the plans. The presenter will discuss tax savings available to you by setting up a retirement plan for your business. Get started putting aside money for your retirement! Instructor: Maureen Thielen (SBDC Advisor) provides bookkeeping, accounting and…
Find out more »WEBINAR HR Do’s and Don’ts of Hiring
This training is designed to assist California small business owners create a realistic and compliant strategy to legally hire employees. Instructor: Sara Nicholson (SBDC Advisor) who brings over 25 years of HR experience, helping small business owners find solutions to their human resources needs. She has worked across Southern California and Mexico, guiding business owners with a focus on education, organization, and fairness. REGISTER NOW
Find out more »WEBINAR 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) is a writer, photographer, and cultural strategist working across social media platforms. She specializes in creating brand-aligned content for businesses and has over ten years of experience crafting campaigns…
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