DCBA is pleased to announce a new program designed to help qualified landlords who have been impacted by COVID-19 related economic hardships. The Los Angeles County Rent Relief Program will provide over $46 million in direct financial assistance to qualified landlords to help mitigate the negative economic impacts of the pandemic that have left many tenants behind on rent.

The Rent Relief Program will offer grants of up to $30,000 per unit to eligible landlords for expenses dating from April 1, 2022, to the present. The program is specifically designed with a focus on helping small, mom-and-pop landlords who own up to four rental units. Its goal is to reduce tenant evictions due to rent arrears, maintain the viability of small-scale rental businesses, and ensure availability of affordable housing in LA County.

Landlords can apply for the LA County Rent Relief Program beginning in mid-December. The application process will be easy and straightforward, and applicants will receive free multilingual technical support from community partners to guide them through the process and assist with gathering the necessary documentation.

To receive program updates and be notified when the online application opens, register today at lacountyrentrelief.com.
 

Apply Now for EmployABILITY Grants-The EmployABILITY Business Grant provides small- and medium-sized businesses with grants of $20,000-$200,000. Watch the Economic Development Department webinar, co-hosted with the California Department of Rehabilitation for details on how to apply. Applications are due Sunday, December 31. Email DSEI@dor.ca.gov for assistance. 

$10,000 grant opportunities now available from Verizon - Small Business Digital Ready is a free learning program that can help you grow your business and skillset. Join to access self-paced courses, mentorship opportunities, live events and more. And right now, when you complete any two Digital Ready resources, you’ll become eligible to apply for our $10,000 grants. But hurry, the application window closes December 20, 2023. Join today 

The Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund-Funded by DoorDash, the Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund provides $10,000 grants to local restaurants affected by state- or federally-declared natural disasters. Applications for the current round close December 29, 2023, at 6 p.m. ET. To be eligible, a business must be experiencing hardship due to a natural disaster, have a maximum of three locations, employ fewer than 50 employees per location, and have revenues of $3M or less per location in the last 12 months. See the Terms and Conditions for full eligibility criteria. Apply now

WomensNet founded the Amber Grant Foundation in 1998. The Foundation was set up with one goal in mind: to honor the memory of a very special young woman, Amber Wigdahl, who died at just 19 years old — before realizing her business dreams. Today, WomensNet carries on that tradition, giving away at $10,000 every month in Amber Grant money. Each of those monthly winners is then eligible for our year-end grant of $25,000. How Do I Apply For an Amber Grant? Applying is simple. Just take a few minutes to tell us about yourself and your business dream. No long, complicated forms to fill out. We announce the $10,000 Amber Grant recipient the first week of every month, and the $25,000 annual winner every January. Learn More 

California Small Business and Nonprofit COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave Relief Grant Program-The Program will award funds to eligible businesses and nonprofits that have incurred costs for COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave pursuant to Sections 248.6 and 248.7 of the Labor Code. Funds are limited and will be awarded based on eligibility and availability of funds. This Program was created in accordance with California AB 152 and is administered by the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA).  Round 2 opens soon. Sign up to be notified when Round 2 opens. Learn More

Jewish Free Loan Association: Small Business loans up to $36,000 are available, with 2 guarantors. 
Eligibility:
·    Applicants must be permanent residents of Los Angeles or Ventura county. 
·    Applicants must have credit scores of 680 or better, demonstrate need, and have the ability to repay the loan. 
·    Two guarantors with good credit and steady income are required on each loan up to $36,000. 
·    Applicant must submit required documentation, by email, to JFLA prior to a virtual interview. 
·    Each applicant presents individual circumstances to be considered by Jewish Free Loan.

Must be a for-profit business.  Apply Here 

PACE Disaster Relief Loans- Businesses must prove financial hardship and should be located in Los Angeles County or nearby counties. Loan Amount - $5,000 to $250,000; Interest Rate - 7.5% to 8%; Term - Up to 7 years. Apply Here 

Webinars, Seminars, etc. 

