Skip to content

G&S Tool, Inc., San Leandro

"At a critical juncture in G&S’s history, SBDC Business Advisor James Bergeron helped supplement my finance and marketing knowledge to not only stem a difficult financial situation, but also develop strategies for generating new clients..."

Kit and Caboodle – The Hobby Shop, Oakley

"Attending New Venture Training and working with the instructor and the other participants is a valuable resource when it comes to ideas, direction, and development of your business."

Ensembles’ Catering and Prepared Meals, San Ramon

"Gerald Sullivan was extremely dedicated to helping me and my business. He really helped me to get laser focused in growing my business in the right direction."

The Vibe Lounge, Oakland

SBDC consultant, Ted Hilliard, and his organization helped them to organize their bookkeeping process and SBDC Restaurant Marketing Consultant, Susie Biehler, helped them develop their PR plan.

Pupuseria Gemelos, San Francisco

"We are very grateful with SBDC, who helped us with the long application process"

Peas of Mind, San Francisco

Jill learned of Anni Minuzzo, specialty food advisor for the San Francisco Small Business Development Center and engaged her for direction and guidance.  Together they set up a series of scopes of work to expand Peas of Mind.

Savantis Group, Inc., San Francisco

"Tom Camerato is the best. He not only showed us how to properly project the numbers, but he also helped us to understand what is behind the numbers and so we can make better decisions."

Regalito Rosticeria, San Francisco

"I would never have been as ready to open my restaurant if it were not for the SBDC Restaurant Series classes and the one-on-one consulting services."

Rain All Day Books, Fortuna

"I feel like SBDC is an often overlooked resource for small business owners.  They are so open, knowledgeable, accessible and caring."

Sandy Westfall, Ferndale

"The SBDC is like a safety net when you are starting a business.  You have no idea about all the things you will be faced with."

Finesse Mills LLC, Watsonville

"The consulting from Bob Kramer was instrumental in redirecting the focus of the two operating team members of Finesse Mills LLC, and by implementing the strategic plan we developed..."

Talmadge Construction, Inc., Aptos

"With each meeting with John Hibble, I felt more confident and positive about how I could make a change. We went from a company that was into the credit line for $90,000 to actually making a profit."

Original Sin Desserts, Santa Cruz

"I really appreciated Sanjay Lanka’s quick responsiveness and expertise in helping me refine my numbers to obtain the SBA loan."

Flexsweep, Watsonville

"The SBDC was instrumental in obtaining our business growth.  Linda Johnson helped push the idea of trade shows that increased our business."

Batik Café, Santa Cruz

"The Central Coast SBDC was very helpful in finding people to assist me. Sanjay helped with projections and budgeting and Wallace made sure the price was right to purchase the business."

Academic Tutoring Services, Inc., Santa Cruz

"Jim McGovern prepared us thoroughly for getting financing - the key obstacle we faced. His attention to detail and grasp of the business was amazing."

Queen Bee Bake Shop, Fairfield

Charles Eason, the SBDC Director, provided Anita [Esberto] with assistance in valuing the bakery she was looking to buy and provided guidance on how to finance the deal.

Vogue Salon & Spa, Vacaville

"The SBDC is great program for anyone wanting to start up a business or even thinking about owning a business. They really care about the success of their students..."

Vintage Caffe, Fairfield

"It was a great pleasure working with the SBDC.  They guided us all the way through the process and were very patient with us.  We would not be able to do this without their knowledge and help."

Music Master Publishing, Vallejo

"I found SBDC to be an excellent resource for entrepreneurial encouragement. The classes and personal consultant time have proven to be very valuable assets to our endeavor."

DHurn Enterprises, Suisun

Building upon the training received through the NxLeveL program and her work with SBDC Business Advisors Sandy Stelter and Jerry Jinnett, Deanna [Hurn] has been able to meet her objective...

Anacortes Chocolate Factory, Vacaville

“Thank you Floyd [Hicks of Solano SBDC] for everything and helping us with the loan process. We owe you for that.”

680 Graphic Design & Printing, Benicia

"I found the NxLeveL training program very informative and helpful. It covered every aspect of starting and owning a business to growing an existing business."

Alternative Building Concepts, Sebastopol

"One of the main lessons I learned from working with NxLeveL, Cynthia, and Paul [of the Santa Rosa SBDC] was how to work on moving my focus to the strategic development of the company."

Electronic Solutions, Cloverdale

"The SBDC has given direction and focus to our future… we couldn’t get our hands totally around this project before the SBDC help…"

Pisces Productions, Sebastopol

"Overall the SBDC has been an invaluable resource in assisting me in turning my business around and back into a profitable enterprise. I am very grateful that these services were available to small business owners like myself."

