“Small business is an economic powerhouse that knows you by your first name.” — National Federation of Independent Businesses.
Nationally, small businesses continue to generate 75 percent of all new jobs and represent 99.7 percent of all employers. They employ 53 percent of the work force and 47 percent of all sales in the U.S., according to the U.S. SBA.
The Nevada Small Business Development Center (Nevada SBDC) is a partnership program of the SBA and is leveraged through federal, state, local and private resources. Established in 1985, Nevada SBDC is starting its 31st year as a free and confidential resource for Nevada entrepreneurs and businesses. Like other SBDCs nationally, the Nevada SBDC helps those small businesses looking to get started and those seeking to expand their operations.
The goal of the Nevada SBDC is to provide consulting services to new and existing businesses that would otherwise not be able to afford these services. Types of assistance include help with business start-up, legal information, acquiring financing, creating business plans, marketing plans, financial projections, research, website creation, importing, exporting, customer service, and social media training. In addition, Nevada SBDC counselors facilitate networking opportunities amongst business owners, connect buyers with suppliers and match businesses with complimenting services. Counselors are a business’ professional support system.
Nevada’s affiliation with the state’s higher educational institutions, University of Nevada, Reno, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, College of Southern Nevada, and Great Basin College affords the Nevada SBDC the opportunity to utilize students to add greater depth to counseling and training efforts, while creating real-life learning experiences as members of our team. Business education is critical to the success of the Nevada SBDC, whether it be in small business or in the classroom. Greg Mosier, the dean of the UNR College of Business and lead host to the program, concurs. Says Mosier, “the Nevada SBDC is instrumental in supporting business development across the state.”
Nevada SBDC Programs
Nevada SBDC also hosts the Center for Regional Studies, which provides analytical and mapping services utilizing demographic and economic data to support banks, property owners, housing developers, commercial brokers, title companies, consultants, engineering firms, and Nevada SBDC clients. Nevada SBDC’s Business Environmental Program (BEP) is housed within NVEnergy in Reno and the City of Las Vegas in the south. BEP provides environmental and energy management assistance for Nevada’s businesses and government entities. The technical assistance is confidential and non-regulatory.
Special Initiatives
In 2015, the Nevada SBDC expanded its role as a champion for local businesses by affiliating with the Made in Nevada marketing initiative. This campaign promotes statewide businesses through an online market format and numerous trade shows. For membership information and membership opportunities, visit the website at www.madeinnevada.org.
Nevada SBDC supports Nevada’s changing demographics. In partnership with U.S. SBA and Wells Fargo, Nevada SBDC provides business counseling and training in Spanish for the increasing Hispanic population, now 27 percent statewide.
According to Intuit, 40 percent of business owners consider themselves financially illiterate and 66 percent wish they knew more about finances. Nevada SBDC has been providing training using FDIC’s curriculum Money Smart Financial Education Program. This helps business owners learn about borrowing basics, financial recovery, using credit effectively, and spending plans.
Boots to Business: Reboot is introductory Nevada SBDC and SBA training geared for all veterans and spouses that are considering starting a business. Many veterans are natural entrepreneurs, possessing the skills, experience and leadership to start businesses and create jobs.
Let Nevada SBDC be your first call to grow your business. Call, visit the website at www.nevadasbdc.org, or schedule an appointment at one of 15 offices around the state.