From the Pasadena City College Small Business Development Center (https://pccsbdc.org/workshops):

 What is the Best Legal Structure for my Company? What are the Tax Advantages? Dec 7 @ 9:00 am - 10:30 am; Webinar – PCC; Free

Many entrepreneurs do not fully understand the differences between a Sole Proprietorship, LLC and S Corporation.  This causes many to form a corporation when they may be better operating as a sole prop. Additionally, they are confused about the tax differences for each structure. They often choose a legal structure based on a perceived tax advantage that is incorrect. This webinar provides an overview of the various tax structures. The required documentation for the original filing and annual filings. Find out more »
 

Canva Magic for Small Businesses-Dec 14 @ 10:00 am - 11:30 pm-Webinar – PCC-Free

Unlock the secrets of visual storytelling for your business with our exclusive webinar on "Canva Magic for Small Business Owners." Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, mastering the art of graphic design can elevate your brand's presence and captivate your audience. Introduction to Canva: Dive deep into the world of Canva, a user-friendly graphic design tool tailored for non-designers Templates & Tools: Explore a plethora of templates suitable for various business needs, from social media posts to business Find out more »

 

Pacific Coast Regional-SBDC for more information and to register visit: https://pcrsbdc.org/workshops/

 

Financial Fitness: Balance Sheet December 5 @ 10:00 am - 11:30 am - Webinar – PCR – Free. The Balance Sheet is known as the “mother of all financial statements”. It provides a summary of the company’s position during a specific timeframe. It is broken down into three major categories and tracks what is known as the company’s assets, liabilities and owners’ equities. REGISTER NOW. Find out more » 

Business Plan Essentials: How to Write Your Business Plan - December 5 @ 1:00 - pm - 2:30 pm Webinar – PCR - Free - In celebration of National "Write Your Business Plan" Month, PCR SBDC launches a new workshop to help your businesses develop your business plan.  You will review the purpose and benefits of a business plan, key components of the plan, and resources to help with research, business plan formats, and putting it all together.  Plus get ready for homework,  as you will review key components of your plan with the instructor or your advisor in a couple of weeks after the workshop. Find out more » 

Launch Your Business Today December 5 @ 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm - Webinar – PCR -Free. Starting a business is easy, once you have decided to start 0ne, you are halfway there! But you need to know that it requires planning and making key financial decisions. This training is designed to give you an overview of the aspects to consider prior to starting a new business.  This may sound complicated, but at the end of the course you will have all the knowledge and  our support to make it happen! Topics will include: ·  Business Ownership… Find out more » 

Proof of Concept December 5 @ 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm -Webinar – PCR Free - After months of searching, you have finally come up with a great new business idea.  You are confident that your idea will be a game changer.  You just know that this idea will provide the financial freedom that you have always dreamed of.  However, BEFORE you take YOUR leap of faith, SLOW DOWN! Take a deep breath and ask yourself this one BIG question, ‘What research do I need BEFORE I start my business that will give me a clear… Find out more » 

Financial Fitness: Smart Credit Strategies for Entrepreneurs December 5 @ 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm - Webinar – PCR – Free. The "Improve Your Personal Credit for Lending Opportunities" workshop is designed to help individuals and business owners understand the factors that affect their credit scores and learn strategies to improve them. Whether you are looking to apply for a personal loan, business loan, or credit line, having a strong credit score can significantly increase your chances of approval and favorable terms. During this workshop, participants will learn about the different credit bureaus and how they calculate credit scores, the common… Find out more » 

Clearing the Fog of Certification-Grow Your Local Business - December 6 @ 9:00 - am - 10:00 am - Webinar – PCR - Free - The certification process can be very confusing and many times feel very labor-intensive.  PCR SBDC presents a webinar to clear the confusion of the application process. During this workshop you will learn: $Billions of Public Contracting Dollars are within Los Angeles County Agencies for Certified Small Business How to leverage Statewide Small Business Certification to open may other Local Small Business Public Contracting Opportunities REGISTER NOW’ Find out more » 

How To Become Loan Ready December 6 @ 10:00 am - 11:30 am - Webinar – PCR – Free. If you are looking to make your business bankable this webinar is for you! We know that finances can be scary but with the right help it can be the new best friend of your business. Join us as we look at what's needs to make sure you are bankable and ready to grow your business when applying for a loan. REGISTER NOW. Find out more » 

Special Event: Grow With Google: Use YouTube To Grow Your Business December 6 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm - Webinar – PCR - Free - In this workshop, you’ll learn how to create and organize a YouTube Channel, add videos, and promote your business with video ads. REGISTER NOW. Find out more » 

Special Event UCLA: “How to Recruit from Universities” - December 7 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm - Webinar – PCR - Free - “How to Recruit from Universities” – Would you like to bring on top talent to contribute to your small business?  Join the UCLA Industry Relations team to learn how to maximize recruitment efforts and student engagement at local colleges, specifically UCLA! Master the basics of establishing your company profile on Handshake, a job and internship platform for college students, and utilize its tools to better align your opportunities to student interests. REGISTER NOW Find out more » 

