NEWS
Small business newsletter for January 2025
Updates, trainings, announcements, and more, from the Office of Small Business
Happy New Year! This newsletter is designed to help small business owners in San Francisco stay updated on opportunities for growth, continued learning, regulations, and funding. Our staff are available for one-on-one permitting, leasing, and general business assistance. We also encourage shopping and dining locally. This January, those who celebrate Lunar New Year will usher in the Year of the Snake. Visit sf.gov/lunar-new-year to find events and ideas for supporting small businesses for your celebrations.
Announcements
Stay updated on the new federal filing requirement
Most businesses need to report Business Ownership Information (BOI) to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). The penalties for not filing are significant - $500 per day until violation is remedied and potential larger fines and possible imprisonment for criminal violations. The deadline to file continues to change, while a case challenging the new requirement goes through the courts.
Businesses can file voluntarily at fincen.gov/boi
The SF Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has advisors available who can help you file.
Commercial Leasing Tip from Leasing Specialist Iris Lee
Have you reviewed your commercial lease contract lately? If you have an option to renew, do you know how and when to exercise it? Be sure to keep track of the dates and process for renewing your lease. Check your lease and mark your calendars to prevent missing the window to renew.
Sign up for a session with a Commercial Leasing Specialist at the Office of Small Business to get help understanding your lease or reviewing a new lease.
Comply with rules on employee retirement support with Cal Savers
If you employed an average of one or more California-based employees in the previous calendar year (at least one of whom is age 18) and don’t sponsor a qualified retirement plan, your business is required to register for CalSavers. This is a state law. The deadline was December 31, 2024, but if you missed it, you should register your business immediately.
Presidio Pop Up program seeks mobile food businesses
The Presidio Trust seeks food vendors for Presidio Pop Up who offer delicious food at approachable prices that celebrates the Bay Area’s diverse cultures and cuisines. They are looking for a mix of rotating options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner that are family-friendly and easy to eat while enjoying the park.
Get help with hiring
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.
Share information with San Francisco Travel
To help promote SF’s small businesses, SF Travel welcomes information about events, promotions, attractions and news that may interest visitors. All submissions are subject to SF Travel's content selection process.
Events
- You can add events at no cost to SF Travel's Events landing page. Please use this platform to submit events; they're automatically added to the calendar via a third-party service.
Updates to Existing Content
- To update your information or to be considered for inclusion in existing content (e.g., "Best ____ in SF"), please complete this form.
Visitor Deals / Events
- If your business or attraction is offering a limited-time discount or hosting a special event, please complete this form.
News / Press Releases / Pitches
- Share news, story ideas, and more for PR consideration by emailing media-relations@sftravel.com. Press releases are shared with SF Travel's PR, content, and social marketing teams through a centralized system.
Social Media (All Channels)
- Tag SF Travel using #onlyinsf or mention @onlyinsf for potential resharing of your post on SF Travel’s channel. We also monitor direct messages (DMs).
Accessibility Information
- SF Travel is gathering information on how businesses accommodate visitors with disabilities. Please complete this form to share your accessibility information.
Office of Small Business in the Community
Let us know if you would like the Office of Small Business to visit your corridor and share resources for small businesses. Please send requests to: sfosb@sfgov.org.
Upcoming
Apply for business training for entrepreneurs aged 50+
The next session begins on January 27, 2025
This is a free, 10-week program designed to guide aspiring older adult entrepreneurs through the step-by-step process of bringing their business ideas to life. This program is conducted by SF Tech Council and Blissen.
Apply for the Super Bowl LX Procurement Program
Deadline to apply: January 31, 2025
Source LX is an 11-month program for local and diverse businesses. You are encouraged to apply for the following opportunities for the Super Bowl, which will be in the Bay Area in 2026:
- Be included in the Source LX Member Directory: Provides the business exposure to contractors and event producers for Super Bowl-related subcontracting needs, as well as exposure to future BAHC, 49ers, and NFL procurement opportunities
- Access to educational resources and workshops: Supports the business’ development and helps provide insight into various event procurement learnings
- Exclusive networking opportunities: Build connections with key partners from the BAHC, 49ers, and NFL
Brought to you by the Bay Area Host Committee, 49ers, and the NFL.
Legacy Business Spotlight
Heritage Happy Hour at Mr. Bing’s Cocktail Lounge
Jan 9, 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Heritage Happy Hours offers a casual “no-host” gathering of heritage professionals, young preservationists, aficionados, friends, and Legacy Business cohorts interested in safeguarding San Francisco’s unique architectural and cultural identity. Mr. Bing's is a neighborhood bar located on the cusp of North Beach, Chinatown, and the Financial District where regulars, locals, tourists, and other industry professionals hang out and meet up for friendly drinks.
RSVP
Webinars & Events
WEDNESDAYS
Small Business and Entrepreneur Mentoring with SCORE
SCORE mentors will be at the Main Library weekly, each Wednesday from 10am-2pm beginning January 8, 2025. Aspiring entrepreneurs and existing small business owners can sign up for free 1:1 appointments.
January 8
Start Capital: Growth-ready Business Roundtable
This webinar from the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center is tailored for business owners actively scaling their operations. If you're focused on growth, join strategic discussions on accessing capital to drive your success.
January 14
Business plans that work
This webinar from the Small Business Development Center will provide a detailed format for writing business plans. The instructor developed this model over 40 years of investing and has successfully used it for hundreds of companies across all industries.
January 15
New SBA-backed Line of Credit Program for Small Businesses
Learn about the federal Small Business Administration’s new Working Capital Loan program, which has been developed specifically to assist in closing the working capital gap and providing the funding necessary for growth.
January 16
Small Business Office Hours in the Excelsior
The San Francisco Small Business Development Center (SF SBDC) will be hosting monthly office hours at the Excelsior Action Group, featuring an SBDC advisor and staff member to answer general business questions, as well as sign business owners up for SBDC advising services.
January 16
Small Business Office Hours with an Advisor
Get feedback on your small business ideas from a business advisor. This is a monthly session hosted by the SF Public Library in partnership with the SF Small Business Development Center.
January 21
Designing a Business Website 101
Learn the basics of building a business website, including selecting a domain name, information organization, content strategy, layout and branding. Presented by Brian Alexander, owner of 1111 Designs, and offered by the SF Public Library in partnership with the SF LGBT Center.
January 22
Get Ready to File Your Business Taxes
Planning ahead can help you file an accurate return and avoid delays that can slow a tax refund. The workshop will go over the steps for getting ready for filing, new tax laws, and will include time for your questions. Hosted by the Small Business Development Center.
Have a perfect San Francisco Art Week
JAN 18-26
This year, Shop Dine SF partnered with SF Art Week insiders to curate ways to pair art experiences with local businesses. Plan your perfect week complete with must-visit places to eat, drink and shop while discovering the city’s artistic spirit.
Learn more
Shop Dine SF
A campaign to support businesses in San Francisco. Visit shops, eat at restaurants, and get services and experiences from the small businesses that make San Francisco special.
Visit sf.gov/shopdineSF or follow the campaign on social media to find events and initiatives across San Francisco! Share events supporting businesses and commercial corridors by emailing shopdinesf@sfgov.org.