Dear Subscriber,

We invite you to check out our upcoming webinar, youtube videos, blog articles and learn about different funding programs. This month we are bringing you a webinar that may assist you in planning your business, financial projections, and more: Business Plans Made Simple
presented by ULV SBDC Director, Sean Snider! See below for more information.
Check out our
Youtube Channel and Small Biz Blog!
Read our October client highlight that covers the success of Joy Helou DDS, Inc. and learn how they were able to buy their dentistry business with the help of SBDC Consultants, Sean Snider, and Malcolm Geffen!
Upcoming L.A. SBDC Network Webinars
Webinar - Global Trade Series: Finding International Customers
About this webinar:
Global Trade Series: Finding International Customers - Part 1 - 10/6
Handling Your First International Order - Part 2 - 10/13

Thinking about international customers for your business? 
Come and join our two-part series on:
10/6 and 10/13, or 11/3 and 11/10

Session 1: How to Find International Customers
  • Exploring global trade can be challenging when trying to find international customers.  
Learn tips and techniques including market research to help:
  • Attract International Customers
  • Identify Potential Direct/Indirect Distributors
 
Session 2: Handling Your First International Order
Just starting with global trade and waiting for your first customer?  
Learn how to prepare your business for your first international order:
o   Identifying an International Customer
o   Locating a Courier Service or Freight Forwarder
o   Packaging and Shipping Options
o   Required Documentation
o   Insurance Options
o   Payment Terms
DATE: October 6, 2021
TIME: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
COST: FREE
LOCATION: Online
Social Media 101
About this webinar:
  • Understand the difference between the social media channels and which ones to use
  • Discuss your Social Media strategy using your brand
  • Pin point your audience and how to define them
  • Learn how to listen to the needs of your audience
  • Learn how to save time posting every day
  • Start a social media calendar with pillars and categories
  • Develop the proper hashtag strategy on individual social media channels
DATE: October 14, 2021
TIME: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
COST: FREE
LOCATION: Online
Tips on Creating Your Marketing Plan
About this webinar:
Unlocking the mystery of creating your Marketing Plan… How do I compare with competitors?
What makes my business unique? Who is my customer? How will I approach the market? Which paths and strategies should I consider?
DATE: October 20, 2021
TIME: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
COST: FREE
LOCATION: Online
Entrepreneurship for Veterans, Military and Spouses – Parts 1 and 2
About this webinar:
The Veteran Entrepreneurship Series is a two-part webinar that assists Veterans with understanding the transition from military service member to civilian entrepreneur, and understanding the multitude of considerations for planning and executing a successful transition.

Featured Topics: 
  • Common Mistakes – Are you business ready?
  • Pre-launch and Post-launch Activities
  • Financing Options
DATE: October 21, 2021
TIME: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
COST: FREE
LOCATION: Online
For more webinars visit: https://smallbizla.org/workshops/
Funding Programs and Resources
TMC Community Capital -
COVID-19 Recovery Loan Program
We are launching this program to support California’s small businesses—especially those located in economically disadvantaged and historically under-banked areas of the state.
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.
  • Loan Size: $5,000 - $50,000
  • Term: 2-5 years
  • Interest Rate: 4%-6%
The Salon & Spa Relief Fund
Description:
GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR REBUILDING YOUR BUSINESS
The Salon & Spa Relief Fund will be offering grants of:
• $2,500 for salons with revenues under $1M
• $5,000 for salons with revenues $1M or greater
As our fundraising efforts expand, the SSRF board may review adding additional levels and/or 2nd rounds.
Aveda has partnered with The Salon & Spa Relief Fund to help care for and support small business salon communities.
California Restaurant Association Foundation - Restaurants Care Fund
Description:
Restaurants Care offers emergency assistance to California food and beverage workers facing an unanticipated hardship within the past 90 days 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. Grants cover cost of living expenses for life-altering events and range from $250-$1500.

Types of expenses we cover:
•Rent or mortgage 
•Utilities (water, gas, electric, sewer) 
•Funeral expenses and travel for funeral 
The Do You Fellowship Program - Digital Undivided
Fellowship Applications Open Soon! Get On The List.
Thank you for your interest in the Do You Fellowship. After funding over 1,500 women entrepreneurs in 2020, we’re evolving our efforts by launching the Do You Fellowship. The Do You Fellowship Program will award 10 promising Black and Latinx women innovators with a $5,000 investment in their business and access to unparalleled resources and mentorship necessary to develop their businesses. Sign up below to be the first to know when applications open.
Small Business Microloan Program
EWDD designed the Microloan Program in order to provide financing to viable Microenterprises and Small businesses that private lenders are not able to accommodate. Whether your business is a Start-Up or an existing business that would like to expand, loan funds can be used for reasonable and eligible business operation costs, including, but not limited to, inventory, equipment, working capital and leaseholder improvements.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
  • Annual revenue must not exceed $1 million* and have no more than 25 employees
  • (*depending on business NAICS code)
  • Must create one permanent full-time equivalent job for every $35,000 in financial assistance received from the City*
  • (*some exceptions may apply; the required number of jobs is rounded up)
  • Out of the total jobs created, 51% must be fulfilled or made available to low and moderate-income persons
  • Business must be located in the City of Los Angeles. Please use the City of Los Angeles, Department of City Planning Online Zoning Tool to determine if your commercial location is located within LA City’s boundaries
  • (business location must not be a Residential Property, the City cannot finance a home-based business)
  • Business must have an “Active” Business Tax Registration Certificate filed with the Los Angeles Office of Finance
  • Applicant must show evidence of not being able to obtain financing elsewhere such as a Bank or a Credit Union. Being declined for EIDL/PPP/On-line Lender loan does not qualify towards this requirement.
  • (provide lender loan declination letter, etc.)
Main Street Small Business Tax Credit II
The Main Street Small Business Tax Credit II will provide Covid-19 financial relief to qualified small business employers. On November 1, 2021, the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration will begin accepting applications for tentative small business hiring credit reservation amounts through our online reservation system. Qualified small business employers must apply with the CDTFA for a credit reservation. The credit reservations will be allocated to qualified small business employers on a first-come, first-served basis. The reservation system will be available from November 1, 2021, through November 30. 2021. Qualified small business employers may apply to reserve $1,000 per net increase in qualified employees, not to exceed $150,000. Tentative credit reservation amounts will generally be reduced by credit amounts reserved or received under the first Main Street Small Business Tax Credit. Qualified small businesses will be able to offset their income taxes or their sales and use taxes with the credit when filing their returns.
Jane Walker - IFundWomen Grant Program
Jane Walker by Johnnie Walker, a whisky that celebrates the achievements of women and all those pushing boundaries towards gender equality, wants to see more firsts for women.

