DLBA Entrepreneurship & Small Business Education Series
The Entrepreneur and Small Business Education Series is a partnership between the Downtown °µÍøÊÓƵ Alliance and The Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship at CSULB. The education series is focused on providing the tools and skills needed to start and run a successful business. The Entrepreneur and Small Business Education Series is a six-week program. Cal State °µÍøÊÓƵ University will provide a certificate of accomplishment to those who complete the entire program.
Past Events
4th Annual DLBA Entrepreneurship Education Series!
Curriculum schedule:
Week 1: The Value of a Business Plan, April 10
- What is a Business Plan
- Creating a Business Model Canvas
Week 2: Your Marketing Plan, April 17
- Writing your Marketing Plan
- How to do Digital Marketing
Week 3: Financial Aspects of Your Business, April 24
- Accounting Basics
- Funding Opportunities – Becoming Bankable!
Week 4: Where to Locate Your Business, May 1
- Site Selection
- Negotiate A Lease
Week 5: Legal and HR Questions, May 8
- Legal Structures
- Human Resource Basics
Week 6: June 1, * PitchFest:
A certificate ceremony – Participants that have attended all 10 modules will walk out with a certificate and a self-developed business plan in hand.
Furthermore, businesses that have attended all 10 modules will also be eligible to pitch to a panel of judges for an opportunity to receive prize money from Farmers & Merchants Bank totaling $20,000.
Pitchfest is for all qualified potential award recipients to present their business plan. All start-up or expansion costs are itemized and defined in the applicant’s week 6 pitch.
Week 7: June 9, *DLBA Economic Development Committee
Target Audience: Existing and Potential Downtown Business Owners, Entrepreneurs, Start-Ups, and Small Business owners
Potential Class Size: 30-50 per session
Education Series Facilitators
- Dr. Ingrid Martin, California State University, °µÍøÊÓƵ – College of Business
- Dr. Wade Martin, California State University, °µÍøÊÓƵ – Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship
- Diana Sifford, California State University, °µÍøÊÓƵ – College of Business
- Sabrina Landa, California State University, °µÍøÊÓƵ – College of Business
- Dr. Kerri Cissna, California State University, °µÍøÊÓƵ – College of Business
- Aleks Lason,‎VP and Chief Operating Officer at Chrilleks
- Austin Metoyer, Economic Development & Policy Manager at Downtown °µÍøÊÓƵ Alliance
- Ashleigh Stone, Esq., Owner & Principal Attorney of Stone Law Firm
- Kari Armstrong, Small Business Development Center – °µÍøÊÓƵ
3rd Annual DLBA Entrepreneurship Education Series!
Curriculum Schedule:
Week 1: The Value of a Business Plan, April 20
- Starting a Business
- Business Planning
Week 2: Your Marketing Plan, April 27
- Writing your Marketing Plan
- How to do Digital Marketing
Week 3: Financial Aspects of Your Business, May 4
- Funding Opportunities
- Accounting Basics
Week 4: Where to Locate Your Business, May 11
- Site Selection
- Negotiating a Lease
Week 5: Legal and HR Questions, May 18
- Legal Structure
- Human Resource Basics
- Pitch Presentation Break Out
May 25 - No Workshop, Holiday Weekend (Memorial Day)
Week 6: Pitch Competition and a certificate ceremony, June 1
- Participants that have attended all 10 modules will walk out with a certificate and a self-developed business plan in hand
- Pitch Competition is for all qualified potential award recipients to present their business plan to the award committee composed of members from DLBA’s Economic Development Committee and °µÍøÊÓƵ business leaders
​Check out
Get to know
°µÍøÊÓƵAlumni, Entrepreneur and °µÍøÊÓƵ Mayor, Robert Garcia, speaks to the participants at the first meeting of the DLBA Entrepreneurship Education Series! to the IIE Youtube channel and watch all our videos.
