Member News

As businesses plan for 2026, many leaders are focused on growth, but growth without the right operational foundation can quickly become unsustainable.

At Elevate Business Solutions, we help business owners implement strategies for growth that increase revenue without increasing chaos. Scaling a business requires intentional systems, clear delegation, and a strong understanding of operational and financial data.

Sustainable scaling directly impacts profitability, team capacity, and leadership effectiveness. Business owners should use this planning season to evaluate whether their current operations can support the next stage of growth.

• Assess whether your business is ready to scale
• Streamline and optimize core systems and processes
• Strengthen delegation to remove leadership bottlenecks
• Use accurate financial data to guide strategic decisions

Start 2026 with a growth plan built to last.

Read the full article on our website

This article was originally published by Elevate Business Solutions, proudly supporting business owners and leadership teams nationwide.

Nearly $500,000 in grant awards available to support 100 entrepreneurs and small businesses 

Los Angeles, CA — The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) has launched two new grants under the Small Business Mobility Fund:  Entrepreneurship Academy Grants and Launch Grants to provide seed funding to entrepreneurs and small businesses looking to launch their business and commercial spaces in the County. 

The Launch Grants offers grants ranging from $5,000 for businesses launching in non-retail commercial spaces—such as offices and warehouses—to $10,000 for businesses launching in retail commercial spaces with a storefront. Awards for these grants will be exclusively made to help businesses launch their brick-and-mortar business in the unincorporated areas of the County. While not a requirement, priority is provided to businesses dislocated by recent wildfires or opening a business in the unincorporated areas of the County in close proximity to the fires, among other factors such as number of employees and locations with higher unemployment rates of LA County based on the County’s Equity Explorer Map. Eligible uses include tenant or facade improvements, signage, and related building permits. 

In addition, the Entrepreneurship Academy Grants provide up to $2,000 to entrepreneurs and small business owners that graduated from DEO’s Entrepreneurship Academies to help them launch their business or take their business to the next level. Entrepreneurship Academies are 8 to 10-week cohort-based educational programs launched in 2024 with four partners in the region. Academy participants graduated with a business, marketing, and financial plan as well as foundational business strategies, knowledge, and resources to grow. To date the Academies have graduated 819 participants across all five Supervisorial Districts. 

“At the Department of Economic Opportunity, we’re focused on breaking down barriers for our small and micro businesses to grow, thrive, and serve their communities. This next phase of the Small Business Mobility Fund is about fueling ideas and removing the cost burdens that can prevent talented entrepreneurs from opening their doors. Whether it’s a graduate from our Entrepreneurship Academy or a small business bringing new life to a storefront in an unincorporated community, we’re investing in the people and places that are the foundation of LA County’s economic future,” said Kelly LoBianco, Director of the LA County DEO.  

Both the Launch Grants and Entrepreneurship Academy Grants are made possible through $501,000 of Care First Community Investment (CFCI) funds and are administered in partnership with the Initiating Change in Our Neighborhoods Community Development Corporation (ICON CDC). The Small Business Mobility Fund is a key part of DEO’s Economic Mobility Initiative (EMI) and its broader mission to reduce barriers to business success by expanding access to education, training and technical assistance, and capital to small businesses across all five Supervisorial Districts. Please visit emi.lacounty.gov to learn more about the initiative and to enroll in an Entrepreneurship Academy— space is still available for a limited time. 

"ICON CDC is proud to be working with the Department of Economic Opportunity to implement this impactful county-wide program,” commented ICON CDC's Executive Director, Roberto Barragan. " We look forward to providing support to hundreds of new small businesses to create jobs and boost the local economy." 

The grant applications are now available in multiple languages until February 13 at 11:00 PM. To qualify, businesses must meet eligibility and documentation requirements, including location and business status. Applicants are also required to provide a business plan detailing how the capital will support their business’s launch. To provide application support, ICON CDC will host virtual informational webinars and application clinics. For application, application guidelines, registration to informational webinars, in-person application clinics, and more details, including eligibility criteria, please visit opportunity.lacounty.gov/sbmf/ Materials and support are available in multiple languages. 

For any general questions, interested applicants can also contact DEO’s Office of Small Business by calling (844)-432-4900 or emailing osb@opportunity.lacounty.gov. 

