SBA: MYSBA CERTIFICATION TRAINING: NAVIGATING THE APPLICATION PROCESS
August 21 @ 11:00 am
This webinar will assist small business owners who have successfully submitted a MySBA certification application to navigate the application process. Presenters will discuss how to respond and resubmit an application that has been “Returned to Business”, responses to requests for information (RFI), and other frequently asked questions.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
IN-PERSON EVENT: INSURANCE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
August 13 @ 8:30 am
Join SCORE Ventura County, City of Thousand Oaks and Economic Development Collaborative to learn about insurance from somebody who is not trying to sell you something! Insurance contracts are written by attorneys, but not all insurance agents can explain them in simple terms. In layman’s terms, this workshop will briefly overview the types of coverages available and what most businesses need. Address: Thousand Oaks City Hall, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
RESULTS
August 6 @ 10:30 am
Are you tired of guessing how to get more traffic, leads and sales from your website? In this NO-COST masterclass, you’ll learn practical, step-by-step strategies to boost your organic (NO-COST) traffic from Google and run Google Ads that actually work. Discover the exact formula that top businesses use to attract the right visitors and turn them into customers without wasting time or money. You’ll also see how to integrate SEO and Google Ads into one powerful marketing plan that maximizes your ROI. Learn how to create, manage and optimize your campaigns on the world’s biggest search engine — whether you want to do it yourself or work with an agency. Your instructor, Brandon Leibowitz, is the founder of SEO Optimizers with 18+ years of experience helping businesses rank higher and convert better. Brandon’s hands-on, easy-to-follow teaching style means you’ll leave this workshop with clear action steps you can apply immediately. Whether you’re a business owner, marketer or someone exploring a career in digital marketing, this session will help you take control of your website’s performance. Reserve your spot for this NO-COST masterclass today and start driving results!
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
The California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC) is an income tax credit available to businesses that want to locate in California or stay and grow in California. Businesses of any industry, size or location compete for over $180 million available in tax credits by applying in one of the three application periods each year. Applicants will be analyzed based on fourteen different factors of evaluation, including number of full-time jobs being created, amount of investment and strategic importance to the state or region.
Application Period Timeline: For fiscal year 2025-2026, GO-Biz will accept applications for the California Competes Tax Credit during:
July 21, 2025 – August 11, 2025
January 5, 2026 – January 26, 2026
March 2, 2026 – March 16, 2026
IN-PERSON EVENT: INSURANCE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
August 13 @ 8:30 am
Join SCORE Ventura County, City of Thousand Oaks and Economic Development Collaborative to learn about insurance from somebody who is not trying to sell you something! Insurance contracts are written by attorneys, but not all insurance agents can explain them in simple terms. In layman’s terms, this workshop will briefly overview the types of coverages available and what most businesses need. Address: Thousand Oaks City Hall, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
IN-PERSON EVENT: DOUBLE YOUR SALES WITH “THE LAUNCH PYRAMID”
July 24 @ 8:00 am
Did you ever wonder why some people seem to make money hand over fist while everyone else is struggling? If yes, this is a “Must Attend” for business owners, no matter what size or type of business you have. Join SCORE and EDC for this info-packed, NO-COST In-Person workshop that will give you the answers you need! Regardless of the size and type of business you have, this might be one of the most important workshops you’ll attend all year. In it, one of our resident business experts, James I. Bond, will share the 5 tactics businesses are using RIGHT NOW that are helping them accelerate how fast they are able to bring on new customers and clients for their business. Address: Ventura City Hall, 501 Poli St., Ventura, CA 93001.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
SCORE: FUND YOUR BUSINESS WITH SPONSORS, EVEN IF YOU’RE JUST STARTING OUT
July 15 @ 10:00 am
Would you like to do what you love and have someone else foot the bill? Have you ever considered corporate sponsors for your business, show, book, charity, speaking engagements or events? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this webinar is for you! America’s most successful companies partner with sponsors. Why not you? Linda Hollander can help you. She is the author of the #1 best-selling book, Corporate Sponsorship in 3 Easy Steps, and the CEO of Sponsor Concierge. Linda has consulted with many entrepreneurs to help them profit from the awesome power of corporate sponsors and has 20 years of experience in business. Her corporate sponsors have included Microsoft, Wells Fargo, Epson, Citibank, FedEx, Health Net, Southwest Airlines, Bank of America, Staples, American Airlines, Walmart and IBM.
