The Small Business Administration offers a variety of classes for business owners in our Entrepreneur Center, located at 455 Market St., 6th Floor in downtown San Francisco.

Registration for all our classes is required.

To register for classes, go to http://sbatraining.eventbrite.com/

For more information, please contact Gary Marshall at (415) 744 6771 or gary.marshall@sba.gov

The SBA training program is made possible by the generous support of our volunteer teachers and presenters.   We appreciate their time and expertise; however, these presentations do not represent an endorsement of their views, opinions, products, or services by SBA.  All SBA programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made, if requested at least 2 weeks in advance.  Contact: Gary Marshall at 415 744-6771.

Small Business Taxes

9/7

3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Save money on your taxes by learning the IRS rules and regulations that apply to small-business owners, and ask your tax questions in this informative, interactive, live seminar covering tax deductions, incorporations, LLC, and commonly used tax strategies. Presented by SF SCORE.  Registration fee: $20.

Music Publishing in Plain English

9/7

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Geared toward musicians, songwriters, and other music industry aspirants, covering basic terms and concepts, such as copyright protections & registration, songwriting collaborations, publishing contracts, licensing agreements, and a breakdown of various music publishing income streams (including mechanical royalties, ASCAP/BMI/SESAC, synchronization deals, digital opportunities and more).. A ‘must attend” workshop for anyone seeking to make money from the commercial exploitation of music!

Step-By-Step Business Planning

9/14

8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Understand the process of developing a functioning plan to grow your business and which can also be used to support a request for financing.    Operational and strategic planning is covered with emphasis on finance and marketing.  $50 registration fee.  Presented by the SF SBDC.

Don’t Get Tangled Up in the Web!

9/8

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Learn critical points on how to develop and maintain your business’ home on the Internet.  Why should you be on the Internet? How do you get there cost effectively?  A non-technical  discussion facilitated by two industry professionals give you the answers and tell you how to avoid common problems and pitfalls.

Basic Bookkeeping, Part Two

9/9

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

We’ll cover balance sheets, incomes statements, cash flow and working capital.  Participants should have completed Basic Bookkeeping, Part One, or be familiar with the concepts covered in that seminar.  $30 registration fee.  Presented by the SF SBDC.

Legal Requirements of Starting a New Apparel/Accessories Line

9/9

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

We’ll cover a range of legal issues for you apparel business including license requirements; copyright; trademark; corporation options; and compliance issues.  Presented by Fashion Business Inc., registration is $25 for members, $35 for non-members at www.fashionbizinc.org

Trade Show Basics

9/9

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Learn how to locate, prepare for and participate in domestic and international trade shows.  $30 Registration Fee.  Presented by the SF Business Development Center.

Food Safety Certification

9/13

8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

State law requires that specified food facilities employ at least one person who has successfully passed a California State approved and accredited food safety certification exam.  Certification is mandatory and re-certification is required every three years.  Registration and information is available at www.ggra.org

Redefining Success: Your Guide to Authentic Living, Leadership, and Profit

9/13

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Have you ever wondered about the phrase “just be yourself”, and how it’s possible to do that and still make money? This workshop will help you identify aspects of your personality and talents that are worth far more in profit than you could imagine. You will learn practical and applicable ways to “just be yourself”, in a world where you don’t always feel that that’s what’s wanted of you; and to make it work not just for you, but for your business or career.

Introduction to Business Plans

9/14

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Whether applying for financing, or developing a business strategy for yourself and your employees, a business plan is a critical foundation. Learn how to gather and assemble the information needed for a successful business plan. For those seeking a brief introduction to the components of a business plan, this workshop is an abbreviated version of our all-day workshop, Writing Effective Business Plans.  Presented by SF SCORE.  Registration fee: $35.

Prioritizing Prospects to Increase Your Sales Success

9/15

1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Learn how to prioritize which prospects are most likely to generate revenue for your business. Most small business owners make the mistake of treating all customers the same, rather than getting clear about where the money is in the marketplace. Learn to save time and energy, as well as produce greater results, by concentrating on those most likely to buy (e.g. fast vs. large purchase), repeat, or refer.

Business for Good Workshop

9/15

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Join us for an interactive session on how to start your own social enterprise or business with a social mission.   We’ll cover practical resources and hands-on exercises designed to help you assess your readiness for pursuing a social venture and to brainstorm business opportunities.

Leasing Commercial Space in the Bay Area

9/15

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Learn the best practices for locating and leasing commercial space for your small business. topics covered will include Common Leasing Terms and Definition; What are the best ways to locate Commercial Property in the Bay Area; Negotiating Tips; Common Timeframes.

Basic Bookkeeping, Part Three

9/16

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Topics include developing a budget, statement of cash flow analysis, and developing a cash forecast. Participants should have complete Basic Bookkeeping Part I or be familiar with the concepts covered in that seminar.  $30 registration fee.  Presented by the SF SBDC.

Starting a Consulting Business

9/16

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Our panel of experienced consultants will discuss the insider story of opening and running your business as a consultant.  Topics will include finding clients, pricing your services, establishing a business identity, legal requirements, and maintaining customer loyalty.  $30 registration fee.  Presented by the SF SBDC.

OUR PARTNERS PRESENT:

a weekly feature of events offered by organizations and groups outside SBA.  These events are not sponsored by SBA and are not held at our Entrepreneur Center.

Green Business Conference

Please join Congressman Jerry McNerney for a Tri-Valley Green Business Conference on Wednesday, September 8^th at Dublin’s Shannon Community Center, located at 11600 Shannon Avenue in Dublin, CA.  Registration will take place from 1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. and the event will run from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  RSVPs are requested and can be submitted by calling the Congressman’s office at 925-737-0727 or emailing ca11districtschedule@mail.house.gov.

Accelerate Your Business With SCORE and American Express OPEN

This free half-day event is being hosted by San Francisco and East Bay chapters of SCORE in partnership with American Express, and is designed to provide existing small business owners with free one-on-one counseling with experienced business professionals and two special seminars on Social Media Marketing and Small Business Financing to help them grow their business or overcome roadblocks to achieving faster business growth.

U.S. Federal Building, 90 Seventh Street in San Francisco

September 30, 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Pre-registration is required and on a first-come, first-serve basis and available at www.amexscorecoaching.eventbrite.com. Registration is limited to 60 participants and closes September 20.

Our mailing address:

Small Business Administration

455 Market St., 6th floor

San Francisco CA 94105

The Small Business Administration offers a variety of classes for business owners in our Entrepreneur Center, located at 455 Market St., 6th Floor in downtown San Francisco.

Registration for all our classes is required.

