Solano-Napa SBDC

It's more important now than ever before that employees feel valued in their workplace.

You may already be familiar with the term "DEI" which stands for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. There’s no shortage of research and data that shows businesses focused on DEI are more successful.
Join us for a free virtual workshop, Dec. 13, 10 am to 11:30 am, that will provide businesses with first step in creating a DEI plan and making a dedicated effort toward DEI in your workplace.

This workshop, offered in partnership with the California Employers Association and the Workforce Development Board of Solano County, is available to our Solano business owners at no-cost utilizing Solano County ARPA funding.

Register here:https://www.employers.org/events/private-webinars/dei-in-a-small-business-sponsored-by-the-workforce-development-board-of-solano-county/12/13/2023/?fbclid=IwAR3OFRBS7ScbZPyzzR_igz65Vs-aJxGqDZpyamm4i0N9cU-_RfAyS1GIBhY

Biotechnology is one of the fastest growing, high opportunity industries in Solano County. But how much does the community know about this industry?

A new online survey from Solano County partner organizations was designed with that question in mind. How familiar is the community with biotech? Is biotech a career Solano County children and teenagers are interested in pursuing?

Take the survey and let us know what YOU think: https://solanoemployment.org/biotechsurvey/

All survey participants will be automatically included in a random drawing for free tickets to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.

This survey closes on Dec. 8. This project is part of an initiative with Solano County Office of Education, the Workforce Development Board of Solano County, Solano Community College, Solano EDC, and the City of Vacaville Government.

Happy Thanksgiving! We wish you and your loved ones a joyous and gratitude-filled holiday.

In today's unpredictable world, disasters can strike at any time, threatening the continuity of your business operations. Are you prepared to protect your business from the unexpected?

The California Office of the Small Business Advocate is hosting a FREE Business Continuity Workshop, on December 4, 9 am to 1 pm, at Napa Valley College, where you will learn how to outsmart disaster and build a resilient business.

Empower your business with expert guidance! Learn more about local emergency preparedness strategies from the Napa County Sheriffs, as well as the state-level programs and financial assistance available for disaster recovery. Explore options and resources available to businesses without insurance coverage, possible measures to implement to safeguard employees and customers, and discover the importance of business continuity and how you could develop a comprehensive emergency plan.

Don't let disasters dictate your business's future. Equip your business with the resilience it needs to thrive.

Register Today for Your Free Spot! https://bit.ly/NapaOD

Thank you to Sarah Harper from Hank & Hazel's Really Good Sausages and All Weather Architectural Aluminum and Ron vanHuuksloot from HvH Specialty Growers for joining us to highlight their experience with the Solano-Napa SBDC during a Workforce Development Board of Solano County board of directors meeting. The Solano WDB hosts the SBDC and every November, success stories from clients and businesses are highlighted. We were so excited to have Ron and Sarah join us.

The first two days of Vacaville’s Launchpad- An Entrepreneurs' Event for New & Existing Businesses has been filled with valuable training, information, and networking for our Solano business owners.

Launchpad opened Tuesday with a morning of business trainings from Solano-Napa SBDC advisors. Wednesday focused on investment with an Access to Capital event featuring six area lenders.

Enjoy these images from Launchpad, an event from the Vacaville Chamber of Commerce, City of Vacaville Government, and Solano-Napa SBDC.

Join us TOMORROW, Nov. 15, for a free Access to Capital event in Vacaville that will explore the funding opportunities available to business owners from traditional and non-traditional lenders.

This free Access to Capital event, presented in conjunction with the Vacaville LAUNCHPAD, will be 10 am to 1 pm at Sonesta Essential Vacaville/Napa Valley, 800 Mason Street, in Vacaville.

Area business owners will also get their first look at the new Solano County Revolving Loan Fund. The Solano County Board of Supervisors approved $3.6 million in American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds in early 2023 to establish and operate a Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) for small businesses and non-profits in Solano County who were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thank you to our friends at Vacaville The Reporter for this feature on our recent Veterans Business Resource event!

VBOC Helping Veterans Become Entrepreneurs By Karenna Meyer Reporter staff writer Wondering the best way to celebrate Veterans Day? The sizable turnout of entrepreneurial-minded veterans gathered at the Veteran Business Resources Fair on Th…

Thank you to our friends at the Daily Republic for highlighting our Veteran Business Resource Fair last week!

