| What does a Small
Business Development Center (SBDC) do?
The SBDC's goal is to stimulate the economy and promote new jobs opportunities
by assisting small business development. The Center provides counseling,
training, and information in all aspects of small business management.
These include, but are not limited to, the areas of finance, marketing,
management, organization, licensing, expansion and human resources.
What is a "small business"?
While the term "small business" is most often used to describe
businesses with less than 100 employees, the SBDC applies no stringent
criteria to those it is willing to assist. Its services are most beneficial
to businesses where one or two owners find themselves wearing many hats
– marketing, finance, human resources, strategic planning – but they know
they cannot afford to lose the focus on their core business. The SBDC
can save them time, get answers to their questions, and efficiently link
them to resources or other businesses.
What does it cost to use the services of the SBDC?
The services of the SBDC are provided at no charge. Fees may be collected
to recover specific client-approved charges for database searches, and
nominal fees are often charged for training workshops.
Isn't the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) only for start-ups?
While the SBDC certainly has information helpful to those starting a
business, its primary focus is on existing businesses who need information
or assistance to become more innovative and competitive.
Are there any special loans or grants available from the Small Business
Development Center (SBDC)?
The SBDC makes no loans and we are not aware of any grants for business
ventures. The SBDC can help
you identify what financing you may need and discuss alternative sources.
We can also advise you how to improve a loan application and business
plan. Frequently our clients
find that loan guarantee programs of the Small Business Administration
(SBA) are an attractive source of financing. In many circumstances, however,
and in most cases for startups, entrepreneurs must turn to their own savings,
to friends and family, or to their personal credit cards to finance business
ventures.
What information do I have to have when I call the Small Business
Development Center (SBDC)?
You do not have to have any particular information in hand before you
contact the SBDC. We will
attempt to answer your questions and provide you basic information on
your initial call. If you
are already in business, we urge you bring financial information,
marketing materials, etc. to our initial meeting to help us better understand
your business. If you are
starting a business, we will encourage you to prepare at least
the framework of a business plan before we meet.
That will make it a more productive meeting for all participants.
If you do not know how to write a business plan we will provide
you a guide and/or refer you to business plan workshops.
Can the SBDC recommend the best business for me to start?
Our experience shows that successful entrepreneurs usually have
a solid understanding of their new ventures.
This means that they or members of their management team have operated
a similar business before, or that they have unique skills and contacts
that enable success. We don't
believe it is a good idea to simply pick a business from somebody's list
of "Best Businesses to Start".
Rather than suggest a business to you, we will encourage you to
evaluate your experiences, unique skills and strengths, your family support
structure and what you think you'll be most happy doing for the rest of
your life. In our Research
Library we have startup guides for a number of specific businesses that
will assist your research of their requirements.
What kinds of assistance do you provide?
The SBDC offers information or advice to help business owners
expand their businesses, solve business problems or improve management,
develop new ideas for products or services, or investigate new business
opportunities. The Center
helps the inexperienced businessperson understand the requirements
for going into business, assess business opportunities, determine financial
needs and potential sources of financing, and offers guidelines on business
planning and marketing. One
important aspect of SBDC assistance is that we don't actually do things
for you so much as we try to equip you with information and resources
to do things for yourself. Our
Research Library has extensive information on general business matters
as well as guidelines for hundreds of specific businesses.
Can the SBDC improve the profitability of my business?
We have a great track record for helping business owners improve management
practices, find more customers and/or move into more profitable niches.
We offer a fresh point of view and extensive business experience
from our staff and a number of other resources.
One of the most practical services we offer is an assessment of
your cash flow – an area often neglected by business owners.
We also link our clients to resources and programs that will help
them find new business opportunities.
Do I need an appointment to visit the Center?
Yes. Due to limited staff and space, it is necessary to call for an appointment to meet with a counselor or to use the Research Library. Appointments are made between 9 am and 5 pm on weekdays. It is generally helpful for startup businesses to review the material in the Alexandria SBDC’s Startup Package before scheduling an appointment. To receive a startup package or to schedule an appointment, contact the SBDC at 703-778-1292, extension 222 or 206.
How do I become a client of the Center?
The first step in becoming a client of the SBDC is for you to complete the Request for Counseling form and return it to us by fax or mail (that information is provided at the bottom of the form). You may call us with a question or to arrange an appointment to meet with a counselor.
Who funds the Small Business Development Center (SBDC)?
Funding for the Alexandria Small Business Development Center comes from a number of sources. We are hosted by the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce. Additional Founding Partners are the City of Alexandria, Virginia Commerce Bank, William D. Euille & Associates, and the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Contributing Partners include BB&T, Burke & Herbert Bank & Trust Company, Commerce Bank, Commonwealth One Federal Credit Union, Dominion, PNC Bank, United Central Bank and Wachovia Bank, N.A.
How do I access Small Business Development Center (SBDC) services?
The SBDC welcomes your calls, and is a great first point of contact for
finding information or solving problems. Contact
Us.
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