To register for classes, go to http://sbatraining.eventbrite.com/

For more information, please contact Gary Marshall at (415) 744 6771 or gary.marshall@sba.gov

The SBA training program is made possible by the generous support of our volunteer teachers and presenters.   We appreciate their time and expertise; however, these presentations do not represent an endorsement of their views, opinions, products, or services by SBA.  All SBA programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made, if requested at least 2 weeks in advance.  Contact: Gary Marshall at 415 744-6771.

How to Start and Manage a Small Business

8/30

8:30 AM–5:00 PM

This is a comprehensive and unique one-day seminar for both prospective and current business owners who want to gain a better understanding of what they need to know and do to succeed in their business. Learn best practices and insider tips as a moderator and industry experts guide you through the basics of business plans; insuring against risk; accounting; legal structures; marketing & sales; and financing.  Presented by SF SCORE.  Registration fee: $50.

Creating and Distributing Social Media Content

8/30

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

You’ve taken the first step and signed up for Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. Now you need to produce content to fill these new marketing channels.  This class will show you how to develop and distribute social media content without spending 40 hours a week doing it.

Wholesaling Tips of the Trade

8/30

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Learn the smart way to run a wholesale operation.  Areas covered include industry information and networking, cost vs. price, channel conflicts, branding and wholesaling online.  $30 registration fee. Presented by the SF Business Development Center.

Setting Up Your Music or Entertainment-Based Business

8/31

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

What unique considerations should you be aware of in setting up a media-based business, as opposed to other types of businesses? What are the differences between running your business as a partnership, a corporation or a limited liability company?  What are the important issues which must be addressed in putting together an effective partnership or company operating agreement? Whether you’re a part of a band, a media production business, or other creative collaboration, this workshop will cover the essential issues facing pairs or groups who aspire to work together within the music and entertainment industries.

Starting a Business in San Francisco

9/1

10:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Hear directly from San Francisco officials.  How do you obtain permits?  How do you register your business name? Learn what the City can do for you in this one-stop seminar.

Financing Your Business

9/1

1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Discover the right way to seek financing for your business. We will discuss loan proposal requirements, financing options and SBA programs.

Business Law Basics

9/1

3:30 PM – 5:30 PM

An experienced business lawyer will discuss Choice of Legal Entity (corporations, LLC, partnership, etc.); Intellectual Property; Employee issues; and Real Estate issues.   This class does not constitute legal advice.

Website 101 – Understanding the basics and the different options for creating a website

9/1

6:00PM – 8:30PM

This class gives non-techie business owner an overview of the websites basics. No matter if you are thinking of redesigning your website and developing one from scratch, it is important to know the basics. In addition you’ll learn about all the different options that you have available for creating your website – from using simple templates to hiring a professional web designer. We’ll discuss the pros and cons of each option and things you should look out for.

Business Exits – the Good, Bad, and Ugly

9/1

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Learn from real-life stories of business owners that have been through successful and unsuccessful exits. Actual video interviews illustrate key opportunities and challenges you will face when selling or transferring your business, including related financial, estate and tax issues.

Basic Bookkeeping, Part One

9/2

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Topics include cash vs. accrual accounting, proper accounting data flow processes, budgeting, the purpose of different financial reports, the differences in computer accounting systems, cash management, and more.  $30 registration fee.  Presented by the SF SBDC.

Selling, Marketing and Merchandising a Line of Clothing

9/2

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

This seminar covers selling and negotiating with Major Department Stores. Plus, the important steps in the preparation needed before approaching and selling a line of clothing and accessories. Presented by Fashion Business Inc., registration is $25 for members, $35 for non-members at www.fashionbizinc.org

Stop the Bleed-Save Money-Save Jobs

9/2

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

In this workshop, learn how to create a healthier bottom line and thrive in a challenging environment. Learn about alternatives to layoffs, how to implement compliant layoffs, and preserving productivity and morale through the transition. $30 registration fee. Presented by the SF SBDC.

Small Business Taxes

9/7

3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Save money on your taxes by learning the IRS rules and regulations that apply to small-business owners, and ask your tax questions in this informative, interactive, live seminar covering tax deductions, incorporations, LLC, and commonly used tax strategies. Presented by SF SCORE.  Registration fee: $20.

Music Publishing in Plain English

9/7

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Geared toward musicians, songwriters, and other music industry aspirants, covering basic terms and concepts, such as copyright protections & registration, songwriting collaborations, publishing contracts, licensing agreements, and a breakdown of various music publishing income streams (including mechanical royalties, ASCAP/BMI/SESAC, synchronization deals, digital opportunities and more).. A ‘must attend” workshop for anyone seeking to make money from the commercial exploitation of music!

Step-By-Step Business Planning

9/14

8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Understand the process of developing a functioning plan to grow your business and which can also be used to support a request for financing.    Operational and strategic planning is covered with emphasis on finance and marketing.  $50 registration fee.  Presented by the SF SBDC.

Don’t Get Tangled Up in the Web!

9/8

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Learn critical points on how to develop and maintain your business’ home on the Internet.  Why should you be on the Internet? How do you get there cost effectively?  A non-technical  discussion facilitated by two industry professionals give you the answers and tell you how to avoid common problems and pitfalls.

Basic Bookkeeping, Part Two

9/9

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

We’ll cover balance sheets, incomes statements, cash flow and working capital.  Participants should have completed Basic Bookkeeping, Part One, or be familiar with the concepts covered in that seminar.  $30 registration fee.  Presented by the SF SBDC.

Legal Requirements of Starting a New Apparel/Accessories Line

9/9

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

We’ll cover a range of legal issues for you apparel business including license requirements; copyright; trademark; corporation options; and compliance issues.  Presented by Fashion Business Inc., registration is $25 for members, $35 for non-members at www.fashionbizinc.org

Trade Show Basics

9/9

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Learn how to locate, prepare for and participate in domestic and international trade shows.  $30 Registration Fee.  Presented by the SF Business Development Center.

OUR PARTNERS PRESENT:

a weekly feature of events offered by organizations and groups outside SBA.  These events are not sponsored by SBA and are not held at our Entrepreneur Center.

Business Loan Workshops

The LGBT Center and Oakland Business Development Corporation presents a Micro-loan workshop designed to help small business owners ask questions about different loans: start-up loans, working capital loans, and other loan products. This workshop is part of the Center’s Monthly Business Loan Workshops held on the last Tuesday of each month. Business owners are invited to meet with micro-lenders and ask questions about their loan application processes. Each workshop will begin with a brief discussion about how to complete a business plan executive summary. Participants are also invited to participate in our five-week Business Plan Loan Factory series where loan applicants complete their applications as well as sign up for individual business consulting meetings.

