So You Want to Start a Nonprofit? 03/02/2021 11:30 AM - 01:00 PM PT Admission $25.00 Fee: Free for Spokes 2020 Members* – $25 others Location: Spokes Zoom Room You're passionate about a cause and you want to do something about it! In fact, you're thinking about forming your own nonprofit organization. This class is for you. Join us and learn: What a nonprofit is and isn't How nonprofits...

This meeting is open to the public and topic experts alike and focuses on the Built Environment (e.g., buildings, infrastructure, utility systems). The meeting will focus on providing an overview of the Resilient SLO project and how the Built Environment plays in to the project as well as gaining feedback from participants on what parts of the Built Environment should be prioritized for the Resilient...

Date: 3/3/21 Time: 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM (PST) Registration Deadline: 3/3/21 1:00 PM (PST) Fee: No Fee Point of Contact: Barbara Burgess (805) 595-1357 Training Topics: Managing a Business, Marketing/Sales, Social Media, Technology Description: Is your website hidden in plain sight? Would you like more traffic visiting your site? Are you wondering how to turn visitors into buying customers? This webinar focuses on content creation for SEO. Find out how Google...

This free webinar is tailored for certified firms who are looking to expand business opportunities and work with the State. Topics include: • How to make the state your next customer • How to find contract opportunities on Cal eProcure • How to find and pursue contracting opportunities with Caltrans • Supplier and subcontractor opportunities • How to locate subcontractors

This meeting is open to the public and topic experts alike and focuses on the Community Resilience (e.g., emergency services, social cohesion, business community). The meeting will focus on providing an overview of the Resilient SLO project and how the Community Resilience plays in to the project as well as gaining feedback from participants on what parts of the Community Resilience should be prioritized for...

Parlor Car Chat presented by Jamie Foster During 2008 - 2010, the Motor Car Operators West (MOW) ran excursions in the Santa Maria Valley.  Join Jamie as he shares photos and stories from those events.

virtual chardonnay workshop 6 mar March 6th, 3pm PST The Center of Effort winemaking team will host an in-depth virtual tasting and discussion on our Estate Chardonnay. Join the team and taste through a variety of COE Chardonnay, new and old, to learn the impact that time, barreling and growing season can have on each vintage. Included in the Workshop v.2015 Chardonnay, COE v.2012 Chardonnay,...

Grow Your Business with Google Adwords Date: 4/7/21 Time: 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM (PDT) Registration Deadline: 4/7/21 1:00 PM (PDT) Fee: No Fee Point of Contact: Barbara Burgess (805) 595-1357 Training Topics: Managing a Business, Marketing/Sales, Social Media, Technology Description: Is your advertising bringing customers to your site? Does your advertising improve your sales? Do you know how to capture the attention of potential customers? Learn the power of Adwords. Leverage...

The Small Business Administration has some key changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) which will be available for a limited amount of time to ensure America’s smallest businesses get exclusive access. If you are a small business owner with 20 employees or less, or are self-employed; there is new information for you. Please join the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) & other stakeholders as...

Coffee and Conversation Date: 3/10/21 Time: 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM (PST) Registration Deadline: 3/10/21 8:00 AM (PST) Fee: No Fee Point of Contact: Cal Poly CIE SBDC Staff (805) 756-5171 Program Format: Online Meeting (Live) Training Topics: Other Description: This month we’ll be discussing the latest developments with the Paycheck Protection Program – with Tim Dossa, a Certified Public Accountant and acting Business Consulting Manager at Glenn Burdette. Topics will include both...

Coffee & Conversation This month we’ll be discussing the latest developments with the Paycheck Protection Program – with Tim Dossa, a Certified Public Accountant and acting Business Consulting Manager at Glenn Burdette. Topics will include both the Second Draw Loans and on the First Round Forgiveness fronts. In addition, we’ll explore the Employee Retention Credit and how it can be used along with the PPP...

Register for this webinar to learn more about best practices for reading and understanding public works contracts. This workshop will include information on: How to read a contract and assess risk Avoid Pitfalls in Contracting Understand Indirect and Direct Costs Overview of Caltrans Local Assistance Procedures Manual Best practices

THE SECRETS OF CREDIT CARD PROCESSING March 12, 2021 | 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. There are lots of credit card processors out there. Which one is right for you? Learn what you need to know in order to pick the one best for your current business and for where you want your business to grow. This is an online Webinar. Access information will be...

Assessing Your Nonprofit's Financial Health 03/16/2021 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM PT Admission $10.00 Description FREE for Spokes 2020 members Whether you are on the board of directors or staff, it's vital that you have a clear understanding of your nonprofit's financial health. Yet nonprofit financial statements can be confusing and may not be sufficient in themselves to give you the "big picture."  In this workshop, comprised of...

Session #1 3/16/21 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM (PDT) Session #2 3/23/21 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM (PDT) For questions email: [email protected] Program Format:   Multi-session Course Webinar Training Topics: Accounting/Budget, Business Financing, Cash Flow Management, Disaster Recovery, eCommerce, Marketing/Sales, Social Media, Tax Planning, Technology Description: Trabaja inteligentemente y no duro. Aprenda habilidades informáticas y de contabilidad que facilitan los negocios y la vida.

HOW TO BEGIN YOUR BUSINESS March 17, 2021 | 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Study the basics every entrepreneur or new business owner must first know: Your all-important Feasibility Study. Why are you forming a Business? Are you in the right Business? Who are your Target Customers? Who are your Competitors? The importance of a Business Plan. How to understand and use Financial Reports ...and...

