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Local organization provides workshops to help small businesses thrive

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WATSONVILLE, Calif. (KION) El Pajaro CDC, a Watsonville community organization, is helping local small businesses develop marketing and promotional strategies through online Spanish workshops.

The pandemic has made it challenging for small businesses to stay alive, and El Pajaro CDC provides entrepreneurial opportunities, financial and development support for the creation of small businesses, and self-employment jobs for low-income and Latino residents.

These workshops are at no cost for Central Coast residents and $50 for those who live outside of the three counties.

El Pajaro CDC’s Facility Manager, Cesario Ruiz said, “We have a really great business consultant who's been in charge of doing these presentations. She always has a really great input and a lot of information that we want our community of businesses to have access to.”

According to Ruiz, It's important to have these workshops available for the community. Small businesses have a tendency of falling behind on the latest strategies, he said. 

“That's why we try to be that bridge to make sure that all our small businesses are not staying behind,” said Ruiz. “They're keeping up with whatever technology is available to their hands to make sure that they know and make use of these tools to better their businesses.”

The owner of CaliDawg, Maria Gonzalez said that with the help of EL Pajaro CDC and its courses she was able to start her own business selling vegan hot dogs.

"It's definitely been great working with them and working here because it's been a lot of help,” said Gonzalez. “A lot of guidance, a lot of ways for me to get organized and think of the next step.”

Small business owners encounter a lot of challenges along the way She says these educational courses were crucial especially during these times. Social media allowed her business to continue to stay connected with the community. 

“As a small business, you really don't have somebody to go ask questions,” said Gonzalez. “You're really on your own. So when you do have a little bit of guidance and a little bit of support, you're able to go out there and do things a lot better.”

All workshops will be in  on zoom from 6-7:30 p.m :

April 28

May 5: Storefront

May 19: Restaurant or Food Business

May 26: Service-Based Business

To register call (831) 722-1224

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Jonathan Sarabia

Jonathan is a former multi-media journalist at KION News Channel 5/46.

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