Understanding and Monitoring Your Business’sCash flow is often referred to as the lifeblood of a business. But too many small business owners know far too little about this crucial measure of a business’s vitality.What is cash flow, and how can you keep your finger on its pulse? Simply put, “Cash flow is the ebb and flow of money in and out of a business,” explains SBDC Business Advisor Bruce Sparks. “This differs from profitability in that many businesses get payment terms from their vendors…See More

Pledge your support of Small Business Saturday®The 2nd annual Small Business Saturday® is a day dedicated to supporting small businesses on the busiest shopping weekend of the year.On November 26, pledge to shop small at your favorite local stores and fuel your local economy. When millions of Americans shop small, it could be huge.http://smallbusinesssaturday.com/ See More

10 Tips to Maximize Your Holiday Retail Sales – October 2011The holiday shopping season is upon us, but with big retailers slashing prices and customers more price-savvy than ever, how can small retailers hope to compete? It’s easier than you think—just try these 10 tips:Start now. “Now is the time to begin executing your plan to reach customers during the holiday season,” says SBDC Business Advisor Monica Rayes. “Most of the challenges [small businesses face] can be alleviated with a…See More

SBDC - 10 Tips for Going Green—and Saving MoneyBeing green is not only a competitive advantage for your business in the marketplace, but can also save you money. Here are 10 eco-friendly tips for cutting your costs.Change your light bulbs. Replace all your light bulbs with energy-efficient ones, and you’ll see immediate savings. SBDC Business Advisor Rola Halawanji says small business owners who make this switch have reported their electricity bills drop by 40 to 60 percent. Power down.The U.S.…See More

Network with other business owners from the Long Beach area.