February 9, 2012

Find money you never knew you spent!

FREE seminar for Business Owners, CFO’s, Controllers, and HR Professionals.

Reservations required.

Dramatic Changes in health care legislation are now causing employers, who have used standard benefits packages, to re-evaluate options and help manage soaring health care costs.

The Mission Inn
3649 Mission Inn Avenue
Riverside, CA

Registration: 11:30am to 12 noon
Lunch & Seminar: 12 noon to 2:00pm

Bill Giamarino, Moderator

This COMPLIMENTARY seminar demonstrates the integration of customized wellness programs and analytics, with fully insured and partially self-funding environments, to bend the curve.

Session 1: Why Analytics and Biometrics Programs are the Key to Realizing Real Savings & Cost Containment
Speaker: Jennifer Stuckert, Interactive Health Solutions

Session 2: Alternative Benefits Funding Methods
Speaker: Chris Moyer, Director Benefit Analytics, HealthNow Administrative Services

Space is very limited. To reserve your place, please call – 909.383.7040 or email EdwardS@Henehan.com.

Visit www.henehan.com/seminar for more information.

Participants in this workshop will be provided with an introduction to the business plan, learning the steps needed to create a stand-out plan.  This is a basic workshop, and serves to outline what is necessary, but the information is clear and concise, and participants will come away from the workshop with a thorough understanding of what is required in the task ahead of them.

The workshop will be presented by Angel Cardoz, Director of CVWBC.  The workshop is presented in an innovative and motivational manner, so that the participants learn the steps to follow to make the writing process less tedious.

The CVWBC is a program of the Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship (IECE) at California State University San Bernardino, in partnership with U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

CVWBC provides free business counseling, training, mentoring, and networking designed for entrepreneurs, with an emphasis on women in business or women who want to start a business. The Center’s programs and services provided are targeted to a diverse range of needs and skill levels to meet client needs, providing services both in English and Spanish.  In an effort to encourage entrepreneurship, CVWBC provides assistance to all persons, regardless of gender, and in spite of the inference of our name.

The CVWBC is located at 77-806 Flora Road in Palm Desert.  For an appointment, information on the programs and services, 2012 schedule or more information please contact Kim Scanlan at 760.345.9200, visit and register at www.cvwbc.org.

Palm Desert, California. – The Coachella Valley Women’s Business Center (CVWBC) will present a new workshop, “So You Want a Website…Steps to Achieve Online Marketing Success” on November 17, 2011 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the CVWBC office, at 77-806 Flora Road, Suite C, in Palm Desert.  The cost for the workshop is $15 with online registration; registrations must be completed by end of business of October 16.  To register online, visit the CVWBC website at www.cvwbc.org. For more information, call 760.345.9200.

This workshop will focus on the development of an online presence and the website’s role in the business.  Topics included in the workshop will be planning and establishment of site goals, design and content development, functionality and the visitor experience, SEO, the social media tie in, and much more.  Facilitated by Suzan Chin, CMO of Creative Raven, and Fadi Andraus, SEO and Social Media Specialist of Creative Raven, this promises to be a highly informative, motivating, and interactive workshop.

Suzan Chin comes to CVWBC as a volunteer instructor. A former marketing and public relations director for an international hi-tech opto-electronics manufacturing firm serving the wastewater and civil infrastructure security segments, Suzan brings year of expertise and experience to the table. 

The CVWBC is a program of the Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship (IECE) at California State University San Bernardino in partnership with U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).  The CVWBC provides free business counseling, training, mentoring, and networking designed for entrepreneurs, with an emphasis on women in business or women who want to start a business. The Center’s programs and services are targeted to a diverse range of needs and skill levels to meet client needs, providing services both in English and Spanish.  In an effort to encourage entrepreneurship, CVWBC provides assistance to all persons, regardless of gender, and in spite of the inference of our name.

The Coachella Valley Women’s Business Center is located at 77-806 Flora Road, Suite C in Palm Desert.  For an appointment, information on the programs and services, 2011 Calendar of seminars and events or more information please contact Kim Scanlan at 760.345.9200, visit and register at www.cvwbc.org.

WASHINGTON – Spurred in part by unprecedented loan volume in the year’s first quarter, small business loans backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration in FY2011 reached the highest mark in the agency’s history, supporting over $30 billion, continuing the rebound begun in 2009 and returning to healthy pre-recession levels in the final three quarters of the year.

“SBA-backed lending continued the upward trend we saw last year,” SBA Administrator Karen Mills said.  “Due to the Small Business Jobs Act and a return to pre-recession lending levels, over 61,000 small businesses had access to capital.  Small businesses are the backbone of the economy and SBA has been there to help them rebound through difficult times over the past few years.  First through the Recovery Act and then through the Small Business Jobs Act and new SBA lending programs, SBA has provided small businesses with the tools they need so they can grow and create jobs.  As SBA lending levels continue to indicate a rebound in small business lending, we will work through new programs to fill the gaps created in the marketplace.” 

