News

What Laguna Beach Business Owners Get Wrong About Emergency Preparedness

A solid emergency plan is one of the most valuable assets a small business can have — and one of the most commonly overlooked. 1 in 4 businesses never reopen after a disaster, and the gap between those that recover and those that don't almost always traces back to preparation. For businesses along the Orange County coast, where earthquake exposure, wildfire risk, and Pacific storm patterns are genuine operating conditions, the question isn't whether to plan — it's whether your current plan would actually

Build Smarter: Where New Laguna Beach Business Owners Should Put Their First Dollars

The most important investments for a new business aren't the visible ones — the signage, the launch event, the branded swag. They're the systems, reserves, and professional relationships that determine whether you're still operating five years from now. The ten-year survival rate for new businesses is lower than most owners expect — just 34.7%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics — which means strategic early investment isn't optional. For new business owners joining the Laguna Beach community,

When Going It Alone Becomes the Riskiest Business Strategy in Orange County

Most business owners don't run into trouble because they aren't working hard enough — they hit walls because no single person can be an expert in every discipline a growing business demands. Based on 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data, 49.4% of small businesses fail within their first five years and 65.3% fail within their first ten. In a metro as competitive as Santa Ana-Anaheim-Irvine — where tech firms in Irvine's corporate corridors compete for talent and resort-adjacent businesses near Anaheim face

A Practical Guide to Strengthening Business Operations and Financial Performance

Businesses in Laguna Beach—from boutique retailers to service providers and hospitality operators—operate in a dynamic environment where margins, customer expectations, and operating costs can shift quickly. Identifying weak points in operations and finances isn’t about finding fault; it’s about building a stronger, more resilient organization that can adapt and grow. In brief: Operational inefficiencies often hide in everyday processes such as scheduling, inventory, or communication. Financial blind

SDCCU Invites the Community to Attend a Complimentary Webinar on Estate Planning

SDCCU Financial Wellness Wednesdays Presents a Free Romance Scams Prevention Webinar

SAN DIEGO, Calif., (February 6, 2026) – San Diego County Credit Union® (SDCCU®), one of California’s largest credit unions, will host a complimentary Romance Scams webinar on Wednesday, February 11 at 12:00 p.m. by former San Diego County Deputy District Attorney Paul Greenwood. The webinar is part of SDCCU’s Financial Wellness Wednesdays offering free educational webinars on a variety of topics aimed at bettering your financial well-being. “With the arrival of artificial intelligence and easy access to

Updating Your Market Research Strategy to Match Business Growth

Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce members know that markets shift quickly—tourism patterns fluctuate, customer expectations evolve, and competition rarely stays still. Scaling your market research is less about collecting more data and more about building a repeatable way to understand what’s changing and why it matters. Learn below about: How shifting business needs require adaptable research Practical ways to refine, expand, or automate your approach How to share insights efficiently with your

How Intentional Milestones Make or Break Businesses in Year One

For anyone stepping into the swirl of their first year running a business, the question isn’t just what to do—but how to pace the doing. Vision, grit, and a killer idea won’t get far without a roadmap that includes sharp turns, pauses, and reality checks. Milestones are those markers along the way that not only break the journey into digestible pieces, but also reveal whether the engine’s humming or coughing smoke. The most successful first years are rarely about intensity—they’re about intention, layered

Answer First, Win Later: Why Your Small Business Should Be Teaching

Customers don’t want to chase answers. They want to feel understood before they even ask the question. That’s the whole game. If your small business isn't investing in simple, searchable content that clears confusion and sets expectations, you’re not just losing sales — you're building a brand people won’t bother trusting. Whether it's a 90-second video or a single paragraph on your website, showing up with clarity early changes how you're remembered later. Let’s break down how to make that happen.Help

Olds Creative Agency Founder Speaks at Laguna Beach Marketing Seminar

LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA — Feb 11, 2025 — Olds Creative Agency Founder Kevin Olds was honored to be a part of Zen and the Art of Good Business, a marketing seminar aimed at empowering local businesses through creative strategies and actionable insights. The event was held in Laguna Beach at La Casa Del Camino Hotel and brought together community leaders, entrepreneurs, and business owners for an evening of learning and inspiration. The success of the event would not have been possible without the

The CTA, BOI and FinCEN: What Does this Mean for Laguna Beach, CA Businesses?

The Corporate Transparency Act may require certain U.S. companies to disclose beneficial ownership information to FinCEN to combat financial crimes. As of today, 12/05/2024, Laguna Beach, CA business owners have 26 calendar days(or 19 business days) left to file their Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report with FinCEN. 1. Determine if Your Business Must File. A “reporting company” is any small business, corporation, or LLC that is registered with the state, unless exempt. Exemptions apply to

How Rapid Prototyping Is Shaping the Future of Wearable Tech Startups

In an industry where innovation is the lifeblood and speed is the competitive edge, wearable tech startups are redefining the rules of product development. Imagine transforming a sketch on a napkin into a market-ready product in record time—this is the power of rapid prototyping. By leveraging the latest in technology and flexible methodologies, startups are not just surviving but thriving, crafting wearable tech solutions that resonate with consumers and investors alike. Prototyping for Pioneers  Rapid