Inspiration Stones, San Rafael

"As a result of working with Tina [of the Santa Rosa SBDC], we are now evaluating business software programs to manage the sales process, we have added 3 part-time employees, and are using the contract services of a talented marketing manager."

Delice de la Vallee, Sonoma

"I truly appreciate the SBDC as I have grown my company internally as well as refined my business with the guidance of Cathy Balach."

Snap Shot, Livermore

"I want to THANK [Steve of the Santa Rosa SBDC] and tell you how much I appreciated the education, the experience, the genuine support and friendships of you and Linda..."

Rejuvenation and Well Being, Cotati

"[Cynthia Riggs of the Santa Rosa SBDC] has the ability to focus in on where I was/am stuck and provide just exactly what I need in very specific terms both involving the logic of business and the how-to details of building and running a successful business."

Present Life Counseling of Marin, Kentfield

"[Noah of the Santa Rosa SBDC] consistently asked key business questions which encouraged my creative thinking, and provided solid general encouragement and support for my business."

Net Flow Corporation, Napa

"The NxLevel program was key, as it taught me how to look at the business and realize what details I should pay attention to."

Communication Academy, Cupertino

"The SBDC counselors really help us think about the bigger picture and transition my thinking from an entrepreneur to a managed organization to achieve efficiency and growth."

The Tile Warehouse, San Jose

"Max (the SBDC Consultant) was a tremendous help in getting us started."

Silicon Valley Massage Therapy Advocates, Los Gatos

"SBDC expertise helped give my business clarity and direction and helped me to find its place in my community."

Advanced Displays and Signs, Eureka

"This was a once in a lifetime opportunity and SBDC helped me have the confidence to move forward."

The Forks Lounge, Willow Creek

"We had no idea where to start on a business plan, and the SBDC process helped us to focus our efforts..."

Fractal Spirit, Napa

"The SBDC is so fortunate to have Carolynne Gamble working with artists in the marketing of their work... We owe a part of our success to Carolynne and the SBDC."

 

Hurley's Restaurant and Bar, Yountville

"The NVC SBDC has a lot of great programs we use as tools to keep our business at the top of our game."

 

Store Inside, Milpitas

"We owe a lot to Jeff and the SBDC for helping make our reality not only come true, but for us to be better prepared." 

CGT Systems, Inc., Concord

"We owe a lot to Cindy Turner and the Contra Costa Small Business Development business management consulting team who directed us in creating a profitable company."

Dawn Renee Salon and DaySpa, Concord

"I owe a lot to Cindy Turner and the Contra Costa Small Business Development Center’s ‘New Venture Training’ Program to launch my successful business."

Incubate Group, Oakland

"Steve [Roth of ACSBDC] helped us take our experience in entertainment, games and digital media and develop a clearer business model and stronger investor presentations."

R.T. Fisher & Associates, Oakland

"During the most stressful time of my business reorganization, Steve [Roth of ACSBDC] kept me focused with the tasks at hand with his unwavering honesty and what seemed like his infinite availability to answer my every question."

Comfort Guard, Fremont

"Steve Roth, the Best Practice Management seminar series, and the Alameda County SBDC have all provided significant support and guidance to me in developing my business plan..."

First Keys Mortgage, Brentwood

"The New Venture Training Program and Cindy Turner broke down each component of a business plan and made it simple to understand."

PsiNapse Technology Ltd, Pleasanton

"Bob Lane gave me advice on marketing and business plan development. He encouraged me to work with the government; I see more growth in our future."

 

Peri S. Pfenniger, Napa Valley

"I am grateful to all of the staff at SBDC, especially Sandy Stelter, a very knowledgeable NxLeveL Instructor, Jerry Jinnett for her expertise in marketing and Carolynne Gamble, my personal counselor who specializes in art marketing."

TassaTag, Lafayette

"The counseling services were beyond my expectations, and because of them I have been given the education and skills to develop the TassaTag Project to EcPAT."

Over the Top Frozen Yogurt, American Canyon

[Ted and Ginny] worked with Small Business Development Center Advisors to determine the feasibility as well as to reassure themselves that the business would be viable.

Phat Salads and Wraps, Napa

Gia Sempronio came to the NVC Small Business Development Center with an idea to own a high quality, healthy and mobile quick service take out food business.

 

 

Constance Rose Textile Designs, Eureka

"SBDC is an extremely good resource for people at any stage of their business development.  They provide a tremendous amount of resources..."