August 31, 2010, 6 PM-8 PM

1800 Market Street and Octavia Street, The LGBT Center

RSVP to Traceyw@sfcenter.org or 415-865-5611

Our mailing address:

Small Business Administration

455 Market St., 6th floor

San Francisco CA 94105

The Small Business Administration offers a variety of classes for business owners in our Entrepreneur Center, located at 455 Market St., 6th Floor in downtown San Francisco.

Registration for all our classes is required.

To register for classes, go to http://sbatraining.eventbrite.com/

For more information, please contact Gary Marshall at (415) 744 6771 or gary.marshall@sba.gov

The SBA training program is made possible by the generous support of our volunteer teachers and presenters.   We appreciate their time and expertise; however, these presentations do not represent an endorsement of their views, opinions, products, or services by SBA.  All SBA programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made, if requested at least 2 weeks in advance.  Contact: Gary Marshall at 415 744-6771.

Restaurant Series: Smart Management – People, Risk and the Law

8/23

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

We’ll examine employment law, insurance protection and other legal matters. Based on real restaurant experiences, this class can help you avoid disaster and get the most out of your people and your location.$30 Registration Fee. Sponsored by the SF SBDC.

Form I-9 and Your Business

8/23

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM

The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA) seeks to control illegal immigration by eliminating employment opportunity as an incentive for unauthorized persons to come to the United States, by prohibiting the hiring or continued employment of aliens whom employers know are unauthorized to work in the United States. To comply with the law, all U.S. employers must verify the employment eligibility and identity of all employees hired to work in the United States after November 6, 1986 by completing Employment Eligibility Verification forms (Forms I-9) for all employees, including U.S. citizens. Employers who hire or continue to employ individuals knowing that they are not authorized to be employed in the United States may face civil and criminal penalties.

E-Verify for Form I-9

8/23

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

E-Verify is a free and simple to use Web-based system that electronically verifies the employment eligibility of newly hired employees.  E-Verify is a partnership between the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration.  U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services oversees the program.  E-Verify protects jobs for authorized workers; helps US employers maintain a legal workforce; and works by allowing participating employers to electronically compare employee information taken from the Form I-9 (the paper-based employment eligibility verification form used for all new hires) against more than 449 million records in SSA’s database and more than 80 million records in DHS’ immigration databases. Results are returned within seconds.

Restaurants: Leverage Free Google Tools to Showcase Your Business and Gain More Loyal Customers

8/23

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Google has a several free applications that you can use to generate more awareness, more search traffic, and more sales for your restaurant.  In this class you will learn to set up a free Google site website (with free Google hosting); put all of your restaurant’s information online including menu, hours, and coupons; put a Google map and driving direction to your location on your site; list your restaurant on Google Local (Google’s free version of the yellow pages) and link your free new Google site; create happy customer review videos and put them on YouTube, then show the YouTube video on your Google site.  Local internet searchers can then find you, see your menu, watch customer reviews videos, get driving directions, and become your patrons.

Writing Effective Business Plans

8/24

9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Whether you are planning to start a new business or developing the potential of your existing company, a business plan is a critical foundation. In this hands-on workshop, we will demystify the process using case studies and exercises. You will also develop a template for your own business that covers Products/Services; Organization; Marketing; Customers; Finances; Market Research. Presented by SF SCORE.  Registration fee: $50.

ABC’s to Z’s of Starting Your Own Apparel Business

8/24, Part One

8/25, Part Two

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

This two evening seminar will explain the many parts that should be fully understood when starting a new apparel business.  Part One, 8/24: Identifying market niche, legal requirements, brand development, product development. Part Two, 8/25: Sales, costing, production, marketing.  Presented by Fashion Business Inc., registration is $50.00 for members and $70.00 non members at www.fashionbizinc.org

SBA Certification Workshop

8/26

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

This workshop is for small firms owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals interested in being certified for SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program.

QuickBooks Introduction

8/26

1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

This overview will discuss setting-up, updating and running financial reports, and efficient procedures for entering your accounting data.  This is a hands-on workshop. Participants should have complete Basic Bookkeeping Part I or be familiar with the concepts covered in that workshop.  $60 Registration fee.  Presented by the SF SBDC.

Social Networking for Small Business

8/26

6:00 PM–8:30 PM

This is for small to medium sized brick and mortar businesses and service providers like flower shop, printers, accountants or mechanics.  Come to this interactive seminar to discuss the use of social networking in your business. How is it done? How can you gain customers and make money? Are Facebook pages, iPhone apps, or Google right for you? In this seminar, learn how to use social media tools to identify, market, and sell to your niche market.

How to Start and Manage a Small Business

8/30

8:30 AM–5:00 PM

This is a comprehensive and unique one-day seminar for both prospective and current business owners who want to gain a better understanding of what they need to know and do to succeed in their business. Learn best practices and insider tips as a moderator and industry experts guide you through the basics of business plans; insuring against risk; accounting; legal structures; marketing & sales; and financing.  Presented by SF SCORE.  Registration fee: $50.

Creating and Distributing Social Media Content

8/30

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

You’ve taken the first step and signed up for Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. Now you need to produce content to fill these new marketing channels.  This class will show you how to develop and distribute social media content without spending 40 hours a week doing it.

Wholesaling Tips of the Trade

8/30

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Learn the smart way to run a wholesale operation.  Areas covered include industry information and networking, cost vs. price, channel conflicts, branding and wholesaling online.  $30 registration fee. Presented by the SF Business Development Center.

Setting Up Your Music or Entertainment-Based Business

8/31

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

What unique considerations should you be aware of in setting up a media-based business, as opposed to other types of businesses? What are the differences between running your business as a partnership, a corporation or a limited liability company?  What are the important issues which must be addressed in putting together an effective partnership or company operating agreement? Whether you’re a part of a band, a media production business, or other creative collaboration, this workshop will cover the essential issues facing pairs or groups who aspire to work together within the music and entertainment industries.

Starting a Business in San Francisco

9/1

10:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Hear directly from San Francisco officials.  How do you obtain permits?  How do you register your business name? Learn what the City can do for you in this one-stop seminar.

Financing Your Business

9/1

1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Discover the right way to seek financing for your business. We will discuss loan proposal requirements, financing options and SBA programs.

Business Law Basics

9/1

3:30 PM – 5:30 PM

An experienced business lawyer will discuss Choice of Legal Entity (corporations, LLC, partnership, etc.); Intellectual Property; Employee issues; and Real Estate issues.   This class does not constitute legal advice.

