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  • 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.

  • 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

  • Capital Access & Alternative Funding Pathways for Your Business

    Online

    Securing funding is one of the most critical—and often most challenging—aspects of growing a small business. The Cal Poly Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship Small Business Development Center and the Mission Community Services Corporation (MCSC) Women’s Business Center are partnering to host this virtual workshop designed to help small business owners and entrepreneurs navigate the various pathways to capital. Join us for an informative session featuring four expert speakers from the worlds of banking, the Small Business Administration (SBA), community development financial institutions (CDFIs), and angel/venture investing. Each speaker will present for 15–20 minutes on their area of expertise, followed by a group Q&A session. You'll gain insights into: The different funding sources available to small businesses Which options may be the right fit for your business What requirements and preparations are needed for each pathway How to position yourself for success when approaching potential funders Featured Panelists Include: CDFI Representative – Cecy Toro Brooks Wise – Executive Vice President, Pacific Premier Bank George Flores – Deputy District Director, SBA Fresno Office David Benham – Angel investor focused on ClimateTech and limited partner in two venture funds; Element 8 Angels screener; NREL Industry Growth Forum pitch selection committee Whether you're just starting out or looking to scale, […]

    Free

  • AngelCon 2026 Investor Info Session

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

    Have you ever wanted to be an investor, but weren’t sure where to start? Whether you're brand new to angel investing or already have experience and want to expand your impact, this info session is for you. Join us in-person or virtually to learn how you can become part of AngelCon 2026, an exciting annual event that brings together tech-driven Central California startups and local investors for a live startup competition—where one company walks away with at least $100,000 in funding. Through a hands-on investor training program offered by the Cal Poly CIE SBDC, new investors receive expert guidance on how to evaluate early-stage companies, conduct due diligence, and select high-potential startups for investment. You'll gain real-world experience alongside a group of engaged investors while contributing to the growth of our regional innovation ecosystem. Why attend? Learn how to get started with angel investing—even if you’ve never invested before Hear how the AngelCon investor group works together to pool funds, evaluate startups, and make investment decisions Meet like-minded professionals passionate about supporting entrepreneurship and local economic growth Discover how you can participate in AngelCon 2026 and help select the startup that will receive $100,000 in funding Whether you're curious, cautious, or ready […]

    Free

  • Coffee & Conversation featuring Cara Wright

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

    Join us this month for a special Coffee & Conversation featuring keynote speaker Cara Wright, Director of Development and Community Engagement at Must! Charities and former CEO of Farm Supply Company. Cara is a fourth-generation SLO County resident and Cal Poly alum whose career spans nearly three decades leading one of the region’s most beloved farmer-owned cooperatives. She rose through the ranks at Farm Supply—from salesperson to marketing, V.P. of Communications, and ultimately CEO—before transitioning this year to her new role at Must! Charities. Cara will share lessons from her journey from a local co-op to a local non-profit, insights on leadership, and the ways business and community impact intersect. This is a fantastic opportunity to hear Cara’s perspective on leading with purpose, navigating career transitions, and fostering meaningful change. Connect with fellow business professionals, enjoy free coffee, and engage in meaningful conversations with our vibrant community.

    Free

  • QuickBooks 101 Beginner Workshop

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

    Description: New to QuickBooks? This beginner-friendly workshop led by QuickBooks expert, Marissa Jones, will walk you through the essentials of setting up and navigating the platform with confidence. Whether you’re launching a business or simply ready to get your books in order, this session will help you build a strong foundation for managing your finances. In this interactive workshop, you’ll learn: How to set up QuickBooks and get started Tips for organizing your books for a smooth year-end handoff to your tax professional How to use QuickBooks reports to stay financially informed and make better business decisions Common mistakes new businesses make—and how to avoid them 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.

    Free

  • 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