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About DEO: The LA County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) has a vision for a more equitable economy with thriving communities, inclusive and sustainable growth, and opportunity and mobility for all. The department, with its America’s Job Centers of California, Office of Small Business, and hundreds of programs and partners, creates quality jobs, helps small businesses and high-road employers start and grow, and builds vibrant communities and spaces. Stay connected with DEO! Follow @EconOppLA on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, subscribe to our newsletter, or visit opportunity.lacounty.gov to learn about DEO services.

Thunderstruck Sports Performance is excited to officially open its doors in Santa Clarita with a community Grand Opening on Sunday, January 18 from 11:00 AM–3:00 PM.

The open-house event will include facility tours, one-time founding member specials, food and drinks by Eat Real Café, and a charitable raffle. One hundred percent of raffle proceeds will benefit The New Way, a local nonprofit supporting unhoused students in the William S. Hart School District.

The event is open to the community, and we’d love to welcome fellow Chamber members and local residents to stop by, connect, and celebrate.

Location:
27833 Avenue Hopkins, Ste 4
Santa Clarita, CA 91355

Questions: office@thunderstrucksp.com

RSVP: https://rsvp.app/p/yr3OzICbd1

As of January 1, 2026, the IRS has increased the standard mileage reimbursement rate for business travel to 72.5 cents per mile. This update has immediate implications for employers who reimburse employees for work‑related driving.

At Koegle Law Group, we help business owners stay aligned with evolving labor and tax requirements through proactive policy review and compliance‑focused planning.

Mileage reimbursement rates directly affect payroll accuracy, expense reporting, and wage‑and‑hour compliance. Employers should take this opportunity to review internal reimbursement policies, confirm proper documentation practices, and ensure managers understand current requirements.

✅ Apply the updated 2026 IRS mileage rate
✅ Review and update reimbursement policies
✅ Reinforce documentation and recordkeeping practices
✅ Reduce compliance and audit risk

Start 2026 with clarity and confidence.
👉 Read the full blog here

This article was originally published by Koegle Law Group, proudly serving businesses in Santa Clarita and beyond. This communication may be considered advertising material under the rules of professional conduct governing lawyers in California.

In today’s digital workplace, employee social media activity can affect your brand, workplace culture, and legal exposure. At Koegle Law Group, we help business owners, HR professionals, and managers develop clear, enforceable social media policies that protect their companies and align teams around shared expectations.

To support local businesses in remaining compliant, Koegle Law Group has created a Social Media Policy Assessment Tool—a downloadable questionnaire designed to help employers identify policy gaps, clarify roles and responsibilities, and highlight high-risk areas.

✅ Understand what employees can and cannot post
✅ Identify outdated or unclear policy language
✅ Learn to train managers to enforce policies consistently
✅ Reduce legal and reputational risk before issues arise

Proactive policy design starts here.
👉 Download the assessment tool

This article was originally published by Koegle Law Group, proudly serving businesses in Santa Clarita and beyond. This communication may be considered advertising material under the rules of professional conduct governing lawyers in California.

Elevate Business Solutions was honored to be named one of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Top 100 Small Businesses in America in 2025. 

We received the CO-100 recognition in the category of Culture Champions, a designation that is especially meaningful because of the time, care, and intention we put into building a culture where women can build a sustainable, important career. 

Today, we’re sharing some behind-the-scenes from our trip to Washington, D.C., to celebrate with other honorees and pulling back the curtain on how we earned this monumental honor. 

What is the CO-100 list? 

Each year, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce recognizes the top 100 small businesses in America.

According to the U.S. Chamber website: 

“This exclusive list recognizes 100 of the best and brightest small and mid-sized businesses across America, celebrated for their remarkable contributions in driving innovation, growth, and ingenuity both locally and globally. These businesses shine through their inspiring ideas and the ways they overcome challenges, enrich community impact, foster vibrant company cultures, and engage customers.” 

Elevate was specifically honored as a Culture Champion, a category reserved for small businesses that intentionally create a culture where people thrive, and success is achieved because of a shared commitment to goals and purpose. 

We are so proud to be recognized and honored as one of the best and brightest small businesses in the U.S. in 2025. 

Celebrating our small business success

Our team sets big goals, maps out the specific action steps we need to take, and celebrates when we reach our goals. 

When we were invited to Washington, D.C., to celebrate with the other CO-100 list honorees, it was an immediate yes! 

