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
Pasadena Internet Survey
The City of Pasadena is currently conducting a study on internet availability in our community. They aim to understand how households and businesses access and utilize the internet. Your responses will directly contribute to identifying areas with inadequate broadband access and developing effective strategies to address these gaps. Please participate in the Pasadena Internet Survey here. The survey closes on April 30, 2024.
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 Renewal Strategies: Adapting to Change on Thursday, April 18 and features Dr. Ramzan Amiri discussing the importance of adaptability in business and sharing strategies for embracing change and fostering innovation. 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.
AAPI Heritage Month in Playhouse Village
AAPI Heritage Month in May traditionally honors the cultures and contributions of Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders Americans, and Native Hawaiians. PVA will share a blog post on our website with information on events honoring this month and a listing of AAPI-owned businesses here in the Village. If you are planning an AAPI Heritage Month event or are a AAPI-owned business, please let us know at jen@playhousevillage.org so that we may include your event or business in our blog and social media content.
Celebrations in Playhouse Village
Do you have an event planned for Mother’s Day or Cinco de Mayo in May? 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
Backing Small Business Grant
Main Street America, in collaboration with American Express, has launched the Backing Small Businesses grant program. This initiative offers $10,000 grants to support economically vulnerable and under-resourced small business owners. These grants are intended for projects that enhance business growth or improvement, fostering community building, economic viability, or significant change. Applications open from March 14 to April 7, or after 5,000 applications are received. Apply today.
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.
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
Using Video to Promote Your Small Business (FREE)
Covers various topics important from smart ways to use video and other images to increase your chances of selling your goods or services to best practices for video production and on-camera presentation to how you can promote your business and establish yourself as a though leader through the use of video.
Tuesday, April 16 @ 2PM-3:30PM | Hosted by South Bay SBDC
Digital Marketing (FREE)
Learn about Digital Marketing including tips on how to develop a strong, low-to-no-cost marketing plan and internet strategy. Featuring collaborative marketing strategies that can help develop QUALIFIED social media followers and funnel traffic to your website and do-it-yourself tips on content, web design and search engine optimization.
Wednesday, April 17 @ 12PM-1PM | Hosted by College of the Canyons SBDC
Digital Marketing Strategies For Measurable Results (FREE)
Create a comprehensive marketing strategy leverages Social Media to make information more accessible by combining together technology, content, and social interaction across many platforms including websites, blogs, video-sharing, review sites, email marketing, and event promotion.
Wednesday, April 17 @ 12PM-1:30PM | Hosted by Long Beach SBDC
Social Media Sells: Facebook Ads, Instagram, Pinterest & More (FREE)
Did you know that sales teams that use social selling achieve higher results? Learn how to make the most of your time & budget using cost-effective tools more effectively with posts, ads and content designed to maximize your impact. Target your biggest fans, customers and their friends on the social media platforms they use most.
Wednesday, April 17 @ 1PM-2PM | Hosted by South Bay SBDC
Transform Your Small Business with Generative AI: Mastering CHAT GPT, Canva Magic, and Google Gemini (FREE)
Join to unlock the potential of Generative AI and transform the way you do business. Empower your small business with the latest in AI technology and stay ahead of the competition.
Thursday, April 18 @ 2 PM-3:30 PM | Hosted by Pasadena SBDC
Marketing Webinars
How To Sell When You’re Not A Salesperson (FREE)
Business owners and entrepreneurs must promote their business or products to investors, customers or clients. Learn much of what you need to know to do this successfully.
Tuesday, April 16 @ 5PM-6:30PM | Hosted by Long Beach SBDC
Operations Webinars
Renewal Strategies: Adapting to Change (FREE)
Dr. Ramzan Amiri discusses the importance of adaptability in business and sharing strategies for embracing change and fostering innovation.
Thursday, April 18 @ 12PM | Hosted by San Gabriel Valley Area Chamber Executives
Legal Corner: Community Property Impacts on Your Small Business (FREE)
Join Attorney Ben Martin who loves helping new and small businesses, survive and thrive. Even if you’re not married, you should know the answers to questions like which spouse has the right to run the business or can you lose business ownership if you get married? More questions like these will be answered.
Thursday, April 18 @ 3PM-6PM | Hosted by South Bay SBDC
Introduction to the Corporate Transparency Act (FREE)
Effective 1/1/24, all LLCs and Corporations must file beneficial ownership information reports with the Federal Financial Crimes Network. Join us for an introduction to the Corporate Transparency Act to help increase your awareness and move forward with compliance.
Wednesday, April 24 @ 12PM-1PM | Hosted by College of the Canyons SBDC
WAVE Introduction (FREE)
This webinar is aimed at individuals who are not from a financial background and wish to gain some understanding of WAVE’s features, along with basic accounting concepts
Thursday, June 6 @ 7:30PM-8:45PM | Hosted by College of the Canyons SBDC