SCORE: LINKEDIN MARKETING ESSENTIALS
July 8 @ 10:00 am
As one of the most important B2B social media platforms, LinkedIn can help you attract more eyes to your business. The biggest advantage of LinkedIn is that it is frequented by many senior-level influencers, decision-makers, and thought leaders. If you want to grab the attention of top-level executives, then you should work on your LinkedIn marketing strategy. Unlike other social networking sites, LinkedIn offers a goldmine of opportunities for B2B marketers. You’ll be better informed about what’s going on in your industry and the industry of your ideal, favorite and most profitable clients.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has declared a disaster for the Los Angeles County Civil Unrest, which occurred from June 6 to June 18, 2025. SBA now offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, nonprofit organizations impacted by the civil unrest.
SCORE: IS EXPORTING FOR ME – GRANT-FUNDED ASSISTANCE
July 2 @ 10:00 am
Join SCORE for a webinar on a new, grant-funded Regional Export Training and Assistance Program (RETAP). This free webinar will introduce you to RETAP, to the many organizations supporting it and to the entirely cost-free services it offers to new and early-stage exporters. Attendees will have the opportunity to sign up for the program. Don’t miss this chance to enhance your export knowledge, connect with industry experts and get customized NO-COST support to help you start and expand your export activity.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
The California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC) is an income tax credit available to businesses that want to locate in California or stay and grow in California. Businesses of any industry, size or location compete for over $180 million available in tax credits by applying in one of the three application periods each year. Applicants will be analyzed based on fourteen different factors of evaluation, including number of full-time jobs being created, amount of investment and strategic importance to the state or region.
Application Period Timeline: For fiscal year 2025-2026, GO-Biz will accept applications for the California Competes Tax Credit during:
July 21, 2025 – August 11, 2025
January 5, 2026 – January 26, 2026
March 2, 2026 – March 16, 2026
SCORE: BUSINESS FORMATION UNCOVERED: NAVIGATING BUSINESS STRUCTURES
June 24 @ 10:30 am
This business formation webinar is tailored to help entrepreneurs and business owners thoroughly understand the advantages and disadvantages of each entity type (sole proprietor, LLC, S-Corp.) from legal separate entities, tax reporting structures, non-tax paying entities, liabilities, asset protection and more. In today’s competitive market, choosing the right business entity is more than just a procedural step; it’s a strategic decision that impacts every aspect of your operations and long-term success. The
SBA: HOW TO DO BUSINESS WITH NASA’S JET PROPULSION LABORATORY (JPL)
June 18 @ 11:00 am
Join SBA for an exclusive session featuring representatives from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), managed by the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), to learn how your small business can engage in federally funded space research and technology initiatives. “How to Do Business with Federal Agencies” series is designed to empower small businesses with the knowledge and tools to successfully navigate federal contracting, build strategic relationships and unlock new growth opportunities within government agencies.” This event will take place online using Microsoft Teams; please register to obtain the login information. Please note that if you plan to use a mobile device or tablet to access this webinar, you must first download the Teams app to your device. SBA programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Please email lado@sba.gov at least 7 days in advance for reasonable accommodation requests.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
IN-PERSON: DIGITAL MARKETING 101
June 3 @ 8:30 am
Join SCORE Ventura County, City of Moorpark and EDC for this insight-packed workshop. It aims to educate business owners on the essential digital marketing skills, including social media dos and don’ts, tips for both digital and print marketing, creating engaging and effective content, avoiding common mistakes and so much more! Location: Moorpark City Hall, 323 Science Dr., Moorpark.
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IN-PERSON: MARKETING IN A DIGITAL WORLD
June 3 @ 8:30 am
Join SCORE Ventura County, City of Moorpark and EDC for this insight-packed workshop. It aims to educate business owners on the essential digital marketing skills, including social media dos and don’ts, tips for both digital and print marketing, creating engaging and effective content, avoiding common mistakes and so much more! Location: Moorpark City Hall, 323 Science Dr., Moorpark.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Having trouble viewing this email? Click here EDC MAY AND JUNE EVENT AND WEBINAR SCHEDULE The Economic Development Collaborative encourages you to sign up for our no-cost events and webinars. Space is limited. Register today! Plan ahead! Our full EDC and partner event schedule is updated…
The Economic Development Collaborative would like to recognize World Trade Month. This month celebrates how international trade unlocks new business opportunities, creates jobs and helps strengthen the United States and global economy.