Our CEO and founder, Ashley Carlson, attended the Small Business Forum alongside Amanda Godwin, one of Elevate’s first team members, who has been an integral part of our success every step of the way. 

We toured our nation’s Capitol, met some incredible business owners, and heard powerful stories from founders who’ve built businesses rooted in purpose, resilience, and service. 

This experience reinforced the why behind everything we do at Elevate.

Ashley started this business to: 

• Help entrepreneurs achieve their vision without burnout.

• Create a place where women could find meaningful, flexible careers.

• Build a culture that wasn’t just a buzzword, but the foundation of everything we do.

Being named to the CO-100 affirms and celebrates our commitment to our vision. 

How to achieve small business success

Here at Elevate, we support small business owners with executive assistant services, full-service bookkeeping, and strategic consulting designed to simplify operations and free up time.

We have a highly successful internal team, and we help our clients strengthen their operations and improve their own systems and processes, so we know what makes a small business successful and what keeps small businesses from scaling. 

If you want to grow your own small business, here are the three things we have done ourselves and continue to help our clients do:

1. Focus on culture.
   Success is always a team effort. When you intentionally create an environment where people feel seen, appreciated, and supported, you will get better results. Culture isn’t an afterthought. It should be the foundation of every choice you make and every action you take within your business.
    

2. Delegate like a pro.
   Too many small business leaders think delegating is just giving other people their work to do. In reality, delegation is a complex skill that directly impacts the level of your success and growth. 
    

3. Take time to reflect.
   If you’re always looking forward, you’re missing out on serious opportunities for improvement and growth. We have built reflection and feedback into our internal and client-facing systems because they are powerful drivers of success. 

Building a successful small business doesn’t happen overnight. Long-term success comes from showing up consistently and putting in the work when no one is watching. 

Years of working hard to build a positive culture, learning to delegate, and always making time to reflect on your wins and opportunities for growth can all add up to being named one of the best 100 small businesses in the U.S.! 

Want help achieving your own small business success?

Elevate is here to support you every step of the way!

Click to learn more about how we can specifically help you in one of these key areas:

• Executive Assistant services

• Bookkeeping

• Strategic Planning

• Operations Consulting

• DFY Operations Projects

SCV Water is asking customers to pause all outdoor water use from December 14-22, 2025, while scheduled maintenance at Castaic Lake temporarily limits the Agency’s imported water supply. The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) will be repairing a pipeline at Castaic Lake, which requires closing SCV Water’s connection. SCV Water does not have any maintenance or repair work planned during this shutdown.

CALL FOR CONSERVATION

SCV Water is taking steps to prepare for scheduled maintenance and is asking customers to work together and do their part to save water from December 14-22, 2025. During that time, outdoor water use should be completely turned off so available supplies can be reserved for indoor needs, health and safety, and emergencies. The shut-off request extends to all outdoor water uses including, but not limited to:

• Irrigating personal landscapes or common areas in business parks or HOAs
• Washing vehicles by hand
• Filling or refilling pools
• Using water for grading in new developments
• Any other major uses of water that can be postponed until the following week

This conservation effort will help ensure reliable water service for everyone during the repair period.

OUTDOOR WATER USE PRIOR TO THE SHUTDOWN

Prior to the shutdown customers can do a few things to prepare:

1. Irrigate your landscape before December 14. SCV soils are mostly clay, which absorbs water slowly and can cause runoff if overwatered. To prevent runoff, run your irrigation in several short cycles (usually 5 minutes or less), allowing about an hour between cycles for the water to soak in before repeating the cycle one to two more times.
   
   Most landscapes can go longer without water than you might expect. At this time of year, it’s common to water only one to two days per week during hot weather, and one day or less with normal winter conditions.
   
   And before you go to bed on Saturday, December 13, take a moment to shut off your outdoor irrigation system.
    
2. Check for and repair any noticeable leaks in and around your home or business.
   1. How to do a home leak investigation: https://youtu.be/W_xCndTSDbs
   2. How to fix a toilet leak: https://youtu.be/VQ66-n3GoKQ

Everyone plays an important role in using water wisely and saving it when they can, where they can.

Outdoor water use can resume after 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Monday, December 22, 2025.

