Dear Subscriber,
We invite you to check out our upcoming webinar this month and learn about different funding programs. This month, we bring you a new webinar that may assist you in promoting your business: Why Email Marketing is Still King with our SBDC Consultant, Louise Brewer! See below for more information.
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Upcoming L.A. SBDC Network Webinars |
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About this webinar:
The objective of this webinar is to help you understand how to calculate the forgivable amount of your PPP Loan and to prepare documentation that may be required with your forgiveness application.
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DATE: June 3, 2021
TIME: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
COST: FREE
LOCATION: Online
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Financing Your Business - Webinar |
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About this webinar:
This class will teach you what you need to know to apply for a business loan. Topics include: What documents and paperwork you will need to use for the application process from major banks, which banks are currently loaning money and what you will need to qualify, why a business may need financing, sources of credit, and what you should know about credit.
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DATE: June 9, 2021
TIME: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
COST: FREE
LOCATION: Online
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Taking Charge of Your Career through Franchise & Business Ownership - Webinar |
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About this webinar:
Are you looking to get into business ownership but don’t know where to start? Discover what type of business could leverage your professional acumen and have a team to support you build a successful company. During our webinar learn what type of businesses excelled through Covid and are Recession Resistant.
Additional topics we will be covering:
- Buying into a Franchise & Running your New Business
- The Surprisingly low upfront cost
- The different types of Franchise Models
- Whether franchising is a good fit for you
- Misconceptions about franchising
- Building Retirement Income
- Creating a Semi-Absentee business (10-15 hours a week)
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DATE: June 9, 2021
TIME: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
COST: FREE
LOCATION: Online
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How Basics of Search Engine Optimization |
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About this webinar:
Are you looking to get more traffic to your website from Google search? Curious how to measure the effectiveness of your SEO activity? Join us for a seminar on the two main types of SEO and which can have the biggest impact on your search rankings. We will provide vital techniques that any small business can use to attract more visitors, drive more leads, and ultimately drive sales. We’ll help you find valuable keywords, optimize your website for Google, and improve your backlink profile. These techniques can be used both for local businesses and e-commerce businesses alike.
In this seminar:
- 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
- Free must-have SEO tools
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DATE: June 24, 2021
TIME: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
COST: FREE
LOCATION: Online
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Subscribe to our
Youtube Channel and Blog!
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Learn how to start your own e-commerce business by watching our latest youtube video! |
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Check out our newest client highlight that covers the success of Alexander Teran, the Co-Owner of Riverside Game Labs, and learn how he started his business with the help of SBDC Consultant, Malcolm Geffen! |
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Funding Programs and Resources |
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City of Rancho Cucamonga Covid-19 Business Relief Grant Program |
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The City will be utilizing a portion of its CDBG-CV entitlement funds to implement a COVID-19 Business Relief Grant program that provides grants to micro-and small businesses adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 Business Relief Grant Program funds shall provide support to businesses for payroll, rent, personal protective equipment, and other costs required to resume or expand business operations. The program will primarily meet the benefit to low- and moderate-income person's national objective.
The COVID-19 Business Relief Grant program will consist of two components: microenterprise assistance and small business assistance.
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City of Ontario Business Utility Assistance Program |
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The City of Ontario (“City”) established the Community Development Block Grant CARES Act (“CDBG-CV”) Business Utility Assistance Program for eligible businesses with documented coronavirus (“COVID-19”) related financial hardships that have deferred utility payments for utility bills dated after March 14, 2020, the commencement date of the City of Ontario’s local state of emergency. This program was developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. |
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Anaheim Restaurant Relief Grants |
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Anaheim has two programs to help local restaurants ensure employees and diners are safe. Anaheim Restaurants can get up to $2,000 through our Restaurant Relief Grant Program to pay for current or previous expansion of their outdoor dining space. This could include the purchase of shade structures or umbrellas, décor, barricades or even renting tables and chairs.
Applications are now open and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
With a gradual return to indoor dining, Anaheim is helping eligible restaurants by providing free face masks and other protective gear as part of a program known as Restaurant Safe.
The Restaurant Safe package is designed to keep customers and employees safe as we all support the economy recovery of Anaheim restaurants.
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Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program |
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The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program was established by the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act, and amended by the American Rescue Plan Act. The program includes over $16 billion in grants to shuttered venues, to be administered by SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance.
Eligible applicants may qualify for grants equal to 45% of their gross earned revenue, with the maximum amount available for a single grant award of $10 million. $2 billion is reserved for eligible applications with up to 50 full-time employees.
Portal is Now Open!
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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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Jewish Free Loan Association (JFLA) |
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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.
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Glendora COVID-19 Business Recovery Program (CDBG) |
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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.
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San Dimas Small Business Assistance Grant Program |
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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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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.
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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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