SCL Biz: Everything Business in Sonoma County

“Reduce your taxes up to 50%! Learn legitimate strategies for tax savings through establishing or operating your own home-based business. If you file a Schedule C, you must attend this class. It will help you to understand more than 100 tax saving areas of the tax code and how to implement those that apply to you. After taking this class, many people find they are overpaying their income and/or self-employment taxes by hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars each year. You’ll learn how to pay the right amount of tax, how to use your tax savings to eliminate debt, how to audit proof your business, and how to be proactive in your tax planning.” Presented by Walt Woodard.

October 4, 2008 • 1-4:00pm
2801 Maggini Hall, Santa Rosa Campus

Information & Reservations

“This Internet Marketing Workshop, hosted by the eWomenNetwork, will teach you how to ‘Thrive Online.’ At this powerful event, presented by Mark Kitcart and Nancy Tierney, you’ll learn:

• Quick & cost effective ways to use Web 2.0 tactics in your online marketing efforts
• What does social networking mean and how do you use it to move clients through your door
• How to create a focused online and offline marketing campaign utilizing the newest marketing techniques
• 7 Secrets of Creating a Sticky Website essential in earning customers through your online marketing efforts
• How to keep your internet traffic, build solid relationships and turn them into long lasting customers”

October 3, 2008 • Noon – 4:00pm
McInnis Golf Park, 350 Smith Ranch Road, San Rafael

Information & Reservations

The Redwood Empire Small Business Development Center wants to know: Did you “put your website up and no one came? You can’t find your web site on Google? Your web developer talks to you in a language you don’t understand? Your web site can be a major component of your business success. You need to understand how it works, even if you use a professional web developer. This workshop is designed for beginning web site owners who need to understand their web sites. This is a four-part series, you can register for one workshop or the entire series.”

All sessions are  9:30 am – 11:00 am

• Part 1: 10/01/08 Understanding how your web site works
• Part 2: 10/15/08 How to make your site people friendly
• Part 3: 10/29/08 How to make your site search engine friendly
• Part 4: 11/12/08 How to monitor traffic to your site

Redwood Empire SBDC Conference Room, 421 Tenth Street, Santa Rosa

Information & Reservations or call 1-888-346-SBDC

SCL Apologies – this workshop is October 25, not September 25 as originally posted.

[Co-sponsored by the Redwood Empire Small Business Development Center]

Learn how you can become an importer in this one-day seminar highly rated for the instructor’s experience, pace, candor and humor. You will be guided through licensing; selecting products; finding suppliers; working with governments, bankers, brokers, carriers; financing, costing and pricing; and gaining orders for your products. This knowledge becomes the basis for an export business as well.” Presented by John Spiers.

October 25, 2008 • 9:00 am – 5:00pm
1288 Barnett Hall, Santa Rosa Campus

Information & Reservations

[Co-sponsored by the Redwood Empire Small Business Development Center.]

Have you been moved out of a career through layoffs or mergers? Longing to be your own boss and follow your dream? Times have changed, and one-person businesses are a permanent part of our new economy. Are you ready to become ‘your business’ and join this fast growing group of entrepreneurs? Let’s enjoy discussing:

• Learning from others’ successes (books/tapes, workshops, Internet, etc.)
• Doing your homework/research (markets/competition)
• Self-assessment (skills, expertise, business idea)
• Lifestyle changes (working alone, no paycheck, family support, freedom)
• Legal form of business, licenses, zoning, ID, taxes, write-offs, contracts, etc.
• Business plan, seed money, working capital, budgets
• Market research, and target markets
• Sales/Marketing, cards, Web pages, brochures, networking
• Setting up shop (supplies, equipment, accounting, etc.)
• Seven reasons businesses could fail
• Personal/Professional well-being (support, inspiration, continued learning, time out)”

Presented by Danni Burton.
September 27, 2008 • 9:30am – 4:30pm
2714 Maggini Hall, Santa Rosa Campus

Information & Reservations

[Co-sponsored by the Redwood Empire Small Business Development Center]

Learn how you can become an importer in this one-day seminar highly rated for the instructor’s experience, pace, candor and humor. You will be guided through licensing; selecting products; finding suppliers; working with governments, bankers, brokers, carriers; financing, costing and pricing; and gaining orders for your products. This knowledge becomes the basis for an export business as well.” Presented by John Spiers.

October 25, 2008 • 9:00 am – 5:00pm
1288 Barnett Hall, Santa Rosa Campus

Information & Reservations

“Early- and mid-stage companies in the North Bay looking for venture capital or angel investors will be showcased to dozens of active investors on November 13, 2008 at the North Bay Business Growth and Innovation Forum. Companies interested in presenting their ideas to investors must submit completed applications by September 30, 2008 to the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce. Selected participants will be notified of their acceptance by October 3, 2008.