***

SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE AT CASTAIC LAKE
A few things customers should know about the project:

Water Supplies
During the shutdown, SCV Water will rely on local groundwater and stored imported water, with storage facilities filled to capacity in advance.

About half of the Santa Clarita Valley’s water supply is local, while the other half comes from imported sources like the State Water Project. Water in Castaic Lake will remain, but it won’t be available during maintenance.

This conservation effort addresses a temporary delivery interruption—not a shortage—and normal water service will resume once maintenance is complete.

Why Maintenance Matters

Routine maintenance is essential for keeping SCV Water’s system safe, efficient, and reliable. Skipping or delaying maintenance can reduce system performance and increase the risk of infrastructure failure, leading to costly emergency repairs and widespread service disruptions.

Municipal water systems operate 24/7, so annual maintenance helps extend infrastructure life, improve performance, and lower future repair costs.

This work is scheduled in two phases – December 2025 and February 2026 – to complete repairs smoothly without straining the system or significantly impacting customers’ water supply. A second outdoor water use pause notice will be issued prior to the February shutdown.

To learn more, visit: yourSCVwater.com/castaic-lake-maintenance

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About SCV Water:
The Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency (SCV Water) is a full-service regional water agency located in the Santa Clarita Valley. SCV Water provides water service to more than 75,000 business and residential customers. It was formed on January 1, 2018, when local water suppliers combined into one integrated, regional water provider. More information can be found at www.yourSCVwater.com

Imagine a trusted employee walks out the door with confidential client data and starts contacting your accounts. You urgently need a court order to stop the damage—but your arbitration agreement sends the dispute to arbitration, where immediate relief isn’t available.

In this article by Zachary Cavanagh, Of Counsel at Koegle Law Group, California employers learn why arbitration agreements must be carefully drafted—especially when it comes to carve-outs for injunctive relief. Without them, you may lose access to swift court intervention when it matters most.

Key Takeaways:

• Why arbitration agreements remain essential to business risk management

• How injunctive relief carve-outs can preserve your right to urgent court action

• Legal pitfalls of poorly worded carve-outs—especially in California

• Practical steps to ensure enforceability and alignment with recent case law

A well-drafted agreement isn’t just a formality—it’s your first line of defense.

👉 Read the full article here

This article was originally published by Koegle Law Group, proudly serving businesses in Santa Clarita and beyond. This communication may be considered advertising material under the rules of professional conduct governing lawyers in California.

Santa Clarita Non-Profits Invited to Apply for 2026-2027 Funding Cycle

The City of Santa Clarita (City) is pleased to announce the release of the 2026-2027 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) and has scheduled informational meetings for organizations interested in applying for 2026-2027 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. The City invites non-profit organizations that serve low and moderate-income residents to attend an informational meeting to learn more about the program and to receive a funding application for the 2026-2027 program year.

Each year, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides the City with CDBG funding, which is primarily intended to benefit low and moderate-income residents. The City awards a portion of this allocation through grants to eligible non-profit organizations to provide services and resources for some of the City’s most vulnerable residents. Individuals and for-profit organizations are not eligible to apply.

The City requires interested applicants to attend one of two scheduled Zoom informational meetings to learn more about applying for and receiving funding. Following the meeting, the City will provide interested applicants with a funding application. Meetings are scheduled as follows:

• Monday, November 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, November 12 from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.

For more information, including the Zoom meeting link, passcode and where to RSVP, please visit SantaClarita.gov/Community-Preservation/Affordable-Housing.  

Every five years, the City develops a CDBG strategic planning document called the Consolidated Plan (Con Plan). The Con Plan sets priorities for how CDBG funds will be used. In addition, each year the City conducts a community needs assessment and develops a CDBG Annual Action Plan (AAP). The AAP outlines how the annual allocation of CDBG funds are spent and establishes goals for the number of individuals served.

This NOFA allows community-based organizations the opportunity to apply for funds to serve low and moderate-income residents as part of the AAP during the Program Year of July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027. All proposals must address a Con Plan Priority and meet a variety of other cross-cutting federal regulations, including compliance with reporting and record-keeping requirements. Only residents of the City of Santa Clarita may be served by any CDBG funding awarded.

For more information about the City of Santa Clarita’s CDBG program or the funding application process, please contact Administrative Analyst, Julia Rodriguez by email at  ejrodriguez@santaclarita.gov or by phone at (661) 286-4174.

