Following the close of 2025 and the start of the Lunar New Year (Feb 17th) - I invite you to take time to celebrate the wins and integrate the past PRIOR to charging forward with that Fire Horse energy.

My entrepreneurial journey over these last 18 years has morphed from wearing all the hats and working too hard for too long (I know you feel me!) to building my very own ecosystem that honors my superpower AND most importantly – enables me to make meaningful impact on the people and communities that surround me. The cherry on top for me is having the time and space today to job my life, choosing to fill my cup and do the things that bring me joy along with bringing in that paper $$.

As I share with my students in the classroom, we all need the sobering reminder - if you’re doing it right, life will be a combination of pain AND joy. This serial entrepreneur has been brought to her knees on more than one occasion. Wisdom comes with time and experience, arming us with invaluable radar, muscle memory, and lessons that will serve well as we charge forward brighter and upleveled.

It’s through the pain and lessons that I’ve developed my superpower - the ability to see the big picture and connect the dots. I’m thrilled to bring that wisdom forth with our very own transmutation of collective lessons gleaned as a service provider since 2012 so that you too – can re-set from a place of scarcity and progress to a place of abundance and flow in all good things. Now isn’t that something to get the Fire Horse within you excited?!

See below details for how BPR can help you charge forward in 2026!

We’re in your corner, always in all ways.

- Jessica and the BPR team

SERVICES, TAX & LEGAL UPDATES

2025 Tax Preparation and Filing

1099s for Independent Contractors were due February 2^nd and we can still help you file, in addition to 2025 Tax Preparation and Filing for Corporations, Partnerships and their Principals Individual returns.

2026 Tax Updates

• New 2026 IRS Tax Brackets

   

• New IRS 401k and IRA Limits

• IRS faces major management challenges

RESOURCES: TO HELP YOU NAVIGATE HR IN THE WORKPLACE

Min Wage Increase as of 1/1/26 for CA

• Counties that have been impacted, HERE

IRS 2026 Mileage Reimbursement Rate

• 72.5 cents per mile (up from 70 cents in 2025) HERE.

• No change for charitable organizations, still 14 cents per mile

CA Workplace Know Your Rights & SB 294

California workers in the state are entitled to know and exercise their workplace and constitutional rights, and labor laws apply to all workers regardless of immigration status. Details HERE.

• Key Provisions of SB 294:

  • Annual & New Hire Notices: Employers must provide a written "Know Your Rights" notice to all current employees yearly and to new hires upon hiring.

  • Content of Notice: Explains rights regarding workers' compensation, immigration inspections, anti-discrimination, unionizing, and constitutional rights (like against unreasonable search/seizure) during law enforcement interactions at work.

  • Emergency Contacts: By March 30, 2026, employers must allow employees to name or update emergency contacts and specify if they should be notified if the employee is arrested or detained.

  • Delivery Method: Notices must be delivered in a normal employment communication format (email, text, or personal delivery).

  • Enforcement: The Labor Commissioner can enforce compliance, with potential penalties for non-compliance.

  • Timeline: The notice requirement began for existing employees on February 1, 2026, with the emergency contact provision due by March 30, 2026.

     

    *We’re happy to help refer you to an HR provider, just ask!

SOCIAL IMPACT - HOW WE DO GOOD

This section highlights how BPR gives back to the community every month, driven by our commitment to historically underrepresented entrepreneurs and communities.

• We are excited to be part of The San Diego County CORE program in partnership with Founders First CDC to provide free, specialized support to help local small businesses and non-profits overcome barriers to securing County contracts. Learn more HERE, and let us know if you know of a small business or non-profit that may qualify.

CASH FLOW, CAPITAL RESOURCES, SMALL BIZ TOPICS

Tools:

• Check your Business Health Score before a Lender does, HERE.

Grants:

Hello Alice - Available Grants

Prebys Foundation Grants - Workforce Grants & Arts EcoSystem Grants.

Shopify: 11 Minority Business Grants: Eligibility + Tips for Applying

SBA 504 or 7(a) Loans - for property, business acquisition, equipment, working capital. Now up to 100% financing based on credit.

• CNBC - New Credit Lines to Fund Small Businesses

• 504 Loans

• 7(a) Loans

CA Small Business Loan Match

CA Paid Family Leave Small Business Grant

Lendistry - Loans and Grants

• The Best Times for Small Businesses to Apply for Loans

• Grants and Programs

Kapitus - Financing solutions to fuel your business

Small Business, Women, PoC Certifications – access to government contracts + more visibility

• Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) Certification

• California Small Business Certifications