This is a GREAT resource for small business owners. The organization has classes on starting a…read morebusiness, marketing and using their Business Tools. You can also sign up for a mentor to take you through starting your business. Or if you are already in business, a mentor will be assigned to evaluate, suggest and provide resources to help your business succeed. They recently partnered with Diablo Valley College's Digital Arts program where businesses can sign up to have a student do things like make a video, design a website or brochure as part of a student/class project.

My experience was okay. I had a phone consultation first followed by a class. The information I…read morereceived between the two resources contradicted each other which was annoying because I trusted the person on the phone to the point where I re strategized my planning. Hearing that my original instinct was correct by another person sort of annoyed me, but also taught me to trust my gut instinct. Last straw was when I figured out the SBA Contra Costa sold my contact information. After I signed up with SBA Contra Costa, I started getting phone calls from small business loans and credit cards services, which never happened to me before. I found the SBA center in SF to be way more helpful and worth the commute. There was even a person at the door to greet you. I just sort of wandered the lobby waiting for someone to unlock a door for the class at Ellingwood.

I wish I could put a zero here. Don't be ripped off by their…read moredishonest and dilatory services. Over the phone, they quoted me $300 for half-day per diem, but they eventually charged me $700. That's not the end of the story. One week later, when I requested an "expedite" transcript for 10 days' delivery, they could NOT even deliver it, although the hearing lasted less than one hour and they claimed they could have next day or 2nd-day delivery. Furthermore, they attempted to charge me additionally $735 for 14 days' delivery. Can you believe that? Be aware that their written quote is marked with "confidential," which means you will be ripped off one way or the other, in a secretive way.

LEGAL PROFESSIONALS THAT YOU'LL LIKE…read more There's a great book titled, "Disorder In The Court". I've seen quotes from it for years. It has compiled funny or unusual quips from deposition transcripts and other court documents. I honestly enjoy reading legal documents so I imagine it was very fun to put together. In reality, the depositions we usually see rarely have funny excerpts! While attending paralegal school a handful of years ago, I became a member of Mt. Diablo Legal Professional's Association. I attend meetings one a month in order to meet other legal professionals and people who work in the industry. This is where I became better familiarized with Certified Reporting Services. I've worked for a firm in Walnut Creek for 7 years so I had heard their name before. Their certified reporting service provides a court reporter for your most important depo needs! Our office doesn't have to take a lot of depos but when we do, it's so nice to be able to work with a company like CRS. Scheduling is easy and they make rooms available at their location, if needed. Their building in Martinez is actually very pretty. Even the floors have beautiful designs! Their business center includes secure war rooms in addition to the conference rooms. We haven't used the Video Capturing feature they offer with depos but it's wonderful to know a high-quality video is available. Wendy and the other staff at CRS are incredibly professional. Wendy and Will regularly attend the monthly MDLPA meetings. They are the kind of people who go out of their way to come say hello and ask you how you're doing. Very genuine. Our company likes doing business with sincere and courteous legal professionals - and CRS hits the mark every time!

My strong suit is not writing which is where TalentEd comes in! I have used Anne's services for the…read morelast two years for my company. I give her the vibe of what I am looking for and the parameters. She asks very detailed questions so that she can fully understand what you are looking to achieve and what the end goal is. Every time she delivers! I can not recommend her enough!

I've worked with Anne several times as a business owner and personally.  Most recently I've been…read moresearching out work as an employee.  COVID affected my business incredibly and she was able to properly represent me in my professional branding to land the corporate job I was looking for.   Anne understood how to best represent me, what I do and what I'm capable of.  She and her team looked at me and my business and a whole.  They have helped me get ahead, and were more than what I expected.

David has been a phenomenal resource as I have embarked on building an Executive Coaching business…read more Lots of very positive energy, helpful suggestions and strategic framing on business development and marketing. I highly recommend David for support in framing out a new business idea and ensuring that you are focusing on the right things at the start. Five stars all the way!

I called David today, after going through a rough patch yesterday when my small business was…read moretemporarily banned from Mailchimp. I realized it was time for some outside assistance. I can't rely 100% on my own limited experience. David Mitroff (the man in the picture) was extremely generous with his time over the phone. I told him abt a potentially risky sales contract I was considering. He took at least 20 minutes to go over with me how I can mitigate that risk and what I should do to prepare for negotiation. He did not have to do that. But he wanted to make sure I didn't get scr3w3d over. He didn't want to see me fail. For that reason, Piedmont Avenue will be the first place I come to once I'm ready for a deeper strategic conversation and more hands-on assistance. Will update once I have more to say. Thanks David!

As good as it gets!…read more My husband and I have been working with Mike for two months and it's already been one of the best business decisions we've ever made. We have a very rapidly growing consulting firm. Mike has helped us navigate growth & infrastructure planning, automations & SOP's, working through communication challenges with our equity partner, and so much more. Mike takes a holistic approach and he's really helped us shift our mindset about work/life balance, goal setting, weekly/monthly planning. The result: We are happier, less stressed, learning to enjoy the ride, and our business is on track to do $1M in year one.

I've been working with Mike for 8 months now. I reached out to him during a low point in my career…read moreand was looking for guidance. At first, I was apprehensive to search for help, but those thoughts quickly dissipated as our sessions began. Instead of jumping straight into business guidance, he started off by tackling my mental wellbeing first. In hindsight, this was exactly what I needed becuase I wouldn't have been able to "hear" any of Mike's valuable business advice without first improving my thought patterns. Once we actually started talking about business, it became clear that Mike was extremely proficient in business. He gives very clear, precise, thoughtful advice from experience. Fast forward to today, I've regained my confidence and got my business back on track! Many thanks to Mike!

I had such a fantastic experience working with Coach Crystal. She helped me grow and become a…read morebusiness woman I am today. She offers practical steps that will help you reach your goals and also hold you accountable. She is very prompt, returns email in a matter of hours. You will always learn something new on every session with her. Crystal is an amazing person overall and it's been such a pleasure having her in my corner as a business coach. Every business person should have at least a few months worth of business consultation with Crystal. I highly recommend working with Coach Crystal and Run Right Consulting.

I referred Crystal and her company, Run Right Business Consulting to one of my 30+ year clients…read more She has done an amazing job, helping them focus and respond to the changing business landscape. I believe a referral to someone is paramount to one's own business, as it is for the person whom is receiving the expertise of the person being referred. Trust is what keeps a 30+ year client, and Crystal and her team made that on going relationship possible.

Only had the free intro call with Stuart at West & Associates, and it was super informative and he…read morewas very helpful. He offered valuable insight and advice, and that was all on an intro call. I could only imagine how much value he's provide during an ongoing engagement.

I reached out to ask for a receipt from this law firm for services, they gave me the runaround, the…read moreidiot comptroller started talking over me to let me know it "would take too much time" to pull up a receipt, and they would not help. Seriously? What law firm does not keep records that can be pulled up for a client . . . that says it ALL. Do not use this firm.

I highly recommend Cathy's "Get down to business consulting."…read moreThank you for navigating me through the details of marketing my private practice and development. With your help from your "Starting your private practice- Nuts and Bolts," I feel very confident.

I had the pleasure of taking Cathy's workshop on how to build a private practice. For anyone…read moreinterested in going into private practice, I cannot recommend this class enough. You will leave with a solid understanding of what is needed to start a successful business, tons of resources, and even a comprehensive checklist. Cathy is a super warm, funny, authentic, and knowledgeable instructor. She also graciously answered every one of my 3,000+ questions. She is available for 1:1 consulting which I imagine would be quite beneficial for any provider that needs support with marketing and web design.