Training – Courses & Workshops

Entrepreneur Training Program

This is a 25 hour business start-up course for entrepreneurs that want to start a new business but don’t know where to begin.  It is an indispensable part of any entrepreneurial endeavor as it allows one to “make mistakes on paper” rather than in the real world. Participants can also take advantage of our free business consulting services in order to help them complete their business plan, receive the proper licenses and permits, and apply for start up business loans. 

Course Content includes: Entrepreneurial Keys to Success, Business Plans, Pricing, Sales & Marketing, Legal Aspects, Choice of Entity, Licensing & Permits, Small Business Taxes, Accounting / Recordkeeping, Budgeting and Cash Flow Management, Business Finance, Business Loans & Access to Capital

Start Dates: February 9 & April 20 (Go to Calendar for more information and to enroll)

Business Essentials Series

This is a series of three separate 12 hour “bootcamp style” tracks that are for existing business owners who are ready to grow to the next level of success.  The tracks were created to specifically address the most pressing needs of the existing business owners that we serve: marketing, financial management and business planning. This is a 1-2-3 curriculum that helps business owners advance their skills, strategically plan for their next level of success and set them on a course to achieve it. These tracks also include 4 hours of hands-on technical assistance to give business owners the one on one attention that they need to they need to address the particular business challenges that they face. Participants enrolled in any of our “Business Essentials” courses are also able to come in for free technical assistance consulting with our staff and volunteer consultants in order to help them complete course assignments.

Special Notes: These workshop series are limited to 15 people.  Priority will be given to those who register and prepay for the class.  Also, to enroll in this workshop you must be in business for at least 6 months.  We also recommend that the series is taken one course at a time in order to get the maximum benefit from each course.

Enroll in this course and learn how to increase sales using very practical marketing principles and techniques.  Participants will identify areas for improvement in  their current sales/marketing operations, set realistic sales goals for their business and create a practical marketing plan that can be implemented and followed in order to meet their goals.

 Start Dates: March 6 & May 10 (Go to Calendar for more information and to enroll)  

Enroll in this course and learn how to take control of your business finances and be confident with your numbers! Participants will identify areas for improvement in their current financial management system, set realistic expense targets and sales goals for their business, learn practical recordkeeping tips and how to use financial information to make better business decisions.

 Start Dates: March 6 & May 12 (Go to Calendar for more information and to enroll)

Enroll in this course and finally finish that business plan.  It’s time for your business to have a solid and complete roadmap!  Participants will identify areas for improvement in their current business model, set realistic goals for their business over the next 1-5 years and create a finished business plan that outlines strategies to be implemented and followed in order to meet their set objectives.  In the final session, participants have the opportunity to present their plans to a panel of small business lenders and business consultants. 

Start Dates: March 20 & July 7 (Go to Calendar for more information and to enroll)

This series is a set of 3 workshops for beginners and intermediate website builders and owners that want to create or improve their online presence.  Whether you have a website currently, or you want to try to build one yourself - this is the workshop for you! In a unique 3 week - 3 day program you will learn how to properly build a website yourself without knowing any coding or complicated programs, OR you will be able to hire someone to build it – but know what to ask, and what to look out for in the process.  Participants who enroll in this series also receive one hour of consultation with a web consultant to discuss whatever issue they face in regards to their online presence. 

Session 1: Planning Your Website
Learn what it takes to properly plan a website, what elements and assets you need to have before you build a website, how to choose your domain name, the basics of building a search engine friendly website.  You will also be led through a questionnaire that will help you figure out what you want from a website.

Session 2: Building Your Website
Learn how to bring your elements together in building a website, what options (template, CMS, hiring a designer, DIY) are available to build a website and the reasons for each, how to select a hosting company based on your personal website needs.  You will also be led through a website building tool available through a hosting company.

Session 3: Marketing and Your Online Web Presence

Learn what SEO is all about. Learn about social media and how to decide if it is right for you, how to market your website and create an online web presence, the importance of statistics and how to use them, and learn how to maintain your website regularly.

Start Dates: February 9, March 23, & June 1 (Go to Calendar for more information and to enroll)

This course is the continuation of our Website Basics Series and delves deeper into the topics of Search Engine Optimization and Social Media.  The course consists of 4 hours of in class workshops and 4 additional hours of “hands on” consulting delivered in a small group format (group size of 3-4 business owners).  The prerequisites for this course are as follows: 1) the business has a website, and 2) has been in business for over 1 year OR attended our Website Basics Series.

Session 1: Search Engine Optimization

Review of the basics of S.E.O., Indexing and “bots”, Relevant key terms, Linking & landing pages, Terms to know, Budget & what you should pay for SEO, What you can do on your own…, Tracking your results & Analytics, Q & A.

Session 2: Social Media, Blogging and Videos

Reviewing types of Social Media, How to start a Social Media campaign, How will Social Media make you $$$, Terms to know, Knowing when it’s time to turn it over to a professional, Q&A

Start Dates: April 20 & June 10 (Go to Calendar for more information and to enroll)

Creating a Successful Business Plan

What is a business plan? How do I write one?  Business plans are essential for any successful business – and this 3 hour workshop will enable you to propel your ideas forward and share your vision of your company with others.   Every part of the business plan is explained in detail in a step-by-step format.  You will leave this session with the tools to pout your great business ideas on paper!

