FREE Back-to-School Shopping Guide

Get your FREE copy of our business directory, featuring hundreds of stores & restaurants in our district as well as the Stockton Boulevard & Oak Park districts.

Just email your name & address to us at Florinroad@aol.com and we'll mail a copy to you - FREE! 

Be sure to check inside for the FREE Boulevard Advantage Card, featuring special savings at participating businesses.

And remember to Shop Local for all your back-to-school supplies!

FREE May Business Seminars

The Paychex Seminar Series presents two valuable topics in one FREE seminar.  Learn the benefits of offering a 401(k) plan for businesses of any size and how payroll- and non-payroll integrated 401(k) plans work.  You'll also learn about today's ever-changing regulatory environment and requirements from federal agencies like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Department of Labor (DOL).

This seminar will be held on Tuesday, May 8, 2012, from 9 am to 12:00 pm at your local Paychex office or a nearby location.  A continental breakfast will be served. To register, visit www.paychex.com/localseminars or call toll free 877-321-8581.

"What Every Business Should Know About 401(k) Plans" is another FREE seminar offered online by Paychex.  The next session will be held on Thursday, May 17, 2012, from 2:00 pm to 2:45 pm ET.  To register, visit www.paychex.com/print/401(k)-seminar.

It's Business First in Sacramento

Save the Date for “Sacramento Business First”! 

The City of Sacramento will hold this FREE workshop for small businesses on Friday, June 8, 2012.

You’ll get information about business counseling, marketing, social media, finance, business tax programs, and more!  Local economic development researcher Ryan Sharp will discuss the latest economic trends taking place in our region.  There will also be informational booths, networking opportunities, and refreshments. 

The event runs from 7:30 am to 11:45 am at the Woodlake Hotel, Sacramento. 

To register, visit http://www.cityofsacramento.org/econdev/sacramentobusinessfirst/index.cfm

Reminders and Resources from EDD

·         The California Employment Development Department reminds you NOT to send a cover letter with your Quarterly Contribution Return and Report of Wages or Continuation form (DE 9 and DE 9C).  Doing so may delay processing.

·         EDD has free email subscription services for:  Employment and Payroll Tax Information, Labor Market Information, Paid Family Leave Information, Workforce Investment Act and Wagner-Peyser Act.

To subscribe, go to http://www.edd.ca.gov, select “Get E-mail Services”, then select “I want to subscribe”.

·         E-Services for Business offers employers and their representatives a fast, easy, and secure way to manage their payroll tax accounts online.  After completing a simple, one-time enrollment, you can access your account 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Built-in edits help you identify and correct errors online.  Visit https://eddservices.edd.ca.gov.

·         EDD offers no-fee State payroll tax seminars, either classroom-style or Web-based.  Visit www.edd.ca.gov/Payroll_Tax_Seminars/.  Additional information is also available from their Taxpayer Assistance Center at 888-745-3886.

Learn More, Earn More

Looking for FREE or low-cost business workshops?  Be sure to check out the "Events" page of our website for flyers of upcoming training events.

http://florinroad.com/events/events.html

California, Get Your Business Online!

Get Your Business Online is managed by Google and designed to make it fast, easy, and free for any business to get online. 

Here’s what you get:

• Free, easy-to-build Intuit website,
• Free customized domain name,
• Free web hosting for one year,
• Free online tools and training.

Find out more and signup at www.gybo.com/california/howitworks

Win a FREE TV commercial to promote your business!

Staples is giving away 15 seconds of one of their commercials to promote a real small business – maybe yours!  It’s valued at $50,000 and will air in your local market. 
Enter by Wednesday, March 14, 2012 on the Staples Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/#!/staples

Get Connected - Stay Connected

Sacramento State offers FREE online career management services for employers.  You can post positions (full-time, part-time, internship, co-op, and volunteer), review online resumes, register for career fairs, and track career center events.

For more information, contact the Career Center at 916-278-6231 or visit www.csus.edu/careercenter.