Veterans got a taste of resources offered for military entrepreneurs FAIRFIELD — Shelena Cook is looking to start her own business once she leaves the military. Currently, she works on Mare Island and is working on her business plan.

Over 25 area veterans were at the Daily Desk in Fairfield Thursday for a veteran business resource fair hosted by the Solano-Napa SBDC that featured presenters from the SBDC, NorCal Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC), and the Small Business Administration's San Francisco office.

Attendees represented all branches of service and included retired veterans as well as current active duty. Some were looking for resources for an existing business, while others are new business owners just beginning their entrepreneurial journey.

Explore the funding opportunities available to business owners through both traditional and non-traditional financing at a no-cost Access to Capital event Nov. 15 in Vacaville.

This free Access to Capital event, presented in conjunction with the Vacaville LAUNCHPAD, will be 10 am to 1 pm at Sonesta Essential Vacaville/Napa Valley, 800 Mason Street, in Vacaville.

This will also give area business owners their first opportunity to learn more about the new Solano County Revolving Loan Fund. The Solano County Board of Supervisors approved $3.6 million in American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds in early 2023 to establish and operate a Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) for small businesses and non-profits in Solano County who were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Register and learn more at VacavilleChamber.com/Launchpad Use code “Access2023” when you register for a free three-day pass.

Vacaville Chamber of Commerce
City of Vacaville Government

Are you a veteran who owns a business or would like to one day open your own business? Are you aware of all the resources available to you?

Join the Solano-Napa SBDC, NorCal Veterans Business Outreach Center, and the SBA for a free Veteran Business Resource Fair, 10 am to 12 pm this Thursday, Nov. 9 at the Daily Desk, 490 Chadbourne Road, in Fairfield.

Pre-register to attend here:

Veteran Business Resources Fair A no-cost event for new and existing veteran business owners to discover opportunities available to them

Our new series, Launching Your Dream: 6 Weeks to Success begins TONIGHT! There is still time to register at https://www.solanonapasbdc.org/event/launching-your-dream-six-weeks-to-success-copy/

This is an intensive, no-cost training series designed to help you overcome hurdles to start-up your business.

This online program will be Thursdays, 6 to 7:30 pm, Nov. 2 to Dec. 14. The course will cover start-up essentials like business planning, business models, and permits, as well as marketing strategy, financial planning, operations,

Our new two-part Home Kitchen Warrior series is for entrepreneurs operating businesses from their home kitchens who would like to turn their passion for food into a profitable business.

The Nov. 7 training will focus on Cottage Food Operations. This permit allows home chefs to make food that can be stored on a shelf at room temperature.

The second part of this training, on Nov. 14, will be an introduction to the Micro Enterprise Home Kitchen Operation, or MEHKO program. MEHKO is a program that is permitted in Solano County, and allows chefs to prepare, cook, and serve food made in their home kitchen directly to consumers.

Learn more about these and other trainings and events with the Solano-Napa SBDC at https://www.solanonapasbdc.org/events/

Are you a veteran who owns a business or would like to one day open your own business? Are you aware of all the resources available to you?

Join the Solano-Napa SBDC, NorCal Veterans Business Outreach Center, and the SBA for a free Veteran Business Resource Fair, 10 am to 12 pm Nov. 9 at the Daily Desk, 490 Chadbourne Road, in Fairfield.

Learn more and register: https://www.solanonapasbdc.org/event/veteran-business-resources-fair-in-person/

It's time to take the steps to turn your business dream into a reality! Join the Solano-Napa SBDC for "Launching Your Dream: Six Weeks to Success," an intensive, no-cost training series designed to help you overcome the hurdles to start-up.

This online program will be Thursdays, 6 to 7:30 pm, Nov. 2 to Dec. 14. The course will cover start-up essentials like business planning, business models, and permits, as well as marketing strategy, financial planning, operations, and more.

Learn more: https://www.solanonapasbdc.org/event/launching-your-dream-six-weeks-to-success-copy/

Happening Now: Tim Murrill, director of the Solano-Napa SBDC, is the guest speaker at the Rio Vista Downtown Association’s first Business Bootcamp event. There are over 20 business owners attending and we are so excited to connect with them.

