The LA SBDC Network offers no-cost virtual business workshops for small businesses in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties.
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June 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 »Financial Fitness (Balance Sheet): Why do I need to know what a Balance Sheet is?
Known as the “mother of all financial statements,” the Balance Sheet provides an overview of the company’s assets (what it owns) and liabilities (what it owes). In addition, it can help answer questions such as whether the company has a positive net worth, whether it has enough cash to pay for its financial obligations, and whether it has incurred debt. REGISTER NOW
Find out more »In-person Event: 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 »SmallBiz Talk: Solutions for Your Small Business
This is SmallBiz Talk with small business expert and LA SBDC business advisor Lori Williams. Join her as she covers key business topics through instructional information, real life situations, guest speakers and interviews. At the end of the show, participants can engage in a Live Q&A with questions pertaining to their specific business situation. Join us live every Wednesday at 10 a.m. or check out our YouTube Playlist to see previous shows and to gain information/ helpful insights for your…
Find out more »Business Profit Projections
Business Projections 101 If you are looking to make a profit in your business this webinar is for you! We know that numbers can be scary but with the right help it can be the new best friend of your business. Join us as we take an honest look at what needs must be met to start, grow and keep you in the green. The only thing that can make you cents is MONEY! Let us help! REGISTER NOW
Find out more »Webinar – 8 Things to Know & Remember About Keyword Strategies
You don’t have to be web savvy to know how to develop good keyword strategies for your website. but you will want to know the 8 key points to keep in mind before you take on the task. Join Darren Elliott for this presentation, where he will show you just how keywords work, and how you can strengthen each keyword to lead the right consumer to your website. Sign up today and be on your way to putting a…
Find out more »WEBINAR Biz Basics: How to Start Your Business Financials in Excel
Overcome your fear of starting with an empty Excel spreadsheet and become proficient to create your own Profit and Loss statement for your business. This workshop will cover the basic Excel functions necessary to develop your financials and then build a basic Profit and Loss statement. We will also see how you can download your bank activity and use filters to analyze the data, a powerful tool. Basic computer knowledge is required for this class. Instructor: Andrew Strachan (SBDC Advisor) has…
Find out more »WEBINAR 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 »Commercial Leasing Checklist For Businesses
Commercial Lease checklist will point out provisions to which a prospective small business tenant should pay particular attention. The terms lessor and landlord will be used interchangeably. Commercial leases come in many sizes and shapes, from the three- or four-page mom and pop simple lease to the 40 to 50-page complicated lease with multiple addendum and attachments that are usually attendant to high rises, malls, or popular upscale areas. The small business owner will frequently be presented with a form lease…
Find out more »WEBINAR Threads vs. X: Crafting & Strategizing Text Driven Stories for Community Building and Sales
Threads is an app within an app driven by texts messages, then images. X, formerly known as Twitter, is a post driven site historically known for sharing short text driven posts, where images have been secondary. How do these networks measure up for your small business. In this workshop, we’ll define each app and their native functionality. We’ll discuss the power and strategic use of text driven social media messages to communicate a business and its brand. We’ll answer what kind of strategies…
Find out more »Proof of Concept
After months of searching, you have finally come up with a great new business idea. You are confident that your idea will be a game changer. You just know that this idea will provide the financial freedom that you have always dreamed of. However, BEFORE you take YOUR leap of faith, SLOW DOWN! Take a deep breath and ask yourself this one BIG question, ‘What research do I need BEFORE I start my business that will give me a clear…
Find out more »WEBINAR Legal Corner: Business Law Basics for Owners and Managers
This webinar is going to cover business law without much legal language. Helpful tools and easy tips to keep you and your business protected. Topics Covered: Ownership Structure choices Liability Protection Contracts, disclaimers, warranties Insurance tips … Insurance Company Grades Basic credit information Which parts of the government covers your business. Alternate Dispute Resolution. 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…
Find out more »Webinar- LLC 101