St. Patrick’s Day at SLO Provisions: Corned Beef and Cabbage SLO Provisions in San Luis Obispo will continue their tradition of serving corned beef and cabbage on St. Patrick’s Day. “We served corned beef and cabbage on St. Patrick’s Day in 2015, our first year in business. It was such a hit that we’ve done it every year since” said SLO Provisions’ co-owner Dwyne Willis....

Insights and Impact: An Alumni Speaker Series - Winter Quarter Session 3   Date: 3/18/2021 Time: 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM For More Information Please Contact:  Cal Poly Alumni [email protected]   Session Three: The Next 10 Years of Entrepreneurship with Startup Company Alwell Learn more about the future of the CIE with host John Townsend (Business Administration, '81) and CIE director of development Cory Karpin taking a look at...

Cannabis: Enforcement of Regulations Cannabis: Enforcement of Regulations – March 18, 2021 Speakers: Lindsay Herrick, Staff Counsel, CA Department of Food and Agriculture Nick Quincey, Deputy County Counsel, County of SLO Marc Lea, Assistant Agricultural Commissioner, County of SLO Brent Burchett, Farm Bureau Executive Director (Moderator) A panel discussion with personnel from the California Department of Food and Agriculture, County of San Luis Obispo, and the...

QuickBooks 101 Date: 3/18/21 Time: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM (PDT) Status: Open - 17 places remaining Registration Deadline: 3/18/21 8:00 AM (PDT) Fees: Full Fee Amount $20.00 Registration Policies Point of Contact: Cal Poly CIE SBDC Staff (805) 756-5180 Program Format: Online Meeting (Live) Learn How to Set Up Your Company with QuickBooks Online. Selling: invoices, sales receipts, payments, deposits, credit memos, and customer statements Buying: bills, bill payments, checks, bill...

HOW TO PREPARE AND USE A BUSINESS PLAN March 19, 2021 | 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Your Business Plan is Your Roadmap to Success! Study the basics of a traditional Business Plan, describing how your business operates. Then, learn how to use the Business Model Canvas, defining who and what your business success really depends upon! Plus, details of the two most important elements...

The Paso Robles Event Center is pleased to announce the Mid-State Fair Market, a monthly outdoor shopping experience beginning in March 2021. The Mid-State Fair Market is a one-day opportunity to find antiques, new and used items, plus handmade items from local artisans and crafters. Featured vendors will have apparel, beauty products and items for your home, garden, or kitchen. Admission is free! Mid-State Fair...

Glen Matteson virtually chats about the history and ins and outs of track guages, couplers, and brakes.  Go to the website at http://www.slorrm.com or use the register link.

Dive into the bountiful world of succulent plants, taking a virtual walk through garden imagery. The San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden is pleased to host landscaper Gabriel Frank for an afternoon of learning about essential succulent families and how to showcase them in your own garden. On Saturday, March 20 from 1 pm – 2pm, Gabriel will lead a Zoom talk about design principles, materials,...

Session #1 3/16/21 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM (PDT) Session #2 3/23/21 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM (PDT) Email questions to [email protected] Program Format: Multi-session Course Webinar Training Topics: Accounting/Budget, Business Financing, Cash Flow Management, Disaster Recovery, eCommerce, Marketing/Sales, Social Media, Tax Planning, Technology Description: Trabaja inteligentemente y no duro. Aprenda habilidades informáticas y de contabilidad que facilitan los negocios y la vida.

Wednesday, March 24, 2021 9:00 am COVID-19 Vaccines & The Future of Blood Drives Duration: 1 hour Join Vitalant and Drs. Ralph Vassallo and Philip Norris for an exclusive educational webinar for blood drive coordinators exploring COVID-19 vaccines and the future of hosting blood drives in a changing environment.   Register here

PG&E invites you to a FREE Webinar Series for small businesses aiming to build their online presence and extend their reach. The series begins this month with two webinars focused on e-commerce basics for the food services and retail industries, respectively. Two additional webinars will follow: An April session on enhancing your social media presence and marketing in the digital age, and a May session...

The Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency (Agency), which manages the Amtrak® Pacific Surfliner® service, invites the public to “Corridor Conversations,” a free live virtual event on Thursday, March 25 at 5 p.m., featuring a roundtable discussion with California Intercity Passenger Rail Leadership. The event will provide an opportunity to learn about the history of intercity passenger rail...

ARE YOU COVERED? LEARN ABOUT COVERED CALIFORNIA HEALTH INSURANCE March 26, 2021 | 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Beginning on January 1, 2020, a new state law required all Californians to have health insurance or pay a penalty that can range as high as 2.5% of household income.  Stacy Church will explain Covered California,  the health insurance marketplace in California established under the federal Patient...

April 2, 2021 | 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Incorporating your business is probably one of the first thoughts that comes to your mind when planning to start or grow a business, but do you need to? Should you? This workshop covers the various options available, from sole proprietor to LLC to corporation. Come learn which one would work best for you. *This is an...

CANVA FOR ALL: DESIGN LIKE A PRO! April 3, 2021 | 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Do you spend too much time trying to “figure out what to share” then even more time making it? If yes, this workshop may be for you! Join us at our interactive workshop for Canva. Learn how to efficiently navigate your marketing and design to reduce headache and optimize...