Dates: February 10 & March 10 (Go to Calendar for more information and to enroll)

This 3.5 hour workshop is designed for individuals who have an interest in creating a website for their business or organization and need information about where to start and how to develop a plan and implement a strategy for online success. The objective is to provide an overview of the key tasks necessary for researching, planning, developing and managing a website. The workshop content is targeted for individuals with minimal and moderate experience developing and managing websites. This session is ideal for small business owners that have limited budget and need to know where to start.

Dates: January 23, March 20 & May 15 (Go to Calendar for more information and to enroll)

This 3.5 hour workshop is designed for individuals and business owners that need generate qualified internet traffic to their website and convert this traffic to customers. The objective of this workshop is to help individuals understand how to develop a strategy for online marketing and search engine optimization. The workshop provides an overview and information about necessary tasks and methods for developing a successful online marketing campaign. The workshop is ideal for individuals that own a website and have had zero to minimal internet traffic.

Dates: February 20, April 17 & June19 (Go to Calendar for more information and to enroll)

This workshop is designed for companies or individuals that want to protect their intellectual property while starting or growing a business. You will learn about the different types of intellectual property (patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets), how each type of intellectual property impacts your business, and what steps to take to protect your intellectual property.

Dates: February 23 (Go to Calendar for more information and to enroll)

Join us for FREE Quickbooks Training and Q&A sessions.  Whether you are new to Quickbooks or need ongoing support - these workshops are for you! This is a series of 4 different Quickbooks lessons that we will offer on a rotating basis throughout 2010 - so if you miss one, don't worry there will be other opportunities.   It is also offered as a forum where you can come to get your Quickbooks questions answered.  The first hour of the workshop we will present the lesson for that day and the second hour we will  open up the session for Q&A - so bring all of your questions and keep coming back for Quickbooks support!

Quickbooks I: Introduction and Getting Started / Setting Up Quickbooks

QuickBooks II: Entering Sales & Invoices: Receiving Payments & Making Deposits, Entering & Paying Bills Tracking & Paying Sales Tax

QuickBooks III: Analyzing Financial Data / Inventory - Estimating & Progress Invoicing

QuickBooks IV: Tracking Time & Payroll / Customizing Forms & Writing Quickbook Letters

Dates: January 20, February 17, March 17, April 21, May 19, June 16, July 21 & August 18 (Go to Calendar for more information and to enroll)

This 2 hour seminar is for start-up or existing business owners that want to learn how to qualify for business credit by using simple financial management tools.  Attend this seminar to learn how to obtain business credit for any business, keep business accounting simple, estimate business tax liabilities, and keep your business viable and growing despite current economic conditions.  Attending this seminar will give you access to free online and ongoing financial analysis of your business.

Dates: January 23, February 27, March 27, April 24, May 22 & June 26 (Go to Calendar for more information and to enroll)

This 3 hour workshop covers the Los Angeles County and Federal government registration, and procurement process, e.g. WebVen and CCR database; Certifications; locating upcoming and past bid opportunities; methods to submitting a bid, e.g. the IFB, RFQ and RFP process; Reviewing bid notices and understanding the requirements associated with the bid (e.g. the Federal Acquisition Regulations "FAR" clauses, small business set-asides); knowing and researching optional certification benefits (i.e. 8a, SDB, HUB-Zone); and self-certification business ownership categories (i.e. Woman; Veteran and Svc Disabled Veteran) 

Dates: March 19 & June 10 (Go to Calendar for more information and to enroll)

This 3 hour workshop covers how to review, prepare and respond to a federal solicitation.

Dates: June 10 (Go to Calendar for more information and to enroll)

This 3 hour workshop covers how to market to and network with public agencies and how to develop referral relationships.

Dates: March 19 (Go to Calendar for more information and to enroll)

This 6 hour workshop will cover both Federal and California payroll tax reporting requirements, reporting forms, employer obligations, payment requirements, and independent contractor reporting requirements.  You will learn about forms such as the DE6, DE7, 940, 941, 1099, W-2, W-4, and W-9. 

Dates: February 18, April 22 & June 17 (Go to Calendar for more information and to enroll)

This 2 hour workshop will give the business owner an overview of federal tax rules and requirements related to operating a small business. The focus is on understanding what is legally required while also learning how to minimize tax obligations. Participants will also learn how to incorporate tax planning into their business operations in order to minimize their tax burdens. Topics Include: Business Tax Requirements, Employee vs Independent Contractor, Business Deductions and Credits, Business Use of Your Home, Forms and Filings, Recordkeeping, Q&A.

Dates: January 21, March 18 & May 20 (Go to Calendar for more information and to enroll)

This is a 2 hour workshop that introduces participants to the world of franchising. Topics Include: Franchising as a business strategy – is it right for you? Elements of a franchise, value systems in a franchise, entry into a franchise system, fees and royalties, evaluating a franchise – making an informed decision, franchisor disclosures, exit strategies, facing the fears of franchising, and working with a franchise broker.