Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program

• Complete 2 Courses to be eligible for exclusive $10,000 Grant Opportunities

• Registration is free and Courses are self-paced

• Every Registration with completion of 1 quick video (any length) helps support MCSC Women's Business Center

• También disponible en español.

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EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS

MCSC offers weekly workshops on a wide variety of subjects. In addition to providing a networking platform among attendees, classes are designed to increase understanding of important and current business topics and trends. Workshops are open to the public.

Capital Access & Alternative Funding Pathways for Your Business

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 – TBD

• 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, this workshop will provide practical guidance to help you access the capital you need to grow your business.

Tuesday, August 26

9:00-11:00am via Zoom

Paving the Road to Success with Caltrans 7: Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Certification Overview

Presented by: Richard Myerscough

Join us for “Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Certification Overview” the seventh presentation in our continuing Caltrans training series by Richard Myerscough, Caltrans District 5 District Small Business Liaison.

• Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program Overview.

• Benefits of Certification.

• California Unified Certification Program (CUCP).

• Eligibility Requirements.

• Applying for DBE Certification.

• FAQs and Resources.

Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the information directly with Caltrans and to get your questions answered in a live Q&A with Richard.

Wednesday, August 27

12:00-1:00pm via Zoom

Bookkeeping Made Easy: Keep Calm and Get Organized

Presented by: Ali DeRoche

Join us and take control of your business finances today!

Bookkeeping for Small Business Workshop 

What is Bookkeeping?
Is it accounting, tax preparation, or financial organization? The answer is YES. Find out how bookkeeping ties all these elements together to keep your business on track.

Why Should You Care?
Organized finances offer clear advantages—improve your financial accuracy, make informed business decisions, and get ready for tax season with ease.

Take Action: 7 Steps to Success
Learn seven actionable steps for effective bookkeeping, including how to properly pay yourself!

Methods + Software Comparison
We'll break down popular bookkeeping methods and software options to help you choose the best solution for your business

Thursday, Sept. 4

11:00am-12:00pm via Zoom

AI Tools and Techniques for Marketing

Presented by: Andrea LaRosa

Learn how to harness the power of AI to transform your marketing efforts. This workshop covers AI-driven tools and insights to optimize campaigns, personalize customer experiences, and streamline your workflow. Walk away with actionable strategies to stay ahead in the ever-evolving marketing landscape.

What You'll Learn:

• Crafting Marketing Campaigns with AI: Use ChatGPT prompts to generate ad copy, email campaigns, and creative slogans tailored to your audience.

• AI for Customer Insights: Learn how AI tools can analyze customer data and behavior to deliver hyper-personalized marketing strategies.

• Streamlining Marketing Workflows: Explore automation tools powered by AI to save time on repetitive tasks like scheduling, tracking performance, and reporting.

*Recording will only be sent to live attendees of this event.

Monday, September 15

9:00-10:30am via Zoom

Tus Finanzas en Orden: Registros e Impuestos para Cuidado Infantil

Presenter: Marissa Hernandez

Aprende a llevar un sistema sencillo y efectivo de registros para tu negocio de cuidado infantil. En esta clase práctica verás qué documentos conservar, cómo organizar tus ingresos y gastos, y cómo una buena contabilidad te ayuda a declarar impuestos correctamente, cumplir con requisitos legales y acceder a apoyos financieros.

Instructions: 

El enlace de zoom se enviará después del registro.

miércoles 17 de septiembre

6:00-7:30pm virtual por Zoom

Holiday How-To: Markets, Events, and Pop-Ups for Food/Beverage Vendors

Presented by: Michelle Pualani

You’ve got a great product, now let’s make sure it sells out this holiday season. This specialized, 2-part training gives food and drink vendors the exact strategies to turn high-pressure, short-term holiday markets into profitable, repeatable wins. From showcasing the right products to navigating the necessary paperwork, you’ll learn how to run a booth that’s eye-catching, compliant, and set up for max sales without the stress.

Whether you’re a seasoned vendor looking to tighten your operations or a first-timer who wants to avoid rookie mistakes, this two-part workshop will help you show up prepared, confident, and profitable.

9/23/25 - Part 1: Holiday Market Profit Playbook for Food Vendors: Product, Planning & Promotion 3:00 - 5:00pm

9/25/25 - Part 2: Holiday Market Mastery for Food Vendors: Operations, Logistics & Legal Essentials 3:00 - 5:00pm

Main Takeaways:

• Sell What People Actually Want – Identify top-selling holiday food trends, package for gifting, and adapt your products to seasonal buying behavior.

• Set Up Like a Pro – Learn booth layouts, display hacks, and logistical prep that make your space efficient, welcoming, and easy to run.

• Price for Profit – Use proven market pricing strategies, bundling, and on-the-spot decision-making to boost sales and protect your margins.

• Stay Compliant & Safe – Understand cottage food laws, permits, labeling, and safety protocols so you can focus on selling without legal headaches.

• Turn One-Time Buyers into Lifelong Customers – Collect leads, collaborate with other vendors, and create post-market opportunities for growth momentum.

Two-part workshop

Sept. 23 and 25

3:00-5:00pm via Zoom

Paving the Road to Success with Caltrans 8: Overview of the Caltrans Minor Program

Presented by: Richard Myerscough, Caltrans

Join us for “Overview of the Caltrans Minor Program (Small Construction Contracts)” the eighth presentation in our continuing Caltrans training series by Richard Myerscough, Caltrans District 5 District Small Business Liaison.