Ready to Launch Your CA LLC? Are you ready to form your California LLC but unsure where to start? Whether you’re lacking resources or confidence, our no-cost LLC Program is here to help! Join Our Free LLC 101 Webinar! In this introductory session, we’ll cover the essentials of forming an LLC, including: · Explore why an LLC might be the right structure for your business; · Understand what it takes to set up your LLC; and · Get insights into…
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 »How to Be a Successful First Time Supervisor
You were a super employee and now you are going to be running the shift. You will need to learn a new set of skills. In this webinar you will learn how to: Manage your day for success Gain respect from your employees Be able to provide proper feedback that employees will follow. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89075497961?pwd=cv3QZK6b1uosc27wqzSQmbaSwzE5ym.1
Find out more »Elevate Your Business Plan with Software Powered Innovation
Unlock the true potential of your business with our upcoming webinar, “Elevate Your Business Plan with Software Powered Innovation.” Dive into a comprehensive workshop designed to elevate your business planning process, ensuring that you not only chart a course for success but do so efficiently and effortlessly. In this power-packed session, we will guide you through multiple facets of creating a robust business plan, whether you’re forging an internal roadmap or seeking funding. Discover the art of setting measurable strategies…
Find out more »Webinar – 7 Steps to Maintaining Your WordPress Website
WordPress maintenance can be a confusing to some, and expensive to others who may be relying on a developer to maintain their WordPress website. If this sounds familiar, join Darren Elliott our Digital Marketing Specialist who will show you what you can do yourself, to improve your site performance, your search engine optimization, even your web traffic! Reserve your spot today! REGISTER NOW
Find out more »Webinar – Have an S Corporation?…Find Out About the Required Reasonable Compensation for Shareholder Employees
Instructor: Charles Yacoobian Have an S Corporation?…Find Out About the Required Reasonable Compensation for Shareholder Employees Wondering about reasonable compensation for the services that you provide as the S Corporation shareholder and employee? Come ready to learn about: · Reasonable Compensation · In compliance or not? · Options to Consider REGISTER NOW
Find out more »Loan Package Essentials
If you’ve never applied for a business loan before, the paperwork alone can feel overwhelming. That’s why this workshop breaks it all down into plain English—no fluff, no jargon. We’ll walk you through what lenders actually look for, so you can submit a strong application with confidence, save time, and get one step closer to a “yes. A checklist of all the essential documents lenders expect Tips on how to organize your financials for easy review Insider insights on what lenders look…
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 Marketing Tools for the 21st Century
Market Intelligence is critical for every business to succeed throughout its business life cycle. Please join Debbie Goldfarb as she reviews and explains the data needed to be gathered and analyzed in order to make pertinent and critical decisions about their business for the short and long term. During this class we will review both the traditional and new techniques used when understanding various facets of marketing & business. Instructor: Debbie Goldfarb (SBDC Advisor) is a well-respected marketing coach and consultant. For over…
Find out more »Webinar – Are you Sitting on a Goldmine? Discover the Value of Your Company’s IP
Presenter: Erica Bristol This webinar will discuss unknown and often underutilized strategies for exploiting the company’s intellectual property (IP), such as understanding IP as an asset; how IP can provide a competitive advantage; licensing for additional revenue streams; enforcement strategies; and sale of company IP. REGISTER NOW
Find out more »WEBINAR Legal Corner: Conflicts and Lawsuits
Preparing for, Preventing, and reducing the cost and disruption to your business. It’s easy to be pulled into a fight that can cost you money, time, and sanity. Learn to set up your liability protections and how they work. See the ways you can use contracts to reduce how much is at stake or lower your costs. We will cover Alternate Dispute Resolution (some call it privat court). ALL DIY, low and no cost. You don’t always need an attorney to protect you or lower your…
Find out more »Financial Fitness: Smart Credit Strategies for Entrepreneurs
The “Improve Your Personal Credit for Lending Opportunities” workshop is designed to help individuals and business owners understand the factors that affect their credit scores and learn strategies to improve them. Whether you are looking to apply for a personal loan, business loan, or credit line, having a strong credit score can significantly increase your chances of approval and favorable terms. During this workshop, participants will learn about the different credit bureaus and how they calculate credit scores, the common…
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