INLAND EMPIRE

small business resource guide

RIVERSIDE & S A N BERNARDINO COUNTIES intro duction

IF YOU ARE AN IF YOU ARE A SMALL businesses in both the state ENTREPRENEUR, you BUSINESS OWNER of and the Inland are likely to have questions you might have questions Empire region (Riverside and about how to become about how to grow your San Bernardino counties), a part of the important and business or how to improve discussion of the workforce growing community of small on your current business challenges being encountered businesses. Answers to practices. Constantly evolving by local small businesses and questions like, “Where can I technology and innovative information about several get funding?”, “How do I write business practices require state and local small business a business plan?”, and “Where that a small business owner resources. should I open my business?” stay informed in order to can be complicated and remain competitive in this fast Whether you are an established difficult to find. growing sector. business owner or an entrepreneur wanting to get The purpose of this guide your start, this guide aims to is to provide both aspiring be one of many tools you use and existing small business to maximize success and be owners with information and an important contributor to resources that can assist in the growth of the local and answering these and many national economy. more important questions. In the pages that follow you will find; statistics on small DOING WHAT MATTERS FOR JOBS AND THE ECONOMY FOR JOBS AND THE ECONOMY MATTERS DOING WHAT SMALL BUSINESS STATISTICS SMALL BUSINESS WORKFORCE NEEDS ENTREPRENEURS RESOURCES FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS AND

4. table of 1. 2. 3. contents small business statistics

A RECENT REPORT by the Small Business Administration notes that in 2014, nearly 2 million of the country’s private-sector jobs were created by small businesses. Entrepreneurs have been credited with helping to pull the nation out of the economic downturn with their resiliency and effective use of capital.1 William Dunkelberg, chief economist at the National Federation of Independent Business, notes the small business sector in America “is estimated to account for about half of the country’s overall GDP…”. 2

1 Contreras-Sweet, Maria. “Small Business- 2 CNBC. “Small business optimism hits es Create 2 Million Jobs”. January 15, 2015. 8-year high”. January 13, 2015. https://www.sba.gov/blogs/small-business- www.cnbc.com/id/102333518. es-create-2-million-jobs IN CALIFORNIA, small businesses are integral to california economic development. Statistics from the Small Business Administration (SBA) statistics demonstrate the importance of these businesses.

IN 2013 THERE WERE SMALL BUSINESSES IN CALIFORNIA, 3,500,000 WHICH EMPLOYED...

PEOPLE, WHICH MAKE 6,000,000 UP...

OF CALIFORNIA’S PRIVATE 50% WORKFORCE SECTOR

REPORTED INCOME FROM $ SMALL BUSINESSES IN 149 billion CALIFORNIA

IN 2012 SUB–$100K LOANS ISSUED BY COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT 758,453 ACT LENDING INSTITUTIONS

OF CALIFOR NIA EXPORTING COMPANIES 96% ARE SMALL FIRMS inland

IN THE INLAND EMPIRE, the large and quickly growing empire population make this region an attractive market for small business development. statistics Statistics from the Small Business Administration (SBA) demonstrate the importance of these businesses.

IN 2012 THERE WERE OWNER OPERATED SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE INLAND 281,000 EMPIRE, WHICH EMPLOYED...

STAFF 1 to 4 MEMBERS

MOST SMALL BUSINESSES ARE CATEGORIZED IN RETAIL, HEALTHCARE, & CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES.

CURRENT POPULATION OF 4,500,000 THE INLAND EMPIRE

POPULATION GROWTH IS PROJECTED OVER THE NEXT 5% FIVE YEARS small business workforce needs