Website 101 – Understanding the basics and the different options for creating a website

9/1

6:00PM – 8:30PM

This class gives non-techie business owner an overview of the websites basics. No matter if you are thinking of redesigning your website and developing one from scratch, it is important to know the basics. In addition you’ll learn about all the different options that you have available for creating your website – from using simple templates to hiring a professional web designer. We’ll discuss the pros and cons of each option and things you should look out for.

Business Exits – the Good, Bad, and Ugly

9/1

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Learn from real-life stories of business owners that have been through successful and unsuccessful exits. Actual video interviews illustrate key opportunities and challenges you will face when selling or transferring your business, including related financial, estate and tax issues.

Basic Bookkeeping, Part One

9/2

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Topics include cash vs. accrual accounting, proper accounting data flow processes, budgeting, the purpose of different financial reports, the differences in computer accounting systems, cash management, and more.  $30 registration fee.  Presented by the SF SBDC.

Selling, Marketing and Merchandising a Line of Clothing

9/2

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

This seminar covers selling and negotiating with Major Department Stores. Plus, the important steps in the preparation needed before approaching and selling a line of clothing and accessories. Presented by Fashion Business Inc., registration is $25 for members, $35 for non-members at www.fashionbizinc.org

Stop the Bleed-Save Money-Save Jobs

9/2

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

In this workshop, learn how to create a healthier bottom line and thrive in a challenging environment. Learn about alternatives to layoffs, how to implement compliant layoffs, and preserving productivity and morale through the transition. $30 registration fee. Presented by the SF SBDC.

OUR PARTNERS PRESENT:

a weekly feature of events offered by organizations and groups outside SBA.  These events are not sponsored by SBA and are not held at our Entrepreneur Center.

Ecomagination Challenge

GE’s Ecomagination Challenge is a $200 million call to action for businesses, entrepreneurs, innovators, and students to share their best ideas and come together to take on one of the world’s toughest challenges – building the next-generation power grid to meet the needs of the 21st century.

Link for GE’s official Ecomagination Challenge website:

http://challenge.ecomagination.com/ideas

Link for GE’s instructions on how to apply:

http://challenge.ecomagination.com/ct/g.bix?c=ideas

Our mailing address:

Small Business Administration

455 Market St., 6th floor

San Francisco CA 94105

Every year TMC staff and members of our Board of Directors enjoy visiting a selection of our San Francisco-based clients on a fun-filled trolley tour. Each year TMC assists hundreds of businesses with obtaining SBA real estate financing. The annual trolley tour provides an opportunity for our staff and board members to see first-hand the positive impact of SBA financing for these businesses.

This year we visited the following businesses which have recently purchased commercial real estate with SBA 504 financing provided by TMC:

AGS, Inc. – Architecture and Engineering

5 Freelon Street, San Francisco

The Sports Basement, Inc. – Retail Sporting Goods

1590 Bryant Street, San Francisco

Fine Line Construction – General Contracting

943 Howard Street, San Francisco

Prospect Restaurant

300 Spear Street, San Francisco

Here’s a peak of the places we went to:

We’d like to acknowledge the TMC Board of Directors for their dedication and support of TMC and the SBA 504 loan program:

David Kraechan, Westamerica Bank

Denise Conley, Conley Consulting Group

Donald T. Briggs, Jr., KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

Gail Goldman, U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development

Jennifer Raike, Old Republic Title CO.

Ken Johnson, Jones, Clifford, Johnson & Johnson

Linda Lee, Paragon Asset Management

Mark Buell

Mike Waltz, All California Mortgage

Selma Taylor, CARAT

Susan Lowenberg, Lowenberg Corporation

“Back in July, I re-posted an article by Jay Goltz that appeared on the New York Times‘ website. He was writing on the possibility of a double-dip recession and told of things he had been doing to both stay optimistic and to shore up his position. One of the things he did was buy a new building. It’s a little counterintuitive, but he had good reasons for doing so: to reduce his overhead expense and give him more room for efficiency and growth.

“It turns out someone left a comment on his blog asking him to explain the thought process behind his decision to purchase his building. Jay obliged by posting another article earlier this month, which I’ve re-posted below. Like the previous one, he makes some great points that you shouldn’t miss.

“As you read Jay’s article below, you may realize that you or someone you know should also consider expanding into a new building or buying one for the first time. If you find yourself in that situation, call me right away at 1-866-622-4504 or email me at ChrisHurn@MercantileCC.com. It’s never too early to get the right Lending Partner on board, and you can be Pre-Approved with us in as little as 24 hours (be sure to ask how when you call or email).

“And now, for your reading enjoyment, here’s Jay’s latest article:

August 4, 2010

Should I Rent or Buy?
By Jay Goltz

In a recent post, I mentioned that as part of my plans to lower my costs, I had bought a building. A commenter named Kris asked a good question: Why did I buy instead of rent? There are numerous reasons, many of which do not necessarily apply to every business.

What I bought is an 85,000-square-foot industrial building with 23-foot ceilings and three loading docks. With this economy and the shrinking of the manufacturing base in Chicago, there are not many companies looking for a building like this. From what I am told by people in real estate, there are still a good amount of companies looking for 5,000-square-foot or 10,000-square-foot spaces, but it is especially hard to rent or sell a building with more than 50,000 square feet. The 36,000-square-foot space I moved out of, for example, has been divided and is now being rented by five different companies.

Even if a building like the one I bought had been available for rent, I wouldn’t have considered it. The costs of moving are substantial. Adding up electricity, phone, computer, security, painting, racking, and the actual moving, there are hundreds of thousands of dollars invested in the new space. I don’t want to move again in five, 10, or even 15 years. It is not just about stability; it is about control. I can do whatever I want to the building, including putting in a new sidewalk, replacing doors, or upgrading the heating system with the knowledge that it is my building I am investing in. Granted, it is also my money that is being spent but I don’t have to argue, beg or threaten to get what I want. For me, that is enough reason to buy, but there is more.

The numbers work. Although my costs to fix up the building ran significantly over budget (they usually do), my operating costs have dropped significantly. The fact is, when you spread those costs over many years, the cost per square foot per year is pretty small. Plus, I have a tenant who has taken about 25,000 feet. Obviously, you do have to have the cash or borrowing ability to finance the purchase and the improvements. But with the savings on my monthly payment and the real estate taxes, it’s costing me less than half of what I was paying for my old space.

And now I have a much better building with higher ceilings and parking. There should also be some significant income-tax savings from depreciation (of course, you have to be making money to get the tax savings). And then there is the long-term view. I believe the building will appreciate over the years, but even if it doesn’t, I will save enough money that it won’t matter.

