TMC CURRENT

Interview Opportunity

A national media outlet is looking to interview “ small businesses on the rebound, businesses that once were “on the brink” but found a way to survive, even in the most difficult of times.”  If you’re interested in participating, please email me at gary.marshall@sba.gov and I’ll pass along your contact information.  Please include your name, your business name, contact information, and a brief description of how you’re surviving.

TRAINING AT SBA

The Small Business Administration offers a variety of classes for business owners in our Entrepreneur Center, located at 455 Market St., 6th Floor in downtown San Francisco.

Registration for all our classes is required.

To register for classes, go to http://sbatraining.eventbrite.com/

For more information, please contact Gary Marshall at (415) 744 6771 or gary.marshall@sba.gov

The SBA training program is made possible by the generous support of our volunteer teachers and presenters.   We appreciate their time and expertise; however, these presentations do not represent an endorsement of their views, opinions, products, or services by SBA.  All SBA programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made, if requested at least 2 weeks in advance.  Contact: Gary Marshall at 415 744-6771.

Maintaining Tax Records

1/19

3:00 PM- 5:00 PM

Learn the money-saving tax strategies of the pros, in this fun interactive course, and how to effectively create the tax records necessary for proper IRS reporting. Receive a valuable overview of how to use technology to simplify your life with on-line banking and QuickBooks.  Presented by SF SCORE.  Registration fee: $20.

Secrets to Buying and Selling a Business or Franchise

1/19

 6:30 PM–8:30 PM

Learn how to reduce your risk and improve your chances of success in buying or selling a franchise or existing business. This workshop covers the steps necessary for you to succeed working with professionals, and using simple research and qualification techniques. Topics include choosing the right franchise or business; positioning your business for sale; buyer and seller financing.  Presented by SF SCORE.  Registration fee: $20.

Employee or Independent Contractor?

1/20

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

EDD representatives will explain how to determine if someone providing services to your company should be treated as an employee or independent contractor for tax purposes.

How to Deal with Difficult People

1/20

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

What is the cost to your business when you are submerged in conflict, dealing with difficult people?  This workshop will examine the reasons why conflict exists and tools you can use to align yourself for so you can reduce conflict and create opportunity.  Group and individual activities will be incorporated as exercises throughout the workshop.

Basic Bookkeeping, Part Three

1/21

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Topics include developing a budget, statement of cash flow analysis, and developing a cash forecast. Participants should have complete Basic Bookkeeping Part I or be familiar with the concepts covered in that seminar.  $30 registration fee.  Presented by the SF SBDC.

Maximize Your Web Site Traffic and Sales

1/21

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

In this class, learn to ensure the highest placement on search engines; how to use Web analytics to keep your customers on your site; and how to convert site visitors into paying customers.  Presented by the SF SBDC.  Registration fee $35 in advance, $40 at the door.

How to Build a Fearless Brand: How Your Brand Can Help You Sell

1/21

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

This highly interactive workshop gives you new tools that will teach you to sell (and market) more effectively.  Learn new ways to differentiate your business from the competition; your business’s strengths and unique value (that you might be overlooking); identify your ideal clients and learn what they really need; segment your market to make prospecting and selling more efficient; create a powerful selling message that speaks to the head and the heart. While this class can be helpful to any entrepreneur building a brand, owners of service firms and consultants are particularly encouraged to attend.

How to Start and Manage a Small Business

1/25

8:30 AM–5:00 PM

This is a comprehensive and unique one-day seminar for both prospective and current business owners who want to gain a better understanding of what they need to know and do to succeed in their business. Learn best practices and insider tips as a moderator and industry experts guide you through the basics of business plans; insuring against risk; accounting; legal structures; marketing & sales; and financing.

Restaurant Series: Checklist for Starting a Restaurant

1/25

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

We’ll discuss the specifics of opening and running a successful restaurant.  Topics will include business plans, food and beverage vendors, market research, location, pricing strategies and operating plans.  $30 registration fee.  Presented by the SF SBDC.

Where to Go When the Banks Say NO!