During the fiscal year, which ended Sept. 30, SBA loan approvals supported $30.5 billion (61,689 loans) in lending to small businesses and start-ups through its two largest loan programs, compared to $22.6 billion (60,771 loans) in FY 2010 and $17.9 billion (50,830 loans) in FY2009. 

The FY2011 total is the highest volume fiscal year in the agency’s history, surpassing the $28.5 billion mark established in FY2007.  The first quarter of the year, at over $12 billion supported, was the most active single quarter ever for SBA-backed loans, with more than four times the dollar volume of the same quarter in 2009 – the first three months of the recession – and more than double the volume of any quarter over the past four years. 

The unprecedented quarter was prompted by the enhancements provided under the Small Business Jobs Act, which were in effect.  The loan enhancements allowed SBA to raise the guarantee on its 7(a) loans to 90 percent and waive fees on both its 7(a) and 504 loans.

The totals for FY2011 include 53,706 loans $19.63 billion under the agency’s largest loan program, the 7(a) General Business Loan program, and 7,983 loans for a total approval of $4.84 billion, supporting $10.34 billion in small business lending under the 504 Certified Development Company loan program.  The “supported” amount for 504 loans includes the SBA share and third party loans that are made by commercial lenders as part of the funding package. 

Those numbers compare with 7(a) totals for FY 2010 of 52,938 loans for $12.46 billion, and 504 program totals of 7,833 loans for a total supported dollar amount of $9.97 billion.

While SBA lending has returned to pre-recession lending levels, there continue to be gaps in the marketplace and small businesses that need access to capital.  To help fill these gaps, SBA created two new lending programs in FY2011: Community Advantage and Small Loan Advantage.  The Advantage lending programs provide streamlined applications for loans under $250,000 with the standard 7(a) guarantee in order to incentive lenders to make smaller-dollar loans.  The smaller-dollar loans often go to underserved communities.  Additionally, Community Advantage increases the points of access for small businesses by allowing “mission focused” lenders, such as CDFIs and microlending intermediaries, the ability to make 7(a) loans.

In FY2011, SBA has added 30 new lenders to the 7(a) lending program through the Community Advantage program.

The total for 2011 also included approximately $5.8 billion in loans to more than 16,000 start-up small businesses, the most since FY2008. 

For more information about these and other SBA programs, visit the SBA Web site at www.sba.gov, or contact your local SBA field office.  You can find contact information for your local SBA office at http://www.sba.gov/localresources/index.html.

WHAT:

The Inland Empire food and wine tasting event of the year! More than 20

local restaurants, local wineries, and award-winning entries from the

Pacific Rim Wine Competition provide a taste of the Inland Empire’s

finest. Ticket and raffle proceeds benefit the National Orange Show

Foundation and its charities.

WHEN:

Thursday, October 13, 2011

6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

WHERE:

National Orange Show Events Center Lagoon

870 Arrowhead Ave., (approx. address)

Enter at Gate 9

San Bernardino, CA 92408

COST:

$75 per person / $125 per couple

Charitable deduction of $50 per single ticket and $75 per couple ticket

Cost of admission includes a commemorative wine glass

PARTICIPANTS TO DATE

(subject to change):

Manhattan Grill, Hilton San Bernardino

The Castaways

Chili’s Bar & Grill

Celebrity Chef Mouton

Le Rendezvous

Leno’s Rico Taco

La Pasta Italia

Jose’s Mexican Food

The Rustic Loaf

Lucy’s Mexican Food

Ray’s Grill

Napoli Italian Restaurant

El Torito

Blooming Creations

Mexico Café

Café Rio

Graber Olive House

Historic Galleano Winery

Quady Winery

Hangar 24 Brewery

MORE INFO:

(909) 888-6788 ext. 411 or www.nosevents.com. RSVP by October 10

Editor’s note

About the National Orange Show Foundation

As the giving arm of the National Orange Show, the National Orange Show Foundation

has a long tradition of community partnership. The National Orange Show Foundation

proudly provides funds for education programs, services and programs that benefit at-risk

children and their families, services and programs that improve quality of life, student

scholarships, community enrichment, and literacy.

About the National Orange Show Events Center

The National Orange Show Events Center is the Inland Empire’s premier source of

entertainment and all-inclusive event solutions. The center’s multi-use, 120 acre facility

offers 150,000 square feet of indoor space and has hosted concerts, banquets, and

prestigious events such as the Wine and Food under the Stars, The Pacific Rim

International Wine Competition, and The Assistance League of San Bernardino’s

Headdress Ball. With the historic tradition of the annual citrus fair at the heart of the

organization, the National Orange Show Events Center is at the forefront of the events

industry while working to maintain strong community connections. For more

information, visit www.nosevents.com.

