I came across another good website for market research information, as some of you know this kind of information is hard to find, so I am happy to share a resource when I find one. Marketing Charts offers easy to read, um well, charts on varied topics. For instance, did you know more and more moms are using their mobile phones to shop? Why would that be interesting? Well, what if you have this new fabulous baby product that you'd like to sell. This information would tell me that I should probably look into either having a website optizmized for viewing on cell phones or maybe even an app.  I think even if you are not trying to sell anything, you will find interesting factoids on Marketing Charts to get a sense of what the trends are.

If you haven't already you should check out the free Small Business Workshops that have been happening at the Santa Teresa Library every 2nd Saturday of the month.  The next workshop on April 14th from 10:30 am-12:30 pm will cover business plans.

From Complexity to Simplicity: The Fastest, Easiest Way to Write a Business Plan

The  guest speaker will be Lynnea Hagen, founder of The Abundance Company.  Lynnea is a speaker, trainer, author, consultant, as well as founder and owner of The Abundance Company. Her specialties include: Advanced leadership skills and “Success-Driven” strategic business plans for entrepreneurs and corporate professionals. She has been a consultant to Silicon Valley-based corporations since 1981, and a coach to corporate professionals since 1986.

In this Workshop you will learn:

1. How to organize your business ideas into a One-Page Business Plan.

2. How to create a "Living Document" out of your business plan.

3. How to get unstuck: go home with a working rough draft of your business plan.

The library has Free WiFi and plenty of electrical outlets so laptops are most welcome.

There will be time for networking as well. 

The Santa Teresa Branch Library is hosting the New and Small Business Workshop series.  Topics range from “Blogging for Your Business and SEO for Your  Website” presented by Cheryl and Sam Ellemberg of ABD Productions to Lynnea Hagen of the Abundance Company speaking on Business Plans. 

These free workshops give local entrepreneurs a chance to network with each other and give valuable advice.  Blogging, for example, is a chance for businesses to advertise products, sales, or post testimonials from customers in addition to having the chance to communicate with the public.  Blogging workshops include advice for bringing repeat traffic to the business website, blog website design, and tips for creating new content on a regular basis.  

We meet every 2nd Saturday of the Month from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Santa Teresa Branch Community Room.  No registration required.  For more information on this workshop series and past topics shared check out our Facebook and click on the Events link, Past Events.  Looking forward to networking with you.

Are you in the midst of preparing your personal income taxes and feeling completely overwhelmed at the thought of handling your business taxes? Don't worry we have an event that can help.  Small Business Tax Assistance Day sponsored by Business Owner Space will be held on Wednesday, March 7, from 3-8 pm at the Scottish Rite Center.  Folks from the IRS will be available to help you with your business tax return questions from 3-7 pm.  Also, there will be workshops on S-corporations, Sole Proprietorship & Recordkeeping, Sales & Use Tax, and Payroll Taxes. This event is free but please register. The library will be hosting a table, see you there!