SBA San Diego District Office Updates

Small Business Administration (SBA) sent this bulletin at 10/08/2021 03:11 PM EDT

San Diego District Office

SBA San Diego and San Francisco District Offices partner with the Mayor of Eureka for a virtual small business event spearheaded by the Office of California State Controller

Photo above: (left to right) City of Eureka, Ca Boardroom; SBA San Diego District Office, Economic Development Specialist, Jamye Pritchett Solorzano; Office of State Controller, Senior Special Assistant, Angelica Tellechea; Office of State Controller, Nicole J. Jones; The California State Controller, Betty T. Yee; Office of State Controller, Jennifer Sakamoto; Mayor of Eureka, Ca Susan Seaman; Eureka’s Mayor’s office, Pam Powell; San Francisco SBA District Office, Deputy Director, Carlos Gutierrez; Office of State Controller, Director of Public Affairs, Maria Unzueta

Powerful partnerships and true collaboration across Government including city, state, and federal agencies increases our capacity to serve more people. The SBA San Diego and San Francisco District Offices had the pleasure of partnering and delivering service alongside leaders from the City of Eureka and the California State Controller’s Office. Working across SBA Districts expands SBAs reach to share more information on SBA programs and reach more Californians.

The Online Small Business Virtual Event focused on COVID-19 Relief programs, small business resources, and assistance. The Honorable Mayor of Eureka, Susan Seaman provided opening remarks and welcomed the attendees.

The California State Controller, Betty T. Yee and Senior Special Assistant, Angelica Tellechea showcased the State Controller’s website SCO | Home (ca.gov) which includes valuable information on COVID-19 relief and assistance programs for small businesses. The State Controller addressed State of California process for COVID-19 relief detailed on the website at SCO | COVID-19 Relief and Assistance (ca.gov).

The SBA San Diego District Office, Economic Development Specialist, Jamye Pritchett Solorzano provided an overview of federal SBA programs and COVID-19 relief options. Deputy Director of the San Francisco District Office, Carlos Gutierrez, shared information on local resource partners and the new economic developments in the area (Launch of a new Veterans Business Outreach Center at Humboldt State University). The presentation included information on the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) currently available for small businesses and non-profits. COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (sba.gov)

The SBA has six offices serving California’s large and diverse population of business owners during this pandemic and for the recovery beyond.

SBA San Diego District Office Speaks
at Navy Gold Coast Event

Photo above: (upper right) SBA San Diego District Office, Business Opportunity Specialist, John Engstrom

On September 1^st, SBA San Diego District Office, Business Opportunity Specialist, John Engstrom, spoke to a nationwide audience at the Navy Gold Coast’s virtual event. This was the fourth consecutive year that John spoke at Navy Gold Coast. Navy Gold Coast is the largest procurement event in California. John’s topic was the 8(a) Business Development Program. He covered the qualifications and how to get certified. Additional topics discussed included subcontracting, Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) profile, SBA Resource Partners, online training and how to navigate through the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS). John provided a demo on how to find potential 8(a) opportunities that had incumbents that graduated from the 8(a) program. Since this presentation was made to a nationwide audience, John also shared how to navigate through the SBA website to find other SBA district offices and resource partners in other locations.

After the Q&A session, John invited LBOS from the Sacramento District Office, Paul Tavernia, to share information with the group. Paul spoke about the importance of replying to sources sought if you had the capability and to seek out opportunities to make capabilities briefs to small business representatives at buying agencies. Paul also discussed the capabilities briefing opportunities that he coordinated with Army Corps of Engineers. It was definitely a best practice!

SBA San Diego District Office teams with University of Arizona Global Campus for an online Women's Leadership Event

Photo above: (left to right) SBA San Diego District Office, Economic Development Specialist, Jamye Pritchett Solorzano; Associate Professor, Lead Faculty for Business Leadership & Chair for Center for Women's Leadership, Dr. Jennie L. Walker; San Diego and Imperial Women’s Business Center Director, Katty Ibarra; Assistant Professor, University of Arizona Global Campus, Brandy Havens, MBA; Lead faculty and Associate Professor, University of Arizona Global Campus, Dr. James C. Moore; and Assistant Professor, University of Arizona Global Campus, Dr. Raj Parikh

SBA, San Diego District Office, and the San Diego and Imperial Women’s Business Center (WBC) teamed up with leaders from the University of Arizona Global Campus to deliver collaborative customer service to meet the needs of both current and aspiring small business owners at a recent online Center for Women’s Leadership event. This event served many University of AZ Global Campus students who juggle multiple full time schedules (education, career, and family).