This has used up a good amount of cash. Some companies would rather use their cash to expand by opening new locations or investing in marketing or technology. My overall business strategy has changed over the years. I used to focus on growth. Now I focus on the bottom line and being happy; reducing stress is one of the things that makes me happy.

I have decided that I want to have as much control over my destiny as possible, and I want to answer to as few people as necessary (besides my thousands of customers). With that in mind, I have concluded that great stress can come from three relationships: your landlord, your partner (or investor) and your banker. I’ve never had a partner and now that I’ve eliminated my landlord, I am very close to being done with all three.

No offense to my banker (whom I like!) but my plan is to be out of my credit line which will leave me on my own to win or lose, to make money or lose money. No one to ask permission. Call it life without a parole officer.

Jay Goltz owns five small businesses in Chicago.

“As Jay said, not all of his reasons for purchasing will apply to every business, but several of them apply to EVERY business. Also, be thinking about the benefits of the SmartChoice Commercial Loan – - as little as 10% down; longer terms; and the 4.93% interest rate (fixed for 20 years) that was recently announced. This isn’t only a no-brainer – - it’s a good-brainer! I’m not sure if Jay got an SBA 504 (aka the SmartChoice Commercial Loan), but maybe I’ll ask him for us soon.

Dedicated to Your Continued Success,  Chris”

To learn more about Chris Hurn and his 504blog, please visit www.504blog.com.  And as always, if you have any inquiries about 504 SBA lending, please feel free to contact us at info@tmcfinancing.com or 415.989.8855.

The Small Business Administration offers a variety of classes for business owners in our Entrepreneur Center, located at 455 Market St., 6th Floor in downtown San Francisco.

Registration for all our classes is required.

To register for classes, go to http://sbatraining.eventbrite.com/

For more information, please contact Gary Marshall at (415) 744 6771 or gary.marshall@sba.gov

The SBA training program is made possible by the generous support of our volunteer teachers and presenters.   We appreciate their time and expertise; however, these presentations do not represent an endorsement of their views, opinions, products, or services by SBA.  All SBA programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made, if requested at least 2 weeks in advance.  Contact: Gary Marshall at 415 744-6771.

Restaurant Series: Customer Service – Good is Minimum

8/16

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Learn how to hire, motivate and train your employees. Also learn how to define and share responsibilities between owners, managers and employees to achieve your service objectives and run a successful restaurant. Presented by the SF SBDC. $30 registration fee.

Red Cross Ready Rating Program

8/16

3:00 PM – 5:30 PM

The Red Cross Ready Rating™ Program is the first emergency readiness program of its kind, designed to guide and support businesses and organizations in becoming better prepared for emergencies. It was developed to provide information, resources and tools for preparedness in an easy, measurable way. By becoming a Member and following the five steps outlined in the Ready Rating Program Guide, businesses can help minimize and manage the challenges that follow an emergency or disaster.

Marketing Planning 101 – Step by Step Instructions for Creating a Low Budget Marketing Plan

8/16

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Are you at a loss when it comes to marketing? Do you simply avoid marketing because you just don’t understand where to start? Do you think you just can’t afford it? It is a very common phenomenon for small business owners to not have a marketing plan. The daily activities of running a business and the financial constraints often make it challenging to develop such a plan. This class will teach you all the marketing basics you need in order to develop your low budget marketing plan and help you increase your bottom line.  At the end of this class you will understand the marketing basics relevant for small businesses and you will have an outline for developing your own marketing plan.

Responding to RFP’s (Request for Proposals)

8/17

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Understand how to locate government RFP’s, how to review RFP’s and decide whether or not to develop a proposal. Know proposal formats, develop a “requirements matrix”, be able to define a scope of work, and know how to prepare for negotiation.  Presented by the SF SBDC and the Federal Technology Center.

Corporations and LLCs Offer Different Options

8/17

3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Learn how to make the best use of your corporation or LLC to save money and shield yourself from liabilities. Learn the compliance details of when and how to properly set up your entity including medical insurance plans, compensation strategies for tax planning, records management, and banking. Presented by SF SCORE.  Registration fee: $20.

Do-It-Yourself: Build Your Own Business Website

8/17

6:00PM – 8:30PM

If you don’t have the resources to hire a professional web design firm to create a site for your business there are easy ways to do-it-yourself. The real challenge isn’t technical, but strategic. Find out how you can avoid the twenty biggest mistakes and create a site that achieves your business goals.

How to Manage Unemployment Insurance Costs

8/18

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

The Unemployment Insurance tax works like any other insurance premium. The purpose of this seminar is to explain how the UI system works and how you as the employer can manage UI costs.  Jointly conducted by the Employment Development Department and the California state Department of Labor Standards Enforcement, this class will cover.  More information at (866) 873-6083, register at http://www.edd.ca.gov/Payroll_Tax_Seminars/

Marketing Research – Discover Your Niche

8/18

1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

As a startup business owner, you can market your business more effectively the more you know about the customer you are targeting. Topics include finding the customer’s key characteristics, understanding why they would buy, and determining your competitive advantage.

Basic Bookkeeping, Part Three

8/19

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Topics include developing a budget, statement of cash flow analysis, and developing a cash forecast. Participants should have complete Basic Bookkeeping Part I or be familiar with the concepts covered in that seminar.  $30 registration fee.  Presented by the SF SBDC.

Social Networking to Market Your Business

8/19

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Learn the importance of social networking as a marketing tool for your business; how to establish a dialogue with your customer base; and how to leverage existing social networks. $35 Registration Fee ($40 at the door) Presented by the SF SBDC and SBDC TAP.

Restaurant Series: Smart Management – People, Risk and the Law

8/23

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

We’ll examine employment law, insurance protection and other legal matters. Based on real restaurant experiences, this class can help you avoid disaster and get the most out of your people and your location.$30 Registration Fee. Sponsored by the SF SBDC.

Form I-9 and Your Business

8/23

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM

The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA) seeks to control illegal immigration by eliminating employment opportunity as an incentive for unauthorized persons to come to the United States, by prohibiting the hiring or continued employment of aliens whom employers know are unauthorized to work in the United States. To comply with the law, all U.S. employers must verify the employment eligibility and identity of all employees hired to work in the United States after November 6, 1986 by completing Employment Eligibility Verification forms (Forms I-9) for all employees, including U.S. citizens. Employers who hire or continue to employ individuals knowing that they are not authorized to be employed in the United States may face civil and criminal penalties.