Explore latest business ideas and trends, connect with innovative entrepreneurs, and get access to valuable resources, all at the upcoming Launchpad entrepreneurs event in Vacaville Nov. 14-16.

This new event, presented by the Vacaville Chamber of Commerce, the City of Vacaville Government and the Solano-Napa SBDC, will focus on inspiration, investment, and innovation for new and existing business owners. The three-day program will include trainings from business experts, an access to capital summit, and presentations on innovative trends and A.I.

A one-day ticket is $49 and an all-access pass for the three day event is $98. Learning grants are also available.

Learn more and register at https://www.vacavillechamber.com/launchpad/

Are you a veteran who owns a business or would like to one day open your own business? Are you aware of all the resources available to you?

Join the Solano-Napa SBDC, NorCal Veterans Business Outreach Center, and the SBA for a free Veteran Business Resource Fair, 10 am to 12 pm Nov. 9 at the Daily Desk, 490 Chadbourne Road, in Fairfield.

Learn more and pre-register: https://www.solanonapasbdc.org/event/veteran-business-resources-fair-in-person/

The Solano-Napa SBDC and the Workforce Development Board of Solano County are partnering with California Employers Association to offer a six-week L.E.A.D. Supervisor Certification Course at NO-COST to Solano County businesses and employees.

The virtual classes will be held weekly for six consecutive weeks beginning Oct. 31 and ending Dec. 5, from 9:30 am to 12 pm.

This course is designed for both new supervisors and seasoned managers to help them gain the tools they need to be successful and impactful leaders. The program is valued at $995 and is being offered FREE to Solano County businesses by the Solano WDB utilizing Solano County ARPA funding.

Learn more and register: https://www.employers.org/events/private-webinars/leadership-excellence-and-development-l.e.a.d-supervisor-certification-series-sponsored-by-the-workforce-development-board-of-solano-county/10/31/2023/

As a small business owner, you may not think you’re in the business of public relations – but you are!

Thanks to the expanding and evolving media and Internet, there are now many avenues for businesses managing and building their PR efforts.

Join the Solano-Napa SBDC this Wednesday, Oct. 11, 12 pm to 2 pm, as we explore free PR opportunities available to small businesses and how you can best utilize them.

Register: https://www.solanonapasbdc.org/event/build-your-pr-its-all-about-connections/

We are living in challenging times that are creating more stress, which often leads to BURNOUT. It’s time to take a closer look at how to stop burnout, before it starts, and how to bring more Wellness into the Workplace.

Join the Workforce Development Board of Solano County, the Solano-Napa Small Business Development Center and California Employers Association for this no-cost virtual training Oct. 18, 11:30 to 1 pm.

Learn more and register: https://solanoemployment.org/event/bringing-wellness-into-the-workplace/

TikTok has experienced tremendous growth in recent years and is one of the most popular social media channels for young adults. Using TikTok to increase brand awareness can be an effective strategy for small businesses looking to reach a younger and more engaged audience - and this webinar this Wednesday will show you how to do it!

Join the Solano-Napa SBDC Wednesday, Oct. 4, 12 pm to 2 pm for a virtual training on the best practices on TikTok. Learn more and register: https://www.solanonapasbdc.org/event/7-ways-to-terrific-tiktok/

All our business webinars and roundtables are offered at NO-COST to business owners in Solano and Napa Counties. Learn more at solanonapasbdc.org/events

Congratulations to our Solano-Napa SBDC Director Tim Murrill, 2023 recipient of the SBDC State Star Award, and thank you NorCal SBDC (Asksbdc) for this highlight.

Our very own center director, Tim Murrill, has been awarded the distinguished State Star Award at the America's SBDC Conference. A huge congratulations to Tim for this notable achievement and for continuously uplifting the Solano Napa SBDC community.

Read all about it in our latest blog post. Cheers to excellence!
➡ https://www.norcalsbdc.org/state-star-2023/

Tim Murrill, the director of the Solano-Napa SBDC, was recently honored with the prestigious California Small Business Development Center State Star Award!

The Star Award, one of the highest recognitions from the SBDC, recognizes individuals and centers that show exceptional dedication and contributions to the small business community.

