From Seed Money to Serious Investment: Raising Money for Your Business

Tuesday, August 31, 2021:  12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

--- CLASS WILL BE HELD VIA ZOOM. ZOOM INFORMATION WILL BE EMAILED TO REGISTRANTS PRIOR TO CLASS START TIME ---

Every business needs an initial investment to get off the ground, and established businesses often require investment in order to expand. Learn how to apply for and obtain small business loans, including COVID-19-related forgivable loans and grants, plus learn about vital alternative funding sources for startups.

Class covers:

  • How to sell your business to investors
  • Crafting a business pitch
  • Best practices for loan applicants
  • Forgivable loans and grants created in response to COVID-19
  • Other funding options, like friends and family, and crowdfunding

Participants are encouraged to join by video as class may involve sharing of visual information and writings, participation via the chat function, and the opportunity to interact with others. Virtual networking reception to follow class.

Presented by: Presented by Mark Kapczynski, and Alfred Villalobos of Pacific Western Bank

Mark Kapczynski is a successful serial entrepreneur, chief executive and advertising industry expert. He founded LocationX, a physical location ad network leveraging beacon technology. Mr. Kapczynski also serves as an Executive Director of the UCLA Venture Capital Fund, helping to foster innovation connected to the university. Mr. Kapczynski last served as VP of Corporate Development and Strategy for Experian's consumer businesses which include leading consumer brands: Experian, FreeCreditReport.com, and ProtectMyID. Mr. Kapczynski graduated from UCLA film school and continues to be active in multiple industry associations that span media, mobile telecom, technology, and consumer internet. He has 8 patents to his name and an additional 45 patents pending.

Registration fees: FREE - sponsored by the Friends of the Los Angeles County Law Library through the generous support of Pacific Western Bank.

Classes fill up fast, register today to reserve your seat! All registrants must check-in 10 minutes prior to class time to ensure your seat is not reassigned to waiting-list and walk-in attendees when classes are full.

Photography / Videography:
If you register for this class, you may be photographed or recorded. By registering for this class you are giving the LA Law Library your consent to photograph, videotape, record and broadcast your picture, likeness, voice and statements.  

No legal advice:
LA Law Library does not provide legal advice. LA Law Library provides legal resources and assistance with legal research as an educational service. The Law Library is pleased to offer our patrons the opportunity to obtain assistance from third party legal service providers at this and other events within the Library. However, the Library does not control and is not responsible for the content or scope of any assistance given by those providers.

On Solid Ground: Financial Planning for Business Owners

Tuesday, October 26, 2021: 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

--- CLASS WILL BE HELD VIA ZOOM. ZOOM INFORMATION WILL BE EMAILED TO REGISTRANTS PRIOR TO CLASS START TIME ---

In the day-to-day of managing a business, it can be easy to lose sight of the big financial picture. In this class, learn to set realistic goals, budget effectively, save and invest properly, and manage financial risks and returns for you and your business.

Class covers:

  • Setting realistic financial and personal goals
  • Developing a plan to reach your goals
  • Learning to adjust your spending and maximize your income
  • Planning for risk with insurance
  • Minimizing tax liability

Participants are encouraged to join by video as class may involve sharing of visual information and writings, participation via the chat function, and the opportunity to interact with others. Virtual networking reception to follow class.

Presented by Arna M. Fulcher:

Arna M. Fulcher is the CEO and President of Alford Consulting Group, and the owner of several successful small businesses. She has taught financial basics to new and aspiring business owners since 1992, and has served as Chair of the Empowerment Congress, Economic Development Committee for Los Angeles County, 2nd Supervisorial District, and the Metro Crenshaw/LAX Community Leadership Council. She was a Los Angeles Business Journal CFO of the Year Nominee in 2007. Arna is an accountant and registered tax preparer by trade, and earned her Bachelors Degree in Corporate Finance/Accounting from USC Marshall School of Business.

Registration fees: FREE - sponsored by the Friends of the Los Angeles County Law Library through the generous support of Pacific Western Bank.
Classes fill up fast, register today to reserve your seat! All registrants must check-in 10 minutes prior to class time to ensure your seat is not reassigned to waiting-list and walk-in attendees when classes are full.