E-Verify for Form I-9

8/23

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

E-Verify is a free and simple to use Web-based system that electronically verifies the employment eligibility of newly hired employees.  E-Verify is a partnership between the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration.  U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services oversees the program.  E-Verify protects jobs for authorized workers; helps US employers maintain a legal workforce; and works by allowing participating employers to electronically compare employee information taken from the Form I-9 (the paper-based employment eligibility verification form used for all new hires) against more than 449 million records in SSA’s database and more than 80 million records in DHS’ immigration databases. Results are returned within seconds.

Restaurants: Leverage Free Google Tools to Showcase Your Business and Gain More Loyal Customers

8/23

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Google has a several free applications that you can use to generate more awareness, more search traffic, and more sales for your restaurant.  In this class you will learn to set up a free Google site website (with free Google hosting); put all of your restaurant’s information online including menu, hours, and coupons; put a Google map and driving direction to your location on your site; list your restaurant on Google Local (Google’s free version of the yellow pages) and link your free new Google site; create happy customer review videos and put them on YouTube, then show the YouTube video on your Google site.  Local internet searchers can then find you, see your menu, watch customer reviews videos, get driving directions, and become your patrons.

Writing Effective Business Plans

8/24

9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Whether you are planning to start a new business or developing the potential of your existing company, a business plan is a critical foundation. In this hands-on workshop, we will demystify the process using case studies and exercises. You will also develop a template for your own business that covers Products/Services; Organization; Marketing; Customers; Finances; Market Research. Presented by SF SCORE.  Registration fee: $50.

ABC’s to Z’s of Starting Your Own Apparel Business

8/24, Part One

8/25, Part Two

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

This two evening seminar will explain the many parts that should be fully understood when starting a new apparel business.  Part One, 8/24: Identifying market niche, legal requirements, brand development, product development. Part Two, 8/25: Sales, costing, production, marketing.  Presented by Fashion Business Inc., registration is $50.00 for members and $70.00 non members at www.fashionbizinc.org

SBA Certification Workshop

8/26

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

This workshop is for small firms owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals interested in being certified for SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program.

QuickBooks Introduction

8/26

1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

This overview will discuss setting-up, updating and running financial reports, and efficient procedures for entering your accounting data.  This is a hands-on workshop. Participants should have complete Basic Bookkeeping Part I or be familiar with the concepts covered in that workshop.  $60 Registration fee.  Presented by the SF SBDC.

Social Networking for Small Business

8/26

6:00 PM–8:30 PM

This is for small to medium sized brick and mortar businesses and service providers like flower shop, printers, accountants or mechanics.  Come to this interactive seminar to discuss the use of social networking in your business. How is it done? How can you gain customers and make money? Are Facebook pages, iPhone apps, or Google right for you? In this seminar, learn how to use social media tools to identify, market, and sell to your niche market.

OUR PARTNERS PRESENT:

a weekly feature of events offered by organizations and groups outside SBA.  These events are not sponsored by SBA and are not held at our Entrepreneur Center.

Ecomagination Challenge

GE’s Ecomagination Challenge is a $200 million call to action for businesses, entrepreneurs, innovators, and students to share their best ideas and come together to take on one of the world’s toughest challenges – building the next-generation power grid to meet the needs of the 21st century.

Link for GE’s official Ecomagination Challenge website:

http://challenge.ecomagination.com/ideas

Link for GE’s instructions on how to apply:

http://challenge.ecomagination.com/ct/g.bix?c=ideas

Our mailing address:

Small Business Administration

455 Market St., 6th floor

San Francisco CA 94105

• Smart Business Services, Inc.
Newark, CA
Type of Business: Trade magazine

• Study Abroad Italy, Inc.
Sebastopol, CA
Type of Business: Education, study abroad

• City Lumber & Hardware, Inc.
San Francisco, CA
Type of Business: Door and finish hardware supplier

• C&J Leasing, Inc.
San Francisco, CA
Type of Business: Taxicab permit issuing

• Agolic International, Inc.
Brisbane, CA
Type of Business: Import/export customs broker

• KG Technologies, Inc.
Cotati, CA
Type of Business: Electric component sales

• Peter J. Panagotacos, M.D.
San Francisco, CA
Type of Business: Dermatology

• Latchezar Art Glass
Novato, CA
Type of Business: Glass sculpture

• Jessup Cellars Holding Company, LLC
Yountville, CA
Type of Business: Wine production

•Vik’s Holding, Inc.
Berkeley, CA
Type of Business: Restaurant supply, wholesale, retail food

• Piedmont Piano Company, Inc.
Oakland, CA
Type of Business: Piano sales

• Bay City Boiler and Engineering Company, Inc.
Hayward, CA
Type of Business: Boiler systems, products, and parts

•Comfort Masters Company
Las Vegas, NV
Type of Business: A/C repair and maintenance

• Mega International Trading Group, Inc.
Van Nuys, CA
Type of Business: Distribution

• Star Source International (USA), Inc.
San Gabriel, CA
Type of Business: Importer – foods

• Peyman Banooni, M.D., Inc.
Los Angeles, CA
Type of Business: Health care

• Hankook Trading, Inc.
Los Angeles, CA
Type of Business: Clothing wholesale

• Diversified Crating and Packaging, Inc.
Los Angeles, CA
Type of Business: Custom crating

Almost all privately held businesses are eligible for SBA financing and TMC is able to assist those clients who are located in California or Nevada with obtaining below-market, fixed rate loans. To learn more about SBA financing options and TMC, please visit www.tmcfinacning.com.

TMC Finances $378,000 SBA 504 Real Estate Loan For Kids ‘N Dance

TMC, a leading Certified Development Company providing SBA real estate loans in California and Nevada, recently announced the closing of a $378,000 SBA loan for Kids ‘N Dance, an East Bay based children’s dance school. SBA financing was used to purchase a 3,250 square-foot building located at 3840 MacArthur Boulevard in Oakland, allowing owner Kris Mueller to open a second studio with retail space in the heart of Oakland’s Laurel District. The financing was facilitated by TMC and approved under SBA’s woman-owned public policy goal.

“Healthy businesses who want to move from renting to owning or expand into a larger space can take advantage of the current historically low SBA 504 interest rates and the large number of available properties,” explains Ms. Morrison, CEO and owner of TMC. “Additionally, since the 504 program offers up to 90% financing, borrowers are typically only required to make a 10% down payment.”

Kris Mueller’s Kids ‘N Dance was represented by David Henderson of Colliers International for the building purchase. TMC’s Lou Scarpa, a business development officer representing the East Bay, assisted in financing the loan for Kris.