1/25

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Learn about alternative financing programs such as receivables financing (factoring) and purchase order funding, and how these can provide you with a practical and viable solution to generate immediate cash for your business.

Corporations and LLCs Offer Different Options

1/26

3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Learn how to make the best use of your corporation or LLC to save money and shield yourself from liabilities. Learn the compliance details of when and how to properly set up your entity including medical insurance plans, compensation strategies for tax planning, records management, and banking. Presented by SF SCORE, (415) 744 6827.  Registration fee: $20.

Designing your Business for Easy Growth

1/26

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

At the core of every business are the Business Processes, the HOW of how your business actually works.  Everything you do in your business is part of a process from sales, to customer service and managing your cash flow.  Combined together, your Business Process become the Framework of your company. A strong, flexible framework will allow your company to grow faster with less pain. In this course you will learn ten easy steps for developing your Processes and putting them into a framework based on your business.

Federal and State Basics of Payroll Tax

1/27

9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

This class guides participants through the basics of that preparation.  Subjects include determining independent contractor versus employee, withholding taxes, deposits and completing the proper forms.  Presented by the IRS and the California EDD Tax office.

Documentation for Working with Local Factories

1/27

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

What documentation is required to work with a sewing factory in California? Do you know how to write a Specification Package? Not sure what to include in a Purchase Order? Be confident that you are communicating clearly, and doing business in a legal, self-protective manner. This interactive seminar will provide you with what you need to know to work successfully with a local factory and avoid costly mistakes.  Presented by Fashion Business Inc.,  registration is $30 per class at www.fashionbizinc.org 

SBA Certification Workshop

1/28

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

This workshop is for small firms owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals interested in being certified for SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program.

QuickBooks Introduction

1/28

1:00 PM – 5:30 PM

This overview will discuss setting-up, updating and running financial reports, and efficient procedures for entering your accounting data.  This is a hands-on workshop. Participants should have complete Basic Bookkeeping Part I or be familiar with the concepts covered in that workshop.  $60 Registration fee.  Presented by the SF SBDC.

OUR PARTNERS PRESENT:

a weekly feature of events offered by organizations and groups outside SBA.  These events are not sponsored by SBA and are not held at our Entrepreneur Center. 

Bonding Assistance Program

Using Recovery Act funding, the Department of Transportation is now administering a bonding assistance program called the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Bonding Assistance Reimbursable Fee Program . Under this program, Disadvantaged Business Enterprises can be reimbursed for bond premiums and fees that they incur in competing for or performing transportation infrastructure projects that are funded by ARRA.   DOT will reimburse DBE’s for the bond premiums paid to surety companies, and, if the bond is SBA-guaranteed, the contractor fee paid to SBA, which is .729% of the contract amount.

The Application for Reimbursement of Bond Fees, application instructions, and additional information can be found at www.dot.gov/recovery/ost/osdbu  

Urban Solutions Marketing Workshop on January 25

Urban Solutions presents their first free workshop of the year on Monday, January 25. “Marketing on a Shoe String” is designed to teach entrepreneurs how to get your business known and help your customers find you. Create a marketing plan to improve sales. Learn about the various media, advertising and public relations techniques. Join us from 4 to 6 p.m. at the West Bay Conference Center, 1290 Fillmore Street, 1st floor. The cross street is Eddy in San Francisco. For questions, contact Emily Gerth, Program and Data Analyst, at (415) 553-4433 extension 101.

Veterans Business Outreach Center, a Division of Vietnam Veterans of California

Greater Sacramento Workshops

Facilitated at 7270 E Southgate Drive

Sacramento, California, 95823

 

Marketing for Small Business- $30.00

1/28/2010 Thursday 5:30-7:30 pm

This marketing class will help you develop the processes of planning and executing the conception, pricing, promotion, and distribution of ideas, goods and services to create exchanges that satisfy individual and organizational objectives.

Information and registration available at

 Veterans Business Outreach Center
7270 East Southgate Drive, Suite 1
Sacramento, CA 95823
Phone (916) 393-1690
www.vboc-ca.org