The Santa Cruz Small Business Development Center is located on the campus of Cabrillo College. Nationwide, nearly every county in the United States has a Small Business Development Center, as they are a program of the Federal government’s Small Business Administration (SBA). Their goal is to provide high quality management and technical assistance for Santa Cruz small businesses – new or existing.
They offer confidential, no-cost counseling, seminars, and classes. On-going seminars include topics such as “Writing your Best Business Plan”, “Solving the Social Media Puzzle”, and “Record Keeping for Small Business”. Periodically, they also hold special events, such as a Federal and State basic payroll tax seminars.
Their counselors will assist prospective business owners with developing a business plan, preparing financial projections, a marketing plan, and help getting financing for your start up – including taking you through the SBA loan process. In addition, they provide book keeping assistance, Internet training, operations review, procurement assistance, strategic planning, business “tune-ups”, and much more.
Many local small businesses have received a leg up thanks to the Santa Cruz Small Business Development Center: Hydra-Point Nursery in Watsonville, Mission Hill Creamery in Santa Cruz, Zizzo’s Coffeehouse and Wine Bar in Capitola, New Bohemian Brewing Company in Live Oak, the Hindquarter Bar and Grille in Santa Cruz, and many more.
If you’re thinking of starting a small business, or need help sustaining or growing the business you already have, check out the Santa Cruz Small Business Development Center! They are generally open during normal business hours, 8 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday. They can be a little hard to find, so please read the directions on their web site.
See also: Santa Cruz Small Business Development Center web site, SBDC Facebook Page