The EDC is proud to support our community by providing professional technical assistance through our Small Business Development Center. Our NO-COST advising areas include:
• Start-up guidance
• Marketing and Branding
• International Trade
• E-commerce and Social Media
• Manufacturing Assistance
• Legal Compliance
• Strategic Planning
• QuickBooks and Accounting
• And MORE!
HYBRID WORKSHOP: MARKETING IN A DIGITAL WORLD
May 20 @ 5:00 pm
Join SCORE Ventura County and EDC for this insight-packed workshop which aims to educate business owners on the importance of marketing in a changing world where social media runs things. Participants will learn about the benefits of digital marketing and how these benefits will help grow your client base. This is a Hybrid Workshop: You can attend in person with the presenter at Chase Bank, 2181 N Rose Ave, Oxnard, CA 93036, or online via Zoom.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
The Economic Development Collaborative would like to recognize National Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. Observed annually in May, AANHPI Heritage Month is a time to reflect upon and celebrate the remarkable role of the AANHPI community in our nation’s history. To commemorate AANHPI Heritage Month, the Small Business Administration highlights resources, funding and training available to all AANHPI-owned small businesses and entrepreneurs.
The EDC is proud to support our community by providing professional technical assistance through our Small Business Development Center. Our NO-COST advising areas include:
IN-PERSON EVENT: DIGITAL MARKETING STRATEGIES TO ATTRACT AND GAIN MORE CUSTOMERS
May 7 @ 8:30 am
Whether you are a seasoned marketer or just starting out, this workshop is tailored to equip you with actionable marketing strategies that will deliver results. Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your marketing game and attract and gain more customers. Join SCORE Ventura County, City of Thousand Oaks and EDC for this insight-packed workshop that will dive into the key elements of digital marketing to help attract and gain more customers. Address: Thousand Oaks City Hall, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91362.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
For more than 50 years, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has celebrated National Small Business Week (NSBW), which recognizes the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. NSBW is co-hosted by SCORE, mentors to America’s small businesses and a resource partner of SBA.
Join us in celebrating National Small Business Week and participate in the NO-COST SBA National Small Business Week 2-Day Virtual Summit throughout the week! The event will cover information to help you START, GROW and EXPAND your small business.
SBA National Small Business Week 2-Day Virtual Summit
May 6 and May 7 @ 7:00 am PST
This year’s event will include educational presentations by experts, exhibit booths, NO-COST business resources, multiple peer-to-peer networking rooms and expert business advice from SCORE mentors. The event is NO-COST to view for both established and aspiring business owners. However, you must first register to gain entry.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
The City of Oxnard and the Economic Development Collaborative have partnered to support small business owners! With a low-interest rate, terms designed for businesses and NO-COST professional advising, this fund is perfect for those who haven’t been unable to qualify for traditional bank loans.
AND GAIN MORE CUSTOMERS
May 7 @ 8:30 am
Whether you are a seasoned marketer or just starting out, this workshop is tailored to equip you with actionable marketing strategies that will deliver results. Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your marketing game and attract and gain more customers. Join SCORE Ventura County, City of Thousand Oaks and EDC for this insight-packed workshop that will dive into the key elements of digital marketing to help attract and gain more customers. Address: Thousand Oaks City Hall, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91362.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
RESTAURANTS CARE RESILIENCE FUND
Restaurants Care, a nonprofit program of the California Restaurant Foundation, has awarded $7.3 million in grants to 1,603 independent restaurants across California—supporting burger joints, taquerias, bakeries and more. In 2025, Restaurants Care is offering two grant opportunities to help restaurants thrive: $10,000 grants for LA County restaurants and food trucks impacted by the 2025 LA Fires and $5,000 grants for restaurants and commercial caterers in select CA counties (including Ventura & Santa Barbara!) to build resilience. Restaurants Care was created in 2017 as a safety net for food and beverage workers. To learn more about their fund for food and beverage workers, click here.