Originally launching the program with 15 grants, Jane Walker will now be matching the program and funding an additional 15 groundbreaking women-owned businesses through the end of the year. Together with a network of powerful icons, businesses will be selected across Entertainment & Film, Music, Sports, Journalism, STEM, and Hospitality, all on their journey towards a monumental first. Each recipient will receive a $10K grant plus a one-year IFundWomen Annual Coaching Membership. Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis through October 2021.

Program Criteria
• Business must be located in the United States
• Must generate a minimum of $25K in annual revenue
• Must have been in business for at least 2 years
• Must be a self-identified woman entrepreneur with at least 50% ownership in your business
• Must have a product/service in the market that falls into one of the following categories: Entertainment & Film, Music, Journalism, Sports, STEM, and Hospitality
• Must have a groundbreaking women-owned business that is pushing boundaries to create a more vibrant, diverse world!
PACE Disaster Relief Loans
The PACE Finance CDBG Program
  • Eligibility - Business must be located in Unincorporated Area of Los Angeles County – District 1
  • Loan Amount - Up to $50,000
  • Interest Rate - 3.5% to 4.0%
  • Term - 2-5 years

PACE Disaster Relief Loan Program
  • Eligibility - Business physical presence in the disaster area
  • Loan Amount - $20,000 to $250,000
  • Interest Rate - 4.5% to 6%
  • Term - Up to 7 years
SBA - Targeted EIDL Advance
The Targeted EIDL Advance provides funds of up to $10,000 to applicants who:
  • Are in a low-income community. To help applicants determine if they are in a low-income community as defined in section 45D(e) of the Internal Revenue Code, a mapping tool (sbaeidl.policymap.com/app) is available. The business address must be in a low-income community to qualify so SBA encourages potential applicants to check the map to see if they meet the low-income community eligibility requirement before they apply; and
  • Can demonstrate more than 30% reduction in revenue during an eight-week period beginning on March 2, 2020, or later. If an applicant meets the low-income community criteria, they will be asked to provide gross monthly revenue (all forms of combined monthly earnings received, such as profits or salaries) to confirm the 30% reduction; and
  • Have 300 or fewer employees.
Business entities normally eligible for the EIDL program are eligible to apply. This includes sole proprietors, independent contractors, and private, nonprofit organizations. Agricultural enterprises are not eligible. 
Jewish Free Loan Association (JFLA)
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.
Please note that we do not offer Small Business loans to non-profit organizations.
Glendora COVID-19 Business Recovery Program (CDBG)
The Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the City of Glendora are offering financial assistance to Glendora small businesses that are experiencing financial hardship due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The COVID-19 Business Recovery Program is a forgivable loan program created to assist small for-profit businesses facing economic hardship as a result of the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders. The program is intended to provide emergency financing to businesses that were unsuccessful in obtaining financing from other state and federal programs. Loans ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 will be allocated to eligible, qualified small businesses based on the availability of funds and review of the application and required documentation submitted.
The program is funded through the Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus Fund (CDBG-CV). Due to the federal funding source, the program requires that the funded activity provide a benefit to low- to moderate-income (LMI) persons. This requirement can be met through the job retention of an LMI individual.
No application fee or collateral are needed to apply. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and loans will be processed as long as funds are available. The loan converts to a grant that does not need to be repaid after four quarters of compliance have been met. 
San Dimas Small Business Assistance Grant Program
California Rebuilding Fund
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.
Free Refrigerators for L.A. County Stores
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!
For questions and inquiries, reach out to HRSP@isd.lacounty.gov.
Grant Search Tool and Data Portal
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.
PPE Unite - Free PPE Resource
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!
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.
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).
For additional small business resources, visit business.ca.gov.
Riverside Microenterprise Business Grant Program
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.
The Amber Grant
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. 
Professional Beauty Association Covid Relief Fund
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.
SBA - Economic Injury Disaster Loan

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.
Contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center at 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or by e-mail at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov
SBA Lender Match Tool
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.
SBA Paycheck Protection Program Resources
Provided by the American Institute of CPAs
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.
Small Business Reads
Webinars
California Department of Tax and Fee Administration Webinars
Constant Contact Webinars
Amazon Small Business Academy Webinars
Shopify Online Workshops
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