For small business owners who want to explore the option of online sales, this webinar is ideal. Participants will learn everything from frequently used e-commerce terms to how to develop their own online store, and in fact a basic foundation will be provided for the small business owner to begin and sustain an online store. This is an excellent opportunity for entrepreneurs to learn in the comfort of their home or office, and the content is vital in today’s tech-savvy world.
This webinar is part of a larger group of 25 webinars and classroom presentations offered by CVWBC in partnership with CARAT (California Resources and Training), all of which train business owners in technologies necessary to grow a business. Additional webinars and presentations will take place over the next calendar year, and will cover subjects from online financial management to website development, and everything in between.

The CVWBC is a program of the Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship (IECE) at California State University San Bernardino in partnership with U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The CVWBC provides free business counseling, training, mentoring, and networking designed for entrepreneurs, with an emphasis on women in business or women who want to start a business. The Center’s programs and services are targeted to a diverse range of needs and skill levels to meet client needs, providing services both in English and Spanish. In an effort to encourage entrepreneurship, CVWBC provides assistance to all persons, regardless of gender, and in spite of the inference of our name.

The Coachella Valley Women’s Business Center is located at 77-806 Flora Road, Suite C in Palm Desert. For an appointment, information on the programs and services, 2011 Calendar of seminars and events or more information please contact Kim Scanlan at 760.345.9200, visit and register at www.cvwbc.org.

The CVWBC is a cooperative program between the Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship (IECE) and the US Small Business Administration (SBA). This U.S. Small Business Administration Cooperative Agreement is partially funded by the SBA. SBA’s funding is not an endorsement of any products, opinions, or services. All SBA funded programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact Kim Scanlan at 760.345.9200.

The Fourth Annual Faith Based Small Business Summit promises to be a value added opportunity for both business owners and faith based leaders to gain important information for growth and expansion.  The Summit will be held on Thursday, October 13, 2011 at the Ontario Convention Center. This Summit seeks to bring together faith based leaders and business owners throughout the tri-county region of San Bernardino, Riverside and Orange Counties.  AmPac Tri State CDC  the Inland Empire Women’s Business Center, and the Inland Empire Small Business Development Center. The Summit provides information packed workshops for both business owners and faith based leaders.

The overall purpose of the Summit is to:

• “Connect Faith & Business”
• Provide business and faith leaders with the tools and resources for propelling their growth and outreach.
• Learn from a dynamic keynote speaker – this year, Auerilo Barretto, Founder/CEO of Not of this World Clothing
• Explore options for businesses to expand sales through international trade and government contracting featuring SBA and the Federal Department of Commerce
• Encourage faith based leaders to be part of the solution in growing our economy.
• Meet Jerry Flavin from the White House Office of Faith Based Programs and Neighborhood Partnerships and learn about SBA micro-loan programs to get entreprenur started
• Meet lenders who are lending today!
• Meet successful business owners who will share great tools to help the next generation of business leaders.

The Summit will provide a wealth of information for your business, your suppliers and your customers. Please feel free to share the flyer with your contacts.  We would be thrilled to have you to participate as a vendor.  We have attached a vendor application for your consideration.

We hope that you can join us on October 13th.  Please do not hesitate to phone us if you have any questions or visit the website at www.tristatecdc.org to register today!  Or call 909-915-1706 for more information. Download the printable flyer.

SAN 

The workshop is taught by Jeff Schaefer, founder of Mill Creek Networks, Inc., a company that develops software and provides consulting to large companies such as Wells Fargo, AT&T,  Loma Linda University Medical Center and the United States Department of Interior.

The seminar will focus on topics such as creating and owning a web site, free Internet alternatives such as Facebook, Google apps and Yahoo small business, and online credit card processing.

“The Internet offers businesses a number of applications that can increase revenue, speed up payments and boost name recognition,” said Lori Tilley, economic development manager. “According to figures from the U.S. Census Bureau, e-commerce generated more than $43 billion in the first quarter of 2011. This seminar will provide useful information to companies looking to boost their e-commerce presence.”

The workshop costs $10. You can pay online at www.sbbizresource.com or pay by check at the door. For more information please call 909.963.5026, or email rsvp@sbbizresource.com.

About the City of San Bernardino’s Office of Business Development

The Office of Business Development, a branch of the City of San Bernardino Economic Development Agency, was created to promote business recruitment, assist with business retention and provide business resources and information to San Bernardino area businesses and companies. The Office of Business Development is funded by the City of San Bernardino Economic Development Agency. For more information call 909.963.5026, visit www.sbrda.org or follow them on Facebook.

“Fiction: It’s All About the Story” is scheduled from 6-8 p.m. at the center’s office, 202 East Airport Drive, Suite 100, just off Hospitality Lane, in San Bernardino. The cost of this workshop is $15 if you preregister online, or $20 at the door.

The workshop will be taught by JD Moore, professional ghostwriter, and owner of Moore Than Just Words. Moore will help participants understand story, plot, and their personal writing style, and will also help participants plot their story in less than 15 minutes.

The Inland Empire Women’s Business Center is a program of the Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship at Cal State San Bernardino in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration. The IEWBC provides business counseling, training and mentoring designed for women business owners.

