SCL Biz: Everything Business in Sonoma County

Want to know more about the Sonoma Mountain Business Cluster? Join them for a celebration of Sonoma Mountain Business Cluster’s second anniversary as they open their doors for a public open house.

Get a tour of the Business Cluster’s spacious and well-equipped facility at Sonoma Mountain Village, talk with representatives from some of the Business Cluster’s innovative startup companies and enjoy some wine and hors d’oeuvres.

September 1, 2009 • 5:30 – 7:00pm
Sonoma Mountain Business Cluster, Suite 100, Rohnert Park

Information & RSVP Form

Presented by the Small Business Development Center at SRJC, this 3-part series provides small business start-up information to people who have developed a business concept and have initiated the planning process to start their business. Upon finishing all 3 modules, you may begin working individually with a Business Advisor.

• Module I- Planning & Legal Structure
• Module II-Marketing & Financing
• Module III-Business Plan

August 18, 19, and 20, 2009 • 6:00 9:00pm
SBDC, 421 Tenth Street, Santa Rosa

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

The recent economic downturn has had a profound impact on traditional bank, angel and venture capital financing. Funding for start-up and fast-growth companies is approaching near historic lows. Competition for private financing has never been more intense. However as Guy Kawasaki, of Garage Technology Ventures states, “Good business models always get funded regardless of the economy.”

Presented by Paul Bozzo, this installment of the Small Business Development Center at SRJC Business Essentials Series, at the Sonoma Mountain Business Cluster, is your chance to find out what banks, angel investors and venture capitalists are looking for in a company to say ‘yes’ to a funding request today. Learn how to position your business to succeed in securing funding despite the restricted capital environment. Investment capital is the fuel of entrepreneurial ventures and you will leave this event armed with the strategic information necessary to turn your business vision into a reality.

August 14, 2009 • 12:00 – 1:30pm
The Sonoma Mountain Business Cluster, 1300 Valley House Lane, Conference Room B

Information & Reservations

Designed for Business Owners, Key Managers, Entrepreneurs, Business Advisors and others whose decisions have an impact on your company’s financial performance, this workshop from the  Small Business Development Center at SRJC , presented by Steve LeFever, Founder and Chairman of Business Resource Services will cover, in great detail:

• Profit Planning & Cash Flow Analysis
• Planning & Managing Long Term Growth
• Dealing With Banks

August 13, 2009 • 7:30am – 5:00pm
Santa Rosa Junior College, Petaluma Campus, Richard W. Call Building, Room 656
680 Sonoma Mountain Parkway, Petaluma

Information & Reservations

From the Redwood Empire Small Business Development Center, this is the premier entrepreneurial training program in the United States: “An intensive 12-session training program designed to encourage business expansion and growth. The course focuses on teaching the art of better business practices while producing a comprehensive business plan to guide business expansion decisions and activities.”

There is a free orientation class (recommended, but not required):
August 12, 2009 • 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

The course:
12 consecutive Wednesday night sessions, August 19 through November 4, 6:00pm-9:00pm

Redwood Empire SBDC Conference Room
421 Tenth Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95401
1-888-346-SBDC

Orientation & Class Reservations

“Learn to develop your invention, product, idea or service and get it to market. Research and protection of intellectual property, including patents, trademarks and copyrights.”

Presented by Small Business Development Center at SRJC Instructor, Steve Schneider.

The workshop is on August 12, 2009 • 9:00am – Noon.

Participants MUST ATTEND Success Through Invention Workshop Prior to Attending Product Development for Inventors. The workshop is on August 26, 2009 • 9:00am – Noon.

Small Business Development Center
606 Healdsburg Avenue, Santa Rosa

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

“First, he will explain the main concepts and the terminology of bookkeeping for a small business: what a balance sheet contains, the difference between cash and accrual basis, income statement (also called profit-loss), cash flow, and how these different aspects of recording and controlling your money interact.

In the second part, we will set up the chart of accounts for a fictitious small business in front of your very eyes: which information you need to get started, how to pay bills, how to enter accounts payable and receivable, and how to know whether you are making money or just moving monies around. ”

This is a HANDS-ON session, limited to 12 attendees.

August 8, 2009 • 8:30am – 12:30pm
3535 Industrial Avenue, (upstairs) in Santa Rosa

Information and registration

The Entrepreneur Funding Boot Camp is designed for entrepreneurs, including CEOs and other C-Level executives from start-up companies, and teaches ins and outs of the funding process from investors and experts who have successfully helped their clients navigate the funding process.

Learn how to: develop a Compelling Strategy and Plan, Structure Your Deal (Offerings, Valuation, Terms Sheet), Effectively Present to Investors, Prepare for and Manage Due Diligence, and Create an Attractive Exit Strategy.