Free Coffee at Florin Road McDonald's Restaurants

Ring in the new year with a FREE cup of joe at Sacramento-area McDonald's restaurants!

Starting Monday, January 2, 2012 through Sunday, January 15, you can get a free, small cup of coffee during business hours with no purchase necessary. 

There are 3 McDonald's restaurants in our business district:

• 2335 Florin Road (near 24th Street)
• 4124 Florin Road (at Southgate Plaza)
• 6091 Florin Road (at Florin Towne Centre).

Don't Delay - Reach More Customers Today!

Florin Road corridor merchants can be a "Featured Business" on our website and
reach more than 1,000 unique visitors each month - for FREE! 

Just download the submission form from the "Directory" page of our website at http://www.florinroad.com/. Then tell us in 100 words or less what makes your business unique:  your merchandise, multilingual employees, extended hours, etc.  Return the form to us by email, fax, or snail-mail.

Each month we'll randomly select several businesses from the submissions received.  These businesses will be profiled on http://www.florinroad.com/ using the information provided.  (All submissions may be edited for space and clarity.)  We'll also take a photo of your business and include it in the profile.  You'll be notified if your business is selected.

This special FREE promotion is only available to merchants within
the Florin Road Business Improvement District.  

Over 100 businesses have been featured so far.

What are you waiting for?

A Golden Opportunity

Now through October 27, 2011, the Golden 1 Credit Union is hosting FREE workshops and webinars to help you plan your financial future. 

For more info, visit www.golden1.com and click on “Achieve Your Goals” or call 916-732-2900.

FREE Business Webinars

Grow your business through a series of FREE webinars from Office Depot which feature industry experts.  Sessions run from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm EST:

·        Tuesday, September 20, Finding Riches in Niches. Quick Start Keys to Success in Niche Marketing.  Presented by Susan Friedmann, bestselling author and niche marketing expert.

·        Tuesday, September 27, Planning for the Unexpected.  Presented by Ines Pierce, CEO of Pearce Global Partners, Inc.

·        Tuesday, October 4, Boost Your Sales.  Smart Tactics to Leverage the Power of Referrals.  Presented by Joanne Black, founder of No More Cold Calling.

·        Tuesday, October 11, Personalizing Your Pitch.  Pitching your business to different types of audiences.  Presented by Sam Horn, author of POP! and TongueFu!

For more information, or to register, please visit http://www.officedepot.com

FREE September Seminars for Businesses

Get two valuable topics in one FREE seminar from Paychex on Tuesday, September 13, 2011, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.  A continental breakfast will be served.  For seminar locations and reservations, visit www.paychex.com/localseminars or call toll free 1-877-321-8581.
Top HR Issues:

• Hiring Practices
• Fair Labor Standards Act
• Employee Handbooks
• Harassment
• Family and Medical Leave Act
• Workers' Compensation
• Employee Discipline and Termination
• Protected Activities and Retaliation

Safe Harbor for 401(k) Plans:

• Non-discrimination testing
• Employer options
• Tax-deductible employer contributions

Can't attend a local seminar?  Then check out Paychex's FREE Web seminars, both live and recorded at http://www.paychex.com/.

• What Every Business Should Know About 401(k) Plans, Thursday, September 15, 2011, 2:00 pm to 2:45 pm ET.  Topics include the basics of 401(k) plans, advantages for businesses and participants, steps to set up an effective plan, and how a third-party administrator can simplify the process.

• Navigating Health Insurance Options for Businesses, Wednesday, September 28, 2011, 2:00 pm to 2:45 pm ET.  Learn about whether group or individual insurance best meets your needs and budget, how offering health insurance can benefit you and your employees, and the key considerations for an effective health insurance plan.

FREE Business Advice from the Experts

Are you searching for some FREE business advice

from industry experts and business owners? 

