You Can Be a Big Supporter of Small Businesses

SBA Loans for API-owned Businesses

The CalAsian Chamber has partnered with SmartBiz to help API-owned businesses grow and reach new markets.

By visiting http://www.smartbizloans.com/calasian, SBA-backed loans can be obtained in as little as seven business days.

The online application process can be completed quickly with approval notification in minutes. Once approved, businesses can borrow between $5,000 and $25,000 at affordable rates.

July 18th FREE Workshop: Immigration Reform & YOUR Small Biz

June Business Seminars & Mixers

The City of Sacramento will hold the FREE Sacramento Business First 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

Paychex Insurance Agency, Inc. presents Navigating Health Insurance Options for Businesses.  This seminar will be held on Monday, June 18, 2012, from 2:00 pm to 2:45 pm ET. 

To register, visit http://www.paychexinsurance.com/seminars.aspx.


The Power Inn Alliance presents Security & Business Protection Faire & Mixer on Thursday, June 21, 2012, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, at the Alliance office, 5310 Power Inn Road, Suite F, Sacramento.

This event combines a meet-and-greet style mixer with the popular "Crime & Dine" meetings.  Local security and protective products companies will be on hand showcasing their products and services.

To register, visit http://securityfaire.eventbrite.com.

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

Sacramento By The Numbers

Here are some interesting stats about Sacramento region businesses (based on U.S. Census Bureau data from 2009, the latest year for which official figures are available):

·         The Sacramento region had just over 45,000 private-sector businesses in 2009.  This ranks Sacramento No. 28 in the country for the number of business establishments,

·         These businesses employed about 644,000 workers in 2009, putting us at No. 444 nationwide.

·         That’s an average of approximately 14 workers per business in our region.

·         97.85 percent of all the businesses in the Sacramento region are considered small businesses (1-99 employees).  Nationwide, 97.7 percent of businesses have fewer than 100 employees.

·         74.21 percent of Sacramento area businesses are considered microbusinesses (1-9 employees).

·         Sacramento private sector employees earn an average salary of $41,800, ranking No. 57 nationwide.

·         The region’s private sector employees earned a total of $26.93 billion in 2009. Private sector payrolls in America’s 938 metropolitan and micropolitan areas were valued at $4.6 trillion in 2009.

(data courtesy of On Numbers and the Sacramento Business Journal, October-November, 2011)

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

Going Postal

The United States Postal Service recently introduced improved features to make post office boxes an even greater value for customers. 

Did you know that you can now use the street address of a post office for your PO Box and benefit from the credibility of a street address for your business?  If you sign up for this feature, the post office will accept packages from private carriers that do not deliver to a PO Box.  These packages would be placed in a secure parcel locker, if available, for your convenience.  This service is especially important if you own a small business because you can now use a street address – not just a PO Box number – for your business.

The USPS also now offers Real Mail Notification ™ Services.  You can receive an email or text message each day you received new mail in your PO Box, Monday through Saturday. 

Additionally, you can have the post office keep your signature on file for signature-required mail and packages, including Express Mail ®, Insured Mail over $200 (including Electronic Return Receipt), and Signature Confirmation ™.  These items would then be placed in your PO Box or in a secure parcel locker for you to pick up at your convenience.  No more standing in long lines!

To find out more about these services, please visit your local post office and speak with a retail associate.

Small Biz Health Care Tax Credit

The Small Business Health Care Tax Credit, part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, is now available to California small business and tax-exempt employers that provide health care coverage to their employees. 

For the 2011 filing season, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is allowing a tax credit up to 35 percent of the health insurance premium costs that a small business incurred for insuring its employees.  This will increase to 50 percent in 2014.

More than 600,000 California businesses may be eligible for this tax credit.  Yours may be one of them.  For more information, visit the IRS website at www.irs.gov/sbhtc or consult with your tax preparer.

November Events & Seminars for Small Biz

What:  The Impact of Cal/OSHA and Labor Laws on Your Business.  Free seminar sponsored by State Compensation Insurance Fund.
When:  Wednesday, November 2, 2011, from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm.  Registration and complimentary continental breakfast at 7:30 am.
Where:  Hilton Sacramento – Arden West, 2200 Harvard Street, Sacramento.  Free parking.
How:  Register online at www.statefundca.com or by calling Steve Heller at 916-567-4800.

What:  Navigating Health Insurance Options for Businesses.  Free seminar sponsored by Paychex.
When:  Wednesday, November 2, 2011, from 2:00 pm to 2:45 pm ET. 
Where:  Online.
How:  Register at www.paychexinsurance.com/seminars.aspx

What:  The Connecting Point.  Workshops, panel discussions, small business resources and networking opportunities. Free admission.
When:  Thursday, November 3, 2011, from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm.  Registration is at 8:30 am. 
Where:  Citrus Heights Community Center, 6300 Fountain Square Drive, Citrus Heights.  Free parking.
How:  Register at www.dot.ca.gov/dist3/sbevent

What:  State of Small Business.  Leading economists and a panel of experts will speak about healthcare-related opportunities for small biz, clean tech, venture capital funding, international trade/exports, and more.
When:  Thursday, November 3, 2011, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
Where:  Citrus Heights Community Center, 6300 Fountain Square Drive, Citrus Heights.  Free parking.
How:  Contact Gordon Hinkle at 916-446-7883 or email ghinkle@calasiancc.org.

