Santa Cruz SCORE wants you to succeed. In addition to free on-on-one counseling, we offer low-cost workshops and seminars. Contact Us to make a reservation or fill out our online form —  Attend a Workshop

1. Start Up Basics. September 2, 6-9PM
   This class (also known as our monthly How to Start a Business in Santa Cruz County Workshop) helps people understand what it takes to successfully start a small business. The class is intended to help new and early-stage businesses get started by studying the subjects that will impact the success or failure of that business such as Startup Myths, Personal Factors/Management, Business Opportunities, Organization and more


2. Developing Your Business Idea. September 8, 6-9PM
   This SCORE class focuses on how to develop a good business plan to guide your business startup and to access funding. Existing small business owners can also benefit by learning proven concepts and tools to improve planning and discipline. This class brings all basic business processes together to show how to define your business, its goals and the tactics to achieve the goals


3. Marketing Planning. September 22, 6-9PM
   This SCORE class provides valuable lessons about marketing basics such as customer identification, product/service positioning, competitive differentiation, and sources of market information. You will receive excellent handouts and be guided by an experienced marketing volunteer to help guide you through creating your own marketing plan


4. Financial Planning. October 6, 6-9PM
   This class uses interactive exercises to help you better understand financial concepts. You learn how to use a financial model to forecast sales revenue, and to build pro-forma financial forecasts. You will also learn the basic elements and inter-relationships between a Profit & Loss Statement, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Statement. Also, you will learn how to create a Breakeven Analysis


5. Funding and Next Steps. October 20, 6-9PM
   This SCORE class offers information on how to finance a small business. Learn about funding sources and the important criteria in funding approval. You will learn how bank loan officers assess the merits of Business Plans and Loan Applications. Learn credit requirements and available sources of funding.

• Fees are $30 per individual class. To secure confirmed reservations for the class series, pre-pay $100 for classes #2-#5 and save $20.
• Seating is limited so advanced registration is required.
• These workshops are being held at the Scotts Valley Fire Station No. 1 located at 7 Erba Lane, Scotts Valley. Erba is the second light on Scotts Valley Drive going North from Mt. Hermon Road. (BofA on the corner.)

• July 8 -- at the Capitola Chamber of Commerce at 716-G Capitola Ave.
• July 20 -- 5:00pm – 7:30pm, at the Watsonville Library
• September 2 -- at the Scotts Valley Fire Station No. 1 located at 7 Erba Lane, Scotts Valley. Erba is the second light on Scotts Valley Drive going North from Mt. Hermon Road. (BofA on the corner.)
• October 7 -- at the Capitola Chamber of Commerce at 716-G Capitola Ave.
• November 4 -- at the Capitola Chamber of Commerce at 716-G Capitola Ave.
• December 2 -- at the Capitola Chamber of Commerce at 716-G Capitola Ave.