CSU Bakersfield SBDCServing Inyo, Kern, and Mono Counties.
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CSU Bakersfield SBDC
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In this week’s free webinar, SBDC director Kelly Bearden takes an in-depth look at the state of small business based on feedback from hundreds of business owners served by the Small Business Development Center at CSU Bakersfield in Kern, Inyo, and Mono counties over the last year, in addition to other resources.

Topics include opportunities and challenges for small businesses, consumer and business trends, avenues to access capital, and a review of recent economic and political disruption to provide insight on potential impacts to industry and business in 2025.

This marks the 333rd episode of the “Webinar Wednesday” business series that provides news and information helpful to employers and business owners.

The CSU Bakersfield SBDC provides free one-on-one help to small business owners . New and existing businesses can sign up to meet with a business advisor at no cost by clicking here!
 
TIMESTAMPS - the bold blue timestamp below is a direct link to when Kelly begins the State of Small Business 2025
01:07 What’s up today January 29, 2025
04:17 California Acquisition and Procurement Industry Days Expo (CCAP) Feb 4th and 5th https://ccapexpo.com/
10:23 Kelly talks about four CSUB SBDC Optimistic Clients from 2024 https://csubsbdc.com/success-stories
12:08 Valley Pipe Fabrication https://youtu.be/w1_Vf6KnZN0
12:57 SWOT Factor for 2025
13:20 2025 Outlook by Industry – Food and Beverage, Retail, Defense, Construction
15:16 Mom and Pop food businesses remain under siege
16:00 Food and Beverage Industry Outlook and Opportunities
22:15 Retail Way to Compete Online – Bob Phibbs – The Retail Doctor https://www.retaildoc.com/blog/how-to-be-here-next-year-5-steps-retailer...
24:48 Defense Industry Outlook 2025
26:28 Defense Disruption per Steve Blank – WWII outsourced weapons development to civilians https://steveblank.com/startup-owners-manual-1in/
29:42 California Opportunities
33:57 Disruption theme for 2025
36:54 2024 Small Business Credit Survey Partner Report of Federal Reserve’s 2023 Survey
37:06 Industry – percentage of firms answering
37:48 Use of financing and credit
38:47 Share of firms that applied for loan, line of credit, or MCA, prior 12 months
39:12 What is the APR your FinTech is Charging?
40:32 How to figure out how much you will be paying through a FinTech https://www.calculator.net/loan-calculator.html
41:15 What is the APR your FinTech is Charging?
41:44 Questions and Answers with webinar attendees
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Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and a Grant with the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA or the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact the California SBDC closest to you.