Free Business Help for Long Beach Sidewalk Vendors & Small Businesses
About this Event
FREE LONG BEACH SMALL BUSINESS & SIDEWALK VENDOR WORK SESSIONS
Get help. Get permitted. Grow your business.
Sponsored by the City of Long Beach, these free, hands-on work sessions are designed primarily for sidewalk vendors while remaining open to other Long Beach entrepreneurs and small-business owners who need practical business assistance.
RightSource Services is providing this support through the City of Long Beach Inclusive Business Navigators Program.
Whether you are operating a sidewalk vending business, preparing to launch a business, responding to a permit or licensing issue, or trying to strengthen an existing small business, you are invited to bring your questions and work directly with an experienced business advisor.
These are working sessions—not general presentations. Participants can receive individualized help, review business documents and leave with practical next steps.
Registration is encouraged, but it is not required. Walk-ins are welcome. Drop in anytime between 2:30 and 5:30 p.m.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
These sessions are especially designed for:
• Current Long Beach sidewalk vendors
• Individuals planning to start a sidewalk vending business
• Food vendors who need assistance understanding Health Permit requirements
• Vendors responding to a City notice or correcting an application
• Entrepreneurs developing a new business idea
• Home-based and mobile businesses
• Microbusinesses and independent business owners
• Existing Long Beach small businesses seeking guidance or resources
• Businesses interested in becoming properly licensed, organized and prepared for future opportunities
Sidewalk vendors will receive specialized assistance with vending licenses, health permits, carts, equipment, food-safety requirements and operating rules. Other small businesses may receive help with general licensing, business planning, financial organization, marketing and available business resources.
DATES AND LOCATIONS
Sessions 1 and 2
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
2:30–5:30 p.m.
First Congregational Church of Long Beach
241 Cedar Avenue
Long Beach, CA 90802
Sessions 3 and 4
Tuesday, September 8, 2026
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
2:30–5:30 p.m.
United Cambodian Community
2201 E Anaheim St
Long Beach, CA 90804
Drop in anytime between 2:30 and 5:30 p.m. You may attend the entire session or arrive when it is convenient.
HOW WE CAN HELP SIDEWALK VENDORS
Sidewalk vendors can receive practical assistance with:
• Completing or correcting a City of Long Beach Business License application
• Understanding Health Permit requirements for food vending
• Reviewing notices, applications and permit questions
• Understanding cart and equipment requirements
• Identifying California Seller’s Permit, insurance and food-handler training needs
• Understanding applicable placement, setback, pedestrian-access and operating rules
• Developing a menu and operating plan
• Applying for available fee, insurance, grant or loan assistance
• Improving websites, social media, marketing and point-of-sale systems
HOW WE CAN HELP OTHER SMALL BUSINESSES
Other Long Beach entrepreneurs and small-business owners may receive help with:
• Understanding general business licensing and registration requirements
• Identifying the permits that may apply to a business activity
• Clarifying business startup steps
• Developing or refining a business plan
• Reviewing pricing and operating strategies
• Improving bookkeeping and financial organization
• Establishing a separate business bank account
• Identifying potential grants, loans and other assistance programs
• Improving marketing, websites and social-media presence
• Selecting or improving point-of-sale and customer-management systems
• Understanding available City and regional business resources
• Identifying practical next steps for starting or growing a business
Because the sessions are designed primarily for sidewalk vendors, highly specialized questions involving other types of businesses may require a follow-up appointment or referral to another resource.
GENERAL LONG BEACH SIDEWALK VENDING REQUIREMENTS
All sidewalk vendors need a City of Long Beach Business License.
Food vendors also need a Health Permit and must comply with applicable State and local food-safety requirements. A vendor’s menu, food-preparation methods and equipment determine the requirements that apply to the operation.
Depending on the business, a sidewalk vendor may also need:
• A California Seller’s Permit
• Business or liability insurance
• Food-handler training
• An approved vending cart or other equipment
• Commissary arrangements
• Restroom access arrangements
• Additional documentation based on the products being sold
Sidewalk vendors must operate only where and when vending is allowed. Vendors must maintain pedestrian and ADA access and comply with applicable placement, setback, sanitation and daily operating rules.
CITY-SPONSORED BUSINESS SUPPORT
The City of Long Beach is sponsoring these work sessions to help sidewalk vendors, entrepreneurs and small businesses understand requirements, address business challenges and connect with available resources.
Depending on eligibility, funding availability and current program rules, City-sponsored assistance may include:
• First-year Business License fee assistance
• Health Permit fee assistance for eligible sidewalk vendors
• Reimbursement of eligible insurance costs up to $450
• Free Business Navigator assistance
• Help understanding permit and licensing processes
• Business-planning and operational guidance
• Multilingual information and referrals
• Connections to additional City and regional resources
Participation in a work session does not automatically establish eligibility for financial assistance. Funding, documentation and program requirements apply.
WHAT TO BRING
Bring any information or documents you would like help reviewing, including:
• City notices or correspondence
• Business License or Health Permit applications
• Permit questions
• Menus or product lists
• Cart or equipment information
• Photos or specifications for equipment
• Insurance documents or quotations
• Pricing information
• Business plans or notes
• Marketing materials
• Bookkeeping or financial questions
• Other business documents
If you have not prepared any documents yet, that is okay. Come with your questions, and we will help you understand where to begin.
PREPARE FOR FUTURE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
Long Beach will serve as a Venue City during the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Games and related activity are expected to bring visitors, events and increased economic activity to the region.
Becoming properly licensed, permitted, insured and financially organized now can help sidewalk vendors and other small businesses become better prepared to pursue future opportunities associated with City programs, community celebrations, neighborhood activations, private events and other authorized activities.
Participation in these work sessions, receipt of a permit or registration with an opportunity portal does not guarantee selection, access to an event, a contract or a vending location. Separate applications, insurance, security, sponsorship, operating and event-specific requirements may apply.
COST AND REGISTRATION
There is no charge to participate.
These sessions are sponsored by the City of Long Beach and delivered by RightSource Services through the Inclusive Business Navigators Program.
Registration is encouraged because it helps us plan for attendance, understand participant needs and communicate updates. Registration does not reserve an individual appointment time.
Assistance will generally be provided in the order participants arrive. Walk-ins are welcome.
QUESTIONS
RightSource Services
(888) 774-2201
[email protected]
Free business support sponsored by the City of Long Beach and provided by RightSource Services through the City of Long Beach Inclusive Business Navigators Program.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00
