Welcome to our dedicated platform designed exclusively for Playhouse Village business owners and managers seeking to stay informed and engaged with their community. Here, you’ll discover a wealth of resources, including updates on the latest community programs tailored for businesses, insights into upcoming events and projects, and information on the vibrant activities happening within Playhouse Village. Stay connected, informed, and empowered to make a positive impact in your community with our comprehensive updates and resources.
Latest Updates
City of Pasadena Procurement Portal
Exciting contracting opportunities await! Click here to view and respond to contracting opportunities with the City of Pasadena. If you need help navigating the portal, contact the Pasadena SBDC for assistance.
NEW SERIES! Renewal and Resilience: Navigating the Future of Business in 2024
The San Gabriel Valley Area Chamber Executives (VACE), including Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, present a lunch and learn free webinar series, Renewal and Resilience: Navigating the Future of Business in 2024. The Business Education Webinar Series aims to provide insights, strategies, and practical knowledge to empower professionals and business leaders in building renewal and resilience within the organizations. The series will cover a range of topics, addressing current and anticipated challenges and opportunities in the business world.
Meetings are on the Third Thursday of the Month at 12 pm. The next webinar is New California Law & Impact on Business on Thursday, November 21 and discussion will include proposed tax rate structure to alleviate the tax burden on small businesses and identifying tax credits and incentives to support small business growth. Register for the free webinar here.
PVA Business Survey Results
Playhouse Village Association would like to thank you for taking time to respond to our PVA Business Survey. The business survey enabled us to have a more accurate picture about challenges Village businesses face and the areas of business assistance that are most important to them. Parking and Safety/Transient Issues were the biggest challenges to all sectors across all areas of Playhouse Village. Also of high importance was creating a new customer base and development of programs related to social media marketing. The complete results of the PVA Business Survey are available here. Your feedback is invaluable and will be used as the basis for ongoing program development to support business in our neighborhood.
Marketing Opportunities
Reach Local Resident’s with PVA’s Hi Neighbor Program
PVA invites your business to participate in the relaunch of the Hi Neighbor program as we roll out the welcome mat to residents in Playhouse Village. The goal of the Playhouse Village Hi Neighbor program is to engage new and existing Playhouse Village and Pasadena residents through special deals, discounts, or offering that you decide upon. The increase in foot traffic is expected to boost sales and awareness for participating businesses – while providing a sense of community in Playhouse Village. Learn more about the program and submit a special offer on our website.
Small Business Saturday in Playhouse Village
Playhouse Village, in partnership with City of Pasadena Economic Development department and Visit Pasadena, will kick off Shop Local Pasadena campaign on Small Business Saturday, November 30th. If you are planning a Small Business Saturday event or promotion, please let us know at jen@playhousevillage.org so that we may include your event or business in our blog and social media content.
Holidays in Playhouse Village
Do you have an event planned for the holiday season? From Christmas and Chanukah to New Year’s Eve and the Rose Parade, PVA will share these activities in upcoming digital campaigns so let us know at jen@playhousevillage.org what activity your business is planning for the chance to be featured.
Business Resources
Small Business Micro Loan
LISC LA’s Asset Building for Communities of Color (ABC) program was created to help small businesses owned by people of color in Los Angeles County grow their companies, build wealth, and create or maintain jobs. In partnership with LISC LA, Inclusive Action for the City is offering eligible business owners loan capital from $5,000 to $30,000 to support with the acquisition of machinery, equipment, and/or inventory. Learn more here.
Amber Grant for Women-Owned Business
The Amber Grant for Women-Owned Businesses is giving three $10,000 grants to spread hope to women growing or starting a businesses. The application is simple and is open monthly.
National Association for the Self-Employed Growth Grant
NASE has a business development grant worth up to $4,000 to use toward marketing, advertising, hiring employees, expanding facilities, and other specific business needs.
Since 2006, the NASE has awarded nearly $1,000,000 to members like you through the Growth Grants program by providing small business grants. Learn more at microbizinsocal.org.
Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Grant
Verizon, in partnership with LISC, is launching a new round of grant funding open to small businesses. They are awarding over $1 million in grants this year to provide over 100 small business grants for $10,000. Learn more at verizonwireless.com.
Pasadena Small Business Development Center
Pasadena Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides high quality, no-cost business assistance to small businesses & entrepreneurs. Small businesses of all stages and industries are welcome. Learn more and register for free webinars and workshops. Get help for your small business at pccsbdc.org.
Pasadena Office of Economic Development
Honored as a 20th Annual “Most Business Friendly City Awards” finalist by the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation, Pasadena’s Economic Development Division focus is to support new investment into the city by way of commercial activity, development and jobs. Whether you are starting out or building up, find the the intel and assets that will be a resource to help you future yourself and your next big idea in Pasadena. Learn more at cityofpasadena.net.
PVA Committees
The PVA is responsible for a wide range of initiatives to grow our vibrant community. Some PVA projects and programs you may be familiar with include: Ambassador Guides clean and safe team; murals, banners, utility box art and crosswalk art; Playhouse Village Park activities and other community events; parking advocacy; on-street dining pavilions on Colorado Blvd.; and more. To help us set future program priorities like those above, we encourage your participation in one or more of committees.
