SBA SF Business Workshops and Seminars – July 30th to August 10th 2012
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers a variety of classes for business owners in our Entrepreneur Center, located at 455 Market Street, Suite 600, in downtown San Francisco. View the San Francisco SBA online calendar at: San Francisco SBA online calendar
Registration for all our classes is required. To ensure a printed handout for review along with the instructor during the class or to be notified if the class is cancelled, please register at the SF Small Business Development Center registration site: SF Small Business Development Center unless otherwise indicated.
Events: July 30th to August 10th, 2012
How to Start and Manage a Small Business
7/30 – Monday 8:30AM – 5:00PM
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. $75 registration fee. Presented by SF SCORE
***Basic Bookkeeping III: Small Business Cash Flow Analysis & Cash Flow Forecasting
07/30 – Monday 5:00PM – 8:00PM in SAN JOSE
Behind The Logo
7/30 – Monday 6:00PM – 8:30PM
Branding is critical to any business strategy. There are key principles beyond the artwork and its’ attributes. This seminar will cover the key building blocks behind the development of a brand.
Checklist for Starting a Restaurant
7/30 – Monday 6:00PM – 8:30PM
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. $35 registration fee. Presented by the SF SBDC.
***East Bay Small Business Symposium
7/31 – Tuesday 7:30AM – 11:00AM in Berkeley, CA
Federal and State Basic Payroll Tax Seminar
7/31 – Tuesday 9:00AM – 3:00PM
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. Visit: California Employment Development Center or Call 866 873-6083.
Music Publishing in Plain English
7/31 – Tuesday 6:00PM – 8:30PM
Geared toward musicians, songwriters, and other music industry aspirants, covering basic terms and concepts, such as copyright protections & registration, songwriting collaborations, publishing contracts, licensing agreements, and a breakdown of various music publishing income streams (including mechanical royalties, ASCAP/BMI/SESAC, synchronization deals, digital opportunities) and more.
Top 10 Characteristics of Successful Business Owners
7/31 – Tuesday 6:00PM – 8:00PM
Ever wonder what makes businesses succeed? Turns out there are qualities that successful business owners share that enhance their business. Join this interactive evening to learn these top characteristics as well as how you can develop them in yourself.
How to Manage Unemployment Insurance Cost Tax Seminar
8/1 – Wednesday 9:00AM – 12:00PM
This seminar explains how the unemployment rate is established, what is the unemployment reserve account, important notices and statements, and how to minimize unemployment insurance costs. Presented by the California EDD Tax Office. Visit: California Employment Development Center or Call 866 873-6083.
Basic Bookkeeping, Part One
8/2 – Thursday 1:30PM – 4:30PM
Topics include cash vs. accrual accounting, proper accounting data flow processes, budgeting, the purpose of different financial reports, the differences in computer accounting systems, cash management, and more. $30 registration fee. Presented by the SF SBDC.
***Legal Issues for Small Business
8/2 – Thursday 5:00PM – 8:00PM in SAN JOSE
Running and Operating a Green Business
8/2 – Thursday 6:00PM – 8:30PM
Want to learn easy ways to improve your brand image, identify new markets, lower operating costs, and help the planet? This class teaches you how to be a green business and gives you simple steps to implement right away. Learn how to get certified for free by the Bay Area Green Business Program and find the resources you need for your business. $25 registration fee. Presented by the SF SBDC.
The Power of Email Marketing – 7 Keys to Success
8/3 – Friday 9:30AM – 12Noon
Build the relationships that are the key to your business success with easy, inexpensive and highly effective email marketing! In this seminar, we will provide tips to increase your email deliverability and open rates, write good headlines and content, and perhaps most importantly, strategies for getting — and keeping — high quality prospects, customers and members. You will learn how to: * become a trusted email sender in the eyes of your prospects, customers, and members. * Build your list! How to find and keep email list subscribers. * Get your sent emails opened and read. * Turn your readers into more frequent buyers/supporters/donators. * Target your communications — how to get the right message to the right people at the right time. * Use email communications to improve customer/member loyalty.
