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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!

  • Coffee & Conversation w/ Pashion Footwear

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

    Register 8:30-9:30AM - Keynote Speaker 9:30-10AM - In Person Networking Join us this month for a special Coffee & Conversation featuring keynote speaker Haley Pavone, founder and CEO of Pashion Footwear. Haley is a Cal Poly alum and entrepreneur who revolutionized the footwear industry with her innovative convertible high heels. Her journey from a student startup to a nationally recognized brand is an inspiring story of resilience, innovation, and entrepreneurial success. This is a fantastic opportunity to hear Haley’s insights on building a brand, navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship, and bringing a bold idea to market. Connect with fellow business professionals, enjoy free coffee, and engage in meaningful conversations with our vibrant community.

  • 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.

  • Coffee & Conversation w/ 2025 Business of the Year Winner

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

    Register 8:30-9:30AM - Keynote Speaker 9:30-10AM - In Person Networking Join the SBDC this month for a special Coffee & Conversation featuring Quantum Energy, our center’s Business of the Year winner! Quantum Energy is dedicated to advancing sustainable energy solutions while reducing impacts on public health, ecosystems and the economy. Hear directly from Andrew DeMille, Founder and CEO, about their inspiring journey toward success, commitment to sustainability, and the powerful impact they’ve made within our community and beyond. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights on building an impactful business, overcoming industry challenges, and embracing innovation. Connect with fellow business professionals, enjoy free coffee, and join engaging conversations with our thriving entrepreneurial community.

  • AngelCon 2025

    Rod & Hammer Rock 855 Aerovista Pl, San Luis Obispo, CA, United States

    Six brilliant tech-driven startups from Central California compete in a pitch competition to win $100,000+ in equity-backed funding at the eighth annual AngelCon on Thursday, May 1st at 5 p.m. The hybrid event will take place in person at Rod & Hammer Rock and stream on YouTube Live. Purchase tickets here!   Agenda: 5-6PM Dinner & Networking w/ Startups (in-person only) 6-7:15PM Startups Pitch 7:15-7:25PM Audience Choice Voting/Investors Deliberate 7:30PM Winner Announcements - Audience + Investment Choice Early Bird Tickets (Jan 31-Mar 4) Virtual - $10 In Person - $65 Full Price Tickets (Mar 5-Apr 30) Virtual - $20 In Person - $80

    $10 – $80

  • Coffee & Conversation w/ AngelCon 2025 Investor Panel

    872 Higuera St San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 872 Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA, United States

    Register 8:30 - 9:30 AM - Keynote Speakers 9:30-10:00AM In- Person Networking Angel investors—also known as private, seed, or angel funders—are individuals who provide critical financial backing to startups or entrepreneurs, typically in exchange for equity in the business. Although AngelCon is best known as an annual pitch competition, the journey to becoming an investor is actually a year-long training experience culminating in this exciting event. In this panel discussion, AngelCon 2025 investors will reflect on their journey, discuss key factors they look for in startups, and host an interactive Q&A session with attendees.  

    Free

  • 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.

  • Cabernet & Conversation

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

    Register This month, Coffee & Conversation gets a summer twist with a special evening edition: “Cabernet & Conversation” featuring Gretchen Roddick, Executive Vice President of Hope Family Wines and a leader in the Paso Robles wine community. Gretchen’s story is one of vision, grit, and community. Since joining Hope Family Wines in 1997, she has played a pivotal role in its transformation from a small, family-run business to a nationally recognized winery producing nearly one million cases annually. Along the way, she has helped the winery earn national awards, including Wine Enthusiast’s 2022 American Winery of the Year, and has become a champion for the Central Coast wine region. Join us to hear Gretchen’s journey from Cal Poly grad and seasonal cellar assistant to executive leadership and industry mentor. She will share behind-the-scenes insights into building a successful winery, lessons learned from decades in the business, and her thoughts on what makes Paso Robles such a special place for entrepreneurs and makers. The evening will be relaxed and interactive, with plenty of time for audience questions and informal networking over local wine. Whether you work in the wine industry, own a business, or simply want to learn from one of […]

  • 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.