Business Updates For April 7, 2021
County of Ventura Enters State’s Orange Tier 12:01 a.m. April 7

The California Department of Public Health announced yesterday that the County has met the State’s metrics to move forward into the Orange Tier.

All activities authorized under the State’s Orange Tier can resume in accordance with State capacity limits and safety protocols, including:

  • Amusement parks: smaller parks can open outdoors with 25% max occupancy or 500 people, whichever is fewer; there must be reservations or advanced ticket sales and only local attendees are allowed (from the same county as the park’s location)
  • Bars (where no meal is served): open outdoors with modifications
  • Cardrooms and satellite wagering: open indoors with 25% max occupancy
  • Family entertainment centers: open indoors for naturally distanced activities like bowling alleys and escape rooms; kart racing, mini golf and batting cages are outdoors only with modifications
  • Fitness centers and gyms: open indoors with 25% max occupancy; indoor pools open at 25% occupancy
  • Hotels and lodging: fitness centers can now open indoors with 25% max occupancy; indoor pools open at 25% occupancy
  • Movie theaters: open indoors with 50% max occupancy or 200 people, whichever is fewer
  • Museums, zoos, and aquariums: open indoors with 50% max occupancy
  • Offices: open indoors with modifications though telework is still encouraged
  • Outdoor live events: open at 20% capacity; reservations required with assigned seating only; regional attendees only (120-mile radius of venue).
  • Retail (including standalone grocers): open indoors at full capacity with modifications
  • Restaurants open indoors with 50% max occupancy or 200 people, whichever is fewer; only members of same household may share a table
  • Shopping centers (including swap meets and indoor malls): open indoors at full capacity with modifications; common areas must remain closed and food courts are at reduced capacity
  • Wineries, breweries and distilleries: open indoors with 25% max occupancy or 100 people, whichever is fewer; only members of same household may share a table
  • Youth sports: competitions between two teams are allowed in certain sports according to the State’s Youth Sports Guidance

The State has also issued new guidance for the following activities:

After reaching the Orange Tier the County would need to remain in the Orange Tier for 3-consecutive weeks to be able to progress to the less restrictive Yellow Tier.

For more information on what the State allows in the Orange Tier, please visit covid19.ca.gov.

For further information by industry sector, visit the State’s Industry Guidance website.
County of Ventura Business Assistance Grant - Deadline to Apply Extended to April 13 at 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, April 8, 10:00 a.m.
Volunteering in 2021 - How it Can Help Small Businesses Grow in Your Community
In recognition of National Volunteer Month, join the CEO of SCORE Association, Bridget Weston and SCORE Certified Mentor and District Director, Ed Coleman as they share their expertise with the SCORE audience. Additionally, hear from SCORE mentee and the Founder and CEO of Mutt's Sauce, Charlynda Scales, about the impact volunteering has had on her business. This webinar will discuss:
  • The importance of volunteering in the United States and the impact it has on our nation
  • The many benefits that come with volunteering
  • How volunteering with SCORE will help you, the small businesses we serve, and your community!
  • Register HERE

Friday, April 9, noon
COVID-19 Business Resources – EIDL, PPP, UI and Grants
The EDC invites you to join their webinar series on alternative Wednesdays and Fridays at 12:00 pm to answer questions about EIDL, PPP, UI, Grants and all currently available COVID-19 related business resources. Please register in advance. Space is limited.

Tuesday, April 13, 10:000 a.m.
Your Money. Your Business. Your Life.- Funding and Financing Your Black-Owned Business
Join four-time entrepreneur Ramon Ray to get his real-world insights and best practices for financing your business and funding your growth. Presented by SCORE. You'll learn:
  • How to be attractive to lending partners
  • Funding options to consider
  • How to develop your business pitch
  • How to finance and grow your business
  • Register HERE

Friday, April 16, 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Strong Women, Strong Coffee
Connect, Collaborate, Learn with WEV. Strong Women, Strong Coffee is our monthly meet-up/community empowerment group and we invite you to join us online (with your favorite morning brew) one Friday each month from 9:00am to 10:00am. You'll meet a special guest speaker and enjoy the opportunity to share, listen and support one another in reaching your business goals.

Tuesday, April 20, 10:00 a.m.
April 20: What the Most Successful Businesses Are Doing in 2021 - Trends You’ll Want to Jump on Now
Join SCORE for a conversation with Rieva Levonsky, CEO of GrowBiz Media and SmallBizDaily, Ross Herosian, Founder & CEO of Tricycle Creative, and Blake Clark, Global Vice President of Software Advice, about continuing patterns, new small business trends, and the biggest changes that will impact your business this year. You’ll discover:
  • How small and midsize businesses adapted and survived in 2020 (and what you can emulate)
  • Patterns from 2020 that persist in 2021 and what’s changed about them
  • What customers are expecting this year
  • Where digital commerce and contactless experiences are headed and what to do about it
  • New trends to watch out for now, in the latter half of 2021, and beyond 
  • Register HERE

Thursday, April 22, 11:00 a.m.
Reach Customers Online with Google
Learn how to make your business easier to find online. This workshop explains how Google Search works and how you can improve your website's visibility with Search Engine Optimization (SEO). The session also introduces products like Business Profile on Google, Google Trends, Search Console, Google Analytics, Google Ads, and more. Presented by SCORE. In this workshop we’ll discuss best practices for:
  • Improving your website’s visibility in Google’s organic search results, on all devices
  • Creating a free Business Profile on Google
  • Advertising your business on Google
  • Register HERE

Friday, April 23, noon
COVID-19 Business Resources – EIDL, PPP, UI and Grants
The EDC invites you to join their webinar series on alternative Wednesdays and Fridays at 12:00 pm to answer questions about EIDL, PPP, UI, Grants and all currently available COVID-19 related business resources. Please register in advance. Space is limited.

Tuesday, April 27, 10:00 a.m.
Plan Your Website for Online Success
You know you need a website for your business. But, how do you set it up for online success? First, you need to have a solid plan in place. Fortunately, this webinar will help with exactly that! This webinar, presented by Co-Founder of Cardsetter Jessica Baldwin, will share a comprehensive plan for your business's website. Attendees may also request the free website planning workbook upon completion of the webinar. Presented by SCORE.
After the session, you’ll have a better understanding of:
  • Your website’s audience
  • Feature and functionality needs
  • Content planning
  • How to choose the right platform
  • Best practices for online success
  • Register HERE

Additional Webinars
  • Click HERE for additional live and recorded SCORE webinars
  • Click HERE for additional live and recorded EDC webinars
  • Click HERE for additional live and recorded WEV webinars
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