Dear Subscriber, we invite you to check out some upcoming webinars this month and learn about different funding programs. This month we are bringing you two webinars that may assist you in your new business venture! |
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Upcoming L.A. SBDC Network Webinars |
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Basics of Search Engine Optimization Webinar |
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About this webinar:
• What is SEO?
• On-page vs. off-page SEO
• The importance of rankings
• How to identify profitable keywords
• The difference between local and national SEO
• Link-building techniques
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DATE: Thursday, February 4, 2021
TIME: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
COST: FREE
LOCATION: Online
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Facebook and Instagram Advertising Webinar |
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About this webinar:
Get started with Facebook & Instagram and start running your first ad campaign this week. This webinar is for those who are just getting started or have never advertised before.
- Audience Settings
- Setting Budgets
- Reviewing Insights
- How to Run Contests & Sweepstakes
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DATE: Wednesday, February 10, 2021
TIME: 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
COST: FREE
LOCATION: Online
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Marketing: SEO, Email Automation/Segmentation, Paid Ads Webinar |
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About this webinar:
SEO is one, if not the most, important marketing initiatives for E-Commerce businesses. We will explore several valuable tools available to entrepreneurs that will help create a successful SEO strategy. Come ready to explore marketing options and more:
- Which tools can help you with SEO
- How to build a successful content creation and distribution strategy
- What is link building and how does it work
- Email platforms
- How to set up a successful campaign
- How to track the success
- Overview on Google Ads, Facebook Ads, Instagram Ads, and Pinterest Ads
- Which advertising platform is right for you?
- How to monitor success for online ads
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DATE: Thursday, February 11, 2021
TIME: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
COST: FREE
LOCATION: Online
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The Basics of Import During Covid 19 |
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About this webinar:
This workshop will provide new-to-import and new-to-market clients with information on getting started in international trade. International trade basics will be provided as we walk through the four import development stages and are introduced to trade assistance resources on the federal, state and local level.
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DATE: Thursday, February 18, 2021
TIME: 3:00PM - 5:00 PM
COST: FREE
LOCATION: Online
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Watch and read our weekly content! |
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Read our newest blogs to learn about how to market your small business and develop new strategies to promote your business! |
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Be on the lookout for new videos and subscribe to our Youtube Channel. Watch these informative videos and follow step by step instructions to improve your organization this upcoming year. |
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Funding Programs and Resources |
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The California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program (the “Program”) provides micro-grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 to eligible small businesses and nonprofits impacted by COVID-19 and the related health and safety restrictions.
On November 30, 2020, Governor Newsom and the State Legislature announced the allocation of $500 million to the Program to be administered by the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) at the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development.
Visit the program website to learn eligibility requirements and get your documents ready. The application period opens Tuesday, February 2, and closes on Monday, February 8.
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SBA - Targeted EIDL Advance |
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COVID-19 Targeted EIDL Advance was signed into law on December 27, 2020, as part of the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Non-Profits, and Venues Act. The Targeted EIDL Advance provides businesses located in low-income communities with additional funds to ensure small business continuity, adaptation, and resiliency.
Advance funds of up to $10,000 will be available to applicants located in low-income communities who previously received an EIDL Advance for less than $10,000, or those who applied but received no funds due to lack of available program funding.
Applicants do not need to take any action at this time.
SBA will reach out to those who qualify.
SBA will first reach out to EIDL applications that already received a partial EIDL Advance (between $1,000 - $9,000). Applicants will be contacted directly by SBA via email in the coming weeks with instructions to determine eligibility and submit documentation.
All communications from SBA will be sent from an official government email with an @sba.gov ending. Please do not send sensitive information via email to any address that does not end in @sba.gov.
Next, SBA will reach out to those who applied for EIDL assistance on or before December 27, 2020 but did not receive an EIDL Advance due to lack of program funding. These applicants will receive an email from SBA with instructions to determine eligibility and submit documentation.
Please do not submit duplicate COVID-19 EIDL applications.
Only prior applicants will be considered for the Targeted EIDL Advance. SBA will reach out to you if you qualify!
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San Dimas Small Business Assistance Grant Program |
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Rural Relief Small Business Grants |
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As part of our continuing commitment to elevating our impact in rural America, LISC is inviting small business owners in rural locations across the country to apply for the LISC-Lowe's Rural Relief Small Business Grants program.
Who is eligible? Only small businesses located in rural communities are eligible at this time. Rural communities are defined as having a population of 50,000 or less. A community is defined as the city/town/village where your business address is located. If the business is mobile (a food truck, fishing boat, rideshare driver, etc) please use the address where your vehicle is stored during non-business hours. All potential applicants are encouraged to review our FAQ and grant information before applying. Non-profit organizations are ineligible for the relief funding program at this time but may be eligible for later rounds of funding.