Wells Fargo Bank has an online community - the Business Insight Resource Center - with a wealth of information at your fingertips.  This includes a media library with video, articles, podcasts and webcasts on subjects such as business financials, management, business stages and types, and more. 

Visit http://www.wellsfargobusinessinsights.com/ to tap into these resources. 

You Got a License for That?

Are you looking to hire a contractor to do work on your home or business? 

Be sure to check out http://www.checkthelicensefirst.com.  This website of the Contractors State License Board lets you verify a contractor license or home improvement salesperson (HIS) registration, including complaint disclosure.  The site also has a number of FREE, downloadable guides and pamphlets for consumers, contractors, and building departments, some of which are available in multiple languages.

Sat 6/18 FREE Adventure Day to Support Local Schools

On Saturday, June 18, 2011, Southgate Plaza (Florin & Franklin) will host a FREE Adventure Day from 12 pm to 3 pm. 

Shop at any of the Southgate Plaza stores on Friday, June 17 or Saturday, June 18 and they’ll donate 5% of all store sales to a participating school of your choice.  (Receipts must be presented at the information booth during the event on June 18 from 12 pm to 3 pm to qualify.)  Participating schools include Parkway Elementary, Fern Bacon Middle School, and Luther Burbank High School.

Activities during the event will include a rock climbing wall, BMX demonstration, giant slide, merchant booths, extreme sports challenge, and more.  You can receive a FREE giveaway with any Southgate Plaza store receipt of $10 or more dated June 11-June 18, 2011. (Receipts must be presented at the information booth during the event on June 18 from 12 pm to 3 pm to qualify. One giveaway per person while supplies last.)

For event details and store offers, visit www.southgate-plaza.com or on Facebook to become a fan.

FREE 401(k), Payroll, HR Seminars this June

Get two valuable topics in one FREE seminar, courtesy of Paychex.  Wednesday, June 15, 2011, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.  Continental breakfast will be served.  Seating is limited so register today for a site near you at http://www.paychex.com/localseminars or telephone toll free 1-877-321-8581.

401(k) and Payroll - Working Together:

• The benefits of a 401(k) plan for businesses of all sizes
• How 401(k) plans work when they are and aren't integrated with payroll

8 Critical Areas of HR:

• Payroll
• Employee communications
• Benefits
• Worksite safety and loss prevention
• Regulations
• Interviewing and hiring
• Employee motivation and development
• Employee separation

Another FREE seminar, courtesy of Paychex, will be held on Thursday, June 16, 2011, from 2:00 pm to 2:45 pm ET.  To register for What Every Business Should Know About 401(k) Plans, visit http://www.paychex.com/seminars/401k.

2010: The Year in Review

Our 2010 Annual Report is now online! 

Download your FREE copy from the "Publications" page of our website at http://www.florinroad.com/.  You can also request copies by contacting our office at telephone 916-424-4230, x. 3 or by email at Florinroad@aol.com.

FREE Payroll Tax Seminars

The State of California's Employment Development Department offers many FREE State payroll tax seminars, both classroom-style and Web-based.

Interactive classroom seminars are available at various locations in California.  They are designed for both new and established businesses, persons thinking about going into business, and payroll agents.

The classroom seminars include:

• Federal & State Basic Payroll Tax
• Employee or Independent Contractor Tax
• State Labor Law and Payroll Tax
• How to Manage Unemployment Insurance Costs

The Web-based seminars include:

• Employment Status (also available on CD)
• How to Complete a Payroll Tax Deposit, DE 88/DE 88ALL

For more information, visit the EDD website at http://www.edd.ca.gov/Payroll_Tax_Seminars or telephone the Taxpayer Assistance Center at 888-745-3886.

Got merchants? Our FREE directory has almost 500!

You can download a FREE copy of our business directory featuring almost 500 merchants in our district. 

The directory is available in PDF and Excel formats, and has the business name, category, address (including shopping center location), phone number and website.

Go to http://www.florinroad.com/ and click on the "Directory" link.