The program provides services in English and Spanish to Latina business owners, currently the fastest growing group of women business owners in the country.

The Inland Empire Women’s Business Center’s hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday by appointment only. The center also has a part-time outreach office in Corona, where it meets clients by appointment only on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Could you use professional help to rejuvenate your business? The producers of the hit restaurant revival show, “Kitchen Nightmares” are currently producing a timely new show that will help small business owners who are struggling in this economy. This incredible new program will feature a self-made millionaire and successful entrepreneur with over 25 years of business experience, who will come to your company and give you professional advice, guidance and (real!) assistance specifically designed for YOUR business.

FOR FREE!

If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity, email Helpmybiztvshow@gmail.com

Include your name, location, phone number and a brief description about your company. Please include a picture of yourself and your business.

We look forward to hearing your story!

“Successful Start-Ups: The ABCs of Starting Your Own Business,” will be from 6-8 p.m. in the multipurpose room of the Corona City Hall,400 S. Vicentia Ave., in Corona. Nicole Kinney, the Director of the Inland Empire Women’s Business Center, will facilitate the interactive session that will focus on the role of an entrepreneur, and will present the steps to take when starting a business.

Participants will receive contact information for the myriad of government and business entities that are part of the start-up process. The workshop also will have information about available funding sources for local existing and aspiring small business owners.

The event is presented by the Corona Women’s Business Partnership, which is organized by the Inland Empire Women’s Business Center in collaboration with the Corona Business Assistance Program. Corona business owners and residents have access to the Corona Business Assistance Program as a resource partner in their pursuit of small business growth and success.

The CBA program offers monthly start-up workshops and provides free business counseling by appointment only each Wednesday and Thursday at the Corona Public Library.

The Inland Empire Women’s Business Center is a program of the Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship at Cal State San Bernardino in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The IEWBC provides business counseling, training and mentoring designed for women business owners. The program also offers services in English and Spanish toLatinabusiness owners, currently the fastest growing group of women who own businesses in the country.

The Inland Empire Women’s Business Center’s hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday by appointment only.

For more information, or to register for the workshop, contact Rachel Wolfinbarger at (909) 890-1242 or to register online visit the IEWBC Web site at www.iewbc.org.

For more information on Cal State San Bernardino, contact the university’s Office of Public Affairs at (909) 537-5007 and visit http://news.csusb.edu.

OBD helped with savings, business license

AN BERNARDINO, Calif. (July 18, 2011)  A new fitness center is coming to San Bernardino thanks to assistance from the City of San Bernardino Economic Development Agency, Office of Business Development.

According to Lori Tillery, economic development manager, San Bernardino Fitness LLC has signed a lease on a 24,000-square foot retail facility at 2041 E. Highland Avenue. Tillery said memberships will be on sale in August and the center is scheduled to open in September. The new business is expected to employ 11 people when fully operational.

“The building will be converted into a state-of-the art-fitness facility and operate under the name Planet Fitness,” she said.

“The business will also take advantage of the San Bernardino Valley Enterprise Zone hiring credits, once Highland Avenue is added to the existing zone,” Tillery said. “The location of a quality fitness center of this size will fill an existing gap in this market in the north end of town, where only a handful of small facilities exist.”

The Office of Business Development assisted the new business with issues such as zoning verification and façade improvements.

Owner Farrukh Zafar said he was grateful for the assistance provided by the Office of Business Development staff. “They offered me different ways to save money and they helped me apply for the business license,” Zafar said.

About the City of San Bernardino’s Office of Business Development

The Office of Business Development, a branch of the City of San Bernardino Economic Development Agency, was created to promote business recruitment, assist with business retention and provide business resources and information to San Bernardino area businesses and companies. The Office of Business Development is funded by the City of San Bernardino Economic Development Agency. For more information call 909.963.5026, or visit www.sbrda.org.

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (July 18, 2011) –The San Bernardino Valley Enterprise Zone (SBVEZ) announced today the businesses utilizing the zone have filed more than 2,000 hiring tax credit vouchers since Jan. 2011. The number of vouchers filed this year will soon exceed the total number of vouchers filed in 2010, in just half the time.

Last year, approximately 2,300 vouchers were filed by 182 businesses. This year more than 145 businesses have already taken advantage of the incentive. The zone has seen a significant jump in activity from businesses, suggesting that number of vouchers filed in 2011 will double the number filed last year.

“Each year we seem to double the number of vouchers filed from the previous year, and having already reached 2,000 vouchers is a good sign we will do it again this year,” said Wendy Clements, SBVEZ zone manager. “The continued growth of the program locally shows that our efforts to educate employers about the zone are paying off.”

The hiring tax credit is the most commonly used program incentive, which grants employers a tax deduction for providing a job to a local disadvantaged worker who faces barriers to employment. Common barriers include long-periods of unemployment, receipt of public assistance, lack of skills and education, and having a disability or a criminal history.