This is the fifth in the award-winning series of Forums at which 32 local companies have made “pitches” to investors. Over $20 million has been invested in companies presenting at previous Forums. The Forum will feature two channels for companies to present their ideas. As in the previous forums, a select number of entrepreneurs will be able to make ten-minute presentations to investor panels. In addition, for the first time, companies looking for finance or expertise will be able to showcase their idea or product using poster displays in a mini trade fair format. For both channels, the presenting companies and entrepreneurs will receive valuable in-person coaching and mentoring.

“We’re looking forward to building on the success of our previous events with even more participation from local companies,” said Chris Lynch, executive vice president of the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce. “We are reaching out for the first time to existing companies that are looking for resources to grow their businesses. Supporting entrepreneurship and growth-oriented companies is an outstanding way to support emerging growth companies in the Santa Rosa area.”

For company submission guidelines please contact Chris Lynch at 707-636-0515 or Nancy Manchester at 707-543-4339.

Submission Information Application Deadline is September 30

These are tough times for small businesses and maybe you could use a small loan to get you through.

“Working Solutions is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides underserved microentrepreneurs with the access to capital and resources they need to start or grow a business.  We strive to strengthen the economy, create jobs, and build strong communities.”

Working Solutions will host a workshop on “Small Business Lending” with a panel of experts discussing:

• small business loans
• how to approach a bank
• where to go when banks say no
• local business resources

September 22, 2008 • 5:30-6:30pm
US Bank, 2308 Magowan Drive, Santa Rosa

Information

The Accidental Entrepreneur: 50 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me About Starting a Business, by Susan Urquhart-Brown [Amacom 2008]. “For those who are just beginning to consider starting a venture as well as those who want to take their organization to the next level, she offers ad­vice on what works and what doesn’t. With hard-won wisdom and empathy, she shows readers: The 8 questions everyone should ask up front The top 10 traits of the successful entrepreneur How to obtain a license and sellers permit The best way to create a business plan 10 simple ways to get referrals The 6 secrets of marketing a business Smart tips for investing and finance Ways to avoid burnout How to avoid the 7 biggest pitfalls in business”

For more see the SCL Biz Guide to Starting a Business

NorthBay biz magazine had been a mainstay of information, advice, and resources for the Sonoma, Marin, and Napa communities since the mid-1970s (when it was called Sonoma Business) and it is now has a great online business directory.

ANY business can register for free! Use the online directory to find local businesses to meet your needs as well from Accounting Services to Winery Labels. Search by keyword, industry, or zip code. Sign up today. And with a subscription you can:

• Post Events
• Manage your subscription account
• Advertise online
• Explore past issues
• Manage your online profile and subscription information

NorthBay biz Online Business Directory

On April 29, SCL Biz asked you to nominate your company and now it’s time to get dressed up for the North Bay Business Journal‘s Gala Award Reception celebrating the Best Places to Work 2008. “A record number of nearly 5,000 employees participated this year in an anonymous online survey that is part of the competition, a 25 percent increase over 2007. Profiles of the winners will appear in a special publication supplementing the Sept. 29 issue.” Use the Information & Reservations link below to see a list of the winning companies. Last day to register is Friday, September19.

September 25, 2008 • 5:30-7:30pm
Doubletree Hotel, 1 Doubletree Drive, Rohnert Park

Information & Reservations

Developed by the National Quality Research Center (NQRC) at the Stephen M. Ross Business School at the University of Michigan, the ACSI measures customer satisfaction with the products and services of approximately 200 companies in 43 household consumer industries. From airlines to wireless telephone service, happy customers return and this index can give you a good idea of how happy customers are when using your category of product or services.

The American Customer Satisfaction Index – The Voice of the Nation’s Consumer

“Are you prepared for Cal/OSHA to visit your business? This power-packed workshop will assist you in meeting your Cal/OSHA mandated safety/health compliance responsibilities. You’ll learn how to eliminate potential hazards, how to properly investigate workplace injury/illness incidents, how to avoid safety violations, how to meet recordkeeping responsibilities and much more. At the end of the day you’ll be better prepared to minimize your potential liability and maintain a safer, more productive workplace for you and your employees.” Presented by Wally Pearce.

September 19, 2008 • 8:30am – 5:00pm
1603 Emeritus Hall, Santa Rosa Campus

Information & Reservations

Be the Elephant: Build a Bigger, Better Business, by Steve Kaplan [Workman, 2006]. “You run a $5-million consulting business, or a three-person bakery with a few corporate clients, or an Internet start-up heading into its sophomore year. You’re a senior partner in a CPA firm, or a daughter taking over the family-owned factory. You’re a sales professional looking to fatten your commission check.

You know that your business is living too close to the edge. You don’t have a lot of flexibility or reserve capital, and profits have to eked out. And while you’re happy not to have the giant headaches of a giant corporation (though you’d love to have the giant income), you’re worried about Incredible Shrinking Business Syndrome…but just thinking about growing gives you the jitters. Welcome to Be the Elephant. Your path to getting bigger, and better, just got a whole lot clearer.”

For more help, visit the SCL Biz Guide to Growing A Business