Murrill was selected as the NorCal SBDC awardee based on the impressive growth and milestones the Solano-Napa SBDC center has experienced under his leadership.

“This has been such a professional honor for me, but it’s also not something I could have ever achieved alone,” he said. “We have an incredible team and community within the Solano-Napa SBDC - over 30 business advisors, all our local partners from every city in Solano and Napa, our host, the Workforce Development Board of Solano County, and of course, our clients, the business owners who inspire us every day. They are why we do what we do.”

Did you know LinkedIn is more than a job-hunting platform?

LinkedIn has transformed in recent years into its own social network for professionals to connect. It is a secret weapon for finding customers and building deeper connections with them. Join us for a no-cost training Wednesday to learn best practices for using LinkedIn for your business.

Learn more and register: https://www.solanonapasbdc.org/event/7-ways-to-connect-with-customers-on-linkedin/

We are excited to partner with our host, the Workforce Development Board of Solano County, on this no-cost training for businesses.

Our post-COVID economy, with remote and hybrid work, has changed the way employees interact with each other and their managers and many have become disengaged in their work.

Join the Solano WDB this Tuesday, Sept. 19, 11 am to 12:30 pm, for a no-cost virtual training, Designing an Employee Retention Culture. You'll learn different engagement strategies that can help to develop employee strengths to increase productivity and ultimately, higher job satisfaction.

For more information and to register: https://www.employers.org/events/private-webinars/designing-an-employee-retention-culture-sponsored-by-the-workforce-development-board-of-solano-county/09/19/2023/

About 125 business owners from Solano County and the Bay Area region were at Vallejo’s Solano Community College last week for Empower Solano’s first annual Small Business Bootcamp Sept. 9.

This all-day no-cost event included guest speakers and panelists, three learning tracks focused on starting, managing, and growing a business, a free lunch with a “power panel” discussion, and a small business resources marketplace.

The Solano-Napa SBDC was part of the marketplace and one of our advisors, Tara Cruz, led two breakout sessions. Tara and Solano-Napa SBDC Director Tim Murrill are pictured below, with Tara Lynn Gray, director of California’s Office of Small Business Advocate and Nisi Wilder from Empower Solano.

Facebook, the world’s most popular social media platform is a powerful tool for connecting with current and potential customers. Join us for a Zoom training this Wednesday, Sept 13, 12 pm to 2 pm, to learn simple strategies to help you use Facebook to grow your business.

Register here: https://www.solanonapasbdc.org/event/7-ways-to-fantastic-facebook/

Join Empower Solano and multiple community partners - including Solano-Napa SBDC - for a no-cost Small Business Bootcamp this Saturday, Sept. 9, 9 am to 5 pm at Vallejo's Solano Community College, 545 Columbus Parkway.

Registration is free and includes guest speakers, three learning 'tracks' focused on starting, managing, and growing your business, a boxed lunch to enjoy during a panel discussion, and a small business resource marketplace.

Learn more and register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/empower-solano-small-business-boot-camp-tickets-689675637397

Business owners, take your social media accounts from 'Zero to Hero' with these upcoming trainings from the Solano-Napa SBDC! Learn more and register: https://www.solanonapasbdc.org/events

Business owners, join us for this no-cost virtual training, Hiring Right & Effective Onboarding, Aug. 30, 12 pm to 1:30 pm.

Presented by the Solano WDB, Solano-Napa SBDC and California Employers Association, this training will review how to effectively hire great talent without breaking the bank. We’ll cover all of the steps you need to follow to hire right the first time and ensure that your onboarding process sets your employees up for long-term success.

Learn more and register: https://www.employers.org/events/private-webinars/hiring-right-effective-onboarding-sponsored-by-workforce-development-board-of-solano-county/08/30/2023/?fbclid=IwAR0w21RVmeWknvCMefmvafDbr6KULcvbHg5i6ng3LeDqymw5vm-o66GQLQY

Are you a microbusiness owner interested in office space of your own? Check out this resource from the Solano-Napa SBDC! The Dream Support Program provides small business owners with grants for co-working office space through Green Hive in Vallejo. Businesses that qualify can receive free office space for up to six months. To learn more about the Dream Support Program, contact Green Hive at 707-731-0667.