The 2,000 vouchers filed so far this year are estimated to produce $75 million in tax savings for these businesses during the five-year period they can claim the credit for a single employee. Reports also show that these cost savings have contributed to the creation of 14 new jobs and the retention of 1,998 existing jobs in the zone.

Designated in 2006, the SBVEZ includes the city of Colton, city of San Bernardino and unincorporated portions of San Bernardino County.

About the San Bernardino Valley Enterprise Zone

The San Bernardino Valley Enterprise Zone is an Enterprise Zone established by the California Department of Housing and Community Development to encourage investment, growth, development and job creation in economically distressed areas of the county. The zone covers approximately 42 square miles and includes areas of Colton, San Bernardino and unincorporated portions of San Bernardino County. The Enterprise Zone is a joint effort between the Inland Valley Development Agency, City of Colton, City of San Bernardino, and the County of San Bernardino.  For more information, visit www.SBVEZ.com, or email wclements@sbrda.org

“ABC’s of Starting Your Own Business” is scheduled from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Ontario Public Library, located at215 E. C Street, in Ontario. The workshop will be facilitated by Rachel Wolfinbarger, Training Coordinator at the Inland Empire Women’s Business Center.

“ABC’s of Starting Your Own Business,” will be an interactive discussion on the role of an entrepreneur and will present the steps to take when starting a business. Participants will obtain contact information for the myriad of entities that are part of the start-up process and discover the sources of funding available to local existing and aspiring small business owners.

The Inland Empire Women’s Business Center is a program of the Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship at Cal State San Bernardino in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration. The IEWBC provides business counseling, training and mentoring designed for women business owners.

The program provides services in English and Spanish toLatinabusiness owners, currently the fastest growing group of women business owners in the country.

The Inland Empire Women’sBusinessCenter’s hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday by appointment only. The center also has a part-time outreach office inCorona, where it meets clients by appointment only on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

For more information, or to register for the workshop, contact Rachel Wolfinbarger at (909) 890-1242. To register online, visit the IEWBC website at iewbc.org.

For more information on Cal State San Bernardino, contact the university’s Office of Public Affairs at (909) 537-5007 and visit news.csusb.edu.

WHERE: City of Highland Council Chambers
27215 Baseline St, Highland CA 92346 | Map 

CONTACT: Nathan Miller, 909-466-9096

View PDF  to see the invitation.

Small businesses drive California’s economy, but the state continues to raise taxes and create restrictive regulations that are highly damaging to those businesses. It is Assemblyman Morrell’s goal to hear from business owners in his district about what the state could be doing to create a business-friendly environment.

The hearings will allow businesses, panel members and attendees to learn about the challenges facing businesses in our community. It also is an opportunity to discuss real solutions about how California can retain businesses and make California golden once again. Please join us to learn more about the state of the business and economic climates in California and how we, as citizens, can make a difference.

uly 15, 2011, Riverside, CA – With today’s economic uncertainty, do you stand out on the job?  Or, are you seeking a job? If so, would you stand out in today’s highly competitive job market?

Members, non-members and students are invited to attend the PRSA-CIEC – Public Relations Society of America Inland Empire Chapter luncheon where you’ll learn from speaker Kelly O’Connell, of The Creative Group, strategies for distinguishing yourself at work, recognizing and working with different types of managers, and promoting yourself through networking. You’ll also take home tips for positioning yourself for a promotion and building your professional value.

• Date: Wednesday, July 20, 2011
• Time: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
• Location: Old Spaghetti Factory -3191 Mission Inn Avenue Riverside, CA 92507
• Fee: Ranges from $15 for students, $20 members, to $35 for non-members.
• To Register Contact:   Nicole Dailey president@prsaie.org  (951) 833-5497 or for more information: http://prsaie.org/meetinginfo.php
• Speaker: Kelly O’Connell, Metro Market Manager for The Creative Group

More about our Speaker: 

Kelly O’Connell is the metro market manager for The Creative Group where she oversees a team of recruiting managers specializing in the placement of highly skilled interactive, design, marketing and public relations professionals on a project and full-time basis. Kelly and her team have helped countless creative professionals navigate the career planning process.  The Creative Group (TCG) specializes in placing a range of highly skilled interactive, design and marketing professionals with a variety of firms on a project and full-time basis.

Additionally, the PRSA California Inland Empire Chapter offers various sponsorship opportunities – monthly seminar luncheons, in-kind promotions and at annual events. Please contact sponsorships@prsaie.org  to find out about how to align your business with the PRSA-CIEC.

any business owners are wondering where they can find financing to stabilize or expand their business. To help them succeed, the Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce hosts a luncheon, “Where is the Money?” at the San Bernardino Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, July 28 at 11:30 a.m.

“We have brought in the best and brightest funding experts in the Inland Empire to help small business owners locate funds for growth,” said Carl Dameron, president of the Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce.

