This month features a wide range of webinars and events for small business owners. These include webinars about local employer requirements and a training session to analyze your business’s finances. Beyond training, October features the final half of Latino Heritage Month and Filipino American Heritage Month, each with events and featured small businesses!
Announcements
SF Police Department offering Business Security Assessments
The San Francisco Police Department’s Neighborhood Safety Team provides comprehensive onsite assessments of businesses to offer recommendations on how to improve the existing safety and security of the property. They can examine lighting, doors, locks, alarms, cameras, windows, garage spaces, and access control, as well as inventory protection and operations security. A comprehensive written report is provided after the assessment.
Learn more about getting a Business Security Assessment
New service: AI advising through the Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
Two marketing advisors at the San Francisco SBDC, Luis Quiroz (Spanish bilingual) and Molly O'Kane, successfully completed an intensive AI training program through Google. They are now certified AI advisors and can help you learn how to utilize AI in your business operations.
Consult your current SBDC advisor or if you have not worked with SBDC for over 6 months, please complete this Google form to reactivate your profile.
Sign up if you are new to the SBDC
Learn about proposed business tax reform measure and potential benefit to small businesses
Following recommendations from the City’s Business Tax Reform Project, there is a measure going before voters in November that would change the business tax structure. The final recommendations include:
Increasing the Small Business Exemption to businesses making $5 million or less in annual gross receipts (currently at $2 million)
Estimated 88% of all restaurants will be exempt
Estimated 50% of retailers who currently pay Gross Receipts Taxes will be exempt
Elimination of $10 million in license fees, waiving 49 annual license fees, to be adopted legislatively and triggered upon passage of the measure
Progressive tax rates in all categories
Simplifying San Francisco’s business tax structure will make it easier for businesses to navigate
Spreading the tax burden more evenly across industries will ensure financial stability for critical city services
Read the Digest by the Ballot Simplification Committee
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
Register for Fall SF Restaurant Week
Menu and Photo Submission Deadline: Monday, October 21
Fall SF Restaurant Week will take place November 7th-14th. It will feature two menu types with 5 price point options to choose from. Golden Gate Restaurant Association (GGRA) membership is required, but qualifying small restaurants can receive complimentary or reduced fee memberships.
Learn more and register for Fall SF Restaurant Week
Reminder: New federal reporting for most companies
Existing businesses have until Jan 1, 2025
Most companies (such as LLCs, partnerships, and corporations) must now file “Beneficial Ownership Information” with the federal government. Sole proprietors and non-profits are among the business types that may be exempt and don’t have to file. Learn more and then file online. Questions can be submitted here.
The SF Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has advisors available who can help you file.
Legacy Business Spotlight
Heritage Happy Hour at The Blue Light
Oct 10, 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. The Blue Light is a neighborhood food, music, and sports bar founded by legendary rock star Boz Scaggs in 1978.
Webinars & Events
OCT 7
Small Business Office Hours at the Excelsior
The SF Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is holding monthly office hours at the Excelsior Library from 12-2pm every first Monday in October, November and December. Get personalized consultation from SBDC's advisors and meet its staff.
OCT 10
Virtual Office Hours for entrepreneurs
Get feedback on your small business ideas from a business advisor. Learn to structure an initial business idea and start market research. Hosted by the SF Public Library and SF Small Business Development Center.
OCT 10
Navigating Opportunities
As part of Fleet Week, the Department of the Navy and Small Business Administration are hosting an in-person event at 455 Market Street to help businesses learn how to successfully navigate opportunities available through the Department of the Navy.
OCT 16
Fix Your Digital Marketing
In this workshop, learn how to audit your business's digital presence with hands-on help from an expert with years of experience in digital marketing. Hosted by the SF Public Library.
OCT 16
Analyze your Business Financial Performance
Learn financial analysis tools to assess your company’s financial health and to make timely and strategic decisions. It is a program created by the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) with the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center.
OCT 16
Bay Area Disability Entrepreneurship Event
Join the 4th annual networking event from 5:30-8:30pm along with a panel discussion, art, food, and the first annual Boost Awards from the San Francisco Disability Business Alliance.
OCT 23
How to Complete a Business Model Canvas
Learn how to complete a business model canvas, a simplified business plan that will help you consider the critical areas of creating and growing a business. Hosted by the SF Public Library and SF LGBT Center.
OCT 23
City-Wide Labor Laws Live Webinar for Employers in San Francisco
Join the Office of Labor Standards Enforcement (OLSE) to learn local labor laws. Each session will offer best practices and common compliance issues. Attend the entire event or come and go.
OCT 31
Preparing a Marketing Strategy for the Holidays
In this workshop hosted by the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center, the focus is how to craft a compelling marketing strategy, understand seasonal trends, and set clear objectives.
NOV 5
SF City Option Employers Webinar
Employers interested in learning more about the Health Care Security Ordinance and the SF City Option Program are invited to attend one of the monthly webinars.
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.
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Coming up
Filipino American History Month
October is Filipino American History Month. We invite you to participate in free events, discover Filipino-owned small businesses, and explore the many gems in the Filipino Cultural Heritage District.
Fleet Week
OCT 7-14
The Fleet Week Neighborhood Concert Series is an opportunity to interact with service men and women through performances in neighborhoods throughout the City, and shop and dine locally at the same time.