Small Business Planning Program:

Ideal for aspiring entrepreneurs, this program provides knowledge and skills to start and manage a profitable small business. Instructors are experienced business professionals that provide the essentials of starting a small business, recognizing the requirements of local, state and federal organizations, identifying best practices in hiring, as well as sales and marketing strategies.

In the capstone business plan project, students present a profitable business model that identifies a market, creates customer value in a product or service, and identifies how a student may successfully create self-employment by creating their own small business. Students may use the final assignment to seek investment, loans or partnerships to launch a small business with the support of the growing San Diego Continuing Education community of like-minded entrepreneurs and small business organizations.

Students who successfully complete the program can use the skills learned to start their own small business or begin a career in the field of business management, market analysis, business development or sales.

SECTIONS AVAILABLE:

• • September 2 - November 22, 2025. Online. Live meetings online via Zoom Tuesday evenings 6:00 - 9:00 PM during those dates. Patel, J.  Click here to see registration information. COST: FREE. (Enroll in Course #15805).

  • October 6, 2025 - January 17, 2026. Online. Live meetings online via Zoom Wednesday evenings 6:00 - 9:00 PM during those dates. Bereaud, N.  Click here to see registration information. COST: FREE. (Enroll in Course #15804).

Small Business Growth Program:

Ideal for small business owners or employees, this program provides management knowledge and skills to grow a small business. Instruction focuses on time management, negotiations, business process improvement, sales, and marketing planning.

In the capstone project, students demonstrate a plan to grow a small business through a strategic sales and marketing plan.

Students who successfully complete the program can use the skills learned to start and manage their own small business for self-employment or obtain a career or advancement in the field of business management, market analysis, business development or sales.

SECTIONS AVAILABLE:

• • September 2 - November 22, 2025. HYFLEX. Choice of Online OR On Campus Live Meetings. Thursday Mornings 9:00 - 11:30 AM during those dates. Rivaldi, M. Click here to see registration information. COST: FREE. (Enroll in Course #15824).

Business Sales Program:

This 2-course Sales series starts with HubSpot CRM (Customer Relationship Management), where students will learn to keep business contacts organized using free HubSpot CRM software. Learn an overview of CRM, the current job market for professionals skilled in using CRM, how to create a CRM system, input and editing of customer data, how to create reports and marketing materials from the CRM, and the basics of how to manage a team using a shared CRM system. 

In the second course, Business Sales Training, students will learn sales skills, which is one of the most requested skills for both entrepreneurs and employers in San Diego. Students will learn to increase sales for a business via effective listening, communicating, presenting, speaking, organizing, developing professional confidence, and handling failure as a pathway to success. In this fun and encouraging class, students develop and practice giving professional oral and written sales presentations. All course materials for this series are free. 

SECTIONS AVAILABLE:

• • September 2 - November 22, 2025.  HYFLEX. Choice of Online OR On Campus Live Meetings. Wednesday evenings 6:00 - 8:30 PM during those dates. Rivaldi, M. Click here to see registration information. COST: FREE. (Enroll in Course #15829).

Using AI for Small Business Marketing & Planning (NON-CERTIFICATE COURSE) 

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, understanding the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and business is essential. This course is designed to empower small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs with the knowledge and practical skills needed to harness the potential of AI in the world of business. This class will specifically cover market research and business planning, prompt engineering for effective AI interaction, and ethical considerations when leveraging AI tools for their ventures.

SECTIONS AVAILABLE:

• • September 8 - November 8, 2025. HYFLEX. Choice of Online OR On Campus Live Meetings. Mondays 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM during those dates. Iffland, A. and Rivaldi, M. Click here to see registration information. COST: FREE. (Enroll in Course #15819).

Legal, Taxes and Insurance for Small Businesses (non-certificate course):

This course examines legal and regulatory start-up steps; choosing the proper business entity; legal considerations such as contracts, trademarks, leases; tax considerations such as income, payroll, sales, property taxes; identifying professional advisors and/or resources and records required; insurance considerations for the small business owner; evaluating the risks and selecting the risks to be insured.

SECTIONS AVAILABLE: 

• • September 2 - November 22 2025. HYFLEX. Choice of Online OR On Campus Live Meetings  (Cesar Chavez Room 316).  Tuesdays 6:00 - 8:00 PM during those dates. Iffland, A. Click here to see registration information. COST: FREE. (Enroll in Course #15808).

Note: Times, dates, and other information may change without notice. Check the SDCCE course search for current information.

Small Business Planning Program:

Ideal for aspiring entrepreneurs, this program provides knowledge and skills to start and manage a profitable small business. Instructors are experienced business professionals that provide the essentials of starting a small business, recognizing the requirements of local, state and federal organizations, identifying best practices in hiring, as well as sales and marketing strategies.