Funding discussions will be lead by:  Small Business Administration (SBA) Lender Relations Specialist Stephen Leung, Bank of America Senior Vice President Lasandra Sanders, Small Business Development Center Director Vincent McCoy, and the San Bernardino Economic Development Agency Manager Colin Strange.

According to the SBA, seven out of ten new businesses survive at least two years. Unfortunately, just about half of those businesses fail during the next three years, due to a lack of money.

Small businesses are an indispensable element to the U.S. economy.  In fact the SBA cites small businesses as being a major economic engine, employing over half of all private sector employees and contributing to nearly half of the total U.S. private payroll.

In 2011, the Inland Empire economy is expected to gain 5,200 jobs, making a modest turnaround from the deficit faced in 2008-2010, as projected by Dr. John Husing in his Inland Empire Quarterly Report.  He goes on to explain that entrepreneurs starting new firms or implementing their fresh ideas stimulate most recoveries.

If you are a small business owner and want to know where the money is for your business, then you don’t want to miss this opportunity.

Admission is free, however if you wish to have lunch there is a $10 fee.  All lunch reservations must be made by July 27, 1 p.m.

The Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce was established in 1989 to represent, promote and empower African American businesses throughout San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Its mission is to encourage economic and professional development of African American owned businesses, and enhance the quality of life in our community.

To make reservations call Shannan at (909) 888-0017.

CORONA, Calif.–The Corona Business Assistance Program a program of the Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship (IECE) at California State University, San Bernardino is hosting the Corona Women’s Business Partnership on Thursday, July 14^th to assist aspiring and existing women business owners.

The event will be from 3pm to 5pm and will be held at the Corona Public Library which is located at650 S. Main St.Corona,CA92882. The event is free to everyone who attends.

This event is a great opportunity to learn new ways to improve your business and network with a great group of women. Panelists Arvee Robinson from Arvee Robinson International, Joy White from Info Team, Inc., and Lydia Mehit from Custom Business Planning & Solutions will discuss the event topic: Thinking Outside the Box: Creative Ways to Improve Your Business.

Small business owners can register by visiting www.iewbc.org or emailing rwolfinbarger@iewbc.org.

The Inland Empire Women’s Business Center (IEWBC) is a program of theInland EmpireCenterfor Entrepreneurship atCaliforniaStateUniversity,San Bernardino. In partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, the IEWBC provides business counseling, training, and mentoring designed for and targeted to woman business owners. The program provides targeted services toLatinabusiness owners (currently the fastest growing group of women-owned businesses in the country) by providing services in English and Spanish.

The Inland Empire Women’sBusinessCenteris located at theIECEBusinessResourceCenter,202 East Airport Drive, Suite 100, just offHospitality Lane. IEWBC hours of operation are as follows: Monday-Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturday by appointment only.

For more information, or to register for the workshop, contact Rachel Wolfinbarger at (909) 890-1242 or to register online visit the IEWBC Web site at www.iewbc.org

Can the mayors of the Inland Empire stimulate job growth….

“Watch television on Wednesday evening at 7 PM on KVCR-TV; we can inspire business growth,” says Ray Anderson. Ray believes the Inland Empire’s greatest resource is the creativity of her people.  He talked about a television show about California’s entrepreneurs, “These people are ones who are creating good jobs right here, right now… and it all starts with an idea and some courage.”

The show, Inland Empire Small Business School, airs on KVCR-TV every Wednesday night at 7 PM.  Ray said, “Once our cities’ mayors watch the show, and they see the results –  they see creativity in action — they’ll want to get others watching, too.”  Ray is convinced that Inland Empire has the raw human talent; he quips, “We need to inspire people.”   So, he’s calling on the mayors to watch the show, get inspired, then go to KVCR-TV to record a viewer tune-in that will run at various times throughout the week.  

The show, once a national show, has become a local show to  focus on local productions about the best businesses within the Inland Empire.  The leadership of the area’s 34 Chambers of Commerce are all being asked to nominate business owners for the show.  Kenn Couch, the general manager of KVCR-TV says, “The focus is on business owners who are loved in the community for their successes, their community beneficence, and their integrity; and they are respected within their industry for their innovation, leadership and willingness to share information to help others grow.”  There are about 70 business advocates, including the mayors, the business press, economic development and business professors who are invited to vote to prioritize the list.  Nobody can pay to be on this show its a merit only program that chooses the best businesses in the Inland Empire who through example can illustrate success paths to others.

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.  – The city of San Bernardino is pleased to congratulate Garner Holt Productions, Inc. for receiving the Small Business of the Year award from the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Santa Ana District Office, which serves Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. The Economic Development Agency of San Bernardino, the city’s redevelopment agency, has worked closely with the company to secure the resources it needed to become the world’s leading manufacturer in the animatronics and special effects industries.

The award was given as part of the administration’s National Small Business Week, which has recognized the contributions of America’s small businesses since 1963. CEO Garner Holt accepted the award during a ceremony at San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino on June 2. The company was nominated by the National Development Council’s Grow America Fund, which has helped finance the company’s growth in recent years.

Based in San Bernardino, Garner Holt Productions designs and manufactures animatronics for companies such as The Walt Disney Company, Universal Studios, NASA, Coca-Cola, Chuck E. Cheese, Lockheed Martin and Caesars Palace. The company was selected as the regional small business of the year because of its advancements in animatronics technology and its recent expansion in San Bernardino.

“Garner Holt Productions is a local trailblazer that has grown at a tremendous rate,” said Emil Marzullo, Economic Development Agency interim executive director. “It’s wonderful to see the company recognized for contributions to its industry and our community. San Bernardino is fortunate to have an employer that is expanding its footprint and creating jobs for local residents.”

Since 2007, Garner Holt Productions has acquired additional property on East Cooley Avenue and now operates 60,000 square feet of design and production space spread across three buildings. The company has also doubled its staff of engineers, designers, artisans, specialized technicians from 40 to 80 employees. The city of San Bernardino Economic Development Agency has helped facilitate company growth by helping them access financing, lease commercial real estate property and utilize the San Bernardino Valley Enterprise Zone tax credits.

About the Economic Development Agency of San Bernardino

The Economic Development Agency of San Bernardino is a focused, diversified organization whose mission is to enhance the quality of life for the citizens of San Bernardino by creating jobs, eliminating physical and social blight, supporting culture and the arts, developing a balanced mix of quality housing, along with attracting and assisting businesses both independent and through public-private partnerships. For more information, visit www.sbrda.org.

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. ( May 23, 2011) –

The workshops are geared towards providing education and information to help the Inland Empire business community, according to Lori Tillery, economic development manager. The Office of  Business Development has hosted more than 35 workshops to date.

“The workshops have focused on issues that are important to the business community such as employment law, how to use QuickBooks, public relations and marketing, and how to start up your own business,” Tillery said.

The workshops have been well received by attendees. Carmen Parada of XelaTech Consulting, an information technology consulting company based in Diamond Bar, said the presenters were very knowledgeable and offered great lessons about marketing and business strategies. “I attended several workshops, including the Marketing 101 seminar,” Parada said. “I really liked all of the information provided. It was very useful.”

Workshop presenters have also had complimentary things to say about the workshop series. Sarah Cullins, president of Finesse Staffing, based in Rancho Cucamonga, has hosted workshops about resolving workplace conflict and employment law.

“I have found workshop attendees very eager and grateful to learn information that is pertinent to the business world,” Cullins said. “Hosting a workshop at the Office of Business Development is a way for me to interact with future clients and customers, and also give back to the community.”

For more information please call 909.963.5026, or email rsvp@sbbizresource.com.

About the City of San Bernardino’s Office of Business Development

The Office of Business Development, a branch of the City of San Bernardino Economic Development Agency, was created to promote business recruitment, assist with business retention and provide business resources and information to San Bernardino area businesses and companies. The Office of Business Development is funded by the City of San Bernardino Economic Development Agency. For more information call 909.963.5026, or visit www.sbrda.org.

Karla Gonzalez has joined the Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (IESBDC)

INLAND EMPIRE, CA–Karla Gonzalez has joined the Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (IESBDC) as a Business Consultant. In her new position she will provide counseling and training services to businesses throughout the region.

“Karla is a great addition to the IESBDC,” said Vincent McCoy, Executive Director. “Her experience helping businesses prepare for and secure federal, state and local government contracts, and ability to counsel in English and Spanish will help SBDC to greatly expand its services and effectiveness in the Hispanic business community.”

Gonzalez worked for more than five years with the Inland Empire Minority Business Enterprise, a part of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Gonzalez had a successful track record in government procurement and job creation. She also counseled business owners on the managerial and technical aspects of expanding their businesses, as well as the importance of sound financial management.

Gonzalez has a Bachelors degree and an MBA from the University of Redlands. She also has taken certificate programs at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth.

For more information contact Vincent McCoy at 909-888-9011.

About Inland Empire SBDC

The Inland Empire SBDC is a division of the Inland Empire Economic Partnership and is supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Auxiliary Service Corporation of California State University, Fullerton.

This seminar will be held on Thursday, May 19, 2011 from 9:00 am – 11:00 am at the Office of Business Development, City of San Bernardino located at 201BNorth E Street, Suite 200 San Bernardino.

http://www.inlandempire.us/business/small-business/san-bernardino-how-to-start-your-small-business/

How to Start Your Small Business”

Tuesday, April 26, 2011 from 9:00 am – 11:00 am at the Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce located at 26790 Ynez Court., in Temecula.

http://www.inlandempire.us/business/business-training-education/temecula-start-small-business/

Tuesday, May 17, 2011 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at the Carolyn Owens Community Center located at 13201 Central Ave., 2^nd Floor in Chino.

http://www.inlandempire.us/business/business-training-education/chino-how-to-start-your-small-business-2/

InlandEmpire.US -

How does a business owner take positive steps to ensure that his or her business remains resilient through a disaster situation that could destroy the company?  Join Agility Recovery Solutions and the U.S. Small Business Administration on Tuesday, April 19, for a discussion on developing the capacity to become a more resilient leader during a free, online webinar led by former FEMA Administrator David Paulison.

During the hour-long webinar, Paulison , a nationally recognized leader in emergency and disaster preparedness, response and recovery, will talk about obstacles to clear-headed leadership, and will share tips based on his own experience on avoiding errors that lead to failure in the midst of trying to rebuild after a disaster.

SBA has partnered with Agility Recovery Solutions to offer business continuity strategies for entrepreneurs via their “PrepareMyBusiness” website. Visit www.preparemybusiness.org to access previous webinars and for more preparedness tips.

Since 1953, the SBA has provided more than $48 billion in disaster recovery assistance to 1.9 million homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes in the form of low-interest loans.  For more information about the disaster loan program, visitwww.sba.gov/disaster.

WHO: SBA, Agility Recovery Solutions

WHAT:          ”Leading with Resiliency During a Disaster” will be presented by former FEMA Administrator David Paulison, followed by a question and answer session.

WHEN: Tuesday, April 19, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. EDT

HOW: To register visit https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/244031664

If you are a new or aspiring business owner this workshop is a must!

This seminar will be held on Thursday, May 19, 2011 from 9:00 am – 11:00 am at the Office of Business Development, City of San Bernardino located at 201BNorth E Street, Suite 200 San Bernardino.  Sponsored by the City of San Bernardino Economic Development Agency; there will be no charge to attend this event. Pre-registration prior to the seminar is strongly recommended, as seating is limited.  For reservations or additional information on this seminar, please call us at (909) 888-9011. Online registration is available at www.iesmallbusiness.com. Business owners and start-up entities alike are welcome to attend this presentation.

The Inland Empire Small Business Development Center is hosted by the Inland Empire Economic Partnership (IEEP), a private, nonprofit economic development corporation.  The Center is partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the California State University Fullerton Tri-County Lead SBDC.  All of the SBDC programs and services are offered on a non-discriminatory basis.  Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made.  

SAN BERNARDINO, CA

The workshop is taught by Carla Ulloa, notary public and a member of CDC Small Business Finance. CDC Small Business Finance is committed to helping small businesses grow throughout California, Arizona and Nevada. Over the past 30 years, CDC has provided more than $8 billion in SBA loans and other funding, resulting in more than 100,000 jobs.

Ulloa’s workshop will focus on issues such as the importance of business credit, legal structure and sources of funding.

Lori Tillery, economic development manager, said, “This workshop will provide lots of valuable information to the local business community. One of the most common requests we get is helping new businesses secure funding.”

For more information about this workshop contact 909.963.5026, or email rsvp@sbbizresource.com.

About the City of San Bernardino’s Office of Business Development.

The Office of Business Development, a branch of the City of San Bernardino Economic Development Agency, was created to promote business recruitment, assist with business retention and provide business resources and information to San Bernardino area businesses and companies. The Office of Business Development is funded by the City of San Bernardino Economic Development Agency. For more information call 909.963.5026, or visit www.sbrda.org.

Chino, CA – If you are a new or aspiring business owner this workshop is a must!

This seminar will be held on Tuesday, April 19, 2011 from 9:00 am – 11:00 am at the Carolyn Owens Community Center located at 13201 Central Ave., 2^nd Floor in Chino.  This seminar is provided at no charge through the support of the City of Chino. Pre-registration prior to the seminar is strongly recommended, as seating is limited.  For reservations or additional information on this seminar, please call us at (909) 888-9011. Online registration is available at www.iesmallbusiness.com. Business owners and start-up entities alike are welcome to attend this presentation.

The Inland Empire Small Business Development Center is hosted by the Inland Empire Economic Partnership (IEEP), a private, nonprofit economic development corporation.  The Center is partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the California State University Fullerton Tri-County Lead SBDC.  All of the SBDC programs and services are offered on a non-discriminatory basis.  Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made.

If you are a new or aspiring business owner this workshop is a must!

This seminar will be held on Wednesday, April 27, 2011 from 9:00 am – 11:00 am at the Moreno Valley Conference Center located at 14075 Frederick Street, Alessandro Room A in Moreno Valley.  Sponsored by the City of Moreno Valley; there will be no charge to attend. Pre-registration prior to the seminar is strongly recommended, as seating is limited.  For reservations or additional information on this seminar, please call us at (909) 888-9011. Online registration is available at www.iesmallbusiness.com. Business owners and start-up entities alike are welcome to attend this presentation.

The Inland Empire Small Business Development Center is hosted by the Inland Empire Economic Partnership (IEEP), a private, nonprofit economic development corporation.  The Center is partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the California State University Fullerton Tri-County Lead SBDC.  All of the SBDC programs and services are offered on a non-discriminatory basis.  Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made.