Voted as a Bay Area Parent “Family Favorite Award Winner” 5 times in the last 8 years (including 2010), Kids ‘N Dance offers highly interactive classes that are structured to enhance each child’s own creative expression. Ms. Mueller says of the new Oakland studio she financed with an SBA 504 loan, “The front of the space is a dance retail shop selling leotards, tights, ballet and tap shoes, dance accessories, dance books and toys. The back space is one large studio with a wooden sprung floor and mirrors and a separate dressing room.”

TMC has been providing SBA financing to borrowers for over 28 years. Loan proceeds can be used to purchase, renovate or construct commercial real estate properties, or for the acquisition of equipment. TMC’s staff works directly with borrowers, first mortgage lenders, and real estate brokers to tailor financing packages that meet SBA program guidelines and the borrower’s credit capacity.

The Small Business Administration offers a variety of classes for business owners in our Entrepreneur Center, located at 455 Market St., 6th Floor in downtown San Francisco.

Registration for all our classes is required.

To register for classes, go to http://sbatraining.eventbrite.com/

For more information, please contact Gary Marshall at (415) 744 6771 or gary.marshall@sba.gov

The SBA training program is made possible by the generous support of our volunteer teachers and presenters.   We appreciate their time and expertise; however, these presentations do not represent an endorsement of their views, opinions, products, or services by SBA.  All SBA programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made, if requested at least 2 weeks in advance.  Contact: Gary Marshall at 415 744-6771.

Restaurant Series:  Ten Proven Techniques for Restaurant Marketing & PR

8/9

2:30 PM – 4:30 PM

Learn 10 must-have tricks of the trade to market your restaurant and keep customers coming back. Session includes instruction and round table discussion to solve current marketing challenges.  $30 registration fee. Presented by the SF SBDC.

Customer Relations With Ease

8/9

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

What if establishing rapport with your customers were as easy as going with the flow?  Using the communication techniques presented in this class, it can be.  You will learn how to identify the communication needs of your customers, and how to meet them to benefit your bottom line. Techniques for dealing with difficult, aggressive, and dissatisfied customers will also be included.

Maintaining Tax Records

8/10

3:00 PM- 5:00 PM

Learn the money-saving tax strategies of the pros in this fun interactive course, and learn how to effectively create the tax records necessary for proper IRS reporting. Receive a valuable overview of how to use technology to simplify your life with online banking and QuickBooks.  Presented by SF SCORE.  Registration fee: $20.

Protecting Your Brand: An Introduction to Trademarks and Trademark Law

8/10

6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

A carefully selected and well-protected trademark is a valuable business asset.  For most companies, their brands are most valuable asset they own.  The estimated value of some of the world’s most famous trademarks such as Coca-Cola and IBM exceed $50 billion each!).  This class will be an introductory to intermediate level class for small businesses interested in protecting their brands / trademarks.  In addition to covering basic information about trademarks, we will also dispel common myths and discuss when companies might consider saving money by performing certain legal tasks themselves.  We will also leave plenty of time for Q&A to address the specific concerns of participants.

Federal and State Basics of Payroll Tax

8/11

9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

This class guides participants through the basics of that preparation.  Subjects include determining independent contractor versus employee, withholding taxes, deposits and completing the proper forms.  Presented by the IRS and the California EDD Tax office.

Marketing and Sales – From Mayhem to Mastery; Overcoming the Discomfort of Selling Yourself

8/11

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Are you really good at what you do but struggle with sales and marketing? If you’re like most entrepreneurs, you went into business because of a particular area of expertise. But like many, you may not have the sales and marketing experience needed to make your business soar. During this session you will learn the secrets to selling your services, in a way that feels totally natural and produces long-term results.

Basic Bookkeeping, Part Two

8/12

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

We’ll cover balance sheets, incomes statements, cash flow and working capital.  Participants should have completed Basic Bookkeeping, Part One, or be familiar with the concepts covered in that seminar.  $30 registration fee.  Presented by the SF SBDC.

Maximize Your Web Site Traffic and Sales

8/12

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

In this class, learn to ensure the highest placement on search engines; how to use Web analytics to keep your customers on your site; and how to convert site visitors into paying customers.  Presented by the SF SBDC.  Registration fee $35 in advance, $40 at the door.

Restaurant Series: Customer Service – Good is Minimum

8/16

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Learn how to hire, motivate and train your employees. Also learn how to define and share responsibilities between owners, managers and employees to achieve your service objectives and run a successful restaurant. Presented by the SF SBDC. $30 registration fee.

Red Cross Ready Rating Program

8/16

3:00 PM – 5:30 PM

The Red Cross Ready Rating™ Program is the first emergency readiness program of its kind, designed to guide and support businesses and organizations in becoming better prepared for emergencies. It was developed to provide information, resources and tools for preparedness in an easy, measurable way. By becoming a Member and following the five steps outlined in the Ready Rating Program Guide, businesses can help minimize and manage the challenges that follow an emergency or disaster.

Marketing Planning 101 – Step by Step Instructions for Creating a Low Budget Marketing Plan

8/16

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Are you at a loss when it comes to marketing? Do you simply avoid marketing because you just don’t understand where to start? Do you think you just can’t afford it? It is a very common phenomenon for small business owners to not have a marketing plan. The daily activities of running a business and the financial constraints often make it challenging to develop such a plan. This class will teach you all the marketing basics you need in order to develop your low budget marketing plan and help you increase your bottom line.  At the end of this class you will understand the marketing basics relevant for small businesses and you will have an outline for developing your own marketing plan.

Responding to RFP’s (Request for Proposals)

8/17

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Understand how to locate government RFP’s, how to review RFP’s and decide whether or not to develop a proposal. Know proposal formats, develop a “requirements matrix”, be able to define a scope of work, and know how to prepare for negotiation.  Presented by the SF SBDC and the Federal Technology Center.

Corporations and LLCs Offer Different Options

8/17

3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Learn how to make the best use of your corporation or LLC to save money and shield yourself from liabilities. Learn the compliance details of when and how to properly set up your entity including medical insurance plans, compensation strategies for tax planning, records management, and banking. Presented by SF SCORE.  Registration fee: $20.

Do-It-Yourself: Build Your Own Business Website

8/17

6:00PM – 8:30PM

If you don’t have the resources to hire a professional web design firm to create a site for your business there are easy ways to do-it-yourself. The real challenge isn’t technical, but strategic. Find out how you can avoid the twenty biggest mistakes and create a site that achieves your business goals.

