Are you working on a new business idea? A new way of running your business? You're not alone! Now is the time to get back to Business Basics.
Getting Started Series
Testing your ideas before you plan. Turning a side gig into a business.
So you want to start a business? (8/4)

Are you thinking of going out on your own, but not sure if you’re ready yet? What do you need to know and do first? How do you test your idea against reality? What should your support team look like? When do you decide to go ahead?
So you're ready to start a business? (8/11)

Get clear answers about the start-up checklist: business name, location, legal structures, business license, fictitious business name announcement, federal tax ID, business bank account, retail seller’s permit, and much more!
Financial Thinking for Start-ups (8/18)

Get exposed to business financial thinking and learn a bit about how to manage your business taxes, start up costs, risks, cash flow, and more!
Business Basics Series
For new or experienced business owners
Think Like a Marketer (9/8)

What is brand identity. How can you create yours. How to find and reach your target markets. Create key customer personas. Analyze your competition. When, why, and how to advertise, etc. Leave with a basic marketing plan.
Financial Basics for Business Owners (9/15)

Using a case study, learn how to read your business' financial statements and calculate your breakeven point. Learn how to identify the management information you will need to run your business successfully. Using this knowledge of your financial statements, we show you how to plan your business' future with a quick overview of how to do financial projections.
Business Planning for the Real World (9/22)

Learn how to create a living plan with a Business Model Canvas. Who is your competition and what makes you different? What are your true costs? This approach works for new businesses and growth strategies for existing businesses.
Partner Events
Retail owners! Send your teams.

Awareness, De-escalation and Assertiveness Training for your customer service team (7/23, 8/1)

Starting in July, College of the Redwoods Workforce & Community Education is offering five FREE Awareness, De-escalation, and Assertiveness classes by industry.

Retail: BEING RESCHEDULED. CALL TO SIGN UP YOUR FRONTLINE FOLKS AND MANAGERS!
Hospitality: Sat, July 18, 2 - 4:30pm
Grocery: Thurs, July 23, 8:30 - 11am
Child Care: Sat, Aug 1, 8:30 - 11am
City/County Frontline Workers: Thurs, July 23, 2 - 4:30pm

Register at redwoods.edu/communityed/Online   o r call (707) 476-4500.
Are You Ready for Amazon? (7/16 & 7/30)

Getting your products on Amazon can be easy. Selling them on the global digital marketplace means being prepared and aligned. Learn more from Northern California SBDC's regional Amazon expert Bobby Chang. Part 1: evaluate your readiness. Part 2: get launched.
Social Media Selling (7/23)

PART 2: to be announced
Review the pros and cons of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Shopify and more with Northern California SBDC's regional expert Bobby Chang.
AskSBDC Webinars (M, W, F)

Northern California SBDC's regional Finance Center brings small business owners the latest updates and guidelines every week.


Ask an Attorney (Thursdays)

Thursdays at 4 pm (password: )
Ask pro-bono lawyers free questions via Zoom

Restaurant owners--consider asking about:
  • pros / cons of "hold harmless" agreements
  • the governor's new executive order specifying that employees required to come to a workplace who are diagnosed with COVID-19 will be presumed to have gotten it at work and can claim workers' comp
  • and more.

At 4 pm click this link and enter the password: CASE
North Coast Small Business Development Center
Humboldt: (707) 445-9720 | Del Norte: (707) 464-2168
North Coast SBDC Learning Programs also generously funded by: