Business Readiness Webinar Series
Next Session:
Internal Finances: Bookkeeping Compliance
Wednesday, May 25, 2022
5:00 -7:00 PM
Register Today
About SBA Community Navigator Program
This webinar series is part of the SBA Community Navigator Program. The focus of this program is to reach and support underserved small businesses, including micro and rural businesses with emphasis on those owned by women, veterans and socially and economically disadvantaged individuals to help them recover from the effects of COVID-19.
Los Angeles Urban League aims to assist entrepreneurs in recovering from the effects of the pandemic within their operations and provide information and tools to stabilize and grow their businesses. Recovery services will include financial assistance, access to capital, contracting and procurement assistance, marketing, operations, and business development, export and industry specific training.
Register for one course and you will be registered for all the webinars in the Business Readiness series.
2022 – Q2 Schedule
Developing a Capabilities Statement
Wednesday, May 4, 2022
- Why you need a capabilities statement
- Developing your statement and examples
- Putting your best foot forward
Presented by: Gilbert Buchanan
The Elevator Pitch: Your Business in 30 seconds
Wednesday, May 11, 2022
- Business owners must be ready to “sell” their business to prospective customers, lenders and employees – sometimes on short notice
- This course will help business owners develop and refine this “immediate action” marketing pitch
- The course will suggest ways to adapt the pitch for different and unexpected situations
Presented by: Gilbert Buchanan
Internal Finances: Cash Flow Management
Wednesday, May 18, 2022
- Calculating gross profit margin and break-even point
- Understanding the two key financial documents in your business – the Balance Sheet and the Profit & Loss Statement
- Tips on how to make banks want to do business with you
Presented by: Crystal Mitchell
Internal Finances: Bookkeeping Compliance
Wednesday, May 25, 2022
- Basics of understanding your financial statements in QuickBooks
- Bookkeeping for Non‐Book keepers
- What about taxes?
- Invoicing & getting paid
- Preparation for getting Loans
Presented by: Crystal Mitchell
Business Compliance & Best Practices
Wednesday, June 1, 2022
- Organizing your Small Business
- How to make your business compliant with government regulations, lenders’ needs and customer’s contract requirements
- Giving your business a tune-up (for C-Corp, S-Corp, Sole Prop and LLC business entities)
Presented by: Gilbert Buchanan
Pricing: Getting Paid Properly
Wednesday, June 8, 2022
- Are you charging the right price for your product & services?
- Strategy to setting prices
- Calculating price points
- Cost of the products
- Evaluating your company’s product mix
- Operating Expenses
Presented by: Gloria Dioum
Marketing 101: Are you ready for customers?
Wednesday, June 15, 2022
- Researching and obtaining new customers
- Everything you need to grow, manage & turbocharge your marketing
- How to tell if your business is ready for customers
- Digital customer loyalty programs
Presented by: Chacha McGinnis
Getting Certified for Government Contracts
Wednesday, June 22, 2022
- What is certification?
- What are the benefits of certification?
- Which types of certifications that can benefit your type of business now?
- How to start the certification process
Presented by: Gilbert Buchanan
Contract & Procurement Readiness
Wednesday, June 29, 2022
- Obtaining and Maintaining Contracts
- Benefits of Vendor Registration & Bidding
- Responding to Request for Proposals (RFPs)
- Understanding the Bidding Process
- What Contract Providers are looking for from small businesses
Presented by: Gilbert Buchanan
Business Readiness Series Presenters
Gilbert Buchanan
Gilbert Buchanan is currently the Director of the Los Angeles Urban League’s Entrepreneurship Center. He is also a multiple SBA award-winning Supplier Diversity consultant that helps micro, small, and women-owned business enterprises become business-ready, contract-ready, certification-ready, and bank loan-ready. He has even assisted non-profits set-up and manage their back-office, so that they remain compliant with government regulations. More at https://thebuchanangroup.net/
Gloria Dioum
Gloria works with small businesses needing financial guidance from a CFO. She transforms operations by developing and instituting robust financial processes and systems. She has expertise in industries, such as retail, professional services, and technology. Hailing from a family of entrepreneurs, including serving as the CFO of a family business, she understands the challenges of starting and sustaining businesses. Gloria is certified by the Venture Mentoring Team and is trained to mentor small businesses and startups to improve their business model. Gloria earned her MBA with a focus in Finance from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. In her off time, she volunteers in an elected position on the neighborhood council for Los Angeles. More at https://jomgmtinc.com/
Crystal Mitchel
ChaCha Mcginnis
Chacha McGinnis is an award-winning Sales and Marketing Executive with 20 years of experience helping businesses create and execute profitable growth strategies. She has a strong track record of performance in turnaround and high-paced organizations. She utilizes keen analysis and insights with a team approach to drive organizational improvements and implementation of best practices. Currently the CEO of California Beacons in Long Beach, CA, a digital marketing agency; bringing affordable marketing services and supportive educational resources to small businesses was a top priority. More at https://www.californiabeacons.com/