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  • The Customer Connection: Service Essentials for Restaurants

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

    Register Great customer service is the secret ingredient to a thriving restaurant. Join us for an interactive workshop with seasoned restaurateur Ben Arrona, who will share insider strategies to enhance guest interactions and build lasting customer loyalty. In this hands-on session, you’ll learn: Proven communication techniques to engage and delight guests Best practices for seamless in-house and to-go service How to handle customer complaints with confidence and professionalism Whether you’re a restaurant owner, manager, or front-line staff, this workshop will equip your team with the tools to create memorable dining experiences that keep customers coming back. Don’t miss this opportunity to refine your service skills and set your restaurant apart!

  • Unlocking Modern Marketing: From Mad Men to AI

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

    Register Marketing has transformed dramatically over the past century, evolving from traditional advertising methods to today’s AI-driven strategies. This interactive workshop gives small business owners a hands-on opportunity to explore how marketing tactics have adapted over time and how to apply these insights to modern business growth. Through real-world case studies, expert insights, and collaborative challenges, participants will learn how to reach their target audience, maximize limited resources, and stay competitive in a rapidly changing digital landscape. The session culminates in a practical exercise where attendees will develop a scalable AI-powered marketing strategy tailored to their own businesses. Whether you’re launching a new venture or looking to refine your existing marketing efforts, this workshop will equip you with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate the future of marketing with confidence.

  • Strategic Prioritization: How to Make Effective Business Decisions

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

    Register As a business owner or manager, you’re constantly faced with competing priorities and limited resources. With so many strategic directions available, how do you confidently choose the right path forward? In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn a practical framework for prioritizing business decisions that align with your company’s goals, resources, and long-term vision. Whether you’re weighing product development ideas, marketing strategies, or operational improvements, this session will help you cut through the noise and focus on what really matters. The session will be led by Mitch Emerson, co-founder of CompeteIQ.io—a Competitive Intelligence platform serving enterprise clients. Mitch brings decades of experience in corporate strategy, technical marketing, and software development from his time at Cisco Systems and Juniper Networks. He now serves as an IT Manager for San Luis Obispo County and has advised dozens of local startups and small businesses through the Cal Poly CIE and SBDC since 2020.

  • Burnout to Breakthrough: Building Resilience for Sustainable Success

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

    Register Burnout is more than just stress—it’s a real and rising challenge for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and leaders juggling competing priorities. In this practical, down-to-earth workshop, executive leadership coach Kiki Wilkinson will guide you through how to spot the early warning signs of burnout, develop strategies to prevent it, and equip yourself with tools to bounce back when it hits. Drawing on her 15 years of leadership development experience—including nearly a decade shaping global teams at Airbnb—Kiki shares actionable steps and compassionate insights to help you protect your energy, sustain your passion, and reconnect with the joy of what you do. Whether you’re feeling the pressure now or just want to build better boundaries for the future, this session will help you cultivate resilience, boost clarity, and thrive both personally and professionally.

  • Clarity, Confidence, and Grit: The Business Owner’s Toolkit for Thriving in Uncertain Times

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

    Register Small business owners don’t have the luxury of standing still. You’re constantly making decisions with limited time, data, or support. This workshop is designed for entrepreneurs who want to stop spinning their wheels and start moving forward with purpose. Join global adversity expert, Dr. Paul Stoltz, and strategy coach, Kurt Friedmann to learn: How to clear mental clutter and focus on what moves the needle A repeatable process for making strong, confident decisions How to turn adversity into a growth advantage Practical tools to stay resilient in the face of challenges This is not theory—it’s real-world strategy for real-world business owners.

  • Cómo Emprender Su Negocio (Spanish Business Start Workshop)

    BridgeWorks Coworking Space 6907 El Camino Real, Atascadero, CA, United States

    Register Ser propietario de un negocio puede ser una empresa estimulante, exigente y lucrativa, pero no es para todo el mundo. Un elemento clave del éxito es la capacidad de planificar el presente y el futuro. Cuanto más planifiques, más informado estarás, lo que a su vez te ayudará a centrar tus prioridades y a tomar grandes decisiones en el proceso. José Huitrón es un pilar de la creación de capacidad empresarial en la Costa Central desde hace mucho tiempo, habiendo lanzado varias empresas que abarcan la creación de contenidos, el marketing digital y la activación del acceso al capital para fundadores subrepresentados. Opciones de asistente en persona e híbrido

  • Unlocking Growth for Your Business: Finding and Competing for Grants & Federal Funding

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

    Are you exploring ways to grow your business without giving up equity? Join us for this in-depth workshop on non-dilutive funding led by funding expert, Carolyn Kreuzcamp, MBA, and learn how to identify, pursue, and secure grant opportunities that align with your business goals. Is non-dilutive funding right for your business? Gain a clear understanding of grants and federal funding, how they work, and when they’re the right fit. How to find the right opportunities for your business. Discover strategies for identifying relevant opportunities across public (municipal, state, and federal) and private (foundation) sources. About the speaker Carolyn Kreuzkamp, MBA is a seasoned funding strategist with extensive experience preparing grant proposals and responding to solicitations at the Municipal, State, and Federal levels. Carolyn specializes in building commercialization strategies for regulated industries, with a strong focus in healthcare and medtech. Her expertise spans tech transfer, finance, innovation, government contracting, and storytelling. She also serves as a member of the NIH Center for Scientific Review and as a mentor for the Department of Commerce Select Global Women in Tech program. Based in San Francisco, Carolyn is proud to be part of the SBDC at Cal Poly and visits San Luis Obispo quarterly to advise teams in person. IMPORTANT NOTE: Carolyn […]

    Free

  • QuickBooks Intermediate – Virtual Workshop

    Zoom

    Ready to take your QuickBooks skills to the next level? In this live, virtual workshop, QuickBooks expert Marissa Jones will guide you beyond the basics to help you strengthen your financial systems and maintain accurate, insightful records. Perfect for business owners and professionals who already use QuickBooks and want to enhance efficiency, consistency, and confidence in their bookkeeping. In this interactive online workshop, you’ll learn: -Best practices for clean, consistent recordkeeping -Tools to streamline monthly reviews and stay on top of business health -How to track KPIs to measure performance and make data-driven decisions About the Speaker Marissa Jones is the Founder & CEO of Carpe Digits, where she helps businesses grow—from inception to exit—through modern accounting and finance solutions. With a background in economics and accounting, Marissa is a trusted advisor to entrepreneurs and a frequent speaker at industry events. Register for free

    Free

  • Year-End Financial Planning for Business Owners & What You Need to Know for 2026

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

    As the year comes to a close, it’s the perfect time for business owners to review their finances, get organized, and prepare for the year ahead — including new California employer requirements taking effect in 2026. Join us for a practical workshop designed to help you reflect on your business finances and identify the steps needed to build a strong financial future. Led by Chloe Feingold, Financial Advisor with Edward Jones, this session will walk you through key year-end planning essentials while helping you understand and prepare for these upcoming state requirements. The format will be interactive and informal, with the opportunity to ask Chloe questions throughout. During this session from 4-5PM, we’ll cover: Finance basics and best practices to strengthen your business’s finances in the new year How to create a simple financial plan that supports both business and personal goals Key updates for 2025–2026, including the SECURE 2.0 Act and California’s new retirement-plan requirements After the session, you will have a chance to network with other business owners from 5-5:30PM over small bites and beverages. About the Speaker: Chloe Feingold is a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones who helps business owners align everyday financial decisions with their long-term goals. She brings a practical, approachable style to […]

    Free