Recovering from burnout is a challenging process that many leaders and CEOs have to work through at some point in their careers.

If you are currently feeling overworked, overwhelmed, and on the brink of burnout, this post is full of helpful strategies and simple tips for avoiding exhaustion. 

Why does recovering from burnout matter?

True burnout is a huge challenge for CEOs, business owners, and solopreneurs. The way burnout affects you depends on your business structure and setup. 

When you're a solopreneur who suffers from burnout… your business STOPS. 

You're the one bringing in the leads, sending invoices, networking, and doing all the work, so when you can't do it anymore, your business pays the price. 

Burnout for solopreneurs can lead to serious dips in revenue, losing clients, missing deadlines, and ultimately shutting down or losing your business. 

When you're a leader experiencing burnout… it impacts everyone else. 

If you can't read one more email, answer one more question, or solve one more problem, the rest of your team is unable to do their work. Your burnout affects your entire team and can lead to missed deadlines, unhappy clients, employee turnover, loss of trust, and a negative team culture. 

The goal for all CEOs, leaders, and business owners is to avoid burnout and take proactive measures to truly rest and recover before it gets too serious. 

This post will help you differentiate between actual burnout and feeling really tired so you can choose the right way to rest, recharge, and rebound. 

What’s the difference between being tired and burned out? 

The word “burnout” gets tossed around a lot, but it’s important to realize that burnout is a serious condition that goes beyond being tired or needing a break.

Burnout is considered to be an “occupational phenomenon” by the World Health Organization. That means it’s not a medical condition like the flu or a headache. 

The International Classification of Diseases describes burnout this way: 

“Burn-out is a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is characterized by three dimensions:

• Feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion;

• Increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one's job; and

• Reduced professional efficacy.

Burn-out refers specifically to phenomena in the occupational context and should not be applied to describe experiences in other areas of life.”

To put it in less official words… burnout is a workplace experience that has a negative impact on your physical and mental health. 

Being tired looks like:

• Needing a break, but being able to jump back in once you rest

• Being ready to show up once you've had a strong coffee, a good night's sleep, or a workout 

• Feeling stressed but hopeful

• Not always wanting to work, but feeling creative and productive at times

• Unplugging for the weekend and coming back ready to go

• Feeling overwhelmed but still connected to your mission and purpose

Being burned out looks like: 

• Trying to be the best at wearing ALL of the hats, ALL of the time, and feeling like you're constantly failing

• No motivation, no matter what you try

• Feeling detached from your purpose 

• Struggling to make simple decisions

• Lack of productivity that stretches over weeks 

• Feeling like it's all just “too much” and withdrawing

Should you be getting some rest or recovering from burnout? 

Understanding the difference between being tired and being burned out is the key to choosing the right recovery strategies.

If you read through those lists and realize you’re just really tired, not burned out, you can choose a more effective kind of rest than what you need if you’re in the middle of burnout. 

Being tired can often be resolved or improved by taking a vacation day, prioritizing sleep, spending time with people you enjoy, and getting some exercise. 

Burnout, on the other hand, requires a more complex approach. 

If you’re feeling detached, unable to show up, and incapable of finding motivation, you need to:

1. Start with physical rest. Sleep, take a break from screens, and push pause without guilt or fear. 

2. Find the root cause of your burnout. This phenomenon is typically a result of chronic stress. Look at your current business structure and responsibilities to identify where changes need to be made.

3. Make key changes. Simplify. Set boundaries (and hold them). Create systems that fill your day with small joys and regular rest. 

4. Protect yourself from future burnout. Start a reflection or journaling habit so you can see when you’re starting to get overwhelmed or stressed. Create rhythms and systems that support you and don’t stress you out. Shift your mindset so you no longer equate productivity with your self-worth. 

Don’t let burnout wreck the business you’ve built and the team that depends on you. Remember that asking for help doesn’t make you weak. It makes you a smart, capable leader who can enjoy long-term success and stability. 

Reclaiming your role 

One of the main reasons we get overwhelmed and exhausted is because we're taking on work that simply isn't ours. 

This happens to CEOs, team leaders, and business owners alike.

When you’re ready to stop spending your valuable time and energy on things you don't need to be doing, we’re here to help. 

