If you own a small business that you want to make more successful and profitable, or if you have a dream of starting your own business, there is an organization you can turn to.

The Mid-Hudson Region Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides expert management and technical assistance to start-up and existing small businesses in Ulster, Dutchess, Orange, Sullivan, Columbia, and Delaware Counties.

The SBDC works with entrepreneurs and owners of small- and medium-sized businesses on a one-to-one basis; helping them to develop successful business plans; locate sources of funding; and find information, market research, and trade opportunities around the world.

The SBDC can also help you assess the e-commerce impact and potential of your business as well as find ways to integrate e-commerce into your business.

WHO BENEFITS?

The SBDC focuses on entrepreneurs and small business owners, while emphasizing manufacturing businesses, technology-oriented firms, and companies in economically distressed areas, as well as incubator tenants, importers and exporters, individuals and projects that advance the job development, investment, and economic growth priorities of New York State.

The SBDC also emphasizes counseling and training services to women, veterans, individuals with special needs, and minority entrepreneurs.

If you need help with an existing business or have a business idea, the SBDC can help you make the right decisions and provide assistance throughout the development of your project.

The SBDC works closely with other New York State economic development agencies, faculty, administration and students of host institutions, and representatives from private industry and business to focus resources on assisting small businesses and entrepreneurs.

AWARD WINNING BUSINESS ADVISORS

SBDC centers are staffed with full-time SBDC Certified Business Advisors, with the knowledge, experience, and expertise to provide entrepreneurs with the highest level of counseling and training. Business Advisors undergo rigorous professional certification to continually improve their business knowledge as well as sharpen their counseling skills.

SBDC Business Advisors can also tap into one of the most advanced and responsive business information resources in the country. The New York State SBDC Research Network is a statewide clearinghouse of business information and research. The Resource Network provides SBDC Business Advisors with the latest enterprise-specific information such as: economic, demographic, and regulatory data, or any other information that may have an impact on your small business success. This service is accessible for you by your advisor only.

SBDC Business Advisors have advanced educational certificates or degrees plus top management and/or CEO experience.

Business counseling sessions are confidential and can last for any length of time depending on your needs as an entrepreneur. No-cost confidential business counseling sessions are available by appointment only, Monday-Friday, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

BUSINESS COUNSELING

The Mid-Hudson Region Small Business Development Center offers no cost, confidential one-to-one counseling for existing and new businesses in such areas as:

• Financial planning/projections
• Business research
• Loan information resources & assistance
• Business plan development
• Marketing/sales
• Accounting/bookkeeping
• Strategic planning
• Cost-analysis
• Small business start-ups
• Management assistance
• Customer service
• Start-ups/Expansions
• Relocations
• Ownership transitions
• Improving efficiency
• Import/Export assistance
• Using the Internet for your business
• Product development
• Educate, train, and retain employees
• Compliance issues

And the services are available to businesses in retail, the service sector, manufacturing, agriculture, construction, wholesale, import/export and e-commerce.

They can help you!

The Mid-Hudson Region SBDC conducts one-on-one counseling and entrepreneurial training courses in various locations. Contact the SBDC at: Mid-Hudson Region Small Business Development Center, One Development Court, Kingston, New York 12401, 845-339-0025 (phone), 845-339-1631 (fax), or sbdc@sunyulster.edu.