SCORE Central Coast Blog

Every October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and this year, the two organizations behind the international campaign — the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA) — are highlighting four key action steps that everyone can take to better protect themselves against cyber threats.

While survival was the name of the game for many small business owners during the COVID-19 pandemic, today’s entrepreneurs see a brighter future ahead. In Meta’s most recent Global State of Small Business report, small business owners in North America feel confident about surviving for at least another six months under present conditions. That’s good news for veteran-owned businesses strategizing how to grow to the next stage of success.

Operating a small business comes with many challenges. And, as you well know, attracting customers is undoubtedly one of them today. According to the latest Global State of Small Business report from Meta, while business owners face fewer challenges than they did at the beginning of the year, “lack of customer demand” remains one of the “most prominent challenges.”

According to a report in Forbes, The 2021 State of Latino Entrepreneurship Report shows that Latino-owned businesses are growing faster than other businesses in the U.S. However, this good news is tempered by a disparity in how Latino-owned firms were able to raise capital. According to the report, Latino-owned businesses are more likely to encounter obstacles while obtaining the funding needed to start and grow their businesses, despite Latino-owned and white=owned businesses posing a similar credit risk.

As an entrepreneur, you put your heart and soul into making your business a success. So, ensuring your business is protected against the unexpected makes sense. That's where business insurance comes in. This article will help you understand the different kinds of insurance you can purchase and how they can help you mitigate risks. 

Many business owners still struggle to find and keep employees, whether small businesses operate in-office (store or restaurant), virtually, or in a hybrid environment.  
As the nation continues to operate at nearly full employment, keeping your staff happy and onboard is even more difficult. Several recent surveys of U.S. employees reveal some challenges small business owners face and how they cope with them.

If you’re a devotee of iPhones, it’s time to get excited—Apple just unveiled its new lineup of smartphones. Since the release of iPhones in June 2007, they have changed how we work and live. 

Whether you’re a loyal iPhone user or a fan of Android, there is likely a lot you don’t know about how smartphones can improve your team’s efficiency and productivity. 

Here are some tips for how smartphones can boost your business.

Starting a business in the next 12 months is a smart move, despite fears of a recession or inflation. Read this blog by small business expert Rieva Lesonsky to learn why.

To help you see the benefit of mentorship, we asked entrepreneurs this question for their best insights gained as mentees. From owning your own mistakes to breaking big goals into small steps, several pieces of advice may help you shape your career and personal life into success, just like the entrepreneurs who shared them

To help Black-owned businesses identify the best funding sources available, we asked CEOs and business leaders this question for their best insights. From the iFundWomen of Color Program to Reign Ventures, there are several options available particularly for Black business owners to secure funding for their businesses. 

Now that most cities and states have lifted mask mandates and people are returning to their offices, women are buying more cosmetics. They are purchasing 70% more than they did pre-pandemic, according to the “Makeup Attitudes and Usage Report” from The NPD Group.

To help you best support Black-owned businesses, we asked Black business owners and leaders this question for their best recommendations. From promoting Black-owned businesses on social media to providing Black founders with more access to funding, several recommendations may help you offer the best support to Black-owned businesses as you celebrate National Black Business Month.