Welcome to Small Business Week!
Small Business Week kicks off this week from May 2-6, with a full schedule of events honoring and supporting small business owners. View the full schedule of SF Small Business Week events. We've highlighted a few below along with other events and webinars geared towards helping small businesses and entrepreneurs succeed in San Francisco, along with our popular Shop & Dine in the 49 City Hall Popup. We hope they bring you new tools, strategies, and inspirations.
EVENTS & WEBINARS
MAY 2–6
Small Business Week
The 18th Annual San Francisco Small Business Week will be filled with networking opportunities, business-building workshops, and inspiring content.
Presented by the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, sponsored by Bank of America.
MAY 3
Starting a Business in San Francisco
Learn how the San Francisco Office of Small Business helps aspiring and existing small business owners and entrepreneurs grow and thrive.
Presented by Martha Yanez, Business Case Manager, San Francisco Office of Small Business.
MAY 5
Digitizing a San Francisco Small Business: Success Stories and Strategies
Hear ideas, strategies, and success stories of how to integrate digital technology into your business.
Hosted by the San Francisco Office of Small Business, guests will include the owners of Henry’s House of Coffee and Z. Cioccolato along with Molly O’Kane, marketing and business development consultant with the Small Business Development Center.
MAY 5
An Introduction to Website Accessibility
This session by Pacific ADA Center will review what web accessibility is, how people with disabilities use the web, how to quickly identify accessibility barriers, and what simple solutions you can implement right away.
MAY 10
Implementing a COVID-19 Prevention Plan for Grocery and Retail Stores
This free half-day online course is designed for managers and supervisors working in the grocery, restaurant, retail,
construction and other industries where employees commonly come in contact with the public which puts them at higher risk for COVID exposure. Hosted by Labor Occupational Health Program of UC Berkeley.
MONTHLY
Rapid Response:
Virtual Info Sessions
On the first Tuesday of each month get help if your business is facing layoffs or closure. Learn about job training, career services, union member resources, healthcare options, and filing for unemployment insurance. Hosted monthly by the Office of Economic & Workforce Development.
MAY 10 & 17
How to Start Your Business in San Francisco
The San Francisco Small Business Development Center has put together a multi-part series to help you start your journey in San Francisco, a cultural and financial hub.
Drop in to one or both of the May sessions:
May 10, 1–2 PM: Licensing & Permits
May 17, 1–2 PM: All Things Financial
MAY 19
Virtual Legal Clinic
Legal Services for Entrepreneurs offers a free legal clinic for low-income entrepreneurs. Participants will have 60 minutes to receive advice on topics including Entity Formation (sole proprietor, general partnership, LLC, S-Corp, etc.), Employment Law, Commercial Leases, and more.
Celebrate Small Business Week and shop and support over 40 small local makers, artisans and merchants, at the semi-annual City Hall Popup! Find one-of-a-kind gift items for moms, dads, graduates, and yourself. No registration required to attend.
Tuesday, May 3, 2022
11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
City Hall, North Light Court
1 Dr Carlton B Goodlett Pl, San Francisco, CA 94102
LEARN MORE ABOUT SHOP & DINE IN THE 49
Let's Move, SF!
May 2–15, 2022
The San Francisco Independent Fitness Studio Coalition (SFIFSC), in cooperation with the City of San Francisco, is pleased to announce, “LET’S MOVE, SF!,” a citywide initiative designed to get people back into the gym/studio.
During LET’S MOVE, SF!, select gyms will be offering specials on personal training, group fitness, nutrition, memberships, and more. Find low price Pilates & yoga classes, free fitness evaluations, membership upgrades, product discounts, and giveaway items.
DEADLINES
"Just Add Music" permit program is extended through March 2023
If your business has an active "Just Add Music" JAM permit with ongoing outdoor entertainment or amplified sound, your JAM permit is automatically extended.
We will announce closer to 2023 what you can do to transition your JAM permit to a new permit after the pandemic emergency.
Inspection deadline coming up for Accessible Business Entrances
Due: June 30, 2022
Commercial property owners of public-serving businesses need to confirm that the primary entrances are accessible to people with disabilities.
Grants are available to reimburse for the cost of the inspection.
Business Registration Renewal for 2022-23
Due: May 31, 2022
New this year: Most businesses that have previously reported under $50,000 in gross receipts and zero employees will receive a bill but will not be required to file a return/renewal. Businesses that receive instructions from the San Francisco Office of the Treasurer and Tax Collector to complete the 2022-23 Business Registration Renewal should do so.
SF Health Care Security Ordinance and/or the Fair Chance Ordinance - Employer Annual Reporting Form (ARF)
Due: May 2, 2022
After waiving the forms for calendar years 2019 and 2020, covered employers must submit a form for calendar year 2021. There is a penalty of $500 per quarter for businesses who don’t submit.
Business Property Statement (Form 571-L)
Due: May 7, 2022
This required annual filing through the San Francisco Assessor-Recorder's Office details the acquisition cost of all supplies, equipment, fixtures, and improvements owned at each business location within the City and County of San Francisco.
ANNOUNCEMENTS & HIGHLIGHTS
Congratulations to Small Business Honorees
The Board of Supervisors honored small businesses at their April 26, 2022 meeting. Honorees include:
Café Jacqueline
Allstars Donuts and Burgers
Legacy Business Registry welcomes 10 new businesses
At its April 25, 2022 meeting, the Small Business Commission approved 10 businesses to be added to the Legacy Business Registry, honoring select businesses with 30+ years' history. Congratulations to all 10!
Buddha Lounge
Legacy Business Spotlight:
Latin Jewelers celebrates Latino culture and helps keep customs and traditions alive. They sell specialty gifts for Christenings, first communions, quinceañeras, and other life celebrations. Family owned since 1976.
Legacy Business Program recognizes over 300 iconic, long-standing businesses
DID YOU KNOW?
The First Year Free program waives the cost of initial registration fees, initial license fees, first-year permit, and other applicable fees for qualifying businesses.
There is no extra paperwork to apply – enrollment is automatic when you register as a new business or new location in San Francisco!
LEARN MORE ABOUT FIRST YEAR FREE
OFFICE OF SMALL BUSINESS
SAN FRANCISCO'S CENTRAL POINT OF INFORMATION FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
General business help
San Francisco City Hall, Room 140
Mon – Fri
9 AM – Noon and 1–5 PM
Permit support
Permit Center, 49 South Van Ness
Mon – Fri
9 AM – Noon and 1–5 PM
Call, email, or Zoom
415-554-6134
Sign up for monthly newsletters and updates for small businesses in San Francisco.
The Office of Small Business is a division of the San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development. We help small businesses start, stay, and grow in every neighborhood of San Francisco.
The San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) promotes growth and prosperity for all San Franciscans through essential programs to support businesses and workers. Our mission is to ensure that San Francisco is the best place in the world for people from all backgrounds to live, work and play.
We provide a single gateway to programs that grow a diverse workforce, create sustainable jobs and strengthen every neighborhood. Our programs help workers with job opportunities and training; business owners with funding, technical assistance and permits; and communities with investments in infrastructure to support a thriving local economy.