3 steps to reclaiming your role 

1. Delegate.
   Anything that doesn't specifically need or have to be done by you (or fall under your role or job title) needs to be handed off. This can be done by assigning it to a team member, automating it, or outsourcing. 

If you need help figuring out what to delegate, we have a workshop for that! 

1. Recommit to your zone of genius.
   If you're a CEO, you should be focusing on the vision for your business, growth strategies, and networking. If you're a solopreneur, you should be putting most of your time and energy into the revenue-generating tasks that only you can do.

2. Hire us!
   Our team of operational specialists are here to do what we do best so you can grow your business without the overwhelm or burnout. We can help with one-time Get It Done Projects or 1:1 Operations Calls.

What should a CEO focus on?

When you’re leading a team, your job is mostly big picture: 

• Vision

• Mission

• Strategy

• Team Culture

• Business Operations

• Finances

• Networking

• Managing Resources

• Decision Making 

If you’re a solopreneur, you’re in the unique position of balancing leadership tasks like vision and strategy while also being in the day-to-day weeds of client work, marketing, and scheduling. 

It’s easy to see how either role can quickly escalate to full-on burnout. 

Focusing on your role requires some reflection and a comprehensive time audit. This will help you see where you are spending your time so you can highlight tasks and responsibilities to hand off to someone else. 

Zero in on what you have to do and create a plan for everything else that has to get done. This will protect your energy and help you avoid future burnout. You’ll also see an increase in productivity and creativity when you limit where and how you spend your time. 

Realistic rest 

Recovering from burnout and staying healthy + productive is all about working smarter, not harder. 

The problem is that as CEOs, leaders, or business owners, we often think that to be successful, things have to be hard. 

Recovering from burnout (or avoiding burnout in the first place) doesn't have to hurt! In fact,  you'll see much better results if you allow yourself to embrace the power of simplicity.

Quick wins for business owners and CEOs

Our team at Elevate created four short and sweet challenges you can complete to score a quick win. 

Choose one of the challenges that meets a need you have right now and pay attention to how good it feels to complete it. (You may even be inspired to tackle another challenge once you see how easy and effective they are!) 

Each challenge focuses on one key area:

• Setting Goals

• Streamlining SOPs

• Time Management

• Organizing Emails

Each challenge takes between 5 and 30 minutes to complete, and there are even helpful visuals attached in each post to guide you through the process and help you track your progress. 

If you don’t have capacity to take on one of these small win challenges now, put it on your calendar for the next week or two.

How to relax without taking a vacation

At Elevate, our team is serious about productivity and success. That means we're equally serious about taking real rest, actually recharging, and managing our energy so we can continue to show up and work at a high level. 

These are some of our favorite ways to restore our energy:

• Schedule a lunch block on your calendar. Step away from your computer, silence work notifications, and eat lunch. You can go outside, go for a quick walk, or simply give yourself a break for a minimum of 30 minutes. Enjoy your lunch break!

• Take a “don't” day. Once a month or so, give yourself permission to say, “No, I don't want to do that!” to anything that you don't want to do. That may mean no calls, no meetings, no client work, no social media… whatever it is that drains you, give yourself a full day away from those things. Schedule it and then honor it to benefit from the energy boost!

• Get grounded. Take off your shoes and stand in the grass for a few minutes. Give yourself up to 15 minutes of morning sunshine on your face. Connecting with nature this way increases your natural endorphins, establishes stronger circadian rhythms, and helps keep your cortisol levels low. Go outside!

• Don't be afraid to disconnect. You don't need your phone everywhere you go. Try leaving it behind! Practice stepping away from work emails and communication when you're at your kids' soccer game or enjoying dinner with your family. Giving yourself regular breaks from your work apps and platforms is a game changer!

• Respect the boundaries you've set. Too often we set the boundaries, block off the calendar, and have all the good intentions… only to do what we said we weren't going to do anyway. Boundaries only work when you hold them. If you're feeling overworked… start with any boundaries you're not respecting.

Spa days and beach vacations are amazing, but you can realistically rest and recharge without leaving the house or office. 

The key to avoiding or recovering from burnout

Clear goals, a defined role, and a step-by-step action plan will help you avoid burnout or give you a roadmap for moving forward if you’re recovering from burnout. 

