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March 2025
How To Set Up & Register Your Business
This in-depth webinar addresses a multitude of important topics regarding legal entities and other important decisions you will need to make as a business owner. One of the first decisions will include how the company will be structured. Because of this, we will cover the basics of regulatory filings that permit new owners to properly set up entities in California. Our discussion will cover legal formation for startups, including: • LLC’s, S-Corporations, C-Corporations • DBA’s • Business permits • Resale…
Find out more »April 2025
Business Finance Literacy Series [Session 1 of 3]: What You Need To Know About Accounting And Financial Record Keeping
How to handle the accounting and financial record keeping is one of the most difficult decisions company owners make. They ask questions such as: Should we use QuickBooks online, QuickBooks desktop or some other program? What records do we need to keep for tax reporting? Should we hire someone to do our bookkeeping? What is the difference between a bookkeeper, accountant and CPA? How do we know we are hiring the right person? Unfortunately, too many small business owners do…
Find out more »Business Finance Literacy Series [Session 2 of 3]: Using An Excel Document For Financial Modeling And Forecasting
A simple Excel financial model can be created using your company's financial data (historical and/or forecasted). CFOs and financial analysts use Excel models to determine if/when a company will be profitable, what is the correct selling price, how many "widgets" need to be sold to be cover cost, and how much money is available to pay expenses. Financial models are used for start-ups and for on-going analysis to make sure the company is operating at an optimal financial performance. This…
Find out more »Business Finance Literacy Series [Session 3 of 3]: How To Analyze Your Company’s Financials For Better Decision-Making
Business owners struggle with business decisions that affect the financial health of the company. Are we selling at the right price? Are we making money? Can we afford to hire someone? Many times, these decisions are made without a thorough understanding of the financial implications. This does not need to be the case. There are simple mathematical calculations that can be used to answer key business questions. Performance Measurements are simple mathematical calculations that can be used to monitor sales,…
Find out more »How To Sell When You’re Not A Salesperson
Business owners and entrepreneurs must promote their business or products to investors, customers or clients. Often, this is something they have never done before, and they lack training to approach the challenge. To address this situation, this workshop has been built to help you learn much of what you need to know. Topics covered include: • The psychological barriers that could be holding you back and the tools required to overcome them. • Understanding the components of an effective sales…
Find out more »Turning Your Dream Into A Business
This class will help you take the first steps to become a new business owner or legitimize a side hustle or hobby. In this class we will help you: • Figure out what you don’t know • Define your basic business model • Outline the basic steps of setting up your entity and bank account • Figure out the appropriate licenses, permits and insurances • Understand available funding strategies • Begin to form your basic business plan REGISTER NOW
Find out more »What Is The Best Legal Structure For My Company? What Are The Tax Advantages?
Many entrepreneurs do not fully understand the differences between a Sole Proprietorship, LLC and S-Corporation. This causes many to form a corporation when they may be better operating as a sole prop. Additionally, they are confused about the tax differences for each structure. They often choose a legal structure based on a perceived tax advantage that is incorrect. This webinar provides an overview of the various tax structures. The required documentation for the original filing and annual filings. The requirement for…
Find out more »Writing A Book To Build Your Credibility And Brand
Write your book within 30 days or less for under $250. You will learn step by step from author David Mitroff, Ph.D. how to quickly and easily write a professional book that builds your brand. We will review how to self-publish for free on Amazon and Kindle. David will talk about: Key Learning Points: How to create content that aligns with your brand How to choose the right format for your book How to choose the right cover design REGISTER NOW
Find out more »Developing An Actionable Business Plan
You can’t get there if you don’t know what or where “there” is. This class is intended to assist both startups and expanding or scaling businesses in developing an actionable and measurable plan for the next steps in growing a profitable business. In this class we will actively work on: • Defining your business model • Identifying your place in the market • Identifying your customers and revenue channels • Identifying expansion opportunities • Costing and pricing • Revenue and…
Find out more »How To Value A Business (What Is My Business Worth?)