***QuickBooks
8/4 & 8/11 – Saturdays 8:30AM – 12:30PM in SAN JOSE
Food Safety Certification
8/6 – Monday 8:30AM – 5:00PM
State law requires that specified food facilities employ at least one person who has successfully passed a California State approved and accredited food safety certification exam. Certification is mandatory and re-certification is required every five years. For more information call 415-781-5348.
***Introduction to QuickBooks
8/6 – Monday 1:00PM – 5:00PM in SAN JOSE
How to Run a Profitable Restaurant – Beyond Food Costing
8/6 – Monday 6:00PM – 8:30PM
This class will cover: understanding food, beverage and labor costs. We will provide you the tools to develop schedule forecasts, recipe plate costing, and inventory management. $35 Registration Fee. Presented by the SF SBDC.
Proposal Preparation
8/7 – Tuesday 8:30AM – 5:00PM
Learn how to strategize for a winning price; how RFP (Request for Proposal) elements influence strategy; how to develop the tech proposal; past performance; how the winner is selected and the proposal review process. There is no cost for 7(j) eligible businesses. This activity is funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) contract number SBAHQ-11-C-0020. SBA’s funding is not an endorsement of the contractor or any products, opinions or services. All SBA Programs are extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance.
***Successfully Buy/Sell a Small Business
8/7 – Tuesday 5:00PM – 8:00PM in SAN JOSE
Supercharge Your Facebook Marketing
8/7 – Tuesday 6:00PM – 8:30PM
If you’re like most businesses, you already see the value in connecting with your current and potential customers via social media. But the challenge is figuring out what you actually need to do with social media in order to drive real results for your business or organization. This seminar is the “what, why, and how” of social campaigns: how to drive repeat business and amplify word of mouth by engaging your happy customers, stay top of mind to make it easy for them to share your message, and measure results. It’s divided into five sections: First things first – Why Facebook? Timeline – Just the facts why should I care about Likes? How to Market on Facebook – make it productive not idle play Social Campaigns to build your business.
Free and Low Cost Resources for Your Business
8/8 – Wednesday 9:00AM – 11:00AM
Representatives from SBA, the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights, the San Francisco Public Library Small Business Center, SCORE, San Francisco Small Business Development Center, Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center or Women’s Initiative for Self Employment will discuss the resources available.
Starting a Business in San Francisco
8/8 – Wednesday 11:00AM – 12:30PM
Hear directly from San Francisco officials. How do you obtain permits? How do you register your business name? Learn what the City can do for you in this one-stop seminar.
Financing Your Business
8/8 – Wednesday 1:00PM – 3:00PM
Discover the right way to seek financing for your business. We will discuss loan proposal requirements, financing options and SBA programs.
Business Law Basics
8/8 – Wednesday 3:30PM – 5:30PM
An experienced business lawyer will discuss Choice of Legal Entity (corporations, LLC, partnership, etc.); Intellectual Property; Employee issues; and Real Estate issues. This class does not constitute legal advice.
***Plan Strategically and Grow
8/8 – Wednesday 5:00PM – 8:00PM in SAN JOSE
Basic Bookkeeping, Part Two
8/9 – Thursday 1:30PM – 4:30PM
We’ll cover balance sheets, incomes statements, cash flow and working capital. Participants should have completed Basic Bookkeeping, Part One, or be familiar with the concepts covered in that seminar. $30 registration fee. Presented by the SF SBDC.
***Using Business Info to Drive Growth
8/9 – Thursday 5:00PM – 8:00PM in SAN JOSE
Advertising in Today’s Market Place
8/9 – Thursday 6:00PM – 8:00PM
This presentation will focus on the changes that have taken place over the years in regards to media fragmentation. How marketing a business today involves so many choices from the traditional media of the past. How knowing who your target market (customer) is, influences your advertising media choices. Free Class. Presented by the SF SBDC.
