Business Connect offers general technical assistance and workshops to help you in your entrepreneurial journey
We alleviate the stress of starting or growing your business by providing educational resources and building your business network. We know that navigating the system can be overwhelming so we bring them to you. Check out our upcoming workshops below.
Ready to turn your ideas into a real plan you can act on?
Join us for two interactive sessions designed to help entrepreneurs from every background move from “someday” to a clear, workable business plan.
Session 1 – Wednesday, October 1 • 6:00–7:30 PM
Session 2 – Wednesday, October 8 • 6:00–7:30 PM
(Virtual via Zoom)
In this two-part workshop you’ll sketch out a simple 2–3 page business plan, discover your start-up costs and monthly expenses, and map out how you’ll reach customers, without getting lost in a long, formal document.
Your guide is Viridiana Ponce, a Business Consultant & Finance Expert who has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs build profitable, sustainable businesses since 2014. She’s known for making numbers feel approachable and for helping founders see the bigger picture while taking the next practical step.
Whether you’re just starting to sell, looking for a clear plan to grow, or feeling stuck about “where to even start,” this workshop will help you leave with clarity, confidence, and a plan you can share or refine right away.
You Are the CEO: Take Control of Your Finances
Wednesday, October 29 | 6:00–7:30 PM (PT)
Virtual - Hosted by: Business Connect
It’s time to take control of your business finances, even if numbers aren’t your thing.
In this 90-minute workshop, you’ll learn 5 powerful strategies that have helped hundreds of small business owners build clarity, confidence, and healthier money habits.
Whether you’re just starting or growing fast, this session will help you shift your mindset and feel more like the CEO you truly are.
What You’ll Walk Away With:
• A monthly financial calendar to help you stay consistent
• A goal-setting and budget tracker
• Recommended tools and resources to support your next steps
You’ll Learn How To:
• Reduce fear and build confidence around financial decisions
• Track your income, expenses, and goals (without overwhelm)
• Set up simple systems to manage money like a pro
• Pay yourself and plan for long-term wealth
• Finally stop winging it, and start leading with intention
If you’ve ever said “I’m not good with numbers” or “I’ll deal with finances later,” this workshop was made for you.
English with Spanish interpretation
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Past Business Connect Events
Spanish interpretation available | Interpretación en español disponible.
Financial Statements for Non-Numbers Owners
Do financial statements feel overwhelming? You’re not alone. This workshop will break things down in a simple, practical way, no accounting background needed! We’ll walk through the key financial documents every small business owner should know: the Income Statement, the Balance Sheet, and the Statement of Cash Flows. You’ll learn how to actually use this information to make smarter business decisions and grow with confidence.
What You’ll Learn:
Why understanding your numbers matters, even if you’re not a “numbers person”
How to read your Income Statement and Balance Sheet
How financial statements help you improve your business, spot trends, and plan ahead
Understanding your business financials doesn’t have to be intimidating. In this interactive FPF - SCORE workshop, we’ll demystify the three most important financial documents for small business owners:
• The Income Statement
• The Balance Sheet
• The Statement of Cash Flows
You’ll gain practical tools to help you:
• Plan for the future
• Identify business trends early
• Improve your chances of getting loans or funding
• Set realistic budgets and pricing strategies
This session will be led by an experienced business mentor and educator who understands how to make numbers approachable. Whether you’re just starting out or ready to level up, this workshop will give you the confidence to make informed financial decisions.
Presenter: Harshini Siriwardane, Ph.D. – SCORE Business Mentor
Presented in English and Spanish | En colaboración con SCORE y Fourth Plain Forward
Spanish interpretation available | Interpretación en español disponible.
Small Business Insurance Issues
Small Business Insurance Issues: What You Need to Know
Running a business comes with risk—but you don’t have to face it alone.
Join us for an in-person workshop designed to help you better understand how to protect your business with the right insurance coverage.
Whether you’re just starting out or already managing your operations, this session will give you clear, practical tools to make confident decisions about your insurance needs.
Together, we’ll explore:
How business insurance premiums are calculated
The difference between an insurance agent and a broker
The most important coverages to consider for small business owners
How to build strong relationships with your insurance providers
You’ll walk away with real strategies you can use to strengthen your business and prepare for the unexpected.
This workshop is offered in partnership with SCORE and will be presented in both English and Spanish.
Proudly sponsored by Fourth Plain Forward to support our local small business community.
No cost to attend — registration required!
Spanish interpretation available | Interpretación en español disponible.
Every successful business starts with a clear plan, but many entrepreneurs get stuck trying to connect all the moving parts. In this hands-on workshop, we’ll walk through the Lean Business Model Canvas to help you organize your ideas into a clear, strategic business model.
You’ll learn how to map out the core areas of your business—from your customers and products to your pricing, marketing, and revenue streams—in one simple, powerful framework. Whether you're just starting out or pivoting your current business, this tool will help you see the full picture and take action with confidence.
