SF Bay Area Small BusinessResources

IMPORTANT LINKS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES IMPACTED BY COVID-19

San Francisco’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) is constantly updating website to share resources with business and employees impacted by COVID-19. The website also includes information on business reopening by business type and how to access some no-cost and expedited permits related to re-opening.

Sign up for the SF Office of Small Business e-newsletter to stay up to date on COVID-19 related announcements and resources.

Go to the San Francisco SBDC website to find out about their COVID-19 related programs and support, including AskSBDC.com, the weekly “Ask an Attorney” Zoom meeting, guidance specifically for restaurants, and other webinars and guides.

If you need assistance determining which loan to apply for and to prepare to apply, consult with a business counselor/advisor at SCORE or at the SBDC. These services are free.

The SBA has also opened a national hotline to answer your questions: 1-800-659-2955.

These two organizations are continually updating their lists of resources available to small businesses:
California Association for Micro-Enterprise (CAMEO)
Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center

CA Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development

This site provides information on doing business in California, including permits, registering a business, small business loan programs and other small business resources.

City & County of San Francisco

This website includes links to information relevant to doing business in San Francisco.

SF Business Portal

The City of San Francisco has a comprehensive web tool, bringing together the complex information surrounding business registration, permits, and licenses in a single user-friendly website for start-ups and small businesses.

San Francisco Office of Small Business

The Small Business Commission and Office of Small Business function as the City’s central point of information and assistance to small business in San Francisco. The office provides direct services through customized one-on-one assistance, collaborations with other City agencies and referrals to various small business resources.

Small Business Administration (SBA)

The SBA provides an array of financing options for small businesses (from microlending to venture capital), free individual face-to-face and internet counseling, and government contracting procurement opportunities. They also advocate on behalf of small business. Their website includes resources and tools related to starting and managing a small business, loans and grants, and contracting, and many online trainings and videos. You can find links to local SBA offices and programs via the site, too.

SCORE

SCORE is a non-profit resource partners of the Small Business Administration dedicated to educating entrepreneurs. SCORE volunteers are working and retired business executives who provide free counseling and low cost workshops to help businesses get started and grow.

Small Business Development Center

SFSBDC provides free, confidential one-on-one customized consulting services and training workshops in English, Spanish and Chinese to established and start-up businesses. SFSBDC consultants are business owners with diverse backgrounds and expertise in a variety of industries. Click here for SFSBDC’s checklist for starting a business in California.

California Lawyers for the Arts

CLA offers pro bono legal services and educational programs, including conflict resolution services, for artists and arts-related small businesses.

Lawyer Referral and Information Service

LRIS is a program through The Bar Association of San Francisco that refers you to experienced and carefully screened for-profit attorneys in many different specialties. The initial 30-minute consultation costs $35 and low fee panels are available.

Legal Services for Entrepreneurs

LSE is an economic justice initiative of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights. If you qualify under their application process and are able to wait for assistance, LSE provides experienced business attorneys for ongoing consultation on a pro bono basis.

Nolo Press

Nolo Press has been a leader in small business information and openness in management. This site is a great location for legal forms, books, software, and information on a range of small business legal issues.

The San Francisco Community Business Law Center

BLC will soon provide legal aid services free of charge for low-income micro business owners. The Center offers interactive business law workshops and pop-up clinics.

United States Patent & Trademark Office

This website is helpful when researching available business names and trademark options.

CAMEO: California Micro Enterprise Organization

CAMEO is the local trade organization for over 160 organizations that provide micro-financing, business training and technical assistance to California micro-enterprises. CAMEO focuses its efforts on expanding resources and building capacity for its member organizations so that they can best serve micro-enterprise in the state.

Compass Point Non-Profit Services

CompassPoint provides classes, workshops and consulting services for non-profit community leaders to build the capacity and impact of non-profit community-based organizations.

ICA Fund Good Jobs

ICA Fund Good Jobs creates good jobs for people with high barriers to employment by providing small business owners with expert consulting, education and investment to grow their businesses.

La Cocina

La Cocina provides commercial kitchen space and technical assistance to low-income entrepreneurs who are launching, growing and formalizing their food businesses.

Mission Economic Development Agency

MEDA is dedicated to improving the economic and social conditions of San Francisco’s immigrants and working class families with an emphasis on the Latino community and the Mission and Excelsior districts.

Pacific Community Ventures

PCV creates jobs and economic opportunity in low-income communities through the direct support of small businesses as well as by advocating for systems change to increase investment in these vulnerable communities.

Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center

Renaissance is an entrepreneurial training center located in San Francisco, the Mid-Peninsula and the East Bay offering workshops, business classes, loan packaging services, and a small business incubator program.  They provide comprehensive services for small business owners and micro-entrepreneurs at all stages of business development from startup to launch and growth. The organization is dedicated to helping women and men who traditionally lack access to resources and information to achieve financial self-sufficiency through entrepreneurship.

Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE)

BALLE is focused on increasing demand for locally owned, made and grown businesses, good and services, connecting local leaders, spreading solutions that work, and driving investment toward local economies. BALLE’s website is full of resources and tools, including webinars, manuals, events, videos and calculators.

Golden Gate Business Association

For over 35 years the Golden Gate Business Association has grown, promoted and increased the visibility of San Francisco Bay Area LGBT businesses and those businesses in the community that support them. The Association organizes over 30 educational programs and networking events per year.

Impact HUB Bay Area

Impact Hub Bay Area is a group of co-working and events spaces in San Francisco, Berkeley and Oakland for a membership community of entrepreneurs, activists, creatives, and professionals focused on positive social and environmental change.

Potrero Dogpatch Merchants Association

PDMA promotes and advocates for independent, locally owned businesses while actively supporting the Potrero and Dogpatch neighborhood communities. The Association is made up of over 170 businesses representing an eclectic mix of food and drink, salons, spas, healers, shopping, schools, business services, entertainment and more.

San Francisco Chamber of Commerce

The Chamber is an excellent local resource for the City of San Francisco. Their website offers current events listings, a membership directory, and many useful resources for small businesses.

SFMade

SFMade’s mission is to build and support a vibrant manufacturing sector in San Francisco, that sustains companies producing locally-made products, encourages entrepreneurship and innovation, and creates employment opportunities for a diverse local workforce. SFMade engages directly with entrepreneurs and growing small companies, all of whom are headquartered in and manufacture within San Francisco, offering industry-specific education, networking opportunities, and connections to resources.