A QUALIFIED AND owner, working with local Community colleges in the SKILLED WORKFORCE is community colleges can assist region can support professional essential to the success of any in finding job candidates who development of incumbent business. Whether you have have received some internship workers and business owners in a staff of one or 100, there experience in a field relevant a multitude of ways. There are will always be an opportunity to your operation. even opportunities for no-cost to upgrade their skills and training! education. With the rapid rate of technological growth and Local small business owners A recent survey conducted in innovation, the development have expressed interest in the Inland Empire indicates of new products and tools, training and workshops in the that small business employers and ever changing marketing areas of social networking, value a job candidate’s methods, businesses need to computer applications, project work experience more than stay relevant. Small business management, and more. technical or soft skills. Most owners in the Inland Empire Business owners also expressed employers said they would provide on-the-job training interest in skills training accept a student internship for new employees, but very such as, written and verbal as the equivalent of work few offer financial support for communication, leadership, experience. As a current outside or offsite training. and critical thinking. or future small business resources for small businesses

CALIFORNIA face barriers to accessing to help small businesses The state of California offers capital, credit and other types succeed online. They assist with many resources for small of financing. being placed in google search, business owners and those maps and Google+. They also looking to start a new small The largest state sponsored help with website design and business. Some services program available to small customized domain names. include small business businesses is the U.S. Small advocacy, financial resources, Business Administration Business Matchmaking5 development and education (SBA). The SBA offers loans, brings small business centers, tax information, permit loan guarantees, contracts owners into contact with information, and more. The counseling and other assistance government agencies and state’s website contains links to to small businesses. The local larger corporations for state programs and resources.1 Small Business Administration potential contract and sales office for the Inland Empire3 is opportunities through face-to- The California Small Business located in Santa Ana, CA. face selling event, seminars and Loan Guarantee Program2 helps workshops. small businesses create and California Get Your Business retain jobs by offering loans to Online4 is a program offered by borrowers that would otherwise Google that provides resources INLAND EMPIRE In addition to the general The Inland Empire Chamber In addition to state sponsored Chamber of commerce Legislative Alliance18 is an programs, the Inland Empire resources, there are also organization that works to offers local small business Chambers for businesses owned influence local public policy for support services. by minorities and women. Some small businesses. of these include: InlandEmpire.us6 is a reference »» Filipino-American Chamber The California Innovation Hub site that offers information on of Commerce11 (iHub) 19 program’s local chapter events that are taking place »» Hispanic Inland Empire is the InLand SoCal Link iHub. throughout the Inland Empire Chamber of Commerce12 This program offers resources and local business news. »» Inland Empire African to businesses in the advanced American Chamber of manufacturing and logistics Inland Empire Regional Commerce13 sectors and encourages export Chamber of Commerce »» Inland Empire Women’s and import services through (IERCC)7 in partnership with Business Center14 the port of Los Angeles. the U.S. Chamber of Commerce »» The Black Chambers of advocates for small businesses Commerce15 San Bernardino and Riverside and helps support economic Counties both have workforce development in the Inland The Inland Empire Small development initiatives that Empire. Business Development strive to improve the economy Center (IE SBDC)16 partners by developing a skilled »» San Bernardino with various businesses and workforce and placing skilled County8 organizations to offer services workers with employers: »» Riverside County9 such as education and training, »» County of San Bernardino consulting, and business plan Department of Workforce Small business owners can drafting. The Service Core of Development (CSB-WIN)20 also find their local chamber of Retired Executives (SCORE)17 »» Riverside County Workforce commerce on this site.10 is a non-profit organization Investment Board (WIB)21 that provides education and one-on-one mentoring to small business owners and entrepreneurs. community college