Join our informative webinar on how to value your business, presented by financial expert and business advisor Michael DeDonato J.D., M.B.A. Why Attend: Learn the 10 essential reasons to value your business, including exit strategy planning, buy/sell agreements, and securing funding Discover the 11-step process for accurately valuing your business Understand key financial metrics like Seller's Discretionary Earnings (SDE) and EBITDA, and when to use each Get insights from an experienced investment banker who has helped numerous business owners sell at…
Find out more »How Can AI Help You Grow Your Business? Get Your Burning Questions Answered!
Join Deborah Deras, AI Educator & Social Media Strategist, for an interactive Q&A session designed specifically for small business owners who want to leverage AI for growth, efficiency, and success—with ease and grace. Deborah is currently pursuing her doctorate in Organizational Leadership, focusing on the impact of AI in the workforce. She is also developing an AI training program for Santa Barbara City College and is at the forefront of AI advancements for business applications. Whether you're curious about how AI can automate…
Find out more »May 2025
Business Finance Literacy Series [Session 1 of 3] What You Need To Know About Accounting And Financial Record Keeping
How to handle the accounting and financial record keeping is one of the most difficult decisions company owners make. They ask questions such as: Should we use QuickBooks online, QuickBooks desktop or some other program? What records do we need to keep for tax reporting? Should we hire someone to do our bookkeeping? What is the difference between a bookkeeper, accountant and CPA? How do we know we are hiring the right person? Unfortunately, too many small business owners do…
Find out more »A Practical Guide To Smarter Business Choices Part 1: Foundations Of Effective Business Decision-Making
Overview of the Series This two-part interactive workshop series is designed for business owners and decision-makers eager to sharpen their strategic thinking and master proven frameworks for making high-impact business decisions. Led by Michael DeDonato, J.D., M.B.A., an experienced business advisor, participants will gain hands-on skills to confidently address real-world business challenges using structured, actionable methodologies. Summary: Explore the essential steps and resources that drive effective business decisions. Through practical examples and group activities, learn to clarify business goals, leverage…
Find out more »Business Finance Literacy Series [Session 2 of 3] Using an Excel Document for Financial Modeling and Forecasting
A simple Excel financial model can be created using your company's financial data (historical and/or forecasted). CFOs and financial analysts use Excel models to determine if/when a company will be profitable, what is the correct selling price, how many "widgets" need to be sold to be cover cost, and how much money is available to pay expenses. Financial models are used for start-ups and for on-going analysis to make sure the company is operating at an optimal financial performance. This…
Find out more »How To Sell When You’re Not A Salesperson
Business owners and entrepreneurs must promote their business or products to investors, customers or clients. Often, this is something they have never done before, and they lack training to approach the challenge. To address this situation, this workshop has been built to help you learn much of what you need to know. Topics covered include: • The psychological barriers that could be holding you back and the tools required to overcome them. • Understanding the components of an effective sales…
Find out more »Turning Your Dream Into A Business
This class will help you take the first steps to become a new business owner or legitimize a side hustle or hobby. In this class we will help you: • Figure out what you don’t know • Define your basic business model • Outline the basic steps of setting up your entity and bank account • Figure out the appropriate licenses, permits and insurances • Understand available funding strategies • Begin to form your basic business plan REGISTER NOW
Find out more »Business Finance Literacy Series [Session 3 of 3] How to Analyze your Company’s Financials for Better Decision Making
Business owners struggle with business decisions that affect the financial health of the company. Are we selling at the right price? Are we making money? Can we afford to hire someone? Many times, these decisions are made without a thorough understanding of the financial implications. This does not need to be the case. There are simple mathematical calculations that can be used to answer key business questions. Performance Measurements are simple mathematical calculations that can be used to monitor sales,…
