City small business forum for resources, support

On Sept. 10, attend the City's Small Business Forum to hear from local professionals and get tools for planning, funding, and preparing your business.

Berkeley merchants can come to a City forum to learn from other small business owners and experts about strategies and tools to succeed.

Start the morning with coffee and networking. Then hear from local professionals in short sessions access to loans; marketing; disaster preparedness; and succession planning.

If you can't attend, explore City business resources for funding, one-on-one advising, and how to start or operate your business.

Connect with peers and hear from local experts

The forum is free to attend and open to all Berkeley small business owners. Join us for brief talks from local experts who support Berkeley's small businesses.

The schedule includes:

• 8:30-9:15 am - Coffee, pastries, and networking with Berkeley's business community
• 9:15-9:30 am - Welcome and introductions
• 9:30-9:40 am - Brief presentation by City staff on programs that support local businesses
• 9:40-10:40 am - Breakout sessions:
  • How to use the City's Revolving Loan Fund (Working Solutions)
  • Business-specific disaster preparedness (The City's Office of Emergency Services)
  • Succession planning and having an exit strategy (Project Equity)
  • Marketing strategies and tools (Visit Berkeley, the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce, the Green Business network and the City's Office of Economic Development)
• 10:40-11:00 am - Q&A with City staff and local experts

The event is within walking distance from Downtown BART and AC Transit bus lines. Paid parking is available onsite and nearby.

Explore year-round tools for Berkeley businesses

If you can't join us on September 10, you can still access City resources to support your business:

• Business assistance programs - one-on-one advising and guidance for entrepreneurs and small businesses
• Business financing resources - information on loans and grants to help your business grow
• Business licenses - requirements and instructions to start or operate in Berkeley
• Special business taxes - information on local tax categories for specific industries
• Vendor information - how to register and work with the City as a vendor

This event is organized by the City of Berkeley's Office of Economic Development, which helps businesses, entrepreneurs, and community organizations access services and thrive in Berkeley.

Come for coffee and conversation. Leave with tools to move your business forward.

Links

• Small business forum - doing business in uncertain times, registration
• City of Berkeley business resources:
  • Business assistance programs
  • Business financing resources
  • Business licenses
  • Special business taxes
  • Vendor information

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