A training series by the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) began on Tuesday, but entrepreneurs and small business owners can get involved in the remaining seminars.

The SBDC hosted by College of the Canyons and Citi Community Development (CCD) have partnered to begin offering a series of free seminars designed to help local entrepreneurs develop the skills needed to launch a small business and see it grow.

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The Small Business Essentials: Building Financial Capacity training series will provide entrepreneurs and small business owners with information and real world insight on a number of business related subject areas.

“We are thrilled to offer this series of core business training at no charge to the small business community, thanks to the support of Citi Community Development,” said SBDC Director Steve Tannehill. “These courses cover the essential topics for anyone looking to start a small business or grow an existing business.”

Meetings will be held in the Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center, located on the college’s Valencia campus.

Here are the remaining Small Business Essentials: Building Financial Capacity series topics:

·      Basics of Business Plans — Tuesday, July 26, from 9-1

·      Accessing Capital — Thursday, Aug. 11, from 9-11

·      Monster Marketing Mistakes  — Thursday, Sept. 15, from 9-12

·      Social Media — Friday, Sept. 30., from 9-12

Each session will be hosted by a combination of SBDC business advisors and local Citibank business bankers.  The series is free of charge thanks to a $10,000 sponsorship from Citi Community Development.

“College of the Canyons is a strong partner in expanding financial inclusion,” said Rashi Kallur, Community Officer for Citi Community Development. “This series of classes enables us to build on our commitment to helping small businesses grow and succeed, and represents a terrific resource for underserved entrepreneurs in the Santa Clarita area.”

Citi Community Development (CCD) is leading Citi’s commitment to achieve economic empowerment and growth for underserved individuals, families and communities by expanding access to financial products and services while building sustainable business solutions and innovative partnerships. CCD’s focus areas include commercial and philanthropic funding, innovative financial products and services, and collaborations with institutions that expand access to financial products and services for low-income and underserved communities.

The SBDC hosted by College of the Canyons was launched in January 2006 and serves northern Los Angeles county, including the Santa Clarita, Antelope Valley, and San Fernando Valleys. SBDC business advisors assist prospective and existing small business owners in starting, retaining or expanding their businesses by providing workshops, one-on-one consulting, and many other resources to the business community.

To register for one of these seminars or for more information about the SBDC and the lineup of available services in northern Los Angeles county, please contact the SBDC at (661) 362-5900 or email sbdc@canyons.edu.

For more information about Citi Community Development, please contact David Roskin at (212) 559-4767 or david.roskin@citi.com.