The theme of the online event was identifying the tools and support that you need to fulfill your goals as a business owner. The panel discussed the many free resources and mentoring opportunities available to help launch a business or take it to the next level. SBA worked with University of Arizona leadership to provide information, transfer knowledge, and empower the students.

SBA San Diego District office, Economic Development Specialist, Jamye Pritchett Solorzano presented SBA programs including economic aid programs. San Diego and Imperial Women's Business Center Director, Katty Ibarra presented an overview of the WBC no-cost services, trainings and events, and steps to start a business. SBA and WBC were able to reach a broader audience using an online event and broadcasting from University of Arizona Global Campus.

SBA San Diego presents at National PTAC Day event

Photo above: (top to bottom) SBA San Diego District Office, Business Opportunity Specialist, John Engstrom; Director of the San Diego, Orange and Imperial PTAC, Brett Housholder; Outreach Liaison of Department of General Services (DGS) Wayne Gross; and Small Business Specialist of General Services Administration (GSA) Anthony Caruso

On September 15, 2021, Brett Housholder, Director of the San Diego, Orange and Imperial Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) moderated a panel as part of National PTAC Day! John Engstrom, Business Opportunity Specialist for the SBA’s San Diego District Office, Wayne Gross, Outreach Liaison of Department of General Services (DGS) and Anthony Caruso, Small Business Specialist of General Services Administration (GSA) comprised the panel of experts.

John shared information regarding federally mandated contracting goals. John informed the group about the 4 federal government contracting certifications, where to find the qualifications and how to apply. John discussed the 8(a) business development program and explained the continuing relationship between the 8(a) firms and their BOS. As a wrap-up, John shared his 14 strategies for success for small businesses.

The panel was a fun time where four old friends got together and collaborated on how to help small businesses!

SBA San Diego District Office went back to school with ICOHS

Photo above: Photographer ICOHS Director of Academics & Student Success, Jessica Rabalias. (Pictured left) ICOHS Student Body; (Along right wall with SBA folder) SBA San Diego District Office, Economic Development Specialist, Jamye Pritchett Solorzano, SBA San Diego District Office, Outreach and Marketing Specialist, Luci Montgomery; and (bottom right stair) SoCal Veterans Business Outreach Center Director, Keli Benham-Anthis

San Diego District Office went back to school with ICOHS, a vocational training college. An outdoor event introducing students to SBA programs and services was organized by the amazing Jessica Rabalais, ICOHS Director of Academics & Student Success. ICOHS students are focused on massage therapy, holistic health and information technology career paths. After graduation, many become San Diego’s newest entrepreneurs. The event kicked off with a local massage business operator sharing her insightful business start-up experience. Jamye Pritchett Solorzano and Luci Montgomery of the San Diego District Office followed with an overview of SBA services and steps to start a business. Keli Benham-Anthis, Director of SBA resource partner, SoCal Veterans Business Outreach Center closed out the event with a detailed look at business plans. The eager students were focused on using this new knowledge for future success.

8(a) Business Development Program delivered to the San Diego Post of the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) by SBA Business Opportunity Specialist, John Engstrom

John BOS event photo of virtual event with 8(a) slide

Photo above: SBA San Diego District Office, Business Opportunity Specialist, John Engstrom, takes a photo of the first slide of his presentation. Captain Scott Cloyd, Executive Officer of NAVFACSW and San Diego Post President of the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) appears to the right of the SBA slides.

On August 11^th, John Engstrom BOS from the San Diego District Office gave a presentation on the 8(a) Business Development Program to the San Diego Post of the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME). John spoke virtually at their event last year and was delighted to come back and present again. As a lead in, Captain Cloyd encouraged anyone with questions should type them in the chat. All questions would be addressed upon completion of both presentations.

John spoke about the requirements for the 8(a) program and how to apply. He shared how to find more information on the SBA website. John encouraged the large primes in attendance to consider 8(a) and HUBZone firms for subcontracting opportunities to enable small businesses to get their feet in the door to government contracting. He also encouraged other small business owners to consider working with 8(a) and HUBZone firms. As always, John was looking to recruit potential 8(a) firms and encouraged everyone to take advantage of the phenomenal resource partners that provide free assistance with their applications.

John was followed by Anthony Phillips, Deputy for Small Business at NAVFACSW (Navy Facilities and Engineering, Southwest). Immediately following Anthony’s presentation, there was a Q&A session. Both John Engstrom and Lead BOS Carlos Liu of the San Diego District Office answered questions.

SBA’s support of or participation in the above events is not an endorsement of any product, service, or entity.

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