Economic Development, Transportation & Parking: recruitment & retention, policy & advocacy, parking, and transportation management
Safety & Maintenance: safety, transient outreach, and street maintenance
Marketing & Communications: marketing & branding, newsletters, social media, website, and business assistance/promotions
Public Realm Design & Activation: streetscapes design, public art projects, and special events in public spaces
More Information: To attend a committee meeting, contact info@playhousevillage.org to learn more.
The PVA is committed to supporting our business community in every possible way. Please don’t hesitate to contact the PVA at info@playhousevillage.org with any questions or concerns you may have.
Webinars
Social Media Webinars
Future-Proof Your Business by Building Relationships and Growing Your Email List (FREE)
Designing a long-lasting and sustainable company falls on your ability to develop strong relationships and reach your target market where they already are: in their inboxes. In this session, learn the strategies behind an effective marketing funnel and how email marketing ensures your brand remains top-of-mind while generating revenue on demand.
Wednesday, November 6 @10AM-11:30AM | Hosted by Pasadena SBDC
How Do I Leverage Social Media For My Company? (FREE)
This webinar will provide an overview of social media approaches entrepreneurs can apply immediately. Because you’re busy wearing multiple hats as business owners, knowing the where, what, and how to focus on social media will help save time and money.
Tuesday, November 12 @12PM-1PM | Hosted by Pasadena SBDC
Simplify Your Social Media Content Creation with AI (FREE)
Discover the power of AI in transforming your social media content strategy: what to post, how to create content easily with AI, editing content with AI, and scheduling content with ease and grace. Say goodbye to the stress of social media management and hello to a new era of efficiency and success
Wednesday, November 13 @10AM-11:30AM | Hosted by Pasadena SBDC
Working with Social Media Influencers: FTC Influencer Guidelines and Other Important Law (FREE)
Social media influencers and “brand ambassadors” can be invaluable for marketing and promoting company products on the internet. This webinar discusses legal issues affecting the use of influencers and brand ambassadors, including the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)’s “Influencer Guidelines,” federal and state advertising laws, required disclosures, and IP laws a small business should be aware of when engaging these individuals.
Thursday, November 14 @ 12PM-1PM | Hosted by College of the Canyons SBDC
Multichannels: How Social Media, Marketing & Webspace Creation Work Together (FREE)
A cross-disciplinary workshop showing the relationship between Marketing, Website Design, and Social Media to build, promote and market a small business.
Thursday, November 14 @ 10AM-11:30AM | Hosted by South Bay SBDC
Leveraging User-Generated Content (FREE)
Harness the power of user-generated content to build trust, authenticity, and drive conversions.
Wednesday, November 20 @ 10AM-11AM | Hosted by College of the Canyons SBDC
Social Media Solutions: Making Facebook Ads Work For You (FREE)
Uncover the mysteries of using Facebook Ads to grow your business. Learn if you’re running Facebook Ads correctly, the 5 pillars of successful Facebook ads, the one thing that may be holding back your Facebook Ads, why a marketing funnel is essential in a Facebook Ads campaign, and how to avoid the pitfalls of Facebook
Wednesday, November 20 @3PM-5PM | Hosted by South Bay SBDC
Marketing Webinars
Live Q&A: All About Marketing Your Small Business (FREE)
Live Marketing Q&A addressing questions on how to effectively market and grow your business with SBDC advisor and Business Growth Strategist David Mitroff Ph.D. and Brad Pollak, Director of the Long Beach SBDC
Thursday, November 14 @ 11AM-12PM | Hosted by Long Beach SBDC
How To Sell When You’re Not A Salesperson (FREE)
Learn the psychological barriers that could be holding you back and the tools required to overcome them. Also will discuss understanding the components of an effective sales pitch and the the tools necessary to build an effective pitch for your business/product.
Tuesday, November 19 @ 5PM-6:30PM | Hosted by Long Beach SBDC
Amplify Your Holiday Marketing Plan—Get A Free Guide! (FREE)
Whether you sell products or services to consumers of businesses, maximize your marketing impact in November & December. Learn marketing tips to create and amplify your holiday plan, bundle and create more effective and profitable promotions, how to use holiday and Thank You’s to grow your business and your lists, promotion planning that achieves your sales goals, media mixing, and more.
Wednesday, November 20 @ 1PM-2PM | Hosted by South Bay SBDCRegistration Required
TikTok Shops: The Next E-commerce Frontier (FREE)
Learn best practices for starting your TikTok Shop, the latest in e-commerce.
Wednesday, December 11 @ 10AM-11AM | Hosted by College of the Canyons SBDC
Operations Webinars
Legal Corner: Avoid the Business Killers (FREE)
Learn how low & no cost, legal and management method that work! Topics covered include banking, credit, leases, contracts, cash flow, bad deals (legal or not),ownership clashes, tax basics, free resources, accounting principles, and regulations.
Thursday, November 7 @ 3PM-6PM | Hosted by South Bay SBDC
Increasing Your Profits: Sell More Spend Less (FREE)
Learn how to take control of your expenses by identifying areas where you can cut costs without compromising quality. Plus, discover how to increase your revenue by tapping into your existing customer base, driving sales without the constant chase for new clients. Whether you’re a seasoned business owner or just starting out, this workshop will equip you with practical tools to streamline your spending and boost your bottom line.
Wednesday, December 4 @ 2PM-3:30PM | Hosted by Pacific Coast Regional SBDC