May is Small Business Month
National Small Business month kicked off this Monday, with San Francisco’s Small Business Week running May 8-12, hosted by the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. Every day is full of opportunities to get out and shop and dine locally. It is also a time for small businesses to learn new strategies, expand their networks, and learn new skills to help start, stay, and grow a Small Business in San Francisco.
Shop Dine SF
Shop Dine SF is a campaign for San Franciscans to spend your shopping dollars here. Visit shops, eat at restaurants, and get services from the small businesses that make San Francisco special.
Find events and ways to explore San Francisco’s small businesses
Announcements & Highlights
Get permit fees waived for new awnings during the month of May
Businesses looking to install a new awning or replace an existing awning can get permit fees waived when they apply in during May. This is an annual program. For permitting help contact the Office of Small Business at sfosb@sfgov.org or 415-554-6134.
Note: If your business has an existing, unpermitted awning and/or received a Notice of Violation or complaint, please wait to apply for a permit because the City is working on a simplified process through legislation pending at the Board of Supervisors to create an Awning Amnesty Program. Fees and fines/penalties will also be waived under this program. If you have questions about your awning and what to do next, contact the Office of Small Business at sfosb@sfgov.org or 415-554-6134.
Harmonic Brewing seeking a co-tenant in Dogpatch
Located at 26th and Minnesota, Harmonic Brewing is looking for a synergistic business such as a winery, distillery, coffee roaster, or restaurant concept, and are open to other ideas. Approximately 8,300 square feed of flex space; industrial power, gas, and water; roll-up door; and parking on site.
Email sfosb@sfgov.org for more information
Submit your ideas for activating downtown with “Vacant to Vibrant”
This program invites artists, small business owners, entrepreneurs, cultural organizations, nonprofits, property owners and SF enthusiasts to pitch dynamic pop-up ideas to activate downtown. Vacant to Vibrant will provide support with funding and resources to bring it to life. Applications are now open.
Congratulations Henry’s House of Coffee owner Hrag Kalebjian – SBA Small Business Person of the Year
Hrag Kalebjian is the third-generation owner of Henry’s House of Coffee – a Legacy Business that first opened in the Outer Sunset in 1965. This award is well-deserved as one of many of San Francisco’s small businesses that keep their traditions alive in shops, restaurants, and services around the City.
Congratulations to the Mayor’s 2023 Small Business Awardees
This year, Mayor London Breed is recognizing three organizations that are champions of small businesses in their communities.
Economic Development on Third, known as EDOT, is a non-profit organization committed to the success of the Third Street Corridor, which is home to the largest concentration of African American owned businesses in San Francisco. In the past year they have been instrumental in reducing the corridor’s rate of commercial vacancies, which has led to greater vibrancy and created opportunities for those who live and work in the Bayview.
Excelsior Action Group is a community organization that strengthens small businesses by providing them with needed services, engaging commercial property owners, and elevating the neighborhoods profile, all working towards maintaining vibrant and healthy commercial corridors throughout San Francisco’s 11th District.
Sunset Mercantile connects community, local commerce, and causes in festive, family-friendly events. Sunset Mercantile was founded in 2014 by two local sunset parents, Angie Petitt-Taylor and Laura Peschke-Zingler, fueled by an awareness of the need for a pop-up venue to support the blossoming business ideas of local community members. That original vision has evolved into a much-beloved local destination.
Deadlines
Business registration annual renewal
Deadline to renew: May 31
All businesses operating in San Francisco are required to renew their business registration every year. You will need the following information to complete the renewal and to calculate the business registration fee: 2022 taxable San Francisco gross receipts; the business activities that describe your business; average number of employees per week.
Business Property Statements
Due May 8, 2023
File your Business Personal Property Statement, which is required to include items like machinery, equipment, fixtures, and leasehold improvement in connection with your trade or business.
Food or Recreation concession at Union Square
Site Visit: May 8, 2023
Proposals due: June 9, 2023
The Recreation and Park Department is seeking proposals to lease two concession and storage spaces in historic Union Square, the heart of San Francisco’s shopping and tourist district. The premises total more than 2,000 sq. ft. of interior space plus outdoor seating areas and storage space in the garage.
Seed Grant from Immigrants Rising
Priority deadline: May 8, 2023
Final deadline: May 15, 2023
Through the SEED initiative, Immigrants Rising is offering funding to California residents who are starting or growing a business in California. Grants range from $5,000 to $10,000 depending on the age and size of your business.
Webinars & Events
MAY 5
First Fridays Preventive Business Law Office Hours
This monthly session is for microbusinesses to access free nonprofit legal resources to prevent messy, disruptive, and expensive legal problems before they can seriously damage your business plans.
MAY 9
How to Find Funding Opportunities for Your Small Business
Learn the types of funding available, where to find those opportunities and what you need to do to qualify. Hosted by the San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) as part of SF Small Business Week.
MAY 9
Access to Capital
Part of SF Small Business Week, this online event is to learn about small business loan options from local entrepreneurs who have been through the process, and the lenders that have supported their local business.
MAY 9
Introduction to Pitch Decks
Learn do’s and don’t’s, the most important slides every pitch deck must have and other tips and strategies. Hosted by the SFPL as part of SF Small Business Week.
MAY 9
SF Filipino American Chamber of Commerce Networking Mixer
This event will provide new import/export and new-to-market clients with information on international trade opportunities. Hosted as part of SF Small Business Week.
MAY 9
Latino Entrepreneurs Celebration
Join Mission Economic Development agency and a partnership of Latino organizations and service providers working with small businesses in the city of San Francisco. Part of SF Small Business Week.
MAY 9
Small Business Commission Meeting
The agenda for the meeting includes approval of three Legacy Business Registry applications and an update from the Office of Economic and Workforce Development on Downtown Economic Recovery.
MAY 10
Starting a Business in San Francisco
Learn how the Office of Small Business helps aspiring and existing small business owners and entrepreneurs grow and thrive. Hosted by the SFPL as part of SF Small Business Week.
MAY 10
New Roots/New Routes
Hosted by University of SF, City College, and Renaissance Women’s Business Center as part of SF Small Business Week, this collaborative event features four interactive and informative workshops designed to help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to grow your small business.
MAY 11
How Small-Scale Marketing Can Drive Big Impact
Hosted by the Renaissance Business Center as part of SF Small Business Week, this is an online panel discussion about the strategies and tactics that small business owners can use to leverage social media to achieve marketing success.
MAY 11
Introduction to Online Advertising in 2023
Learn about some great tools that will make your life easier and help you with your business. Hosted by the SFPL as part of SF Small Business Week.
MAY 11
Choosing a Retirement Solution for Your Small Business
Understand the types of retirement plans available, the tax benefits and consequences of each, and the federal laws governing these types of plans. Hosted by the SFPL as part of SF Small Business Week.
Find more celebrations, trainings, and networking events during SF Small Business Week
MAY 11
Anchored in SF
The Legacy Business Mixer is a friendly celebration of San Francisco’s over 300 registered Legacy Businesses. It’s also a place for Legacy Business owners to meet, socialize, and network. The event will spotlight host Legacy Business Anchor Brewing Company at their expansive tasting room, Anchor Public Taps.
Did you know?
The Office of Economic & Workforce Development’s Employer Services team is your workforce concierge and can assist your business with promoting jobs, finding local candidates, accessing hiring events, and introductions to workforce community partners.
Contact Employer Services at employer.services@sfgov.org and register your business on the City’s job matching resource tool, WorkforceLinkSF.org.
These services are available for bilingual and monolingual employers and employees.