Shoestring Marketing Workshop

Learn to Market your business at little to no cost! The workshop covers a variety of low-cost and effective marketing tools, such as direct mail, e-marketing, networking, public relations and cold-calling. Techniques to stimulate a “buzz” about products and services and to leverage various channels (from social media to logos) to create a strong identity will be highlighted as well. Monday, June 9, 10-11 a.m., online, free. Sign up at https://sanjuansedc.org/bizlabs/.

Leadership San Juan Islands

We’re relaunching our six-month Community Leadership Program, and invite you to open houses on Lopez Island, Orcas and Friday Harbor.

Open Houses for LSJI: Alumni and Guests, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served

Thursday, June 12: San Juan Island, register here: hello@lsji.org.

Friday, June 13: Noon on Zoom

Register for Zoom link and more information at www.lsji.org.

SBA Funding for a Business Acquisition

Join staff from the Seattle SBA office to learn how SBA-backed loans may be utilized for the acquisition, in full or in part, of an existing business. Wednesday, June 11, 10-11 a.m., online, free. Sign up at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wednesday-webinar-sba-funding-for-a-business-acquisition-tickets-1075121109179?aff=oddtdtcreator.

Growing your Business Beyond Borders

• Understand the basics of exporting.

• Access key tolls and resources.

• Make global connections that matter.

Monday, June 18, 1-2 p.m., online, free. Sign up at https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/b29a41b6-9e19-4591-bc66-09d132879a7b@3c89fd8a-7f68-4667-aa15-41ebf2208961.

Questions: akinfo@sba.gov.

Small Business Owners and Nonprofits!

Apply now for: flexible, affordable loans; fixed, competitive interest rates; 36- to 72-month repayment timelines.

Small businesses and nonprofits can borrow up to $250,000, and the money can be spent flexibly, including on payroll, utilities and rent, supplies, marketing and advertising, building improvements or repairs and other business expenses.

Visit https://smallbusinessflexfund.org/#terms for more information.

Plan your business!

Starting a business is a big decision. If you’ve never owned a business before, you may be unaware of all the things you need to do to get your business going. Careful planning and research will improve your chances of success.

Business training

• You don’t need a degree in business to start one, but knowledge is power. Taking classes and attending workshops are excellent ways to gain the knowledge you will need to be successful.

Business planning

• Writing a comprehensive business plan is the first step in starting a business. Your business plan will guide you as you make your business a reality, and it will help you avoid costly mistakes.

Learn more at https://www.business.wa.gov/site/alias__business/877/Small-Business-Guide—Plan.aspx.

Make Onshoring Great Again portal | U.S. Small Business Administration

This free tool from SBA helps connect businesses with verified U.S. manufacturers, producers and suppliers. It’s built to support companies that want to onshore operations, strengthen their supply chains and source the components they need all made in the United States. Visit https://www.sba.gov/priorities/american-manufacturers/make-onshoring-great-again-portal.

Making L&I Guidelines Easy for Small Businesses | Check out our video series: ‘Essentials for Business’

The Small Business Office strives to make it easier for small businesses to work with L&I. We understand most don’t have the time to sift through the many laws and regulations, and that they can be difficult to understand as well.

That’s why we created the “Essentials for Business,” a six-part video series that answers many of the most common questions small business employers have. Each two-minute video explains these complex regulations in a simple way that includes easily accessible resources. Visit https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnIrlBMM-OCY6aR_0V-nmxWw8ZpssGb0L.

Switch It Up! | Save now – pay later!

Are you taking advantage of OPALCO’s on-bill financing program for efficiency and renewable energy projects in your home or business?

Visit https://www.opalco.com/save/the-island-way/switch-it-up/ for more information:

Rapid Response Hub | Washington State Regional Resources for Latinos

This site (https://www.cha.wa.gov rapid-response-hub) is designed to collect information and share valuable resources, services and organizations available in our area. We encourage you to share information about resources you know and trust that serve Latinos in Washington — whether they provide immigration support, health services, housing support, educational opportunities, job assistance, mental health resources, food programs or any other kind of community support. Please recommend any organization that you think would be helpful for us to highlight in our Rapid Response Hub for Latinos in Washington.

Child care

We are excited to let you know about a time-limited opportunity for organizations and entities to access capital project technical assistance specific to child-care facilities.

At this time, the Thrive Community Building can provide technical assistance services at no cost to the organization. This technical assistance opportunity is subject to first-come, first-served until their contracted hour capacity is reached.

Don’t delay – our TA contract with Thrive Community Building ends June 30.

If you have an interest in learning more about this opportunity, please contact Monica Duncan at mduncan@thrivecb.org

Please note that if you are in a currently active Commerce contract, this technical assistance is not intended or permitted to replace or support any current contract deliverables.

TA services may include: Grant writing; architectural planning and siting; project pre-design; capital project feasibility analysis; life cycle cost analysis; project budget analysis; maximizing local government contributions; longevity planning; project maintenance and management; and assistance with compliance strategy planning.