The AI Revolution: How Artificial Intelligence is Transforming Small Businesses and Entrepreneurship

Presented by: Andrea LaRosa

Join us for an engaging 90-minute workshop where we’ll unpack how artificial intelligence is reshaping the way small businesses operate and how entrepreneurs can leverage AI for growth and innovation. Whether you’re an AI newbie or curious about the next steps, this session is packed with actionable insights, tools, and strategies tailored to your needs.

You'll learn:

• The benefits and risks of adopting AI in your business.

• Real-life success stories and what they mean for you.

• Tools and techniques to make AI work for you – no tech background required!

Plus, you'll leave with a step-by-step checklist to start implementing AI today.

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

5:30-7:00pm via Zoom

Caltrans Business Certifications Overview

Presented by: Richard Myerscough, Caltrans

Join us for an enlightening session presented by Richard Myerscough, Caltrans District 5 District Small Business Liaison. Richard will offer invaluable insights into the Caltrans Small Business Program, guiding you through:

• Certifications Caltrans recognizes.

• Benefits of certification.

• How to get certified.

• Certification eligibility criteria

• Caltrans small business resources

Don’t miss this opportunity to get your questions answered in a live Q&A.

Equip your business with the knowledge and tools needed to become certified!

Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, 12:00-1:00pm via Zoom

Food Vendors Start-Up course, Part 1

Recipe For Success! How to Offer Your Customers What They Really Want

Presented by: Paul Swigger

Do you have a passion for cooking or baking and you want to turn it into a business? Part 1 of this series will help you discover what customers are looking for and how to get (and keep!) their attention.

• How to choose your strongest product offering

• Analyze where you will find the most customers

• Explore the world of advertising

Instructions: 

Zoom Link Sent After Registration

Tuesday, January 21, 2025, 8:30-10:00am via Zoom

Food Vendors Start-Up course, Part 2

Small to Large-Scale Food Production; Food Certs and Regs Checklist

Presented by: Gabe Quiroz

Discover what it takes to use your own home as a Cottage Kitchen. Develop your packaging and labeling solutions. Find out which certifications you need and let us help you get them!

• Cottage Kitchen permits and Commissary Kitchens

• Proper packaging and Labeling

• Food Safety and First Aid requirements

Instructions: 

Zoom Link Sent After Registration

Tuesday, January 28, 2025, 8:30-10:00am via Zoom

Food Vendors Start-Up course, Part 3

The Big Picture! What It Takes to Manage Your Food Vendor Business

Presented by: Gabe Quiroz

Insights on Financing, Bookkeeping, and Taxes. Learn how your business really makes money in the long run. Put a plan in place for Customer Relations.

• Explore Financing options and proper bookkeeping practices

• Learn about industry calculations that determine profits

• Customer satisfaction and relationships are KEY to staying in business!

Instructions: 

Zoom Link Sent After Registration

Tuesday, February 4, 2025, 8:30-10:00am via Zoom

Explore, Design & Launch 2025 - OVERVIEW

Presented by: Brant Myers & Andrea LaRosa

Are You Ready To Start Your Small Business?

Join us for this overview of Explore, Design, and Launch 2025 and get your questions answered.

"Explore, Design & Launch" is our entrepreneurial training course that will equip you with the necessary knowledge, tools, and resources to start and/or grow your business.

Tuesday, February 4, 2025, 9:00-10:30am via Zoom

Legitimize Your Side Hustle

Presented by: Stacey Aragon

Are you balancing a passion project alongside your day job? In this workshop, you’ll learn how to turn your side hustle into a legitimate business with a clear roadmap and actionable steps.

Key Takeaways:

• Why turning your passion into a business could be your best move—and what it takes to succeed.

• When to take the leap from side hustle to business, and how to recognize the right time.

• How to legalize and formalize your business for long-term growth.

Who is this workshop for? Has your side hustle earned some money? If so, you are ready to legitimize your side hustle! Sign up for this workshop to begin a successful entrepreneurial journey!

Tuesday, February 4, 2025, 12:00-1:00pm via Zoom

Marketing Plans – Create Your Roadmap To Success

Presented by: Patty Ross

Are you overwhelmed by all the choices for marketing your business? Not sure where your time and money would be well spent? Are you just following what everyone else is doing and hope it works for you too?

What you will learn about building a well executed marketing plan:

-Setting goals for your business and marketing strategy
-Define your business with SWOT Analysis
-Develop your USP (Unique Selling Proposition)
-Learn how to get to the hand raise!
-Define your target audience
-Determine which tools you will need to execute on your marketing plan
-Learn why measuring and optimizing your marketing efforts is important
-Define your brand with proper visuals and messaging

Wednesday, February 5, 2025, 8:30-10:30am via Zoom

Explore, Design & Launch 2025

Presented by: Brant Myers & Andrea LaRosa

LAUNCH YOUR BUSINESS IN 2025!