Strategic Mapping includes:

• Two 90-minute strategy calls

• Clearly defined mission, vision, and value statements

• Explicit goals and a plan to reach them

• Guidance through the 7 Pillars of your business

• A goal-oriented action plan for the next four quarters

• Personalized Trello board to keep track of next steps and monitor progress to your goals

Strategic Mapping is helpful at any time in the year. But it can be helpful to get an idea of what to focus on depending on the quarter.

Q1 Strategic Mapping can include:

• Q4 results + budgeting for the new year

• New hires or role shifts 

• Big-picture vision 

• Launches + seasonal promotions 

Q2 + Q3 Strategic Mapping can include:

• Mid-year review + key adjustments

• Team performance (planning performance reviews or analyzing the results of those reviews) 

• Culture + retention strategies

• Streamlined workflows 

Q4 Strategic Mapping can include:

• Holiday gifting

• Establishing KPIs

• Budgeting

• Calendar planning 

If you need help recovering from burnout or you’re ready to proactively avoid it, you can click here to learn more about Strategic Mapping. 

You can do anything, but not everything! We’re here to help you manage your resources and streamline your operations to protect your energy + productivity. 

Social media has become a flashpoint for workplace disputes—and California law is clear:
employees have broad rights when it comes to lawful off-duty speech.

In this article by Partner Lucas E. Rowe, Koegle Law Group outlines what employers need to know about employee social-media protections under California Labor Code § 96 and the state constitution. While you can regulate use during work hours or protect your company’s brand, disciplining employees for personal posts made off the clock can open the door to serious legal exposure.

Key Takeaways:

• The constitutional right to free speech (with limits in private employment)

• What California law protects when it comes to employee expression online

• Where employers can draw the line—on branding, harassment, and work-hour use

• Why clear, updated policies are essential for risk management

Smart employers plan ahead. Learn how to stay compliant and protect your business.
👉 Read the full article here

This article was originally published by Koegle Law Group, proudly serving businesses in Santa Clarita and beyond. This communication may be considered advertising material under the rules of professional conduct governing lawyers in California.

California Institute of the Arts has announced the launch of its Bachelor of Fine Arts program in Creative Computing, which will enroll its first students in the fall of 2026.

This interdisciplinary program, among the first in the United States, further exemplifies the institution’s commitment to integrating artistic expression with leading-edge technological innovation.

The Creative Computing BFA is designed to provide students with a robust foundation in computer science, electrical engineering, signal processing and emerging technologies such as virtual/augmented reality (VR/AR), robotics and AI/machine learning. The program also allows undergraduates to develop a strong, personal artistic voice and to use technology as a tool for storytelling, cultural critique, and creative exploration.

Students will have the opportunity to specialize in one of five areas: Game Design, Music Technology, Coding for Design, Spatial Computing, or Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence.

“The Creative Computing program builds on the strengths and resources of several of CalArts’ current academic programs and initiatives. Students will graduate with the skills and experience necessary to lead in the expanding world of creative technologies, preparing them to define the creative industries of the future,” said Interim Provost Michael Bryant.

Ajay Kapur, associate provost of creative technologies that founded the new program, emphasized the curriculum’s transformative potential. “Coding, engineering, and AI are the canvases of the future. By equipping our students with these technological skills, CalArts is preparing the next generation of creatives and storytellers today to shape the arts and culture of tomorrow.”

The program aligns with several other new, future-focused initiatives at the 55-year-old Institute, which is well known for its focus on experimentation across artistic disciplines.

The CHANEL Center for Artists and Technology, announced last spring in partnership with the CHANEL Culture Fund, is a visionary initiative that positions artists at the forefront of shaping the evolving technologies that define the world and establishes CalArts as the hub of a new ecosystem of arts and technology.

Similarly, CalArts’ D.R.E.A.M.S. (Digital Research Entertainment Arts Media Storytelling) initiative, established in 2025 with support from Tom Dolan and the Dolan Family Foundation, aims to prepare students for dynamic careers in the rapidly growing industry of location-based entertainment.

“We see the Creative Computing curriculum as building a bridge from CalArts to industry,” said D.R.E.A.M.S. Director and Producer in Residence Travis Cloyd. “Students in the program will have access to industry experts and participate in real-world projects where they can build immersive environments and interactive spaces, utilizing their technical and artistic skills to advance the creative industries as a whole.”

CalArts is currently accepting applications for the BFA in Creative Computing program. Interested students can learn more at calarts.edu/creativecomputing.