Helping Small Business Grow

By Blair Clarkson
Staff Writer

June 11 -- During these tough economic times, starting and maintaining a small independent business isn’t easy.

From preparing financial plans and reading balance sheets to applying for loans and marketing to investors, many entrepreneurs find themselves behind the eight ball before they even open their doors.

Yet for those in need of a helping hand or a little boost during the slow times, there is an answer.

Nestled amid the industrial buildings at Santa Monica Airport, the Westside Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has been helping local small business owners get up and running for almost eight years.

Funded primarily by the Small Business Administration, the SBDC works with business owners to prepare SBA loan packages, hosts educational conferences and workshops and offers free one-on-one instruction from successful practicing consultants.

“Our consultants are really excellent people who offer great advice and great assistance,” said Manager Susan Lentz. “They get satisfaction from helping people start their businesses and helping businesses that are kind of stuck to ‘unstick’ themselves.”

The center’s experts help answer questions about opening new ventures, expanding current businesses, adding public relations, reading balance sheets and preparing financial statements and investor plans.

“We’re like a coaching consultant,” said Lentz, who also serves as a staff advisor. “People do the work and we review it. We’re like their coaches and mentors to help them be successful. We’ve had many success stories.”

The non-profit center, which averaged around 800 clients in each of the last two years, helped create 50 new jobs and $10 million in new sales last year, according to Lentz.

In addition to complimentary consulting services, for a small fee business owners can attend a variety of basic workshops on starting a business, writing a business plan, marketing and developing an import/export trade.

The center also hosts a major yearly conference called “Where’s The Money,” which includes discussions on how to acquire funding and how businesses should prepare themselves. There are also presentations from bank officers on loan programs and testimonials from people who used the SBDC to launch profitable businesses.

This year’s conference is currently scheduled for late fall this year.

With a diverse clientele from every educational background, race, creed and level of experience, the only requirement to use the free service is that people be committed to improving their businesses, according to Lentz.

“We do make a difference,” she said. “People should know that the center is here and they should use it if they need help.”

The Westside Small Business Development Center is located at 3233 Donald Douglas Loop, Suite C. For information call 398-8883.