• Minor Program Overview.

• How to Find Projects.

• Minor Program Funding.

• Navigating Bid Opportunities.

• Locating Prior Bid Samples.

Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the information directly with Caltrans and to get your questions answered in a live Q&A with Richard.

*THE RECORDING FOR THIS WORKSHOP WILL ONLY BE SENT OUT TO ATTENDEES

Wednesday, Sept. 24

12:00-1:00pm via Zoom

Budget Like a Boss: Small Business Strategies

Presented by: Ali DeRoche

Does your small business really need a budget? Yes, it really does. 

Discover:

• How budgeting can help you track your income and expenses

• Identify areas for savings

• Make informed financial decisions. 

Join us with Ali DeRoche and learn how to create a simple yet effective budget.

Thurs., October 2

11:00am-12:00pm via Zoom

Part 1: Make Your Holiday Sparkle with Intro to Social Media Platforms & Holiday Strategies

Presented by: Andrea LaRosa

In this first session, you’ll learn how to navigate the vast world of social media and identify the platforms that best suit your small business. We’ll cover essential strategies for increasing foot traffic and leveraging the holiday season to boost your brand’s visibility.

What to expect:

• A brief intro to Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn

• How to choose the right platform(s) for your business

• Using social media to drive more foot traffic to your business

• The power of holiday giveaways and why they work

Wednesday, October 8

10:30am-12:00pm via Zoom

The Power of S.E.O. - Dominate Local Search & Map

Presented by: Jackie Clendenen

Search Engine Optimization can be a powerful tool for bringing in customers and clients. Join us with Jackie Clendenen for this presentation on how to increase your reach and supercharge the online presence of your business by utilizing S.E.O. tactics and best practices. 

Learn about:

• How to make your business listing a priority for local searches

• Where to place keywords on your website

• What is NAP consistency and why it matters

Registration will be limited to In-Business Entities who have an existing Website as this course covers advanced material.

*THE RECORDING FOR THIS WORKSHOP WILL ONLY BE SENT OUT TO ATTENDEES

Thursday, October 9

9:00-10:00am via Zoom

Mastering A.I. Prompts for Small Business Solutions with the Tech Jargon

Presented by: Andrea LaRosa

Feel like everyone’s using ChatGPT to magically run their business — and you’re still stuck wondering what to even type?

You're not alone. Most small business owners have either tried AI and gotten weird, robotic results… or haven’t touched it at all because they don’t have time to figure it out. The truth is, AI can actually help — if you know how to talk to it.

This 90-minute, hands-on workshop is built for real people running real businesses. Not tech experts. Not marketers with full teams. Just folks like you who want to write faster, create smarter, and stop wasting time staring at a blank screen. We’ll focus mostly on ChatGPT, but also show how tools like Canva can level up your content game when used right.

You'll get:

• Easy-to-use prompt formulas you can steal (yep, steal)

• Real-life examples for marketing, content, customer emails, and more

• Space to test prompts live for your actual business

• A better way to use AI that doesn’t make you sound like a robot

No buzzwords. No pressure to “do it all.” Just a chance to finally make this AI thing make sense — and be useful.

Bring your laptop, bring your messy to-do list, and let’s get you unstuck.

This is a participation-heavy workshop! We will be using breakout groups and creating prompts together in real-time.

Friday, October 17

10:30am-12:00pm via Zoom

LinkedIn Marketing Essentials

Presented by: Patty Ross

As one of the most important B2B social media platforms, LinkedIn can help you attract more eyes on your business. The biggest advantage of LinkedIn is that it is frequented by many senior-level influencers, decision-makers, and thought leaders. If you want to grab the attention of top-level executives, then you should work on your LinkedIn marketing strategy. Unlike other social networking sites, LinkedIn offers a goldmine of opportunities for B2B marketers. You’ll be better informed about what’s going on in your industry and the industry of your ideal, favorite and most profitable clients.

 

What You Will Learn:

Why LinkedIn LinkedIn Profile Musts How and Why to Create Your Company Page Finding LinkedIn Groups Making Connections LinkedIn Posts, Articles and Newsletters

*THE RECORDING FOR THIS WORKSHOP WILL ONLY BE SENT OUT TO ATTENDEES

Wednesday, October 22

9:00-10:30am via Zoom

Part 2: How to Run Effective Holiday Giveaways & Campaigns through Social Media Platforms

Presented by: Andrea LaRosa

In part two, we’ll dive deeper into the specific strategies for running successful holiday giveaways and campaigns tailored to each social media platform. Learn how to maximize engagement and drive sales during the holiday season by crafting campaigns that captivate your audience.

What to expect:

• How to run effective holiday giveaways on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn

• Best practices for creating platform-specific holiday campaigns

• Tips for boosting engagement and growing your audience

• Real-world examples of successful holiday campaigns

Wednesday, November 5

10:30am-12:00pm via Zoom

Year-End Financial Peace of Mind: A Checklist for Success

Presented by: Ali DeRoche

Say goodbye to financial stress with this easy-to-follow guide. Our checklist ensures you're well-prepared for the year-end financial season.

• Gathering Tax Documents for your Business

• Finalizing Income and Expense Statements

• Identifying Business Tax Write Offs

• Inventory and Asset considerations

Thursday, November 6

11:00am-12:00pm via Zoom