SJ Economy News and Resources: May 2025

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May 2025

News and resources for San José entrepreneurs, small business owners and supporters of the local business and arts community.

Free Legal Services for San José-Based Small Business Owners

The City of San José, together with partner Elevate Community Center, is offering free legal services for San José-based small businesses, with services also offered in Spanish and Vietnamese.

Get support for drafting or reviewing contracts, membership agreements for customers, sale/rental agreements, non-profit formation, and mediation.

Fill out the registration form to get started.

Disability Access Improvement Grants for Small Businesses

San José small business owners: The City's Disability Access Improvement Grants program will support your responsibility to comply with the federal Americans with Disability Act and the California Building Code. The grant will help you pay for a Certified Access Specialist (CASp) report and to hire professionals to design and remove ADA barriers. More information about qualifying for grant assistance.

Make Music Day in San José: Sign up By May 21 to Have Music at Your Business

Ring in the summer with a worldwide day of music! On Saturday, June 21, celebrate Make Music Day San Jose on streets, sidewalks, and parks across the city, with music performed by anyone and free for everyone.

Businesses: sign up to host music! Let us know how long you'd like to host music, what kinds of music you are interested in booking, and what kind of equipment (chairs, electricity, water, etc.), if any you can provide.

Now accepting sign ups until May 21, 2025.

Go Green and Save Money!

The Environmental Services Department at the City of San José has launched the Wet Receptacle Assistance Program (WRAP) to provide qualifying San José businesses and institutions with up to $500 worth of FREE indoor receptacles for the sorting of their organic waste, also known as "Wet" waste in San José.

Learn more about WRAP and take advantage of this limited time offer!

Upcoming Small Business Workshops

Develop your business skills with these FREE partner workshops!

May 5

Providing Small Businesses with Tools to Make Strategic Financial Decisions

Monday, May 5, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. | Online

Hosted by: SCORE Silicon Valley

May 6

Starting a Business: Write a Business Plan

Tuesday, May 6, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Online

Hosted by: SCORE Silicon Valley

Know Your Rights: Commercial Tenant Rights and New Protections in 2025

Tuesday, May 6, 11:00 am | Online

Hosted by: Small Business Majority

May 8

Small Business Accounting

Thursday, May 8, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Online

Hosted by: SCORE Silicon Valley

Intellectual Property Basics- Know Your Rights

Thursday, May 8, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | Online

Hosted by: SCORE Silicon Valley

So You Want to Be the Boss? Is Entrepreneurship Right for You... Right Now?!

Thursday, May 8, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Online

Hosted by: AnewAmerica Women’s Business Center

Choosing the Right Legal Structure for Your Business

Thursday, May 8, 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Online

Hosted by: Start Small Think Big

Business Storytelling 101: Craft a Brand Narrative That Connects and Converts

Thursday, May 8, 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. | Online

Hosted by: Start Small Think Big

May 9

Should I Start a Business?

Friday, May 9, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | Online

Hosted by: SCORE Silicon Valley

May 12

Building a Business that Works

Monday, May 12, 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Online

Hosted by: SCORE Silicon Valley

Hiring and Employment Basics for CA Small Business Owners

Monday, May 12, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | Online

Hosted by: Start Small Think Big

May 14

Agile Productivity - What It Can Do for Your Business

Wednesday, May 14, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Online

Hosted by: SCORE Silicon Valley

Understanding Your Business Lease

Wednesday, May 14, 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. | Online

Hosted by: SCORE Silicon Valley

Loan Preparation

Wednesday, May 14, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Online

Hosted by: AnewAmerica Women’s Business Center

Financing Options for Small Business Success

Wednesday, May 14, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. |

Hosted by: Start Small Think Big

May 15

How to Develop Your Business Ideas Before Your Starts Your Business Plan

Thursday, May 15, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | Online

Hosted by: SCORE Silicon Valley

Position to Win

Thursday, May 15, 12:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. | Online

Hosted by: SCORE Silicon Valley

May 16

How to Gain Customers with a LinkedIn Company Page

Friday, May 16, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Online

Hosted by: SCORE Silicon Valley

May 19

Empowering Work Relationships – People Management Toolkit

Monday, May 19, 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Online

Hosted by: SCORE Silicon Valley

May 20

Starting a Business: Write a Business Plan

Tuesday, May 20, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Online

Hosted by: SCORE Silicon Valley

May 21

Growing your Subscriber Base

Wednesday, May 21, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | Online

Hosted by: SCORE Silicon Valley

May 23

Follow Up Strategies That Will Get More Clients and Close More Sales

Friday, May 23, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | Online

Hosted by: SCORE Silicon Valley

May 27

Six Tools for More Profitable Small Business Negotiation

Tuesday, May 27, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Online

Hosted by: SCORE Silicon Valley

Nonprofit Seminar: 21 Ways to Fund a Nonprofit

Tuesday, May 27, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Online

Hosted by: SCORE Silicon Valley

May 28

Win Customers With Your Website

Wednesday, May 28, 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Online

Hosted by: SCORE Silicon Valley

May 29

Loan Ready: Make your Small Business a Great Funding Prospect!

Thursday, May 29, 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. | Online

Hosted by: Start Small Think Big

So You Want to Be the Boss? Is Entrepreneurship Right for You... Right Now?!

Thursday, May 29, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Online

Hosted by: AnewAmerica Women’s Business Center

May 30

Google Workspace (G Suite) by Google: Software Tools for Your Business

Friday, May 30, 10:00 a.m. - 11;30 a.m. | Online

Hosted by: SCORE Silicon Valley