Local community colleges information technology, Please see each college/district offer for-credit education and and entrepreneurship can for information on services training in program areas be valuable for imparting they provide. that can be beneficial to small knowledge and training on business owners, managers, small business owners and COMMUNITY EDUCATION and employees. Colleges also staff. Most programs award Community education is offer contract and community certificates and Associate public, fee-based education education programs that degrees, but learners are that provides the opportunity provide opportunities for welcome to take just a few to acquire skills from basic businesses and individuals to classes to brush up on existing computer skills to learning learn new skills or enhance skills or learn new ones. how to start a new business. their current skillset. Programs vary by college and Businesses can even contract CONTRACT EDUCATION season, but most commonly with colleges for customized Contract education is a fee- featured programs include training. based service that many Microsoft Office skills, basic community college districts bookkeeping skills, notary FOR-CREDIT EDUCATION offer to local businesses. skills and marketing a business PROGRAMS Services in contract education using social media platforms Community colleges offer include various types of such as Twitter or Facebook. programs that can educate training such as seminars, and train entrepreneurs, small industry certification and even business owners, and small customized training and skill business employees. The development. Services offered subject areas of accounting, are available for large and small marketing, computer businesses, and some may even qualify for training subsidies. doing what matters for jobs & the economy initiative Doing What Matters for Jobs market research to determine demands for skilled workers. and the Economy is an initiative how to create a workforce A skilled workforce that of the California community capable of taking on jobs in meets the needs of employers college system. Doing What an ever-changing society and means a stronger economy for Matters connects community economy. One of the goals of the California and the opportunity colleges, businesses and labor initiative is to meet employer for even more job creation. SMALL BUSINESS & work together with industry »» Coordinating collaboration ENTREPRENEURSHIP and education to improve between businesses and DEPUTY SECTOR and expand business and community colleges to NAVIGATOR entrepreneurial curriculum teach and train potential to better deliver a job- hires in the skills needed. » The Doing What Matters ready workforce and the » Creating pathway initiative has regional Deputy entrepreneurial leaders programs for Sector Navigators (DSNs) needed to ensure California’s entrepreneurial skills throughout California. The economic growth and global starting at elementary level DSNs are responsible for competitiveness. through employment to connecting community allow for a more educated college, employers, and other Some services provided by work force. » key stakeholders in their the DSN for small business » Creating business-to- industry areas of expertise owners or entrepreneurs business connections for to further the goals of Doing include: collaboration »» Connections to small What Matters. Learn more business related resources about Doing What Matters.22 and agencies The mission of the Inland Empire Small Business and Entrepreneurship DSN is to inland empire deputy sector navigators

SECTOR DEPUTY SECTOR HOST COLLEGE CONTACT INFORMATION NAVIGATOR

ADVANCED Ken Eaves (951) 237-3092 MANUFACTURING [email protected]

ADVANCED TRANSPORTATION & RENEWABLES

GLOBAL TRADE Robert Corona Riverside Community (951) 571-6443 & LOGISTICS College District [email protected]

HEALTH Avante E. Simmons College of the Desert (760) 636-7945 [email protected]

INFORMATION & Alan Braggins San Bernardino (909) 382-4067 COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES Community College [email protected] (ICT)/DIGITAL MEDIA District

SMALL BUSINESS Lisa Kiplinger-Kennedy College (760) 954-5334 [email protected]

»» Barstow College »» Mt. San Jacinto College inland »» Chaffey College »» empire »» College of the Desert »» »» »» community »» »» San Bernardino colleges »» Valley College »» Victor Valley College appendices

PG 8 14. http://downtown- PG 12 1. www.business.ca.gov sanbernardino.org/ 23. www.doingwhatmatters. 2. www.business.ca.gov/ businesses-and-ser- cccco.edu Programs/SmallBusiness/ vices-directory/16/218/in- FinancialDevelopmentCor- land-empire-african-ameri- porationPrograms.aspx can-chamber 3. www.sba.gov/offices/dis- 15. Inland Empire Women’s trict/ca/santa-ana Business Center: http:// 4. www.gybo.com www.iewbc.org/ 5. www.businessmatchmaking. 16. http://blackchamberofcom- com merce.org/ PG 9 17. www.iesmallbusiness.com 6. www.inlandempire.us 18. www.inlandempire.score. 7. www.iechamber.org org 9. www.sbachamber.org 19. www.ie-cla.org 10. www.riverside-chamber. 20. http://business.ca.gov/Pro- com grams/Innovation/Inland- 11. http://www.calchamber. SoCalLinkiHub.aspx com/chambers/pages/de- 21. https://www.csb-win.org fault.aspx 22. www.rivcoworkforce.com 12. http://faccsbrc.org 13. http://www.hispaniciech- amberofcommerce.com/ THIS PROJECT F U N D E D B Y GRANTS SB1402 A N D S B 1 0 7 0 FROM THE CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGES CHANCELLOR’S OFFICE