SFSmallBusinessWeekEvents 19: Full Schedule

5:00pm AKDT

Inspire SF

Get ready to be inspired and empowered by stories of San Francisco entrepreneurs during InspireSF. From one entrepreneur’s journey selling ice cream out of a wagon to expanding to 7 brick-and-mortar locations, to another’s secrets to running a thriving community-focused retail store in the heart of the City. Get tips and insights on starting or scaling your own local business. Don’t miss an evening of engaging content, networking and resource building all while snacking and sipping on local delights.

Sponsored by: Comcast Business

Moderators

Rodney Fong

President & CEO, San Francisco Chamber of Commerce

A fourth generation San Franciscan, Rodney Fong has an extensive business and civic background, including serving on the San Francisco Planning Commission for eight years, with two years as President. He formerly served as President of the San Francisco Port Commission, Chair of the... Read More →

Speakers

Ron Benitez

Co-owner & Co-founder, ASMBLY HALL

Ron has worked in corporate retail for more than 15 years, having worked in various merchandising and product development roles for Bay Area retailers Gap, Levis, Gymboree and Pottery Barn. Ron has also worked in the Action Sports industry, having held pivotal roles at Quicksilver... Read More →

Robyn Sue Fisher

Founder & CEO, Smitten Ice Cream

An ice cream fanatic with a knack for invention, Robyn Sue Fisher founded Smitten Ice Cream in 2007 to spread joy and create the freshest, most flavorful ice cream the world had ever known. After ditching her corporate career, she began immersing herself in all things ice cream... Read More →

Jay Foster

Chef & CEO, Black Rabbit Hospitality

Creates innovative businesses that revolve around hospitality and entertainment. Specialties: Creative Concepts, Seasoned Experience and Tastefull Design. His businesses include: BlueJay Cafe 2003, farmerbrown 2006, Little Skillet 2009 and Isla Vida 2018. Jay is blessed to have been... Read More →

Heidi Gibson

Commander in Cheese, The American Grilled Cheese Kitchen

Heidi Gibson has lived in the Bay Area for over 25 years and splits her time between working in tech - where she builds software products for small businesses - and The American Grilled Cheese Kitchen. She took 5 years off her tech career to open a local restaurant chain, The American... Read More →

Monday May 6, 2019 5:00pm - 9:00pm AKDT
City View at Metreon 135 4th St #4000, San Francisco, CA 94103

Networking

Registration Link https://www.eventbrite.com/e/inspiresf-2019-tickets-58616820488

5:30pm AKDT

GGBA MEGA Make Contact: Building Business Champions!

Join the GGBA, the world’s first LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce, for our MEGA Make Contact: Building Business Champions!

Event sponsors include Granite Solutions Groupe, GAP, Inc., and Wells Fargo.

Tuesday May 7, 2019 5:30pm - 7:30pm AKDT
Hi Tops 2247 Market Street

Networking

6:00pm AKDT

Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center's Women Mean Business: Revitalizing Retail

Learn about San Francisco's Challenging current retail environment from a panel of San Francisco women business owners, both brick-and-mortar and e-commerce, with a focus on innovative revenue generating solutions such as hosting popups, facilitating instruction classes and strategic customer engagement.

REGISTER HERE

Speakers

Adrienne Wiley

Founder and Owner, Covet

Elizabeth Leu

Founder and Owner, Fiddlesticks and Orange Bird

Jennie Lennick

Founder and Owner, Jenny Lemons

Wendy Lieu

Founder and Owner, Socola Chocolatier

Tuesday May 7, 2019 6:00pm - 8:00pm AKDT
Wells Fargo 333 Market Street, 3rd Floor

Networking

Registration Link https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07eg6c4mi463d9600d&oseq=&c=&ch=

12:00pm AKDT

Public Policy Forum: The State of Cannabis

Curious about the state of cannabis in San Francisco? Come hear from industry experts about recent policy developments, exciting opportunities, and where the industry is now after Prop 64 went into effect in January 2018.

Moderated by: The San Francisco Office of Cannabis

Hosted by: San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
Sponsored by: Bank of America

REGISTER HERE

Speakers

AnnaRae Grabstien

Chief Compliance Officer, NorCal Cannabis Company

Norcal Cannabis Company is vertically integrated and combines cultivation, distribution and delivery among the operations in San Francisco.

Eric Kaufman

Head of Strategic Partnerships, Dama Financial

Dama Financial provides banking services to the Cannabis industry.

Brett Berning

Social Impact Manager, Vangst

Vangst is a venture backed, high growth recruiting technology company for the cannabis industry.