What:  401(K) – A Retirement Plan Option and A Well Written Handbook May Help You Manage Risk.  Free seminar sponsored by Paychex. 
When:  Tuesday, November 8, 2011, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Where:  In your local Paychex office or a nearby location.
How:  Register online at www.paychex.com/localseminars or call toll free 1-877-321-8581.

What:  The 10 Components to Creating Business Success.  Hosted by the Sacramento Business Journal.  Includes training with sales expert Jason Everett, dinner, and a one-year Business Journal subscription.  
When:  Thursday, November 17, 2011, from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm.
Where:  Citizen Hotel, 926 J St., Sacramento.
How:  Contact Ruvi Bazaz at 916-558-7881 or rbazaz@bizjournals.com to register.

What:  Social Media Marketing Made Simple, presented by Karen Rice of Constant Contact and hosted by The Personal Assistant. 
When:  Friday, November 18, 2011, from noon to 2:30 pm.
Where:  Heritage Oaks Memorial Chapel and Event Center, 6920 Destiny Drive, Rocklin.
How:  Register at www.thepersonalassistant.com/news.

Are California Small Businesses Anti-social?

The October 14, 2011 edition of the Sacramento Business Journal reported that small business owners in California were less likely than business owners in other states to believe that social media was helping them.  According to a study by the American Express OPEN Small Business Monitor, 55% of the California small business owners surveyed viewed social media as a waste of time or burdensome.

Are you a Florin Road Corridor small business who has used or is currently using social media to promote your business?  If so, we’d like to hear from you!  What social media outlets have you tried?  Did social media help or hinder your business?  What advice would you give to other merchants in our district who are considering using social media?

FREE Tech Training for Small Biz & Start-Ups

Take your business to the next level with FREE technology training through California Resources and Training (CARAT). 
CARAT was founded in 1994 to integrate and build the capacity of the technical assistance industry in California. They will provide free technology training to small businesses through March 2012, covering topics such as:

·        Collaboration Management

·        Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

·        E-Marketing

·        E-Commerce

·        E-Procurement

·        Online Communications

·        Online Financial Management

·        Purchasing and Inventory Management

·        Website Development

·        Project Management Tools.

These trainings are designed for Existing Small Businesses, Home Based Businesses, Microenterprises, and Start Up Businesses. 
You can benefit by getting big business solutions for your small business, expanding your market presence, reaching new customers, managing operations, and making money through investment in technology. 

Visit http://www.caratnet.org for the training calendar featuring both web-based and classroom sessions near you.

Where Did YOU Shop Locally Today?

A July, 2011 national survey by American Express found that consumers say that about one-third of their discretionary spending is with independent local businesses.  Here are some more stats to get you to open your wallet:

Fifty-nine percent of respondents to a 2010 Intuit survey said they spend at least $100 a month at small businesses.  Ninety percent of the survey respondents said that small businesses are vital to the community and 65 percent wanted more small businesses in the area.

For every $100 spent in a locally owned independent business, $68 is returned to the community through taxes, payroll, and other operating expenses.

If just half the U.S. employed population spent $50 each week in a locally owned independent business, more than $42.6 billion in revenue would be generated. 

So, where did YOU shop locally today?

(Sources:  American Express, Intuit, The 3/50 Project, The Sacramento Bee, Sacramento Business Journal) 

9/22 Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce Mixer

The Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce and Union Bank are hosting an exciting networking event on Thursday, September 22, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at Union Bank, 700 L Street, Sacramento. 

Meet with local small business owners and find out about the Chamber's programs and services.  Admission is free for chamber members and $20 for non-members. 

Register online at http://www.sacasiancc.org/ or call the Chamber at 916-446-7883.

9/14 Social Media for Small Biz Workshop

Learn how your small business can benefit by using social media to build relationships with customers, drive traffic to events and products, create a positive buzz for your company, and more.   

Register for the "Social Media for Small Businesses" workshop offered by the Northeastern California Small Business Development Center - Greater Sacramento.  Topics will include Facebook, Twitter, Linked-in, and email marketing.  The cost is $40 and includes resource materials.

The workshop is Wednesday, September 14, 2011, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the SBDC office at 1410 Ethan Way, Sacramento. 

Register at http://sbdc.net/workshops-and-registration.htm

Upcoming Events For Job Seekers & Small Businesses

Thanks to our friends at The Sacramento Bee for gathering this information:

• The Governor's Small Business Conference:  This Thursday, December 2nd from 9 am to 4 pm at the Doubletree Hotel at 2001 Point West Way in Sacramento.  Registration begins at 8 am with coffee and networking. Officials from the Governor's Office of Economic Development, the state Department of Consumer Affairs, and the California Small Business Development Center will be featured.  Learn how to grow your small business and market your services to bigger companies and government agencies.  For more info, call the Northern California Small Business Development Center at 707-826-3919 or visit www.californiasbdc.org/smallbusinessconference.

• Business and Career Expo:  Tuesday, December 14 from noon to 4 pm at the Sacramento Convention Center, 1400 J Street, Sacramento.  Meet with recruiters from public and private sector employers, representatives from franchises, and admission counselors from local training and education programs.  For more info, call 888-843-5627 or visit www.jobjournal.com.