Bookkeeping Made Easy: Keep Calm & Get Organized

Presented by: Ali DeRoche

What is Bookkeeping?
Is it accounting, tax preparation, or financial organization? The answer is YES. Find out how bookkeeping ties all these elements together to keep your business on track.

Why Should You Care?
Organized finances offer clear advantages—improve your financial accuracy, make informed business decisions, and get ready for tax season with ease.

Take Action: 7 Steps to Success
Learn seven actionable steps for effective bookkeeping, including how to properly pay yourself!

Methods + Software Comparison
We'll break down popular bookkeeping methods and software options to help you choose the best solution for your business

Friday, February 21

12:00-1:30pm via 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

Conceptos Básicos de Marketing para Pequeños Negocios

Presented by: Marissa Hernandez

¿Estás listo para hacer crecer tu negocio, pero no sabes cómo atraer más clientes? Únete a nuestro taller "Conceptos Básicos de Marketing para Pequeños Negocios", un curso práctico y dinámico diseñado para emprendedores con poca o ninguna experiencia en marketing. Aprenderás estrategias simples y económicas para promocionar tus productos o servicios, conectar con tu comunidad y aumentar tus ventas. Ya sea que tengas una tienda pequeña, ofrezcas servicios o vendas productos hechos a mano, este taller te dará las herramientas y la confianza para llevar tu negocio al siguiente nivel.

Vamos a cubrir:

• ¿Qué es el marketing?

• ¿Por qué es importante el marketing?

• Conociendo a tu cliente

• Creando un plan de marketing simple

• Usando las redes sociales para marketing

• Canva (una aplicación gratuita para diseñar gráficos de marketing)

viernes 7 de marzo 

5:00pm - 6:30pm

Location: Virtual por Zoom

Instructions: 

El enlace de Zoom se enviará después del registro.

Business Credit 101 - Evening Workshop

Presented by: Jeanette Vierra

Join us with Jeanette Vierra as she breaks down the intricacies of Business Credit and prepare yourself for this important aspect of growing your small business!

• How Business Credit differs from Personal Credit

• Why it is important to use Business Credit to protect your Corporate Veil

• How to establish your Small Business as a Credit-Worthy Institution

• What Lenders look for when you are ready to apply for a line of Business Credit

Wednesday, March 19

5:30-6:30pm via Zoom

Learn How to Access Capital with Working Solutions CDFI

Presented by: Cecy Toro

Working Solutions is a certified, non-profit, small business lender, and we pride ourselves on being the First to Believe in Small Business:

• We offer loans to provide working capital to start-ups and early-stage businesses when they are ineligible to obtain it through traditional financial institutions.

• Our loan products have no minimum FICO score requirement and no required collateral. Our goal is simply to ensure our funding gets to where it is needed most.

• Our priority clients are low-income entrepreneurs and women-owned businesses who need working capital of up to $100,000 to jumpstart their journey.

Working Solutions makes affordable loans of $5,000-$100,000 accessible to start-up and early-stage entrepreneurs in California, and provides free business consulting in conjunction with every loan. Working Solutions is committed to connecting with communities that have historically not had access to capital, and specializes in serving lower-income individuals and women.

Thursday, March 20

9:30-10:30am via Zoom

How to Use AI for Social Media

Presented by: Andrea LaRosa

Discover how artificial intelligence can revolutionize your social media strategy. From content creation to audience engagement, this workshop will teach you the best AI tools and techniques to save time, boost creativity, and grow your online presence. Perfect for beginners and seasoned social media pros alike!

What You'll Learn:

• AI-Powered Content Creation: Use tools like ChatGPT to craft engaging captions, create content calendars, and brainstorm viral post ideas with ease.

• Audience Engagement Made Simple: Discover how AI can analyze audience behavior and recommend the best times and strategies to post for maximum impact.

• Visual Content and Editing with AI: Explore AI tools for creating eye-catching graphics, videos, and reels to elevate your brand’s aesthetic.

Tuesday, March 25

9:00-10:30am via Zoom

Business Credit 101 - Morning Workshop

Presented by: Jeannette Vierra

Join us with Jeanette Vierra as she breaks down the intricacies of Business Credit and prepare yourself for this important aspect of growing your small business!

• How Business Credit differs from Personal Credit

• Why it is important to use Business Credit to protect your Corporate Veil

• How to establish your Small Business as a Credit-Worthy Institution

• What Lenders look for when you are ready to apply for a line of Business Credit

Wednesday, March 26

9:00-10:00am via Zoom

FROM INBOX TO IMPACT

PRESENTED BY: ANDREA LAROSA

In today’s digital world, content is king—but only if it reaches the right audience. This interactive 90-minute workshop will teach you how to craft compelling blog posts and strategic email campaigns that engage, convert, and grow your business. Whether you're struggling to find your brand voice, unsure how to build an email list, or simply want to maximize your content’s impact, this session will equip you with the tools and strategies to succeed.

What You’ll Learn:

• The key elements of an effective blog post and how to write content that keeps readers coming back How to use email marketing to nurture leads, boost engagement, and increase sales 

• The art of crafting subject lines and blog headlines that grab attention 

• How to repurpose blog content for email (and vice versa) to maximize reach 

• Best practices for growing and maintaining an engaged email list 

• Tools and automation tips to streamline your workflow

Friday, April 4

9:00-10:30am via Zoom

AI Tools & Techniques for Marketers

Presented by: Andrea LaRosa

Learn how to harness the power of AI to transform your marketing efforts. This workshop covers AI-driven tools and insights to optimize campaigns, personalize customer experiences, and streamline your workflow. Walk away with actionable strategies to stay ahead in the ever-evolving marketing landscape.

What You'll Learn:

• Crafting Marketing Campaigns with AI: Use ChatGPT prompts to generate ad copy, email campaigns, and creative slogans tailored to your audience.

• AI for Customer Insights: Learn how AI tools can analyze customer data and behavior to deliver hyper-personalized marketing strategies.

• Streamlining Marketing Workflows: Explore automation tools powered by AI to save time on repetitive tasks like scheduling, tracking performance, and reporting.

Tuesday, April 15

9:00-10:30am via Zoom

Instructions: 

Zoom Link Sent After Registration

Paving the Road to Success with Caltrans: 3. Selling Goods and Services to Caltrans

Presented by: Richard Myerscough

Join us for “Selling Goods and Services to Caltrans” the third presentation in our continuing Caltrans training series by Richard Myerscough, Caltrans District 5 District Small Business Liaison.

• The CAL-Card, a streamlined Caltrans purchasing process.

• Commodities and services Caltrans procures.

• Cal eProcure, California’s government marketplace.

• Caltrans internal purchasing processes.

• Required forms to do business with Caltrans.

• DSBLs and their role in procurement.

Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the information directly with Caltrans and to get your questions answered in a live Q&A with Richard. 

Wednesday, April 23

12:00-1:00pm via Zoom

Paving the Road to Success with Caltrans: 4. Understanding Caltrans Procurement and Service Contract

Presented by: Richard Myerscough

Join us for “Understanding Caltrans Procurement and Service Contracts” the fourth presentation in our continuing Caltrans training series by Richard Myerscough, Caltrans District 5 District Small Business Liaison.

• Certifications at-a-glance.

• Differentiate between goods & services.

• Where to search for previous Caltrans purchases.

• Basic overview of procurement methods.

• How this information can help your business.

Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the information directly with Caltrans and to get your questions answered in a live Q&A with Richard. 

Wednesday, May 28

12:00-1:00pm via Zoom