Second year of City-Chamber program a continued success
The City of Carlsbad and Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce recently completed this year's Carlsbad Business Academy, a four-session program that familiarizes local businesses about city processes, with the aim of helping them get what they need from city government easily and quickly.
The academy was initiated two years ago when the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce approached the city and said that some businesses didn't have a firm understanding of some city processes, and the chamber and city should join forces to help.
"We realized that folks were hearing anecdotal stories or maybe had a one-time bad experience," Toni Padron, Chamber of Commerce executive vice president and chief operating officer, recalled. "So we talked to the city about educating our businesses about how to navigate the city's processes."
This year's Business Academy had a full enrollment of 40 attendees.
"It's a perfect partnership," Padron said. "The academy covers all the processes about starting and growing a business, and how there are people in the city who will guide you through the process and help you avoid the pitfalls of starting and growing a business."
From the city's standpoint, the more information local businesses have about where they work and the resources that are available, the better their chances for success and opportunities for future expansion. The academy also serves as a tool in realizing a City Council goal of helping businesses succeed in Carlsbad.
This year's academy opened in September and wrapped up in October, and classes were held every other week for four weeks. They were conducted early Tuesday mornings to enable business owners to attend without cutting too much into their valuable work time. The sessions covered four main topic areas.
The first week's focus provided an introduction to the City of Carlsbad's land development policies, including an explanation to the Envision Carlsbad process, which invited residents to contribute their ideas of what they want Carlsbad's future to look like. Participants then were given a bus tour of major commercial development sites.
The second session offered a behind-the-scenes look at city operations, featuring an introduction to city plans, projects and priorities by City Manager John Coates. Budget Manager Helga Stover also explained the ins and outs of the city budget.
The third session included talks by city top safety officials, who explained how the city keeps homes and businesses safe, and what to do in case of an emergency.
The final session focused on city processes involving business operations, such as licenses, planning and permitting fees, and city development services. That session ended with an enlightening question-and-answer interchange with Carlsbad City Council members.
Joyce Harris, who with her husband, Peter Harris, owns the Danish Bakery in the downtown Carlsbad Village, said that the academy has given her an opportunity to understand city operations and use them to help grow her business.
"The Danish Bakery has been a Carlsbad fixture since 1984, but we took it over three years ago, so we're relatively new business owners here," said Harris. "Knowing where the resources are, knowing who to call, how to navigate the city to get the answers, the Business Academy makes it all real."
Ken Barnes recently moved his business, Ken Barnes Global Advisors, a consultancy specializing in advising new and early stage businesses, to Carlsbad from the Sacramento area. He said the academy proved invaluable in helping him adjust to both his new locale and city government.
"When bringing on clients in a new area, it's imperative to have a strong grasp on the local government and economy," Barnes said. "The Business Academy has helped me to understand what the city envisions for its future, and how I and my clients can engage in both current and future opportunities."
The city is dedicated to nurturing local businesses and laying the right foundation that helps them succeed, and the Carlsbad Business Academy is a valuable way of achieving that goal. The next Business Academy will be held in fall 2014. Check the Carlsbad Business Journal for exact times, dates and sign up information.
The City of Carlsbad and Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce recently completed this year's Carlsbad Business Academy, a four-session program that familiarizes local businesses about city processes, with the aim of helping them get what they need from city government easily and quickly.
The academy was initiated two years ago when the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce approached the city and said that some businesses didn't have a firm understanding of some city processes, and the chamber and city should join forces to help.
"We realized that folks were hearing anecdotal stories or maybe had a one-time bad experience," Toni Padron, Chamber of Commerce executive vice president and chief operating officer, recalled. "So we talked to the city about educating our businesses about how to navigate the city's processes."
This year's Business Academy had a full enrollment of 40 attendees.
"It's a perfect partnership," Padron said. "The academy covers all the processes about starting and growing a business, and how there are people in the city who will guide you through the process and help you avoid the pitfalls of starting and growing a business."
From the city's standpoint, the more information local businesses have about where they work and the resources that are available, the better their chances for success and opportunities for future expansion. The academy also serves as a tool in realizing a City Council goal of helping businesses succeed in Carlsbad.
This year's academy opened in September and wrapped up in October, and classes were held every other week for four weeks. They were conducted early Tuesday mornings to enable business owners to attend without cutting too much into their valuable work time. The sessions covered four main topic areas.
The first week's focus provided an introduction to the City of Carlsbad's land development policies, including an explanation to the Envision Carlsbad process, which invited residents to contribute their ideas of what they want Carlsbad's future to look like. Participants then were given a bus tour of major commercial development sites.
The second session offered a behind-the-scenes look at city operations, featuring an introduction to city plans, projects and priorities by City Manager John Coates. Budget Manager Helga Stover also explained the ins and outs of the city budget.
The third session included talks by city top safety officials, who explained how the city keeps homes and businesses safe, and what to do in case of an emergency.
The final session focused on city processes involving business operations, such as licenses, planning and permitting fees, and city development services. That session ended with an enlightening question-and-answer interchange with Carlsbad City Council members.
Joyce Harris, who with her husband, Peter Harris, owns the Danish Bakery in the downtown Carlsbad Village, said that the academy has given her an opportunity to understand city operations and use them to help grow her business.
"The Danish Bakery has been a Carlsbad fixture since 1984, but we took it over three years ago, so we're relatively new business owners here," said Harris. "Knowing where the resources are, knowing who to call, how to navigate the city to get the answers, the Business Academy makes it all real."
Ken Barnes recently moved his business, Ken Barnes Global Advisors, a consultancy specializing in advising new and early stage businesses, to Carlsbad from the Sacramento area. He said the academy proved invaluable in helping him adjust to both his new locale and city government.
"When bringing on clients in a new area, it's imperative to have a strong grasp on the local government and economy," Barnes said. "The Business Academy has helped me to understand what the city envisions for its future, and how I and my clients can engage in both current and future opportunities."
The city is dedicated to nurturing local businesses and laying the right foundation that helps them succeed, and the Carlsbad Business Academy is a valuable way of achieving that goal. The next Business Academy will be held in fall 2014. Check the Carlsbad Business Journal for exact times, dates and sign up information.