Mad River Brewing Company, Blue Lake

"The services offered by the North Coast Small Business Development Center were invaluable to us at Mad River Brewing Company."

Rising Tide Sea Vegetables, Mendocino

Rising Tide Sea Vegetables is a thriving cottage industry perched on one of the cleanest coastlines in the world – the wild and beautiful north coast of California.

Brian Newell Furniture, Mendocino

“This is a great service that is available in a community as small as ours,” says Newell, “I wish more people appreciated and took advantage of what’s available to them.”

Tip Top Bike Shop, Oakland

"Rick [Ohlrich of ACSBDC] helped us solidify and reaffirm our ideas and present them in a professional manner. This gave us the confidence and perspective to follow our plans to their current successful state."

DRACO Healthcare Consulting LLC, Fremont

"With John [Lonergan]’s fierce challenging on each step of my original business plan, we were able to transform my dream process into a concrete action plan."

Sparta Performance Science, Menlo Park

"Alameda County SBDC Consultant, John Lonergan, worked with me to provide financial breakdowns for each month of the first 2 years, as well as recommending systems to put in place for a small business."

Marbella Properties, Silicon Valley

"[Jeanne] was able to help me focus on where things were breaking down and create a viable solution that not only met the current demands but would support future growth."

Ku Day Ta Tea Lounge, Milpitas

“My experience with the SBDC has been invaluable – I received help that otherwise would not have made my business possible.”

Pacific Physical Therapy, Fort Bragg

As Tammy looks to the future of her business, she considers how it can address a number of market and global trends...

Bearshead Productions, Napa Valley

"It was great to have access to a knowledgeable outside view of our emerging product."

Market Rates Insights, San Anselmo

"I appreciate the support and guidance that the Santa Rosa SBDC extended to me, and I can say that results show that the SBDC does make a difference."

 

TechPro Sources, Fairfield

Rather than secure debt financing, Mr. [Michael] Cortez wanted to pursue equity financing for the business.  Mr.[Charles] Eason assisted him in developing a PowerPoint pitch for investors.

San Francisco Guitarworks, San Francisco

"The San Francisco SBDC is really the best resource I have found to help get a cohesive view of what business is and can become and to develop the steps to get there."

Jessicurl, Eureka

"We really worked with the SBDC to understand and address our costs. It wasn’t just the direct services provided though – the SBDC staff reached out to other resources on our behalf as well."

Folia Design, Napa Valley

"I have many people and organizations to thank for helping position me where I am today and one of them is the SBDC office."

Independent Energy Systems, Aptos

"We knew we needed an additional supplier but Jim really motivated us to make a more concerted effort to secure one. He gave us the basic tools we needed to better utilize our financial model, and told us to set our profitability goals higher."

CPR-FAST, Brentwood

“Gerald broke down, from the financial side of the business, what was really going on and taught us how to focus on what was important.”

Pine Creek Realty, Bay Area

"New Venture Training program is a wake-up call for anyone thinking about starting a business..."

Heidi Marble, Fairfield

“The small business center helped anchor and direct my plans, they gave me the tools to reach my potential”

Renata’s Creperie, Arcata

North Coast SBDC’s Biznet program provided additional counseling help regarding Health Department and Planning Department permitting advice.

Zadin Restaurant, San Francisco

“The SBDC really taught us how to survive and how to focus. The Consultants gave us knowledgeable guidance and structure.”

Capitola Book Café, Capitola

"With the help of the Central Coast Small Business Development Center's classes, counseling, and a terrific advisor like Wallace Berry — we got a sense of the challenges we faced..."

About the Northern California SBDC Network

The Northern California Network of Small Business Development Centers helps individuals start, manage and grow their businesses.

Our expertise can help take the mystery out of business management and allow you to focus on the issues that will grow your company. Our Business Advisors have years of experience and know what it takes to start a business in Northern California & keep it operating profitably.

According to a recent study SBDC in depth clients experienced 6 times the sales growth, and created 13 times the jobs of average businesses.*  Read more...

SBDC services include:

  • Business Plans
  • Financial Projections & Budgeting
  • Operating Challenges
  • Purchase or Sale of a Business
  • Funding Your Venture
  • Loan Packaging
  • More...

All one on one consulting services are offered at no cost to the client. Contact a Business Advisor in your area.

 

*SBDC in-depth clients meet with SBDC advisors for five hours or more in a year.
Source of Statistics: SBA; and the “Economic Impact of Small Business Development Center Counseling Activities in the United States: 2004-2005,” by Professor James J. Chrisman of Mississippi State University