You are a Long Beach business owner faced with some tough decisions, so wouldn’t it be great if you could pick up the phone and call a business consultant you trust and has the expertise to provide valuable counsel and advice? Not only is that available but that advice is FREE. No way…yes way!!!!
 
That’s right, you can pick up the phone call 562-938-5020 or e-mail and have an appointment scheduled for a 1-on-1 counseling session, in fact for as many 1-on-1 counseling sessions as you need… all FREE. Need even more information, click here.
 
Who provides this service? The Long Beach Small Business Development Center (LB SBDC). If you want to start up a business, expand an existing company or solve a business problem, the LB SBDC is here for you. The LB SBDC’s business counselors provide 1-on-1 business assistance, conduct inexpensive business workshops and training classes and offer other assistance.
 
The LB SBDC is hosted by Long Beach City College (LBCC). It was due to LBCC’s Office of Economic and Resource Development’s significant effort that on January 1, 2006 LBCC was awarded the contract to host the SBDC Network, which is part of the national, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) effort to provide free and low-cost, hands-on assistance to micro and growing businesses. The SBDC Network has eight service centers, LB SBDC is one of them, and has responsibilities for LA, Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties.
 
The LB SBDC can offer all these services because it is funded by the SBA, the California Community College Economic & Workforce Development Program, the City of Long Beach and private sources. The City of Long Beach as part of their own concerted economic development efforts provides the LB SBDC with both funding and in-kind services, including office space and equipment.
 
So now that you know how these FREE 1-on-1 counseling services and inexpensive workshops and training classes can be offered, let’s get back to you, Long Beach business owner who needs help.
 
What services does the LB SBDC offer? Our business consultants have years of hands-on experience helping businesses grow or solving business problems. They bring experience, traits, skills and expertise your business may be missing. Face-to-face assistance, crafted exclusively for your business is available in all business areas including:
 
– Technology
– Payroll & Tax Information
– Business Incorporation
– Export/Import Assistance
– Website Development
– New Product Launches
– Business Expansion
– Effective Management
– Strategic Planning
– Human Resources
– Finance/Cost-Cutting
– Budgeting
– Access to Capital/Loan-packaging Assistance
– Business Sales & Marketing
– Management & Leadership
– Permits & Licensing Information
– Government Certification & Contracts
– E-Marketing
– How to Write a Business Plan
– Start-up advice
– Accounting/QuickBooks Basics
– Entrepreneurial Success Strategies
– Cash Management
– Credit Improvement
 
In addition, if a 2-3 hour training class or workshop would be better; those are offered at the low cost of $20-30 per person. (Note: Quickbooks training is $60 per person).
 
We know small business owners and entrepreneurs wear many hats and have full plates with all their responsibilities. In cases where LB SBDC assistance is needed over a period of time, we are willing to come to you. We will even bring our workshops and training classes to your business when the need is large enough.
 
It does not matter if you are a budding entrepreneur, a home business or a business with 500 employees, the LB SBDC can be a valuable resource in helping your business succeed.
 
Whether you seek to grow your business, find new clients & markets, get assistance in international trade, obtain financing, learn about & apply new technology, operate more professionally or face any other business challenge, your help, through the LB SBDC, is just a phone call away.
 
The “Bottom Line” and the LB SBDC is here to help your business succeed and that’s good business for Long Beach.