Restaurant Academy: Menu Money: Maximizing Your Profits With Square December 11 @ 11:00 am - 12:30 pm - Webinar – PCR – Free. Why think about menu costing?  It's the one factor you have control over in an ever-changing economic environment! Learn the basics necessary to stay on top of how much money is spent/earned on your items to maximize profitability. REGISTER NOW Find out more » 

Forming Your Corporation : LLC S-CORP & MORE - December 12 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am - Webinar – PCR - Free - We will discuss forming a Corporation, an S-Corporation, a Limited Liability Company, a Partnership, or a Sole Proprietorship. If you are unsure which category you are in, we are here to help. REGISTER NOW Find out more » 

Permits and Licenses for Restaurants and Food Business - December 13 @ 10:00 am - 11:30 am - Webinar – PCR - Free - Permits and Licenses for Restaurants and Food Business Not sure of the legal process to start your food service business? We've got you covered!  We will provide a step-by-step process to complete the state and local business registration steps.  This will include incorporation, Fictitious Business Statement, Business License, Seller's Permit, how to quickly and cost effectively obtain your health permit for operation. Bring your questions, we've got answers. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87634738441?pwd=RlVyb REGISTER NOW. Find out more » 

Special Event UCLA: “Tips for Building a Successful Internship Program” December 14 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm - Webinar – PCR - Free - “Tips for Building a Successful Internship Program” - Join the UCLA Industry Relations team for an informative workshop on building and maintaining a successful internship program. Topics covered will include how to determine what your interns will accomplish, insights for effectively recruiting university interns, maintaining compliance with federal labor law, and more. REGISTER NOW. Find out more » 

Business Profit Projections December 20 @ 10:00 am - 11:30 am - Webinar – PCR - Free - Business Projections 101 If you are looking to make a profit in your business this webinar is for you! We know that numbers can be scary but with the right help it can be the new best friend of your business. Join us as we take an honest look at what needs must be met to start, grow and keep you in the green. The only thing that can make you cents is MONEY! Let us help! REGISTER NOW Find out more » 

 

Business Events and Training College of the Canyons SBDC

For more information or to sign up for webinars visit https://cocsbdc.org/workshops/

Webinar – Campamento de Quickbooks Online Dec 2 @ 8:00 am - 10:15 am - Webinar – COC - Free - Este campo de entrenamiento es un programa de capacitación breve e intensivo diseñado para que personas no financieras aprendan a usar QuickBooks en línea. El campo de entrenamiento cubre las características y funciones básicas, incluida la configuración de cuentas, la gestión de facturas y gastos, el seguimiento de ventas e ingresos, la generación de informes financieros y la conciliación de extractos bancarios. El enfoque está en las habilidades prácticas, con el objetivo de brindar a los participantes el conocimiento y… Find out more » 

Webinar – Accounting and Financial Basics (Spanish) - Dec 4 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm - Webinar – COC - Free - ste seminario lo ayudará a comprender mejor el valor de tener un contador que lo ayude a tener éxito en los negocios. También aprenderá conceptos básicos de contabilidad que lo ayudarán a comprender los estados financieros y utilizar indicadores financieros clave. REGISTER NOW- Find out more » 

Webinar – Business Model #1 Dec 6 @ 10:00 am - 11:30 am - Webinar – COC - Free - This is the ideal workshop where business owners at all levels will learn how to build, design, and define a business model. A business model is what defines a business and its practice. In this workshop attendees will learn how to first define their business model. They will be introduced to a business model canvas as a tool.  Topics are below: · Business Idea to Business Model · Introduction to the Business Models · Steps to Define, Design and Build… Find out more » 

Webinar – Getting Your Business Site Tuned Up for 2024 - Dec 6 @ 10:30 am - 11:30 am - Webinar – COC - Free - Why Do I Need A Site Tune-up?  You’re probably asking the question…but don’t know the answer.  Your customers and Future customers are the answer.  Come and learn:   Things you can do to improve Your Site performance and visibility Keys to a Successful Site Update Critical Types of Updates And more REGISTER NOW Find out more » 

Webinar – Explore Starting Your Home Based Business - Dec 6 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm - Webinar – COC - Free - This informational Webinar, will give you a good overview of what it takes to Start Your Own Home-Based Business. Having this knowledge will nurture your dream of being self-employed and doing what you want to do in life. From selecting a business and getting it registered to how to balance your home life with our work life, this introduction will help you move forward towards entrepreneurship! REGISTER NOW - Find out more » 