Photography / Videography:
If you register for this class, you may be photographed or recorded. By registering for this class you are giving the LA Law Library your consent to photograph, videotape, record and broadcast your picture, likeness, voice and statements.  

No legal advice:
LA Law Library does not provide legal advice. LA Law Library provides legal resources and assistance with legal research as an educational service. The Law Library is pleased to offer our patrons the opportunity to obtain assistance from third party legal service providers at this and other events within the Library. However, the Library does not control and is not responsible for the content or scope of any assistance given by those providers.

Branding and Marketing 101

Tuesday, September 21, 2021: 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

--- CLASS WILL BE HELD VIA ZOOM. ZOOM INFORMATION WILL BE EMAILED TO REGISTRANTS PRIOR TO CLASS START TIME ---

Effectively communicating the value of your product or service is essential to your business success. Learn how to attract and retain your customer base through creative branding, channel marketing, and smart promotion.

Class covers:

  • Defining and protecting your brand
  • The different marketing channels available, and the strengths and weaknesses of each
  • How to integrate branding and marketing across multiple channels and platforms
  • Basing your marketing initiatives on research and data
  • Approach to marketing on a budget

Presented by Erin Kapczynski:

Erin Kapczynski has built her career as a marketing executive for technology, media and advertising companies. 

Erin’s passion for marketing centers on looking at how a business can transform and grow, leveraging data and user experience, while building customer trust. Currently serving as consultant and advisor to leading startups and mid-stage businesses, Erin helps clients plan and execute customer acquisition, content creation, and branding – tying these pieces together to generate growth.

She has helped B2B (Business to Business) SaaS (Software as a Service) companies such MomentFeed and Greenfly; media companies such as Ranker and Demand Media (now LeafGroup); and AdTech giants such as System1 tell their stories and acquire new customers. Erin has also worked with DTC (Direct to Consumer) companies such as Wrench and OneRep, accelerating their marketing efforts.

Coming into the role via acquisition, Erin was formerly VP of Marketing for the media and technology platform Purch (Space.com and TomsGuide.com), where she oversaw all global consumer and corporate marketing that grew audiences and accelerated ad sales and lead-gen deals for partners to well over $100M in annual revenue. At Purch, Erin was also part of the executive team, seeing through multiple acquisitions, app launches, and a $135M equity round of financing. 

Prior to Purch, Erin served as VP of Marketing at Panache, an early mover and market-leading digital video ad tech business (B2B SaaS) that was acquired by WPP.  She also held senior-level marketing positions at Herbalife's HQ and Move.

Erin currently serves as an advisor at the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce's tech incubator Bixel Exchange, part of SBA’s SBDC (Small Business Development Centers) program, where she helps local startups establish product-market-fit and position them for capital infusion.

Registration fees: FREE - sponsored by the Friends of the Los Angeles County Law Library through the generous support of Pacific Western Bank.

No legal advice:
LA Law Library does not provide legal advice. LA Law Library provides legal resources and assistance with legal research as an educational service. The Law Library is pleased to offer our patrons the opportunity to obtain assistance from third party legal service providers at this and other events within the Library. However, the Library does not control and is not responsible for the content or scope of any assistance given by those providers.

How to Form a Corporation or LLC

Tuesday, September 14, 2021: 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

--- CLASS WILL BE HELD VIA ZOOM. ZOOM INFORMATION WILL BE EMAILED TO REGISTRANTS PRIOR TO CLASS START TIME ---

Business entities come in many shapes and sizes, and choosing the right one can avoid serious tax and liability consequences. Learn which business entity is right for you, how to prepare and file incorporation documents, and why supposed "formalities" like corporate by-laws can be so important to your business success.

Class covers:

  • Creating legal structures that will protect business start-ups and accommodate the business as it grows
  • Common myths and mistakes people make in setting up a business
  • The difference between an LLC, C-Corporation and S-Corporation and how to determine which one is right for your business
  • Why shouldn't you just operate as a partnership or a sole proprietorship?
  • What are the issues that co-owners should address and resolve in a "Shareholders Agreement" before starting a business together?

Participants are encouraged to join by video as class may involve sharing of visual information and writings, participation via the chat function, and the opportunity to interact with others. Virtual networking reception to follow class.

