Our Fall Workshop Schedule is here, and registration is now open! Whether you’re starting a new business or ready to take your business to the next level, the Clatsop SBDC offers expert-led workshops designed to help you succeed.
Don’t wait to reserve your spot—many workshops fill up quickly. Register today to invest in your business this fall!
SMALL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT: LEVEL 1 | $899 $399
The Small Business Management program (SBM) is a unique combination of classroom learning, one-to-one coaching from an adviser and business networking with one goal: making you and your business more successful. The program covers management topics with a customized curriculum and helps you to identify and prioritize outcomes and develop a plan to achieve them. Business owners will benefit from classroom sessions by learning from seasoned professionals as well as their peers who own small businesses. The one-to-one advising provides the small business owner with coaching by a professional business adviser.
Facilitated by: Grant Lehman
Dates: September 23 – December 16
This project has been funded in part by Northwest Oregon Works through their generous contribution of $500 scholarship per business admitted to the program (Regular price: $899).
This project has been funded in part by Northwest Oregon Works through their generous contribution of $500 scholarship per business admitted to the program (Regular price: $899).
START UP BOOT CAMP | $99
The Clatsop SBDC has assembled a thorough 5-session course
covering everything you need to know to successfully refine your business concept and create a solid working plan. Coupled with individual coaching from an expert SBDC advisor, this course covers the start-up journey and provides actionable insight into what you need to know to get your business off the ground.
Facilitated by: Meyer Freeman and Eric Stromquist
Meets Every Other Tuesday 3-5 PM In Towler 310
Dates: October 20 – December 15
CONTRACTOR’S BOOT CAMP | $99
This boot camp is designed for newly established residential contractors in Oregon who have been in business for three years or less. Participants may already be licensed, actively bidding work, or managing residential construction or remodeling projects.
This course is not intended for individuals exploring whether to become a contractor; it is designed for contractors who are already operating and want to improve how their business functions in the field.
Facilitated by: Shane Dean
Wednesdays 6-8 PM In Towler-310
Dates: September 30 – October 28
FOOD & BEVERAGE ENTREPRENEUR’S BOOT CAMP | $99
Are you an entrepreneur with a great recipe or idea that you would like to develop into a consumer-packaged product, but need additional support to turn it into a successful business? This 5-week Boot Camp will cover many topics including recipe/product development, packaging considerations, labeling requirements, regulatory agencies, manufacturing logistics, distribution, marketing, and pricing strategies. Participants will also be introduced to key players in the industry such as kitchen managers, technical advisors, product buyers, and regulators.
Facilitated by: Josh Allison
Tuesdays 9-11AM In Towler-310
Dates: October 13 – November 10
This business educational program is supported in part by a grant from the Pacific Power Foundation.
Highlights this week:
- Client Spotlight: Bless Your Art By Tammy Lynn Featured In The Astorian
- Virtual Assistants: When Is It Time To Hire Someone To Help With Digital Tasks When You’re Busy Running The Business?
- Insurance For Small Businesses: Is It Necessary And What Options Are There?
- Financial Blog: How To Read A Profit And Loss Statement, A Financial Snapshot Of Your Business Over A Specific Period Of Time.
- Eye On The Horizon: A List Of Events Coming To Clatsop County
Clatsop County Biz Box: Painting the feeling of home
Published 8:50 am Monday, July 27, 2026 in The Astorian
Tammy Lynn Lambert doesn’t paint houses or landscapes — she paints the feeling of coming home. Two years after picking up a watercolor brush from a hospital bed, the Astoria artist has moved into an unexpected chapter in her life: Bless Your Art by Tammylynn, is an art studio where Lambert creates paintings that preserve memories, one brushstroke at a time. The studio is located at 41943 Fairfield Lane in Astoria and is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“I paint the places your heart never left,” she said.
Lambert’s career as an artist began during a difficult period of her life. After 23 years at Clatsop Community College as a student service assistant, she retired due to health issues. A month or so later, she spent several weeks in the hospital recovering from a perforated ulcer, an experience she said that nearly took her life.
When Is It Time To Hire A Virtual Assistant?
As a small business grows, so do the daily tasks that keep the business running smoothly. But these tasks can be tedious and time-consuming for business owners and existing employees who may already be wearing many hats. This is why hiring a virtual assistant (VA) may be a smart staffing choice.
VAs can work from anywhere, perform specific tasks based on the business’s needs, and work under a flexible contract. Read on to learn what a virtual assistant is, what types of services they provide, how to hire virtual assistants, and the pros and cons for business owners.
Why Do You Need Small Business Insurance?
Business insurance is highly recommended for all businesses. In fact, it is required by law for certain professional fields such as healthcare, which also requires professional liability coverage. In other professions, a contract may require that businesses be insured.
Unfortunately, businesses can be sued for almost anything, even if they’ve done nothing wrong. For instance, if someone slips and falls in a place of business, or if a client feels that they were not provided the services committed to them, a business could find themselves facing an insurance claim or possible lawsuit.
How To Read A Profit And Loss Statement
Understanding your financial statements is one of the most important skills you can develop as a business owner. A profit and loss statement (P&L statement) provides a snapshot of your business’s financial performance over a specific period that helps you to see what’s working, where money is being spent, and whether your business is truly profitable.
Whether you’re preparing for a loan, making hiring decisions, or simply trying to better understand your numbers, learning how to read a profit and loss statement can help you make more informed business decisions.
Below Are More Events To Help You Grow and Develop Your Business
These upcoming holidays and special dates are building blocks when it comes to networking, marketing, and business development:
- Astoria Regatta Festival – August 5th-8th
- Seaside Beach Volleyball Tournament – August 5th-9th
- Cruise Ship: Crystal Symphony – August 19th
- Hood To Coast – August 28th
- Labor Day – September 7th
- Liberty Theatre Gala – September 12th
- SandFest (Seaside) – September 17th-20th
- Wheels and Waves (Seaside) – September 20th
- Cruise Ship: Serenade of the Seas – September 28th
- Cruise Ship: Norwegian Joy – October 3rd
- The Great Columbia Crossing – October 11th
- Stormy Weather Arts Festival (Cannon Beach) – Nov. 6th-8th
- Veteran’s Day – November 11th
- Thanksgiving – November 26th
- Christmas Day – December 25th
Want Even More News, Resources & Tips?
Follow the SBDC on Our Social Pages!
Helping Build Oregon's Best Businesses
Clatsop Small Business Development Center
The Oregon SBDC Network is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Additional funding is provided by the Oregon Business Development Department and Clatsop Community College. For full funding disclosure, visit OregonSBDC.org/about. Oregon SBDC services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Language services are available for limited-English-proficient individuals.
Clatsop Community College is an affirmative action, equal opportunity institution. ADA accessible. For the complete Non-Discrimination and Accommodations statements, please visit https://www.clatsopcc.edu/ada. Clatsop Community College es una institución de igualdad de oportunidades y de discriminación positiva. Para las declaraciones completas de No-discriminacion y de Ayuda a las personas discapacitadas, por favor visite https://www.clatsopcc.edu/ada.