Social Media Marketing Made Simple
8/10 – Friday 9:30AM – 12:00PM
In just a few short hours, this information-packed seminar will review the essential strategies and best practices a business or organization should understand in order to successfully get started with social media marketing. We will talk about: What social media marketing really is and why it’s important; Various social media networks and tools: how they interact, ways to leverage their strengths, and how to evaluate them for best use for your business or organization; How other businesses are using these low-cost tools to gain visibility, develop relationships, and drive sales and engagement; and How to incorporate it into your business life without losing productivity. You’ll have plenty of time to ask questions… share your experiences… and network with your peers. And you’ll leave this high-powered seminar with real-world insights and knowledge that you can put to work immediately, to help your business succeed.
***East Bay Small Business Symposium – Tuesday, 7/31/12 from 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM – Hotel Shattuck Plaza, Crystal Ballroom, 2086 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA – Connect with key resources that are available to you as a Small Business. Resource providers in financing, marketing, planning, employee recruitment and training will be available to connect you with a wide range of experts who can help you manage and grow your small business. SBA’s Region IX, Regional Administrator, Elizabeth B. Echols, will be in attendance and introduce you to the opportunities available at this event. To register, go to: East Bay Small Business or for more information, contact Keith Sutton, East Bay EDA, (510) 272-3885 or email
San Jose Entrepreneur Center Classes – San Jose Entrepreneurship
***Basic Bookkeeping III: Small Business Cash Flow Analysis & Cash Flow Forecasting
07/30 – Monday 5:00PM – 8:00PM
Topics include developing a budget, statement of cash flow analysis, and developing a cash forecast. Participants should have completed Basic Bookkeeping I or be familiar with the concepts covered in that seminar. Presented by the Silicon Valley Small Business Development Center. Cost: $35 online; $45 at door, check or cash only Location: San Jose Entrepreneur Center, 100 East Santa Clara Street, San Jose, CA, 95113 For registration: Sillicon Valley Small Business Development Center Contact Information: Client Services Coordinator, , 408-351-3661
***Legal Issues for Small Business
8/2 – Thursday 5:00PM – 8:00PM
This course covers legal topics that small business owners need to know to protect their businesses, such as obtaining proper licenses and permits, negotiating leases and contracts, treatment of employees and others who work for them, buying/selling agreements, and treatment of intellectual property. Presented by the Silicon Valley SCORE. Fee: $45.00 To register go to Silicon Valley Score and click on Workshops/Seminars. Location: 234 East Gish Road, Suite 100, San Jose, CA 95112
***QuickBooks
8/4 & 8/11 – Saturdays 8:30AM – 12:30PM
Hands-on practice. One PC per student, class size of 10 students. Prerequisite: Familiarity with Microsoft Windows.
Includes the following topics: Create a Company and a meaningful Chart of Accounts, Customers and Vendors, Managing bank accounts, Adding entries, Estimating, Billing and Invoicing, Receiving payments, Purchase orders, Paying bills and printing checks, Bank accounts reconciliation, Understanding financial reports, Taxes preparation, Budgeting and Business Planning. This course is not for QuickBooks for MAC users. Presented by the Silicon Valley SCORE. Fee $ 100.00 To register go to Silicon Valley Score and click on Workshops/Seminars. Location: 234 East Gish Road, Suite 100, San Jose, CA 95112
***Introduction to QuickBooks
8/6 – Monday 1:00PM – 5:00PM
An introduction to QuickBooks, including setting-up, updating and running financial reports, and procedures for entering your accounting data. Laptops with sample data will be provided. Presented by the Silicon Valley Small Business Development Center. Cost: $79 online; $89 at door, check or cash only Location: San Jose Entrepreneur Center, 100 East Santa Clara Street, San Jose, CA, 95113 For registration: Silicon Valley Small Business Development Center Contact Information: Client Services Coordinator, , 408-351-3661
***Successfully Buy/Sell a Small Business
8/7 – Tuesday 5:00PM – 8:00PM
This course covers topics such as basics of evaluating business, reading and understanding financial statements, determining verifiable owner income, steps involved in developing a purchase agreement, due diligence, escrow and transfer of title, and negotiating a non-adversarial contract. Presented by the Silicon Valley SCORE.. Fee: $45.00 To register go to Silicon Valley Small Business Development Center and click on Workshops/Seminars. Location: 234 East Gish Road, Suite 100, San Jose, CA 95112
