Business Resources

CREDC and WA APEX Accelerator: How to Attract, Hire, and Retain Talent

This workshop will cover essential strategies for attracting, hiring, and retaining talent with Darcy Hoffman of Workforce Southwest Washington and Erin Roe of Salsbury & Co. You will learn actionable steps to enhance job satisfaction for current and future employees, financial resources and support from WSW’s programs for recruitment, training, and worker retention and various methods to boost employee morale, productivity, and create equitable prosperity in the community.

• 6/18/24, from 3:30pm-5pm. Free, virtual event / Deadline to register: 10am on 6/17
• Event calendar for other CREDC and APEX partnered events

Workforce SW WA: Boost Your Business. Elevate Employee Recruitment and Retention

Employee turnover is expensive, but the Business Services Team at Workforce SW WA (WSW) can help! WSW has contracted with the human resources experts at Salsbury & Co. to lead a free two-part workshop series to give your company the knowledge and tools to overcome employee recruitment and retention challenges. The two sessions will feature presentations, interactive activities, both small and large group discussions, guided action planning time, and complimentary lunch.

• 6/5 and 6/12, from 8:30am-4pm. Free, in person series / Register soon.

Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries:  Free English conversation circle at Fourth Plain Forward

Practice speaking English in a group setting, led by a native-speaking volunteer. Library events and programs are open to the public and provided at no cost.

Practique hablar inglés en un grupo, dirigido por un voluntario nativo. Los eventos y programas de la biblioteca están abiertos al público y se brindan sin costo.

• Every Tuesday from 5:30-7 p.m. at Fourth Plain Forward, 5107 East Fourth Plain Blvd, Suite 111 in Vancouver, WA 98661
• Learn more / Aprender mas

The Greater Vancouver Chamber: Upcoming in-person events

The Greater Vancouver Chamber is excited to announce upcoming in-person events, providing attendees with invaluable learning and networking opportunities.

Fourth Plain Forward: Business Connect in-person events

Business Connect, offered by Fourth Plain Forward, will be hosting the following in-person events at Fourth Plain Community Commons, 3101 East 4th Plain Boulevard Vancouver, WA 98661, to provide participants with the resources, coaching and advising needed to take the first steps into launching a successful, new business. Please visit the Fourth Plain Forward Events page for more information.

• 6/5/24 – Business Connect: Employer Hiring Guide from 5:30-7 p.m. Learn the ABCs of hiring: Understand payment requirements, discover how to hire youth, and safeguard your business with advice from the Department of Labor and Industries. They will demystify optional benefits versus employee rights, ensuring you build a solid team while protecting your business. Register now!
• 6/12/24 – Business Connect: Applying for a Food Safety Permit from 5:30-7 p.m. Join the special event where Clark County Public Health will guide you through the process of obtaining permits, requirements of food plan review, and provide information on necessary permits, fees, and available types. Register now!
• 6/12/24 – Conexión De Negocios: Solicitando Permisos Para Venta De Comida 5:30-7 p.m. Únase a nuestro evento especial donde el Departamento de Salud del condado Clark le guiará en el proceso de obtener permisos, revisión del plan alimenticio y le informará sobre los permisos necesarios, tarifas y tipos disponibles. Obtenga respuestas a tus preguntas y salga con el conocimiento necesario para asegurar el éxito y legalidad de su negocio. ¡No se pierdas la oportunidad de fortalecer su emprendimiento gastronómico! Incribase Aqui!
• 6/26/24 – Conexión De Negocios: Guía De Contratación Para Empleadores 5:30-7 p.m. ¡Atención propietarios de pequeñas empresas! ¿Listos para crecer su equipo y aumentar su éxito? ¡Sumérgase en nuestro taller “Guía de Contratación para Empleadores” diseñado especialmente para ustéd! Aprenda los ABC de la contratación: Comprenda los requisitos de pago, descubra cómo contratar a jóvenes y proteja su negocio con consejos del departmento de Labor e Industrias. Desmitificaremos los beneficios opcionales frente a los derechos de los empleados, asegurando que construya un equipo sólido mientras protege su negocio. Inscribase Aqui!

Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber (HMC) provides free monthly workshops

The Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber (HMC) was founded in 1994 as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) with a mission to lead the economic advancement, wealth creation and equity for Latinos in Oregon and SW Washington. Their vision is to close the Latino economic equity gap and to create intergenerational wealth. HMC’s business development team offers free and confidential technical assistance in Spanish and English to business owners, as well as monthly workshops.

• 6/10 (7pm-7pm): Como Empezar Su Negocia – Pasos para formalizar el negocio; estructuras legales; marketing; precios; finanzas
• 6/27 (6pm-7:30pm): Emprender Juntos, Ciberseguridad – Proteja su negocio y su informacion personal

MESO provides free/low-cost Business Education

MESO provides virtual business classes and workshops in English and in Spanish that focus on the foundational elements of running a small business. Learn more about their current offerings and how to sign up.

WSU-Vancouver PACE Program offers online certificate courses

The PACE Program at WSU-Vancouver, with 3-4 weeklong courses, offers 50-75% discounts for employees of small businesses and non-profits. Evening classes are held twice per week in live, online, and in person formats.

Spring 2024 courses include the below, along with Registration and details:

• Leading with Finance, QuickBooks, and Business Analytics with Power BI
• Change Management, Business Communication Skills, Conflict Resolution and Leadership Essentials
• Social Media Marketing, Applied Machine Learning, Python for Beginners, Intro to SQL and Interfacing with SQL

SCORE provides free/low-cost Business Education

SCORE provides business local and virtual workshops and targeted training that matter to you and your small business. Learn more about their current offerings and discover more here.

• Need help writing a Business Plan? SCORE partnered with MasterCard to offer you this free workbook and plan.
• 6/8/24 from 10am-11:30am. Free online live webinar: Navigating the Gig Economy
• 6/18/24 from 9am-11am. Free online live webinar: Social Media Basics for Small Businesses
• 6/18/24 from 10am-11:30am. Free online live webinar: Business Insurance 101
• 6/22/24 from 10am-Noon. In person seminar and networking event: Are You Ready for Take Off?

Portland Community College’s SBDC offers Training Programs

Portland Community College’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has been helping entrepreneurs build businesses for 40 years. Start, grow, or rebuild your business confidently with support from these specialized business training programs. 

• Business Builders 12-week training program. Blends 8 weeks of foundational business educations with 4 weeks of specialized industry learning so you can start, grow and thrive.
• Buying & Selling Outside the U.S. 6-week series. Learn to thrive in the global marketplace. Become familiar with import/export regulations, supply chain management, cultural awareness, and more.