America’s nationwide network of Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) – which offer free help to business owners and startups – is seeing a rise in entrepreneurial activity. Despite the recession (and sometimes because of it), more people are moving forward to start their own ventures.
Helping new businesses start is a hallmark of the SBDC program, which counts roughly half of its client base in the startup category. On-Site Heavy Equipment Repair in Clarence, Pa., is one example of a startup that forged ahead despite a dubious economy. Husband-and-wife team Don and Coleen Reese began their business just after the collapse of Bear Stearns in 2008. Working through the Penn State University SBDC, the Reeses received help developing a financial model and doing market research that helped them secure startup capital.
SBDCs offer one-stop assistance to individuals and small businesses by providing a wide variety of information and guidance in central and easily accessible branch locations. They offer counseling, training and tech help in all areas of business management, including finance, marketing, production, engineering and feasibility studies.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) runs the program – sponsored jointly by private enterprise. There are SBDCs in every state, with a network of more than 1,100 local offices based at colleges, universities, vocational schools, community colleges and economic-development corporations.
SBDCs are also seeing a surge of interest in starting a business from people recently laid off. Sharon and Frank Gundy of Hazleton, Pa., looked at a new venture as a way to make up lost income. Frank had been laid off, and Sharon, a real estate agent, was seeing a substantial decline in her business. The couple sought assistance from the Wilkes University SBDC in early 2009 for guidance in launching their novelty gift business and building an online presence.
And Kelly Schick joined the entrepreneur ranks after being laid off from her job at Osram-Sylvania, the giant lighting manufacturer. The Gannon University SBDC helped Schick take over a former sports bar in downtown Warren, Pa., after navigating her through the loan process.
You can locate the nearest Small Business Development Center or your state’s SBDC network headquarters by checking the SBA Web site for a list of offices and contact information. Go to www.sba.gov/sbdc and click on “SBDC Locator” in the right column. •
Daniel Kehrer can be reached at
editor@business.com.
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