California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA)

Small Businesses Drive California’s Economy

Learn more about how small businesses power the economic engine responsible for half of California’s jobs.

Your Business Resources and Learning Center

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Outsmart Disaster and Prepare for the Worst

Drought Relief for California’s Small Agricultural Businesses

What Is The California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA)?

The California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) supports economic growth by providing resources and support to the state’s 4.1 million small businesses, including non-profits and startups. Our mission is to help all California small business-owners find and navigate resources, programs and regulations so they can start, manage, grow, become more resilient, and thrive. By ensuring equitable access to capital, markets and networks, we aim to help Democratize Access to Capital, Diversify the Innovation Economy and Drive Economic Mobility through Entrepreneurship.

Our Network Provides Consulting and Training to Support Small Businesses from Bright Idea to Successful Exit

Six Years of Real Results for California:

Small Businesses Helped

New Businesses Started

Jobs Created & Supported

New Contracts Landed

$2.6B

Lending Capital Approved

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$2.8B

Equity Raised

$2.6B

Lending Capital Approved

$2.8B

Equity Raised

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Collective Data from 2018-2024

SCALE Network in Action: Success Stories

Learn how these business-owners in a community near you took advantage of our small business support services to overcome their business challenges and grow their opportunities.

Whiz Kids

by Editorial Team | December 14, 2023 | Central California, Retail, San Luis Obispo County, Toy Store | 0 Comments

In the picturesque town of San Luis Obispo, California, a small but mighty business named Whiz Kids has become the talk of the town. Founded and led by Lesa Smith, this women-owned business has not only captured the hearts of locals but has also conquered the challenges…

Gritz N Wafflez

by Editorial Team | April 22, 2024 | Los Angeles County, Restaurant, Southern California | 0 Comments

After working in restaurants for over 20 years and relocating to Los Angeles from Dallas, Gritz N Waffles owner Jurni Rayne decided it was time to open her own place. But there were challenges in setting the business up for success including navigating Los Angeles County…

Beber Almondmilk

by Editorial Team | January 16, 2024 | Butte County, Food Industry, Northern California, Retail | 0 Comments

Beber was born in 2012, when founder, Arielle Danan, took her yearlong experience from organic farming abroad and applied it to almonds in her hometown of Northern California. Over the past ten years, Beber has grown from a humble start at the local Chico…

Carmel Honey Company

by Editorial Team | December 30, 2022 | Beauty Products, Central California, Gifts, Honey, Monterey County, Retail | 0 Comments

Jake Reisdorf, Founder/Owner/Beekeeper, is turning his passion for honey into a sweet success! His business, Carmel Honey Company, was born out of a “real world” 5th grade homework project when he created a mock website about bees…

SOL Learning Institute 

by Editorial Team | January 6, 2023 | Educational Services, Learning Support, Nevada County, Northern California | 0 Comments

CalOSBA had an opportunity to catch up with Travis Duckworth, the director of SOL Learning Institute, which has a year-round, skill-based enrichment program designed to introduce young adults to the three pillars of sustainable…

Tomfoolery

by Editorial Team | December 8, 2023 | Butte County, Northern California, Retail | 0 Comments

Mary Hartley and Celeste Cramer bought the store Tomfoolery in 2023, which has been women-owned for 40yrs, since first opening its doors in 1983. They plan to bring in new lines and a fresh look to this long-term Chico business. “You can find all sorts of gifts and gadgets…

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