August 7, 2009 • 8:00am – 5:00pm
PG&E Conference Room 323, 77 Beale Street, San Francisco

Registration

From the Small Business Development Center at SRJC, this is the premier entrepreneurial training program in the United States: “An intensive 12-session training program designed to encourage business expansion and growth. The course focuses on teaching the art of better business practices while producing a comprehensive business plan to guide business expansion decisions and activities.”

There is a free orientation class (recommended, but not required):
August 5, 2009 • 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm or
August 12, 2009 • 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

The course:
12 consecutive Wednesday night sessions, August 19 through November 4, 6:00pm-9:00pm

Redwood Empire SBDC Conference Room
421 Tenth Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95401
1-888-346-SBDC

Information & online reservations

Got Questions? Get answers in this new workshop offered by the  Small Business Development Center at SRJC. You put up your web site 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?

Advertisements for web site tools make it sound so easy- “Build your web site tonight!”-but the truth is building and maintaining a web site is a lot of work. And, you must keep up with the fast-paced changes on the Internet.

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.

The 4 sessions cover:

• Part 1-Understanding how your web site works
•  Part 2-How to make your site people friendly
•  Part 3-How to make your site search engine friendly
•  Part 4-How to monitor traffic to your site

WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM THIS WORKSHOP:

Web site owners who need to understand their web sites and why it is – or isn’t – working for them. This workshop is designed for beginners. Bring your questions and get them answered in a non-intimidating setting!

Four Sessions, Monday August 10, 17, 24, & 31, 2009 • 6:00 9:00pm
SBDC, 421 Tenth Street, Santa Rosa

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

As part of the Sonoma Mountain Business Cluster‘s Distinguished Speakers Series, Ann Hancock, Executive Director of the Climate Protection Campaign, and Susan Briski, founder of Sustainable Progress Consulting, will discuss Sonoma County’s role as a  national leader in climate protection through the trailblazing efforts of local business and government in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, launching the green economy, and inspiring other communities. They will also talk about how local businesses are stepping up to be part of the solution, and the steps your business can take to be part of the solution, too, by analyzing your best strategies for reducing emissions and saving on operations.

July 14, 2009 • 12:00 – 1:30pm
The Sonoma Mountain Business Cluster, 300 Valley House Lane, Conference Rooms A&B
Information & Reservations

This is a new workshop from the Small Business Development Center at SRJC, presented by Noah Harris.

NxLeveL’s Guide to Green Solutions gives you a comprehensive look at current green business options. Learn to conduct feasibility studies and create an action plan that allows you to reach appropriate, affordable and attainable goals.

Core topics include:

• Why go green?
• Is it feasible?
• Weighing advantages and disadvantages
• Project management
• Saving money by saving resources
• Pollution prevention and product redesign
• Green branding and marketing
• Green export/import
• Staying green
• The NxLeveL feasibility study outline
• The NxLeveL green action plan

This program gives you the tools to make choices that are appropriate, affordable and attainable. The emphasis is on the practical economic side of green business and no distracting detours into political or theoretical issues.

July 14 and 21, 2009 • 6:00 9:00pm
SBDC, 421 Tenth Street, Santa Rosa

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

This three and a half-hour seminar to help prospective and current owners of small businesses to succeed. Subjects include guide for seeking financial aid, writing a business plan, marketing, advertising, and sales promotion. Other topics: record keeping, taxes, insurance and legal needs. This workshop is taught by business attorney Roy Johnston, who has a huge body of experience with small business.

July 11, 2009 • 9:00am – Noon
SRJC, Emeritus Hall on Elliott Avenue, Room 1522

Information and registration

“Learn to develop your invention, product, idea or service and get it to market. Research and protection of intellectual property, including patents, trademarks and copyrights.”

Presented by Small Business Development Center at SRJC Instructor, Steve Schneider.

The workshop is on July 8, 2009 • 9:00am – Noon.

Participants MUST ATTEND Success Through Invention Workshop Prior to Attending Product Development for Inventors. The workshop is on July 22, 2009 • 9:00am – Noon.

Small Business Development Center
606 Healdsburg Avenue, Santa Rosa

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

The Small Business Development Center at SRJC presents this workshop that will get your managers and employees doing the little things that can make all the difference in business. Put these simple yet powerful concepts to use and you will see impressive improvements in service, customer loyalty and profits.

Let’s face it: customers who have a negative experience with your company can produce devastating ripple effects, and in this economy can quickly drag your business down. But, if you creatively apply a constant flow of small, customer-centered innovations, you will see consistent and persistent strengthening of your customer base.

During this interactive session, you learn the “50 Secrets” and leave with a ready-to-implement Customer Service Plan for your business!

July 7, 2009 • 6:00 – 9:00pm
SBDC, 421 Tenth Street, Santa Rosa

Information & Reservations