Find out more »A Practical Guide To Smarter Business Choices Part 2: Applying Decision Frameworks To Real Business Challenges
Overview This is Part 2 of the interactive workshop series designed for business owners and decision-makers eager to sharpen their strategic thinking and master proven frameworks for making high-impact business decisions. Summary: Dive deeper into practical decision-making methodologies. Participants will apply tools such as Pro/Con analysis, Risk/Reward matrices, Decision Trees, and Economic Analysis to real or hypothetical business scenarios. The session emphasizes hands-on exercises, peer discussion, and actionable takeaways for immediate implementation. Key Topics: Pro/Con and Risk/Reward analysis for evaluating…
Find out more »Social Media Marketing 101: From Likes To Sales With Deborah Deras’s 5C System
Are you posting on social media but not seeing the results in your bank account? You’re not alone—and you’re not doing anything wrong, you just need a strategy that connects the dots from visibility to profitability. In this engaging, no-fluff workshop, international speaker, digital marketing strategist, and AI educator Deborah Deras shares her signature 5C System to help you turn likes into leads and content into conversions. You’ll learn: How to position your brand for maximum online visibility (without doing all…
Find out more »Developing An Actionable Business Plan
You can’t get there if you don’t know what or where “there” is. This class is intended to assist both startups and expanding or scaling businesses in developing an actionable and measurable plan for the next steps in growing a profitable business. In this class we will actively work on: • Defining your business model • Identifying your place in the market • Identifying your customers and revenue channels • Identifying expansion opportunities • Costing and pricing • Revenue and…
Find out more »Sole Prop, LLC, S Corp, — Which One And Why?
Many entrepreneurs do not fully understand the differences between a Sole Proprietorship, LLC and S Corporation. This causes many to form a corporation when they may be better operating as a sole prop. Additionally, they are confused about the tax differences for each structure. They often choose a legal structure based on a perceived tax advantage that is incorrect. This webinar provides an overview of: The various tax structures The required documentation for the original filing and annual filings The…
Find out more »Live Q&A: All About Marketing Your Small Business
Join the Long Beach SBDC for our Live Marketing Q&A addressing questions on how to effectively market and grow your business. SBDC advisor and Business Growth Strategist David Mitroff Ph.D. and Brad Pollak, Director of the Long Beach SBDC, will interact live with the audience via Zoom and answer questions covering a broad range of marketing topics including cutting-edge marketing ideas, business development strategies, how to leverage online platforms to grow your brand, mind-set, and professional growth, ways to develop…
Find out more »June 2025
Turning Your Dream Into A Business
This class will help you take the first steps to become a new business owner or legitimize a side hustle or hobby. In this class we will help you: • Figure out what you don’t know • Define your basic business model • Outline the basic steps of setting up your entity and bank account • Figure out the appropriate licenses, permits and insurances • Understand available funding strategies • Begin to form your basic business plan REGISTER NOW
Find out more »Simplify Your Content Creation With AI
Are you ready to finally show up online with consistency, clarity, and confidence in 2025? Creating social media content doesn’t have to be overwhelming or time-consuming—especially with AI tools at your fingertips. Join us for this hands-on webinar led by Deborah Deras, AI trainer to Fortune 100 brands like Netflix, Google, and Verizon. She’ll walk you step-by-step through creating your 2025 Social Media Content Calendar using AI tools that sound like YOU and sell for YOU. What You’ll Learn: How to use…
Find out more »Business Finance Literacy Series [Session 1 of 3] What You Need To Know About Accounting And Financial Record Keeping
How to handle the accounting and financial record keeping is one of the most difficult decisions company owners make. They ask questions such as: Should we use QuickBooks online, QuickBooks desktop or some other program? What records do we need to keep for tax reporting? Should we hire someone to do our bookkeeping? What is the difference between a bookkeeper, accountant and CPA? How do we know we are hiring the right person? Unfortunately, too many small business owners do…
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