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Ask an Expert – Rural Business Ownership

Online

“The economic potential of small businesses in rural America is far-reaching and has the potential to be a significant contributor to the country’s sustained economic growth.” Amazon While this may be the case, there are significant barriers entrepreneurs in rural environments face, some of which include access to capital, connectivity and labor. Join us for this hour-long session solely dedicated to answering your questions by an expert panel, including members from the USDA and SCORE Mentor Kent Adams, who specializes in assisting rural business owners. ABOUT THE PRESENTER(S) • Experienced in Agriculture and regenerative operations include water, carbon sequestration, and carbon credits. • Experienced in packaged goods marketing including OTC, Skin Care, Personal Care, and first aid. • Experienced in industrial adhesives, cleaner, and specialty chemical products direct to large users and through distribution. • Work in SCOPE 2 and SCOPE 3 carbon analysis.... Kent Adams SCORE WEBSITE REGISTRATION

Free

Mission Community: So You Received a Negative Review: Now What?

Zoom

You will be taught: How to approach negative reviews to create a customer for life. How to make the most of negative reviews, potentially increasing sales and attracting new customers. When to discuss a negative review publicly and when to reach out to a customer privately. How to get over the fear of responsing to negative reviews. Bring a negative review for an opportunity to write a response in the workshop! REGISTER

Free

The Changing Face of Retail

CIE HotHouse + Zoom 872 Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA, United States

Speaker: Lani Lott Business on Main Street has changed a great deal in the last century especially for retailers. In an age where players like Amazon are enabling people to purchase products with a tap of a button, consumers can literally shop from anywhere. Add the array of short-term challenges around health and safety, supply chain, labor force, cash flow, consumer demand and marketing the retail is also facing from the aftermath of the pandemic retail is shifting. In order to ensure a future where retailers not only survive, but thrive, it is critical to anticipate what a post-pandemic world will look like, and then begin to transform to better match this new reality of what has changed and what will remain the same. This workshop will cover the various elements that work together including products, visual image, added-value services and customer service to create an experience that will give customers a great experience, make them feel positively about that interaction and the likelihood of them coming back again — with friends. REGISTER

Free

Finishing the 4th Quarter Stronger and Profitable

CIE HotHouse + Zoom 872 Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA, United States

Speaker: Lani Lott 2022 continues to be been anything but normal but the only thing that we know for sure is that businesses are telling themselves they are ready to crush it in the 4th quarter. During this workshop we will discuss what the retail and hospitality industry is saying businesses should expect in Q4 2022, outline strategies for continuing to stay nimble, flexible and focused into 2022, and share ideas for pushing forward with an effective marketing and promotional roadmap to help finish 2022 strong and profitable. REGISTER

Free

Mission Community: Ascent-Elevate Your Business

Zoom

Are you a woman entrepreneur looking for support? Do you need more resources to support your success? Ascent is an online learning platform that utilizes a modern, e-learning approach specifically targeted for women businessowners who want to grow their businesses. Ascent offers: The ability to choose topics as needed A database of over 100 multimedia learning tools on a variety of topics such as financial  literacy, intellectual property and human resource issues Education and resources at your fingertips Presented by MCSC Consultant, Justin Stoner; SBA Lender Relations Specialist, Kay Mardon; MCSC Executive Director, Liz Christoffersen; SVP of Business Services at Sesloc FCU, Liz Summer; and Marketing Manager at Cal Coastal, Loree Van Bebber Check in and lunch will be provided at 11:30am REGISTER

Free

SCORE: Financial Tools for Entrepreneurs

Zoom

Starting a business? Growing a business? Experience has shown that the three most important things to focus on for your business to grow and succeed are Sales, Customer Service and Understanding Money In & Money Out. In this workshop we will show you how to prepare the financial part of your Business Plan. Next, we'll show you how to use the Financial Tools that are available to you which are critical to your decision making and your financial success. SCORE will talk about developing a personal budget, start-up costs, determining working capital and developing an Income Statement & Cash Flow forecast. SCORE will go over the three Financial Statements (Income Statement, Balance Sheet & Cash Flow) and how to use this information. The goal of this workshop is to show you how to use these tools to contribute to your financial success. ABOUT THE PRESENTER(S) 3 years with one of the Big CPA firms. 28 years in various accounting positions in the private sector. (VP OF FINANCE, FINANCIAL DIRECTOR, CONTROLLER) 20 years owning operating my own business offering accounting, bookkeeping, tax planning and tax preparation services to the local small business community. SCORE mentor since 2014. Lew J Leichter REGISTER

Free

SBA Loan Programs and How To Apply

CIE HotHouse + Zoom 872 Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA, United States

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps small businesses get funding by setting guidelines for loans and reducing lender risk. These SBA-backed loans make it easier for small businesses to get the funding they need. Learn how SBA loan programs can help you Start, Grow, and Expand your business. 7(a) Loans - A group of SBA loans which guarantee portions of the total amount, cap interest rates, and limit fees. 504 Loans - Long-term, fixed-rate financing to purchase or repair real estate, equipment, machinery, or other assets. Microloans -The smallest loan program, providing $50,000 or less to help businesses start up and expand. REGISTER

Free

QuickBooks Intermediate

The Launch Pad, Grover Beach + Zoom 391 Front St, Suite E, Grover Beach, CA, United States

Damon Watkins, Director of Finance & Operations Learn How to Set Up Your Company with QuickBooks Online. QuickBooks Intermediate is the second step in a three part workshop series. Learn how to manage and secure company files, list items, order and sell inventory and how to apply vendor discounts. We will cover best practices for the online and desktop platforms of the QuickBooks software. Led by Damon Watkins, the Director of Finance & Operations for Cal Poly Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship. He is a motivated, personable business professional with a 15+ year track record in multiple aspects of financial control, management and policies/procedures. REGISTER

$20

Water Conservation and Economic Impact

THE SANDBOX Paso Robles + Zoom 1345 Park St, Paso Robles, California, United States

California’s long drought has impacted many industries, but arguably none more than agriculture. The allocation of this finite resource has sparked competition and raised questions about conservation and the most valuable candidates for its distribution.  Dr. Franklin Gaudi, Executive Vice President of Design at Laurel Ag & Water, will discuss the impact of the drought on San Luis Obispo County’s agricultural regions, technology available to growers, and the future of water allocation.  Dr. Gaudi holds certifications through the Irrigation Association (IA) as a Certified Irrigation Designer (CID) in surface, drip/micro, and sprinkler, as a Certified Irrigation Contractor (CIC), and as a Certified Agricultural Irrigation Specialist (CAIS).   He is a former member of the Irrigation Association Certification Board and is recognized through the American Society of Agronomy (ASA) as a Certified Crop Advisor. REGISTER

Free

Customer Service for Scaling Companies

CIE HotHouse + Zoom 872 Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA, United States

October 19th  |  9–10:30AM  |  CIE HotHouse  |  Free Fast growing companies have their hands full building their in-demand products/services and serving their rapidly expanding client base. What's often left behind is capturing knowledge held by founders and early hires who know their business clients and the processes involved in delivering a delightful experience post-sale. This investment -- a set of practical, low effort steps -- will help you scale beyond your current team to avoid a knowledge bottleneck that risks both employee and client satisfaction. Christi Hale has spent her 30+ year career working in high-growth technology companies with a relentless commitment to customer delight and helping client-facing teams succeed. She currently serves as Director of Operations for Land Gorilla, a leading technology provider of construction loan management software. REGISTER