Affordable Help for Business Owners in Los Angeles

Don Simkovich
Small business owners in Los Angeles who need help learning Quickbooks, marketing, or creating business websites can find qualified - and affordable - help through the PACE Business Development Center in Los Angeles.

PACE hosts one session and multiple session workshops covering topics like "advanced internet marketing skills" for business owners wanting to dig deeper in to Search Engine Optimization and Social Media.

There is a separate entrepreneur training program. The course is a 25-hour business start-up course for entrepreneurs who want to start a new business but don't know where to begin. Attendees can take advantage of free business consulting services to get help completing business plans and receiving the right licenses and permits.

The entrepreneur training program only costs $ 75. Other workshops will cost as little as $35 to $80 for one or two sessions running about three hours each.

Recently, a training series on Quickbooks was free. The two-hour sessions included an introduction and getting started with Quickbooks; entering sales and invoices; analyzing financial data; tracking time and payroll.

PACE also offers consulting in the form of individual consultations, "microteam" consulting, and "micromentors" - a free online service that connects small business owners with business mentors.

The business development center also offers business loans and financing such as the SBA Micro-loan program helping small business owners receive loans from $ 500 to $ 15,000 to start-up or expand operations.

PACE consultants can also help guide business owners through SBA Financing Programs.

Some workshops and services are available in Spanish.

PACE can help companies across industries ranging from manufacturing to service-oriented companies.

PACE will also host special programs with business organizations like the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce where key speakers share details of their business accomplishments.

Small businesses are the major part of the workforce in Los Angeles County. According to labor figures from 2004, 84% of all businesses employed fewer than 10 people. Another 13% of all businesses employ from between 10 people to 50 people. The numbers come from the California Department of Labor.

That means 97% percent of all businesses in Los Angeles County employ 50 people or fewer. And many companies operate on a tight budget where paying premium fees for high cost consultants is not possible. Business development centers like PACE give businesses an affordable option for needed input.

http://www.pacelabdc.org

Published by Don Simkovich

Works with small business owners to keep them healthy and run healthy businesses. Don interviews small business owners, writes about those who shape the culture around Los Angeles, and journals his hikes and...  View profile

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