Office of Business Development Workshops Teach Entrepreneurs Business Fundamentals

In recent years, many local residents have opted to start up their own businesses, either because of layoffs or because they wanted more control over their professionals lives.

Many of these new entrepreneurs are operating by trial and error in their business ventures. And when you are a new business owner, learning from your mistakes can be a costly process.

However, a good resource for both new and established entrepreneurs is the City of San Bernardino's Office of Business Development. The office was created to promote business recruitment, help with business retention and offer education to local entrepreneurs, said Colin Strange, manager of the Office of Business Development.

The Office of Business Development hosts monthly workshops on subjects such as marketing, web design, social media, business financing and especially how to start up a small business. The workshops are usually free or offered at a nominal cost.

"The QuickBooks workshop was so popular we had to put in it on again and offer an advanced-level class," Strange said.  "We tailor our workshops to serve the needs of the business community."

Last year more than 1,500 local residents attended professional development workshops at the Office of Business Development. Sergio Gonzalez, co-owner of Out of the Box Printing, a San Bernardino company that does graphics, banners and printing, participated in several Office of Business Development seminars.

"The workshops are great because they offer you the basics of business," Gonzalez said. Gonzales added that it was important to understand business fundamentals, such as marketing, accounting, and creating a business plan, so business owners don't start their careers headed in the wrong direction.

Gonzalez and his staff members are interested in attending more workshops at the Office of Business Development, even if they have to pay a fee. "We are always interested in educating ourselves," Gonzalez said.

For more information call 909.963.5026, visit www.sbbizresource.com or follow them on Facebook.