How to Manage Unemployment Insurance Costs

8/18

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

The Unemployment Insurance tax works like any other insurance premium. The purpose of this seminar is to explain how the UI system works and how you as the employer can manage UI costs.  Jointly conducted by the Employment Development Department and the California state Department of Labor Standards Enforcement, this class will cover.  More information at (866) 873-6083, register at http://www.edd.ca.gov/Payroll_Tax_Seminars/

Marketing Research – Discover Your Niche

8/18

1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

As a startup business owner, you can market your business more effectively the more you know about the customer you are targeting. Topics include finding the customer’s key characteristics, understanding why they would buy, and determining your competitive advantage.

Basic Bookkeeping, Part Three

8/19

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Topics include developing a budget, statement of cash flow analysis, and developing a cash forecast. Participants should have complete Basic Bookkeeping Part I or be familiar with the concepts covered in that seminar.  $30 registration fee.  Presented by the SF SBDC.

Social Networking to Market Your Business

8/19

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Learn the importance of social networking as a marketing tool for your business; how to establish a dialogue with your customer base; and how to leverage existing social networks. $35 Registration Fee ($40 at the door) Presented by the SF SBDC and SBDC TAP.

Restaurant Series: Smart Management – People, Risk and the Law

8/23

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

We’ll examine employment law, insurance protection and other legal matters. Based on real restaurant experiences, this class can help you avoid disaster and get the most out of your people and your location.$30 Registration Fee. Sponsored by the SF SBDC.

Form I-9 and Your Business

8/23

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM

The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA) seeks to control illegal immigration by eliminating employment opportunity as an incentive for unauthorized persons to come to the United States, by prohibiting the hiring or continued employment of aliens whom employers know are unauthorized to work in the United States. To comply with the law, all U.S. employers must verify the employment eligibility and identity of all employees hired to work in the United States after November 6, 1986 by completing Employment Eligibility Verification forms (Forms I-9) for all employees, including U.S. citizens. Employers who hire or continue to employ individuals knowing that they are not authorized to be employed in the United States may face civil and criminal penalties.

E-Verify for Form I-9

8/23

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

E-Verify is a free and simple to use Web-based system that electronically verifies the employment eligibility of newly hired employees.  E-Verify is a partnership between the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration.  U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services oversees the program.  E-Verify protects jobs for authorized workers; helps US employers maintain a legal workforce; and works by allowing participating employers to electronically compare employee information taken from the Form I-9 (the paper-based employment eligibility verification form used for all new hires) against more than 449 million records in SSA’s database and more than 80 million records in DHS’ immigration databases. Results are returned within seconds.

OUR PARTNERS PRESENT:

a weekly feature of events offered by organizations and groups outside SBA.  These events are not sponsored by SBA and are not held at our Entrepreneur Center.

Ecomagination Challenge

GE’s Ecomagination Challenge is a $200 million call to action for businesses, entrepreneurs, innovators, and students to share their best ideas and come together to take on one of the world’s toughest challenges – building the next-generation power grid to meet the needs of the 21st century.

Link for GE’s official Ecomagination Challenge website:

http://challenge.ecomagination.com/ideas

Link for GE’s instructions on how to apply:

http://challenge.ecomagination.com/ct/g.bix?c=ideas

San Francisco Business Times Seminar

Join fellow business owners and community leaders as we explore business growth strategies to help you increase sales and get access to capital.

“Refueling Your Business”

Hear from Mark LeBlanc, owner of Small Business Success, as he shares his expertise

on the core issues business owners face every day.

Access to Capital — Business Panel

Join local business owners and community leaders as they discuss efforts to help businesses get the capital they need. Hear firsthand about new ideas and local resources to help grow your business.

August 10, 2010 The Westin St. Francis

7:30 AM – 10:00 AM

335 Powell Street

San Francisco, CA 94102

Breakfast will be served.

Register online at: http://www.sanfranciscobusinesstimes.com/event/26021

or contact Felicia Brown at fbrown@bizjournals.com or 415-288-4936

Our mailing address:

Small Business Administration

455 Market St., 6th floor

San Francisco CA 94105

Own the Business? Own the Building

SBA financing for small AND large building purchases.

By Barbara Morrison, TMC

Did you know that SBA financing isn’t just for small buildings? There is no limit to the size of the building purchase with SBA 504 financing. Under a new, energy-related program recently announced by SBA, the 504 program is able to finance significantly larger projects, such as the $22.2 million purchase below. Any building purchase resulting in at least at 10% reduction in energy usage may qualify for increased SBA 504 loan funds. Businesses which will generate renewable energy in the new building may also qualify. Companies with substantial space needs can now reap the benefits of SBA 504 financing.

Did you know a business can have more than one SBA 504 loan? With the new, higher loan limits, many existing SBA borrowers are eligible for additional loans.

Did you know that you can purchase a building for your business for as little as 10% down? SBA 504 financing allows business owners to preserve working capital for continued growth and expansion by contributing just 10% of the project cost.

Did you know that SBA loans provide below market, FIXED rate financing for 20 years? SBA 504 loans have long, 20-year terms providing businesses with stabilized occupancy costs. Healthy businesses who want to move from renting to owning or wish to expand into a larger space can take advantage of the current historically low interest rates. Today’s SBA 504 rate is 5.08% – fixed for the entire 20-year term of the loan.

Did you know most privately held companies are eligible for the SBA 504 loan program? The SBA 504 program was created specifically to provide business owners with funds to purchase, renovate or construct commercial property for the company’s use. While the business must meet certain size standards, generally most privately held companies with fewer than 500 employees are eligible by SBA size standards.

What is a CDC? SBA structured the SBA 504 loan program as a partnership between a Certified Development Company (CDC), such as TMC, and a qualified lender. A CDC is a private corporation that is certified and regulated by SBA to make SBA 504 loans in a specific geographic area. The CDC assists businesses in obtaining 504 financing and acts as an advocate throughout the loan process. A CDC must process all SBA 504 loan applications. After the loan funds, the CDC services the loan for the next 20 years.

TMC is certified to provide SBA 504 financing for projects throughout California and southern Nevada. Ranked in the top 5 CDCs nationwide for more than a decade, TMC staff works directly with borrowers to tailor financing packages that meet SBA program guidelines and the credit capacity of each business. In the last 28 years TMC has provided over $5 billion in SBA 504 financing for over 3,400 businesses. A complete prequalification, free of charge, is available for prospective borrowers who are interested in taking advantage of SBA’s long-term, FIXED rate financing.

California businesses are utilizing the SBA 504 loan program in increasing numbers to take advantage of historically low interest rates and current property values.

TMC has seen a 97% increase in the amount of SBA loan financing in 2010 over last year.*

*Based on loans approved in the first 6 months of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009.

Barbara Morrison is President and Founder of TMC.