The latest application round is now open. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM ET on February 2, 2021.
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Found/LA Recovery Fund - TMC Community Capital |
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With a generous donation from FOUND/LA, an initiative of Wurwand Foundation, and the outreach support from Small Business Majority, we are launching a new grant program called the FOUND/LA Small Business Recovery Fund to protect small businesses across Los Angeles County that make our neighborhoods feel like home.
ROUND 3: Coming Soon.
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California Rebuilding Fund |
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The California Rebuilding Fund is a loan program to support California’s small businesses—especially those located in economically disadvantaged and historically under-banked areas of the state. Businesses who employed 50 or less full-time equivalent employees (FTEs) and had gross revenues of less than $2.5 million or below in 2019 are eligible to apply. Full eligibility requirements are included in the Business Requirements tab.
The loans are flexible, transparent and are designed to help businesses access the capital and advisory services they need to get through these challenging economic times.
To fill out a pre-application and match with a participating community lender, please click here.
Please note, this program is not associated with the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) or any other SBA program. The loans are not forgivable in part or whole. The loans will need to be paid back over a 3- or 5-year term with a fixed annual interest rate that is currently 4.25%. Please see the Loan Terms tab for details.
Not all businesses will be matched with a participating community lender based on each lender’s initial criteria. If matched, you will be connected with a local community lender, which will be a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). The community lender will work with you on your full loan application. If approved, the loan will be made through that community lender and you will continue to work with them throughout the life of your loan.
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Free Refrigerators for L.A. County Stores |
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The Healthy Stores Refrigeration Program (HSRP) helps small businesses in Los Angeles’ food deserts replace existing, inefficient refrigerators with new efficient models to fill with California-grown healthy food. We’ll help you find the right new fridge, walk you through the recycling process if you are replacing an old unit, install your refrigerator, and identify healthy food options, all at no cost. Program representatives will also provide free education and training on successfully sourcing, marketing, and selling healthy foods. If you own either an independent grocery or a corner store, you may be eligible. Contact us to learn more and claim your free upgraded fridge!
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Grant Search Tool and Data Portal |
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Grants.ca.gov is managed and hosted by the California State Library. State grantmaking agencies input and update their information into prescribed data fields to make all state grant opportunities searchable on grants.ca.gov. The Grant Information Act requires state agencies to provide summaries of each of their grant or loan opportunities, including, among other items, information about how to apply and links that grantseekers can follow for more details.
The Government Operations Agency sponsors data.ca.gov, a statewide open data portal created to improve collaboration, expand transparency and lead to innovation and increased effectiveness. The Agency’s open data efforts, which support data analysis and using existing data to improve state operations, align with the Eureka Institute’s Lean process improvement program and its pilot work in data-driven performance improvement.
Open data is public data collected by the state through its routine business activities and published in a format that is easy to search, easy to download and easy to combine with other data sets from other sources; it does not include private or confidential data about individuals.
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PPE Unite - Free PPE Resource |
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The Los Angeles SBDC has launched a new PPE giveaway program called PPE Unite™ that will provide free Personal Protective Equipment to LA small businesses.
Businesses with fewer than 50 employees can apply to receive a one-month supply of face masks, hand sanitizer, and face shields through the PPE Unite™ distribution program.
These supplies are offered on a first come, first served basis, so don't delay - sign up today!
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The LA SBDC is here for you and your small business, partnering with you every step of the way as we work towards safely reopening our local economy. |
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PPE Unite™ is a unique partnership between State, local and private entities created to distribute PPE to the LA small business community. For more information, contact the Los Angeles County Disaster Help Center at 833.238.4450 or disasterhelpcenter@lacounty.gov.
This PPE has been made available to California small businesses through the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) in collaboration with the Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA).
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California Restaurant Association Foundation - Restaurants Care Fund |
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Description:
Restaurants Care offers emergency assistance to California restaurant workers facing an unanticipated hardship such as: accident, illness, injury, death of an immediate family member or natural disaster. If you are in need of assistance, please complete the application form. All grant requests will be reviewed. Restaurants Care grants are awarded to eligible individuals based on available funds and limited to one per individual. Typical grants range from $250-$1500.
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Musicians Foundation CV19 Emergency Aid Grant Program |
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This application is available online only. Modest, one-time grants up to $200 will be available to professional performers, educators and composers who meet the following requirements:
- Be a professional musician with five (5) or more years of experience performing, teaching, or composing in the United States. Applicants MUST earn the majority of their income from any combination of performing, teaching, or composing. If you were enrolled in any musical education program or institution (for performance, education, or composition) within the last five years, you are not eligible. You must have five or more years of professional experience after graduating from your most recent musical degree program to qualify.