In the capstone business plan project, students present a profitable business model that identifies a market, creates customer value in a product or service, and identifies how a student may successfully create self-employment by creating their own small business. Students may use the final assignment to seek investment, loans or partnerships to launch a small business with the support of the growing San Diego Continuing Education community of like-minded entrepreneurs and small business organizations.

Students who successfully complete the program can use the skills learned to start their own small business or begin a career in the field of business management, market analysis, business development or sales.

SECTIONS AVAILABLE:

• • January 26 - April 25, 2026. Online. Live meetings online via Zoom Wednesday evenings 6:00 - 9:00 PM during those dates. Bereaud, N.  Click here to see registration information. COST: FREE. (Enroll in Course #25638).

  • February 23, 2025 - May 23, 2026. Online. Live meetings online via Zoom Thursday evenings 6:00 - 9:00 PM during those dates. Patel, J.  Click here to see registration information. COST: FREE. (Enroll in Course #25639).

Small Business Growth Program:

Ideal for small business owners or employees, this program provides management knowledge and skills to grow a small business. Instruction focuses on time management, negotiations, business process improvement, sales, and marketing planning.

In the capstone project, students demonstrate a plan to grow a small business through a strategic sales and marketing plan.

Students who successfully complete the program can use the skills learned to start and manage their own small business for self-employment or obtain a career or advancement in the field of business management, market analysis, business development or sales.

SECTIONS AVAILABLE:

• • February 9 - March 21, 2026. HYFLEX. Choice of Online OR On Campus Live Meetings. Monday and Wednesday Evenings 6:00 - 8:30 PM during those dates. Rivaldi, M. Click here to see registration information. COST: FREE. (Enroll in Course #25003).

Business Sales Program:

This 2-course Sales series starts with HubSpot CRM (Customer Relationship Management), where students will learn to keep business contacts organized using free HubSpot CRM software. Learn an overview of CRM, the current job market for professionals skilled in using CRM, how to create a CRM system, input and editing of customer data, how to create reports and marketing materials from the CRM, and the basics of how to manage a team using a shared CRM system. 

In the second course, Business Sales Training, students will learn sales skills, which is one of the most requested skills for both entrepreneurs and employers in San Diego. Students will learn to increase sales for a business via effective listening, communicating, presenting, speaking, organizing, developing professional confidence, and handling failure as a pathway to success. In this fun and encouraging class, students develop and practice giving professional oral and written sales presentations. All course materials for this series are free. 

SECTIONS AVAILABLE:

• • April 13 - May 23, 2026.  HYFLEX. Choice of Online OR On Campus Live Meetings. Monday and Wednesday mornings 9:00 - 11:30 AM during those dates. Rivaldi, M. Click here to see registration information. COST: FREE. (Enroll in Course #25001).

A.I. for Business Program: 

BUSN 650 Dive into the world of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. Understand AI basics, explore real-world applications, and learn to strategically integrate AI tools. Enhance communication using chatbots and virtual assistants. Whether you're a manager or entrepreneur, this course equips you with practical skills to drive innovation in business. BUSN 651 AI For Business-Fundamentals Take Artificial Intelligence (AI) beyond theory. Explore industry-specific applications, create data-driven reports, and optimize content using AI. Improve language quality with grammar and spelling tools. Discover AI career paths and collaborate on a real-world project. From personalized marketing to ethical considerations, this course prepares you to transform business with AI. 

SECTIONS AVAILABLE:

• • January 22 - March 28, 2026. HYFLEX. Choice of Online OR On Campus Live Meetings. Thursday Evenings 6:00 - 9:00 PM during those dates. Iffland, A. Click here to see registration information. COST: FREE. (Enroll in Course #25627).

  • January 26 - March 21, 2026. HYFLEX. Choice of Online OR On Campus Live Meetings. Tuesday and Thursday Mornings 9:00 - 11:00 AM during those dates. Rivaldi, M. Click here to see registration information. COST: FREE. (Enroll in Course #25626).

Legal, Taxes and Insurance for Small Businesses (non-certificate course):

This course examines legal and regulatory start-up steps; choosing the proper business entity; legal considerations such as contracts, trademarks, leases; tax considerations such as income, payroll, sales, property taxes; identifying professional advisors and/or resources and records required; insurance considerations for the small business owner; evaluating the risks and selecting the risks to be insured.

SECTIONS AVAILABLE: 

• • January 26 - March 28 2026. HYFLEX. Choice of Online OR On Campus Live Meetings  (Cesar Chavez Room 316).  Tuesdays 6:00 - 8:00 PM during those dates. Iffland, A. Click here to see registration information. COST: FREE. (Enroll in Course #25068).

Note: Times, dates, and other information may change without notice. Check the SDCCE course search for current information.

More information will be posted soon.