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Marin Small Business Development Center

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San Rafael, CA
Marin Small Business Development Center

The Marin Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is a nonprofit organization that provides expert

09/01/2026

Creative Marketing That Works

Looking for fresh ideas to advance your marketing?

Explore practical, creative marketing ideas that help you attract new customers, strengthen existing relationships, and build long-term visibility for your business.

This is for you if you desire to expand your marketing efforts beyond social media and walk away with actionable ideas you can begin using right away.

THURSDAY SEPT 10 | 12:00 - 1:30 PM

Register today at https://www.marinsbdc.org/event/marketing1/

08/27/2026

From Idea to Income...

The Entrepreneurial Leap: Are you ready?

If you've been dreaming of turning a passion, skill, or experience into income but don't know where to begin, this workshop will give you the clarity and confidence to take your first real steps.

WEDNESDAY SEPT 2 | 6:00 - 8:00 PM

Register at: https://www.marinsbdc.org/event/wfy5/

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂'𝗹𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻:

• How to identify and avoid common pitfalls, scams, and expensive mistakes
• How to assess the benefits and risks of self-employment to help you make an informed decision
• Simple exercises and tools to pinpoint the business idea that truly fits your strengths and lifestyle
• A step-by-step overview of what it takes to launch—from concept to your first customer

08/24/2026

Turn Your Creative Practice Into A Thriving Business with This Artist Business Mini Accelerator

This three-month program will help you bring structure and strategy to your creative practice. Over 6 sessions, you'll work with expert business advisors on financial management, marketing, pricing, and goal-setting.

Plus, connect with a supportive community of fellow artists.

𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀: Every second Wednesday from Sept 9 - Nov 18, 6:00 - 8:00 pm

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: Alternating in-person in San Rafael and via Zoom

𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁: Free- a $2500 value, funded by Marin SBDC partners

Apply by August 28, 2026 at https://www.marinsbdc.org/event/art2/

06/11/2026

Verizon Small Business Digital Ready helps small businesses reach their benchmarks with free resources and $10,000 grants.

Register for and complete any combination of two eligible courses or events at any time between now and the end of the year to unlock the grant application.

Apply once to remain eligible for $10,000 grants awarded throughout 2026.

Application review begins in June and goes through December 2026. Each month, 10 small businesses will be selected for grants. Yours could be next!

Visit: https://digitalready.verizonwireless.com/funding

06/09/2026

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗿 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴?

This program will give you the knowledge, mentorship, and community you need to build the business you envision.

Complete the program requirements and become eligible to apply for a grant up to $5,000 with West Marin Fund. All West Marin industries and sectors are welcome. This is in partnership with County of Marin MSP and West Marin Fund.

Program Details:
• 12 to 15 classes, once a week, offered in English
• Time: Every Thursday 6:00 – 8:30 pm, starting August 13th
• Location: Online via Zoom and in-person in Point Reyes Station
• No cost (a $3500 value)

Apply now at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdtlOF3u8ONK4zVC9E8ABbobXS9aTaXw5WlUonXL2kbr66buQ/viewform

06/08/2026

$5000 Grant Through Restaurants Care Resilience Fund

Apply by June 30

The Restaurants Care Resilience Fund is offering $5,000 grants to independent restaurants and commercial caterers to invest in kitchen equipment, technology upgrades, employee training, and unexpected hardships.

These grants are designed to help restaurants strengthen their business, support their teams, and prepare for the future.

More information: https://restaurantscare.org/resilience/

06/05/2026

(𝘚𝘶𝘣𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘥𝘶𝘦 𝘣𝘺 𝘑𝘶𝘯𝘦 10𝘵𝘩, 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘸)

The U.S. Small Business Administration is hosting a nationwide, $𝟭 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗵 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 to celebrate the innovation and ambition on Main Street that has fueled American ingenuity for 250 years.

The competition is open to small businesses from all sectors who have used certain SBA capital products, and who are shaping the future of their industry with innovation and sound business practices and fundamentals, so long as they meet the terms of the competition as specified below.

Through the competition, businesses have a chance to:
• Compete in a $1 million cash prize pool.
• Be a major part of the Freedom 250 initiatives and celebrations in Washington, D.C

The top Ten Finalists will be announced on July 9th at the “Great American State Fair” in Washington D.C.

If you know of businesses that meet these criteria, we want to hear their pitch.

• Gross revenue: $100k+ annually
• Experience: 3+ years in business
• Impact: Leveraging new tech or strategies
• SBA support: Must have benefited from SBA capital (excluding COVID-19 EIDL or SBA Disaster loans)Ownership: 100% U.S. owned

Businesses can check their eligibility and 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗯𝘆 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟭𝟬: https://www.sba.gov/freedom250

05/04/2026

In today's digital world, video content is one of the most effective ways to capture attention, connect with your audience, and drive results.

Whether you're promoting your products, services, or brand story, this workshop will give you the tools and confidence to create videos that draw in your target customers.

Join us on May 12 12:00 pm — 1:30 pm

Register at: https://www.marinsbdc.org/event/video3/

05/01/2026

Beyond Basic Prompts: Get Better Results from AI Tools

This workshop is happening on May 7th from 12 pm - 1:30 pm, and is designed to help you move beyond the basics and start using AI more effectively in your business.

We'll look at how better prompt structure, context, and refinement can help you produce clearer, more useful outputs that give you the results you want.

You'll begin to see how AI can support your thinking, planning, and marketing—almost like having an extra team member to help you work through ideas.

Register here: https://www.marinsbdc.org/event/ai4/

04/29/2026

TOMORROW: Join us for Networking Strategies Every Small Business Needs

Thursday, April 30th from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm.

There will be food and drinks from Lucky Cat and Pastry by Rosie to help us celebrate Small Business Week.

Bring your business cards & a spirit to meet new people.

This interactive, in-person facilitated networking workshop, you'll connect with other local entrepreneurs and small business owners and uncover opportunities to grow your networking skills.

You'll have the chance to practice proven techniques and tips and leave with new connections.

Plus, more people will know about you and your business.

Facilitators:
> Kim Stahley, Director of People and Programs, Novato Chamber of Commerce

> Ed Troxell, SBDC Advisor & Founder, Ed Troxell Creative

Register now: https://www.marinsbdc.org/event/novato5/

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This event is a partnership among the City of Novato, the Novato Chamber, the Downtown Novato Business Association and Marin SBDC.

Address

79 Acacia Avenue
San Rafael, CA
94901

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Website

https://www.marinsbdc.org/contact/marin-sbdc

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