Wednesday May 8, 2019 12:00pm - 1:30pm AKDT
San Francisco Chamber of Commerce 235 Montgomery Street, Suite 760

Networking

Registration Link https://www.eventbrite.com/e/public-policy-forum-the-state-of-cannabis-tickets-60536837310

4:30pm AKDT

Latino Small Business Mixer and Mercado

Business Fair: 4:30 to 8:30pm
Reception: 6:00 to 8:30pm

Join fellow Latino small-business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs in conversation with MEDA and local organizations. Learn from the successes and obstacles overcome by some of the most-inspiring Latino entrepreneurs in San Francisco. 

Connect with local resources and business at our small mercado which will be providing information, goods, and services from local Latino entrepreneurs and organizations! Admission is open to all but we will require tickets for anyone that wants to attend the workshop and reception later in the day, so please register if you are interested! It's absolutely free!

Co-hosted by:
MEDA/Fondo Adelante
MAF (Mission Asset Fund)
Excelsior Action Group
La Cocina
Hispanic Chambers of Commerce of San Francisco
Main Street Launch
Calle 24: Latino Cultural District

Sponsored by:
Bank of America

REGISTER HERE

Wednesday May 8, 2019 4:30pm - 8:30pm AKDT
San Francisco City College - Mission Campus 1125 Valencia Street

Networking

Registration Link https://www.eventbrite.com/e/latino-small-business-mixer-and-mercado-tickets-59403409196

5:00pm AKDT

Filipino-American Entrepreneurs Celebration

Join the SF Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce around inspiring stories of creative entrepreneurs trailblazing in the City, featuring Senor Sisig and their impact on the street-food scene.

REGISTER HERE

Wednesday May 8, 2019 5:00pm - 7:00pm AKDT
Filipino Cultural Center 814 Mission Street

Networking

Registration Link https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sf-small-business-week-w-filipino-american-entrepreneurs-networking-event-tickets-59850895640

TBA

Mayor’s Small Business Policy Roundtable

Mayor Breed, and the Office of Economic and Workforce Development to host a Small Business Policy Roundtable covering a wide range of topics impacting small business. Attendees will be provided an opportunity to engage other small businesses and Neighborhood Economic Development Organizations and give feedback on the ease and challenges to Start, Stay and Grow in San Francisco.

This event is Invitation Only.

Thursday May 9, 2019 TBA

Networking

6:00pm AKDT

Building Connections in the Construction Industry

In this competitive and fast paced business environment, small businesses and independent contractors need to design and build professional networks to get to the next level. Design Build is a networking event for people in construction.

Hosted by: Bayview Merchants Association, Renaissance Bayview & San Francisco African American Chamber of Commerce

REGISTER HERE

Thursday May 9, 2019 6:00pm - 8:00pm AKDT
Let's Eat BBQ 5130 Third Street

Networking

Registration Link https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07eg6n7ztof54ac822&oseq=&c=&ch=

6:00pm AKDT

Bunker Brews: Military Veterans and Spouses

Join Bunker Labs Bay Area for Bunker Brews @ WeWork Market St. San Francisco.

This event is part of Bunker Brews, a monthly meetup where the Bunker Labs community, including veterans, military spouses, and civilians, comes together to network with subject matter experts, investors, thought leaders, and more in an environment focused on growth and development.

This Bunker Brews topic will be on developing Pricing and Positioning for your business with Eric Chan from Chargebee. This event is for you if...
1. You're interested in meeting more like-minded, action-oriented entrepreneurs in a fun, casual setting.

2. You’re interested in getting involved in the local entrepreneur community.

3. You'd like to learn more about companies being created by veterans in our community

REGISTER HERE

Speakers

Eric Chan

Chargebee

Thursday May 9, 2019 6:00pm - 8:00pm AKDT
WeWork Golden Gate 25 Taylor St, San Francisco, CA 94102, 7th Floor

Networking

4:30pm AKDT

San Francisco Small Business Week Closing Party

Join entreprenuers and host organizations as we toast the closing of San Francisco Small Business Week. We work hard year-round to build our businesses and communities so let's relax and enjoy tonight together, expand our networks and continue the momentum we created this week for the rest of the year!

Hosted by: San Francisco African American Chamber of Commerce & Main Street Launch

REGISTER HERE

Friday May 10, 2019 4:30pm - 7:30pm AKDT
Kaya 1420 Market Street

Networking

Registration Link https://www.eventbrite.com/e/san-francisco-small-business-week-closing-party-tickets-60148992255