IN-PERSON EVENT: MARKETING MASTERCLASS
April 24 @ 8:00 am
Are you struggling to attract profitable customers and grow your business? Do you want to stand out from the competition and maximize your marketing efforts? This must-attend workshop is designed for established business owners and new entrepreneurs looking to drive real results. Join SCORE Ventura County and EDC for this insight-packed session and discover the strategies you need to attract, win and retain high-value customers. Address: Ventura City Hall, 501 Poli St., Ventura, California 93001.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
IN-PERSON EVENT: MARKETING MASTERCLASS
April 24 @ 8:00 am
Are you struggling to attract profitable customers and grow your business? Do you want to stand out from the competition and maximize your marketing efforts? This must-attend workshop is designed for established business owners and new entrepreneurs looking to drive real results. Join SCORE and EDC for this insight-packed session and discover the strategies you need to attract, win and retain high-value customers. Address: Ventura City Hall, 501 Poli St., Ventura, California 93001.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
IN-PERSON EVENT: OXNARD’S RECIPE FOR SUCCESS: MARKETING AND RESOURCES FOR RESTAURANTS
April 9 @ 9:00 am
Join SCORE Ventura County and Economic Development Collaborative to learn about Oxnard’s Recipe for Success. This workshop aims to equip restaurant owners with the tools and strategies to maximize social media and highlight the power of collaboration between restaurants, local districts and Visit Oxnard from a panel of local businesses. Address: Oxnard Main Public Library (251 South A St, Oxnard, CA 93030).
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
SCORE VENTURA COUNTY: QUICKBOOKS ONLINE & BEST ACCOUNTING PRACTICES – LIVE Q&A & HANDS-ON TRAINING
April 1 @ 10:00 am
Join Accounting Expert & QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor and EDC Small Business Development Center Advisor Juliana Ramirez of JR Bookkeeping for an interactive, hands-on webinar designed to help you master QuickBooks Online and improve your accounting practices. Each session will explore key bookkeeping and financial management topics, but more importantly, this is your opportunity to ask specific questions and get them answered live! Whether you need help with bank reconciliations, financial reports, invoicing, expense tracking or QuickBooks Online setup, Juliana will provide real-time solutions and live demonstrations to ensure you walk away with clarity and confidence.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Grow, update and revitalize your business through the City of Ventura Business Assistance Loan Fund. In partnership with the Economic Development Collaborative, the City of
Ventura funds three separate loan options for businesses. This fund is designed to create jobs, support the growth of Ventura’s small business community and revitalize the city’s
older commercial districts.
SCORE: FUND YOUR BUSINESS WITH SPONSORS, EVEN IF YOU’RE JUST STARTING OUT
March 26 @ 10:00 am
Would you like to do what you love and have someone else foot the bill? Have you ever thought about corporate sponsors for your business, show, book, charity, speaking or events? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this webinar is for you! America’s most successful companies partner with sponsors. Why not you? Linda Hollander can help you. She is the author of the #1 best-selling book, Corporate Sponsorship in 3 Easy Steps and the CEO of Sponsor Concierge. Linda has consulted with many entrepreneurs to help them profit from the awesome power of corporate sponsors and has 20 years of experience in business. Her corporate sponsors have included Microsoft, Wells Fargo, Epson, Citibank, Fed Ex, Health Net, Southwest Airlines, Bank of America, Staples, American Airlines, Walmart and IBM.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
BA: DOING BUSINESS WITH LOS ANGELES DEPARTMENT OF WATER AND POWER (LADWP)
March 18 @ 10:00 am
In this webinar you will learn about Subcontracting opportunities with LADWP Primes: learn how to connect with LADWP’s prime contractors and explore subcontracting opportunities, understand LADWP’s procurement process, requirements, how to become prime contractors, get step-by-step guidance on how to find, bid and win contracts with LADWP and get your questions answered by LADWP experts during the Q&A session. This event will take place online using Microsoft Teams, please register to obtain for the login information. Please note that if you are planning to use a mobile device or tablet to access this webinar, you must first download the Teams app to your device. SBA programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. For reasonable accommodation request please send an email to lado@sba.gov at least 7 days in advance.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Mountain Fire: SBA acted under its own authority to declare a disaster in response to a request SBA received from Gov. Gavin Newsom’s authorized representative, Director Nancy Ward, of the California Office of Emergency Services on November 25. The disaster declaration makes low-interest federal disaster loans available to residents and businesses the counties of Ventura, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and Kern who were affected by the Mountain Fire that began November 6.
