More than 120 students packed into the MS building’s first floor auditorium for “Be Your Own Boss: The Basics of Entrepreneurship,” a workshop designed to help San Diego City College students turn ideas into income.
The March 17 event was hosted by the Career Center in collaboration with the Academic Career Pathways Center, the Undocumented Resource Center, City Scholars and Work-Based Learning.
It featured a crash course on business structures followed by a panel of faculty members who are also business owners.
The panel included Patricia Moose Jones, chair of the cosmetology department and owner of The Beauty Haven Salon.
Julius Alejandro, City’s work-based learning coordinator, led the opening session, walking students through the steps to start a business in California.
He explained the difference between sole proprietorships and LLCs, stressing the importance of separating personal and business finances.
“When you create an LLC, you create a separate entity,” Alejandro said. “Anything that happens, that’s the business that absorbs it, not you.”
Alejandro also warned about California’s $800 annual LLC tax, regardless of profit, and urged students to consult a certified public accountant.
Ahmed Abu Jamal, refrigeration faculty and owner of HX Refrigeration, shared his early struggles in business.
“I wasn’t making money the first two years,” Abu Jamal said. “All the money I made, I was just turning toward the growth of the business.”
Moose Jones, who owned a salon for 23 years, said managing employees was her biggest challenge.
“It’s easy to open a business if you do your homework,” Jones said. “The challenging part is keeping it open.”
A recurring theme throughout the afternoon was the importance of networking.
“Networking is a big part of being a successful business owner,” said Yasmin Garcia, a nail technician student who attended the workshop. “Networking will be essential for building her clientele as a future nail technician.”
Roger Sanchez, job placement coordinator and Career Center supervisor, said the event aimed to reach students who face barriers to traditional employment.
“There are communities that are disenfranchised because they can’t apply to jobs due to a criminal record or because they might be undocumented,” Sanchez said. “We wanted to make sure those students know they have options.”
Panelists encouraged students to use free community resources like SCORE, a mentorship program supported by the Small Business Administration.
“They’ll help you write a business plan and walk you through everything,” Jones said.
Mark Biagi, an adjunct faculty member and business consultant, urged attendees to avoid under pricing their work.
“Impostor syndrome is real,” Biagi said. “Go in with confidence and make no excuses for the value you bring.”
Organizers said they plan to host follow-up workshops, including one focused on using artificial intelligence for business planning.Sanchez encouraged students who missed the event to stay connected with the Career Center for future opportunities.
“Put yourself out there,” Sanchez said. “Go to events, network, connect with people. That’s what’s really going to help you.”
This story was edited by Rosemary Archer and Tresean Osgood.