***Plan Strategically and Grow
8/8 – Wednesday 5:00PM – 8:00PM
This course focuses on developing a strategy to grow your business by understanding your business and its environment, and what you can do to evolve your business to remain competitive. Presented by the Silicon Valley SCORE. Fee: $45.00 To register go to Silicon Valley Small Business Development Center and click on Workshops/Seminars. Location: 234 East Gish Road, Suite 100, San Jose, CA 95112
***Using Business Info to Drive Growth
8/9 – Thursday 5:00PM – 8:00PM
This course shows you how to create, and apply to your business decisions, metrics by using the business information you already have, such as sales data, cost numbers, accounts receivable, number of hits to your website, returns/complaints percentages, and days of inventory. Presented by the Silicon Valley SCORE. Fee: $45.00 To register go to Silicon Valley Score and click on Workshops/Seminars. Location: 234 East Gish Road, Suite 100, San Jose, CA 95112 Our Partners Presents…A weekly feature of small business community events offered by our resource partners, other organizations and groups outside SBA:
***Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center – Mid-Peninsula – Orientation Workshops of small business low-cost and free services in Redwood City and Daly City. Learn more about the program and services by signing up for the next “Launch Your Business Orientation Workshop” at Renaissance Entrepreneur Center or call (650) 321-2193 Ext. 10 for more information.
***Tech Futures Group (TFG) – The Northern California Small Business Development Center (SBDC) network has launched a new program, called Tech Futures Group (TFG), which provides strategic advisory services to technology companies that may need assistance in marketing their technology products and services or in obtaining venture capital. As a program of the SBDC network, which receives funding from SBA, Tech Futures Group advisory services are provided at no cost to the small business client. However, prospective clients must submit an online application and meet certain qualifications to be accepted into the program, such as: be a small technology-based company, have intellectual property, and have a strong potential for growth. The same general criteria must be demonstrated by a business that wants to attract venture capital. A description of the client qualifications may be found at this link: Tech Future Group
***Red Cross Ready Rating Program – is a free, web-based, membership program designed to help businesses, organizations and schools become better prepared for emergencies. Members complete an online self-assessment of their current readiness level and receive immediate customized feedback with tips to improve preparedness. For more information visit: Red Cross Ready Rating Program or call (877) 715-0123.
Supplier Connection: A private-public collaboration that will help small businesses strengthen their revenue streams by gaining access to more than $300 billion in combined supply chain spending by a consortium of 15 of America’s largest corporations. Supplier Connection is designed to help bridge the gap between small businesses looking for new opportunities and large corporations looking for innovative new ideas and diversity in their supply chains. Supplier Connection is a free, online portal that allows small businesses to send information about their products and services to 15 private sector companies. For more information on Supplier Connection, visit Supplier Connection
***Electronic Registration (eReg) System – Starting or Doing Business Just Got Easier with eReg – The Board of Equalization (BOE) is pleased to announce eReg, a new online Electronic Registration system that is convenient, fast and a free way to register for a permit, license, or BOE account. Learn more about eReg at Electronic Registration
Central Contractor Registration (CCR) system is Going Away…..What to Expect: In late July, the Central Contractor Registration (CCR), along with the Federal Agency Registration (FedReg), the Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA), and the Excluded Parties List System (EPLS), will be migrated into a new System for Award Management, or SAM. Please visit System for Award Management for more information.
If you know someone interested in receiving this weekly distribution, instruct them to send an email request to to be added to the list. We do not sell, rent or trade the names on our email list. Your email address is only used to send messages from the SBA.
Free Small Business Counseling by Appointment…..Call or Click
SF SCORE – or SF Score 415-744-6827 OR SF Small Business Development Center – SF Small Business Development Center or 415-841-4050
The free classes in our local SBA training program are made possible by the generous support of our volunteer 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.