This 6 week comprehensive program is built to help you turn your business idea into a thoroughly researched and tested business plan. With 8 learning sessions and 4 mentoring sessions interspersed throughout, you will have access to content, templates, and tools to help you progress through the entrepreneurial journey.

• IDEATE - Get started making your idea a reality and exploring the journey of becoming an entrepreneur.

• POSITION - Position your idea in the market, understand your customers, and solidify your business model.

• COMMIT - Commit to reaching your market, making a sale, and protecting your business.

• REFINE - Perfect your strategy before launch and make sure your finances are in order.

• LAUNCH - Plan for launching, leading, and growing your business.

This course is being offered at no cost to you!

Complete course assignments and graduate with a completed business plan. We also offer services after graduation to support you for the life of your business. 

Classes will be led by Brant Myers and Andrea LaRosa, experienced business professionals who will teach you the key steps for creating a successful start-up.

Certificate Awarded Upon Completion!

Tuesdays & Thursdays

February 6 to March 18, 2025

9:00-11:30am via Zoom

Food Vendors Start-Up course, Part 4

Good Plan = Great Business! Behind the Scenes of Successful Start-Ups

Presented by: Paul Swigger

A little planning goes a long way, but SOLID planning goes the distance. Knowing what you will need before you start sets your business up for success.

• What supplies and equipment will you need to get started?

• Details for sourcing your ingredients

• Hiring staff and inventory management

Instructions: 

Zoom Link Sent After Registration

Tuesday, February 11, 2025, 8:30-10:00am via Zoom

Budgeting Like a Boss: Small Business Strategies

Presented by: Ali DeRoche

Join Ali from Benevolent Bookkeeping and learn all about the importance of budgeting for a small business.

Tuesday, February 11, 2025, 10:30am-12:00pm via Zoom

How to File Taxes for Various Business Structures

Presented by: Brian Burgess, CPA

Are you ready to file your business taxes for 2024? Join Brian Burgess CPA, to learn about tax filing practices for common business structures. Follow along while he breaks down the process for:

• Sole Proprietorships

• LLC’s

• Partnerships

• S-Corps

Tuesday, February 18, 5:00-6:00pm via Zoom

Instructions: 

Zoom Link Sent After Registration

Master the Digital Realm: Website Design for Small Businesses

Presented by: Jose Guadarrama

Having a website can be crucial for small business success. This workshop will walk you through building your site with instructions for:

·  Using Wix: Design a custom website tailored to your brand and business goals.

·  Content Optimization: Organize and optimize content for improved user experience and SEO.

·  Functionality: Ensure seamless functionality, including mobile responsiveness and essential integrations.

·  Next Steps/Marketing the website and How: Provide guidance on hosting, launching, and maintaining your site, with actionable steps to enhance your digital marketing strategy.

Wednesday, February 19, 2025, 8:30-10:00am via Zoom

Cómo Crear Un Sitio Web Para Su Pequeño Negocio

Presented by: Jose Guadarrama

Un sitio web es esencial para el éxito de un pequeño negocio.

Este taller le enseñará cómo:

• Crear un sitio web personalizado adaptado a su marca y a sus objetivos empresariales

• Organizar y optimizar el contenido para mejorar la experiencia del usuario y la optimización en motores de búsqueda (SEO por sus siglas en inglés)

• Garantizar una funcionalidad perfecta

• Mantener su sitio web y mejorar su estrategia de marketing digital

Instructions: 

El enlace de Zoom se enviará después del registro.

Jueves, 20 de febrero, 8:30-10:00am por Zoom

Paving the Road to Success 1: Introduction for the Small Business Program

Presented by: Richard Myerscough, Caltrans

Join us for an enlightening session presented by Richard Myerscough, Caltrans District 5 District Small Business Liaison. Richard will offer invaluable insights into the Caltrans Small Business Program, guiding you through:

• Program Overview: What is the Caltrans Small Business Program, and how can it benefit your business?

• Certification Know-How: Learn about the range of business certifications that Caltrans recognizes, making your firm more competitive for state contracts.

• Community Resources: Find out about the resources available to both emerging and established businesses to optimize your relationship with Caltrans.

Don’t miss this opportunity to get your questions answered in a live Q&A.

Equip your business with the knowledge and tools needed to become certified!

Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, 12:00-1:00pm via Zoom