Presented by: Prof. Michael Chasalow
Professor Chasalow directs the USC Law School Small Business Clinic, where students gain hands-on experience handling transactional legal problems and providing basic corporate legal assistance to small businesses, entrepreneurs and nonprofit organizations. Professor Chasalow has worked with start-up companies for over 25 years. His scholarly interests involve the development and structure of business ventures as well as corporate governance issues, fiduciary duty standards and issues relating to the operation and governance of partnerships and LLCs. Professor Chasalow received his B.A. from UC-Berkeley, his J.D. from Berkeley Law and his M.B.A. at UCLA. After law school Professor Chasalow practiced law for several years, initially as a transactional attorney with Latham and Watkins in Los Angeles, where he specialized in such complex corporate transactions as mergers and acquisitions and the issuance of sophisticated debt securities.

Registration fees: FREE - sponsored by the Friends of the Los Angeles County Law Library through the generous support of Pacific Western Bank.
Classes fill up fast, register today to reserve your seat! All registrants must check-in 10 minutes prior to class time to ensure your seat is not reassigned to waiting-list and walk-in attendees when classes are full.

Photography / Videography:
If you register for this class, you may be photographed or recorded. By registering for this class you are giving the LA Law Library your consent to photograph, videotape, record and broadcast your picture, likeness, voice and statements.  

No legal advice:
LA Law Library does not provide legal advice. LA Law Library provides legal resources and assistance with legal research as an educational service. The Law Library is pleased to offer our patrons the opportunity to obtain assistance from third party legal service providers at this and other events within the Library. However, the Library does not control and is not responsible for the content or scope of any assistance given by those providers.

Keeping the Books: Business Accounting Basics

Tuesday, September 28, 2021: 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

--- CLASS WILL BE HELD VIA ZOOM. ZOOM INFORMATION WILL BE EMAILED TO REGISTRANTS PRIOR TO CLASS START TIME ---

Every business decision must be made with an eye toward the bottom line. Learn to accurately assess your business’ financial outlook and plan for the future by understanding the basics of business accounting and finance.

Class covers:

  • How to apply the fundamentals of financial modeling to set realistic, achievable goals
  • How to apply basic accounting concepts to ensure an accurate financial snapshot of your business
  • How to use key financial statements like income, balance sheet, and cash flow
  • Apply what you learn to real-life “case studies” of businesses in different financial situations
  • Pros and cons of different accounting software available to small businesses

Participants are encouraged to join by video as class may involve sharing of visual information and writings, participation via the chat function, and the opportunity to interact with others. Virtual networking reception to follow class.

Presented by Gary Krausz:
Gary Krausz provides audit, accounting and consulting services to middle-market businesses and not-for-profit organizations in Southern California. He is a member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA.) He also holds the Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF) credential offered by the AICPA. Gary serves on the Accounting Principles and Auditing Standards Technical Committee which is the highest technical committee of the California Society of CPAs on accounting and auditing issues; Gary also helps plan the annual Accounting and Auditing Conference of the CalCPA Education Foundation. Gary regularly teaches undergraduate level accounting courses at UCLA Extension.

Gary holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of California, San Diego and a Master of Accounting degree from the University of Southern California. Outside of work, Gary serves on the Board of Directors and is the Treasurer for The Executives, a support group for the Los Angeles Jewish Home, volunteers for his children's school PTA, and various other community outreach and educational committees of the California Society of CPAs.

Registration fees: FREE - sponsored by the Friends of the Los Angeles County Law Library through the generous support of Pacific Western Bank.
Classes fill up fast, register today to reserve your seat! All registrants must check-in 10 minutes prior to class time to ensure your seat is not reassigned to waiting-list and walk-in attendees when classes are full.

Photography / Videography:
If you register for this class, you may be photographed or recorded. By registering for this class you are giving the LA Law Library your consent to photograph, videotape, record and broadcast your picture, likeness, voice and statements.  

No legal advice:
LA Law Library does not provide legal advice. LA Law Library provides legal resources and assistance with legal research as an educational service. The Law Library is pleased to offer our patrons the opportunity to obtain assistance from third party legal service providers at this and other events within the Library. However, the Library does not control and is not responsible for the content or scope of any assistance given by those providers.

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