Webinar: Accounting & Financial Basics Dec 6 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm - Webinar – COC - Free - Description: Learn how to take control of your business through the power of financial information.  Everyone is not an Accountant, and many are not comfortable with accounting for your business.  Financials convey a story about a business and can empower the entrepreneur/business owner.  Accounting basics are important for all business owners.  Come ready to learn about the financial aspects of your business in an easy to learn environment. REGISTER NOW- Find out more » 

Webinar – Business Planning (Spanish) Dec 6 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm - Webinar – COC - Free - : Manejo del negocio - Mas allá del simple plan. Como debes planear la información y los procesos en tu negocio.   REGISTER NOW Find out more » 

Webinar – The Essentials to Developing a Consistent Brand - Dec 6 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm - Webinar – COC - Free - Please join us to learn -  The Essentials to Developing a Consistent Brand It may be that you know the brand of your business, but is it clear to your consumer? Are you employing the right marketing strategies that strengthens your brand, and is your brand resonating with your target market? No doubt, creating a brand takes careful planning. That is why we want to invite you to join our own SBDC Digital Marketing Consultant and Web Developer, Darren Elliott… Find out more » 

Webinar – Creating Financial Projections (Spanish) - Dec 6 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm - Webinar – COC - Free - Las proyecciones financieroas son la base de cada decisión financiera que tomará su empresa en un período de tiempo determinado. Las prácticas sólidas de proyecciones financieras tienden a generar mejores resultados financieros, un flujo de efectivo más estable y un mejor acceso al crédito y la inversión que pueden ayudar a que su negocio crezca. Únase a nosotros y aprenda los conceptos básicos de las proyecciones financieras. REGISTER NOW - Find out more » 

Webinar – WAVE Boot Camp Dec 7 @ 7:30 pm - 9:45 pm - Webinar – COC - Free - This boot camp is a comprehensive overview of the free accounting application designed specifically for non-finance people.  This boot camp is delivered in a lecture-style format and covers all the key features and functions.  Participants will learn how to use Wave for managing their finances, creating invoices, track expenses, and generating financial reports.  In two hours, the boot camp will provide a high-level understanding of the application, focusing on the most important aspects that participants need to know in… Find out more » 

Webinar – Finding Funding Dec 13 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am - Webinar – COC - Free - Explore a variety of funding types for your business including disaster assistance related.  Capital is critical for all businesses.  The type of business, your capital needs, and additional factors may influence what you explore, along with the current climate.  There are many types of capital including owner investment, profit reinvestment, loans from a bank, loans from an alternative financial resources(non-banks), equipment financing, tax credits, supplier credit, credit lines, equity lines, Angel Investors, Venture Capital Investors, money invested by family… Find out more » 

Webinar: Improving Employee Retention, Recruitment and Culture Dec 13 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm - Webinar – COC - Free - Description: As employers nationwide continue to struggle to find quality employees, employers must focus on their current staff and company culture to attract the best candidates for new available positions.  This webinar will touch on ways to improve your current staff morale, offer tips for recruiting the best available candidates, and focus on your overall company culture.  Presented by Kevin McVearry, a business advisor for the SBDC since 2012, with over 25 years of experience recruiting, training, and retaining employees… Find out more » 

Webinar – How to Develop a Growth Mindset for Business Success Dec 13 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm - Webinar – COC - Free - A growth mindset encourages an environment of new ideas, helping your business beat the competition and stand out in the market.  In this webinar you will learn the basics to adopt a growth mindset to take your business to the next level of success. REGISTER NOW Find out more » 

Webinar – Protecting the Company’s “Secret Sauce”: Trade Secret Basics Dec 14 @ 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm - Webinar – COC - Free - This webinar will teach small business owners how to protect the company’s inventions, ideas and secrets. Attendees will learn the basics of trade secret law; the kinds of information that can be protected as a trade secret; confidentiality requirements; ownership issues; how to avoid losing trade secret protection; and how to avoid violating the trade secret rights of others. REGISTER NOW Find out more » 

Webinar – Fundamentals of Food Businesses Dec 20 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm - Webinar – COC - Free - Fundamentals of Food Businesses gives an overview on the various food business models. From Cottage Food Law (which allows preparing approved foods at home) to full-service restaurants and everything in between. This webinar will allow attendees to explore their ideas and think about different business models for their food business dream, and show steps to each with easily explained phases.  Presented by Kevin McVearry, Business Advisor with the SBDC since 2012, with over 25 years of experience opening and operating… Find out more »