Kings County Small Business Conference

The event was hosted at Koinonia Church in Hanford, CA and was meant for small business owners to learn about the latest tobacco retail laws along with business strategies that would support the overall success of their business. The conference offered multiple workshops as well as networking opportunities at the end of the event. 

The workshops were conducted by the KCTCP, Working Solutions CDFI, Olympus Financial Consulting, and Golden 1 Bank. To better accommodate the lower-than-expected turnout, the conference shifted all workshops to the auditorium for all attendees to participate in them. The KCTCP workshop titled “Products to Generate Profit that Support Community Health” focused on alternative products and services store owners can stock and sell in their stores in place of tobacco and other unhealthy products. Products and services that were recommended that could be substituted in stores were seasonal items such as graduation gifts, local goods, and services rural communities lack, such as small-scale document printing. The workshop then pivoted to a cost analysis and financial literacy presentation provided by Olympus Financial Consulting.  

The workshop conducted by Working Solutions CDFI titled “Capital Readiness: How to Prepare for a Business Loan” walked attendees through the process of applying for a business loan. The workshop helped small business owners understand how a business loan works, requirements needed for a loan, who can apply, and financial documentation best practices. The information shared was enlightening to future and new businesses to not be afraid of applying for a small business loan.  

Golden 1 Bank hosted a workshop titled “Business Services with Golden 1 Credit Union” that discussed available resources that they could provide for business owners. They discussed their banking platform specifically for businesses, savings accounts, benefits of a business checking account, business credit line, and more. Golden 1 Bank worked to inform attendees of any resources they may need to be able to start their business or make their current one more profitable.  

Overall, the conference was hosted as an opportunity for small business owners, including tobacco retailers, to engage in workshops that provided the tools and knowledge to help their business thrive.