Wildfires and Straight-line Winds: SBA Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman announced that low-interest federal disaster loans are now available to Southern California businesses, homeowners, renters and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations following President Joe Biden’s major disaster declaration. The declaration covers Los Angeles and the contiguous counties of Kern, Orange, San Bernardino, and Ventura due to wildfires and straight-line winds that began on January 7.
SCORE: DISTRIBUTION & FULFILLMENT WITH AMAZON
March 11 @ 12:00 pm
Learn how to enhance your product distribution and fulfillment using Amazon’s extensive logistics network, improving efficiency and customer satisfaction for your business. This presentation will discuss Amazon’s comprehensive supply chain, including Fulfillment by Amazon, Amazon Shipping and other programs. We’ll discuss key topics, such as managing your inventory effectively and how to turn returned products into sales opportunities. Finally, discover tips and tricks for leveraging Amazon’s comprehensive suite of resources and programs tailored to support small businesses, ensuring you have the tools to help enable your success. Sponsored by Amazon.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
The Economic Development Collaborative would like to recognize Women’s History Month. This month is dedicated to honoring and celebrating the contributions of women throughout history. During this time and throughout the entire year, the EDC is committed to supporting women in achieving their business goals.
The EDC is proud to support the community by providing professional technical assistance in English and Spanish through our Small Business Development Center. Our NO-COST advising areas include:
The California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC) is an income tax credit available to businesses that want to locate in California or stay and grow in California. Businesses of any industry, size or location compete for over $180 million available in tax credits by applying in one of the three application periods each year. Applicants will be analyzed based on fourteen different factors of evaluation, including number of full-time jobs being created, amount of investment and strategic importance to the state or region.
SCORE VENTURA COUNTY: QUICKBOOKS ONLINE SETUP AND CUSTOMIZATION FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
March 4 @ 10:030 am
Join Accounting Expert & QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor and EDC Small Business Development Center Advisor Juliana Ramirez as she guides small business owners through the initial setup and customization of QuickBooks Online. Learn how to tailor QuickBooks to fit your specific business needs, including setting up your chart of accounts, customizing invoices and organizing your expense categories for efficient tracking.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
The Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) is excited to introduce Mastering Export Strategy Preparation, a NO-COST course designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in international trade! This course is jointly organized EDC and the EDC Small Business Development Center (SBDC).
This six-week course will equip participants with the knowledge and skills to develop and implement successful export strategies. It combines theoretical concepts with practical applications, utilizing resources from government agencies supporting U.S. exporters, AI-powered exercises and technical assistance from trade experts.
A NO-COST One-Of-A-Kind Six-Week Course Completed at Your Own Pace!
The City of Simi Valley Loan Fund is a low-interest loan program that’s designed to help businesses recover from the impacts of COVID-19. Available through the Economic Development Collaborative and funded by the City of Simi Valley, small business owners who have had difficulty obtaining pandemic resources and traditional bank lending can now access local, professional assistance and capital.
The Economic Development Collaborative would like to recognize the month of February as Black History Month. This month is dedicated to honoring and celebrating the contributions of Black Americans throughout history. During this time, and throughout the entire year, the EDC is committed to supporting Black-owned small businesses. The following are a handful of programs* that provide support for Black-owned small businesses:
Mountain Fire: SBA acted under its own authority to declare a disaster in response to a request SBA received from Gov. Gavin Newsom’s authorized representative, Director Nancy Ward, of the California Office of Emergency Services on November 25. The disaster declaration makes low-interest federal disaster loans available to residents and businesses the counties of Ventura, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and Kern who were affected by the Mountain Fire that began November 6.
Wildfires and Straight-line Winds: SBA Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman announced that low-interest federal disaster loans are now available to Southern California businesses, homeowners, renters and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations following President Joe Biden’s major disaster declaration. The declaration covers Los Angeles and the contiguous counties of Kern, Orange, San Bernardino, and Ventura due to wildfires and straight-line winds that began on January 7.
