City Offers Free Business Seminars For Small Businesses
ABCs of Starting, Growing and Financing Your Small Business

SAN DIEGO – The City of San Diego’s Community and Economic Development Department, in partnership with the Small Business Development and International Trade Center at Southwestern College, is coordinating three business assistance seminars, the second installment in a yearlong series.  The seminars were implemented to assist small business owners and entrepreneurs in developing a small business into a successful enterprise.  Admission is free for all three seminars.

The small business seminars will provide the basic tools to starting and growing a small business.  Topics to be covered include: approaches to business ownership, business plan development, starting the business, market research, marketing, financing, and alternative funding sources. The dates, times and locations of the seminars are as follows:

October 23, 2002, 3:30-7:30p.m. Scripps Ranch Branch Library, 10301 Scripps Lake Drive, San Diego

November 12, 2002, 3:30-7:30p.m. Southwestern College, Bldg. 800, Rm. 801, 900 Otay Lakes Road, Chula Vista

January 14, 2003, 3:30-7:30 p.m.   Mission Valley Branch Library, 2123 Fenton Parkway, San Diego

Additionally, the workshops will include information on the various programs and services provided by the Community and Economic Development Department, as well as other local, state and federal programs that provide technical assistance and funding for the small business community.  Given that more than 93 percent of businesses in San Diego are small, the information provided at these seminars is very important to San Diego’s economic stability and growth.

The seminars are the second set in a yearlong series of small business seminars.  The first three sessions had a turn out of 190 people, with attendance at all venues reaching capacity.  Additionally, the Service Corps of Retired Executives (S.C.O.R.E.) has offered a 50 percent discount for their workshops for anyone who has already attended an ABCs of Starting, Growing and Financing Your Small Business seminar.  For more information and to make reservations, please contact the City of San Diego, Office of Small Business at (619) 685-1390.

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 With an emphasis on the City’s urban core neighborhoods and low and moderate income residents, the Community and Economic Development Department strives to improve the quality of life and ensure a healthy economy in San Diego through job development, business development, neighborhood revitalization, public improvements, redevelopment, social services, and revenue enhancement.