- File taxes as musician. Applicants are required to submit fully completed and filed 2018 or 2019 1040 tax return documentation. No exceptions.
- Have the following additional documentation: professional musician materials (resume, biography, website, etc.) and proof of work cancellation (emails, letters, other correspondence).
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Riverside Microenterprise Business Grant Program |
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The Microenterprise Business Grant Program is a United Way Inland Valleys project in partnership with the City of Riverside Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, that offers a ONE-TIME GRANT UP TO $7,500 to help assist Riverside small businesses with their needs during the local emergency.
Who Can Apply?
Owners Of Micro-Eenterprises
- Businesses located within the City of Riverside
- Businesses with 5 or fewer employees (including the owner)
- The owner is of low to moderate income; or
- The business is able to employ people who are of low to moderate income
When Will the Program End?
Until funding runs out,
based on a first come, first reviewed basis.
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About the Amber Grant
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.
The deadline is February 28th, 2021.
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Professional Beauty Association Covid Relief Fund |
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With generous support from our industry partners, the Professional Beauty Association (PBA) and PBA Charities have created a new fund to help our industry during this unprecedented crisis.
The PBA COVID-19 Relief Fund will provide $500 to licensed beauty professionals who are unable to work due to COVID-19. The funding, if awarded to you, is intended to be emergency aid for short-term immediate needs such as food and bills.
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To aid its local businesses, the City of La Verne launched a Business Assistance Grant Program in May to provide financial aid to struggling businesses to help them combat the economic setbacks brought about by COVID-19. The program still has the capacity to award up to 100 qualified businesses within its city limits with a $2,500 grant to help them re-open, create jobs, retain jobs and offer quality services to the residents of La Verne.
Grant funds may be used for overhead expenses, rent, utilities, business services such as web site development to increase capacity, necessary equipment to continue business operations and more.
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SBA - Economic Injury Disaster Loan |
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On June 15, SBA began accepting new EIDL and EIDL Advance applications from qualified small businesses and U.S. agricultural businesses. Applicants who have already submitted their applications will continue to be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
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Lender Match is a free online tool that connects small businesses with SBA-approved CDFIs and small lenders. Do not use if looking for Disaster loans. Within two business days after entering their information into the Lender Match platform, a borrower receives an email from lenders who have been matched with them. The borrower can see lenders’ requests for them to begin an application. Borrowers are then able to begin the application process directly from the email they receive.
Lender Match was on pause due to CARES Act implementation priorities and loan volume. It is now being reinstated for CDFIs and other Small Asset Lenders. Leads will only be forwarded to CDFIs and Lenders with < $10b in assets until the PPP program ends on June 30, 2020, at which time Lender Match will be open to all participating SBA Lenders. Lender Match not only connects borrowers with accessing PPP loans, but also other SBA lending products, such as 7(a), 504, Microloans, and Community Advantage loans which are currently offering debt relief.
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SBA Paycheck Protection Program Resources
Provided by the American Institute of CPAs
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The Coronavirus (the virus that causes COVID-19) is having an unprecedented effect on the economy. Main Street’s small businesses are struggling to stay afloat as they’re forced to close to protect the health and safety of employees and customers. Through recently enacted federal legislation, there are opportunities for help through U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loans.
One of the most impactful is the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), designed to provide access to cash so that businesses can keep paying their employees and other expenses such as health insurance premiums, rent or mortgage payments and utilities. This important financial relief will help small businesses return to being fully operational quicker once conditions improve.
In this resource center designed for CPA firms, you’ll find tools to help you educate and advise your clients on the program.
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Covid-19 Safety Compliance Certificate Program |
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The County of Los Angeles launched the COVID-19 Safety Compliance Certificate Program (CSCCP) to help educate and train business owners to comprehensively implement the L.A. County Department of Public Health COVID-19 safety directives.
The CSCCP is a no-cost online training course that educates business owners on the essentials of the CountyHealth Officer’s Orders and what they need to do to ensure that their business practices are aligned and in compliance with infection control and physical distancing requirements. After completing the training, businesses will receive a COVID-19 Safety ComplianceCertificate that can be posted on storefronts. The training will be available in 13 languages and can be accessed online through the Department of Public Health’s COVID-19 website.
This voluntary program offers business, employees, and consumers alike the added reassurance that essential training has been completed to reduce the spread of COVID-19. This training is highly recommended for both business owners and employees. Businesses that do not participate are required to display Public Health COVID-19 Protocols in their storefronts.
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California Department of Tax and Fee Administration Webinars
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Constant Contact Webinars |
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Amazon Small Business Academy Webinars |
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Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, center host institutions, and local or private funds. Funding is not an endorsement of any product, opinion or service. All Federal funded programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Special arrangements for individuals with disability will be made if requested in advance |
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