The Small Business Development Center hosted by MiraCosta College Celebrating 20 Years of Making the American Dream Come True for Thousands of Small Business Owners

Over the past twenty years thousands of local entrepreneurs and business owners have visited The North San Diego Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to help them start, manage and grow their businesses.  I was one of those entrepreneurs and the information and support I received was priceless. I am now celebrating a decade in business. The SBDC consultants have been with me and thousands of small business owners every step of the way.  There is no cost to entrepreneurs and small business owners for private one-on-one business advising and most of the training and resources available to them.

On July 1, 1999 MiraCosta College opened the doors of the North San Diego Small Business Development Center (SBDC) adjacent to the MiraCosta College Learning Center in Oceanside. It was formerly a Wendy’s restaurant founded by legendary entrepreneur Dave Thomas. Instead of serving up burgers and fries the SBDC serves up technical training including one-on-one business advising, training workshops and access to resources including funding. 
 
The North San Diego SBDC works closely with business and community organizations including the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce, local cities including the City of Oceanside and local legislators.  The SBDC was recently honored at the “Meet the Buyers” in Oceanside by Senator Bates and Congressman Levin for 20 years of service to the community.
 
 “This year the San Diego and Imperial SBDC Network has already helped small businesses access over $100M in capital and increased their revenues over $60M,” states Sudershan Shaunak, Director, North San Diego SBDC.   “Our objective is to help entrepreneurs and small business owners create, manage and run their business profitably”, continues Shaunak. The goal of many SBDC clients is to become the “Wendy’s” of their industry, to provide a better life for their family and to help their community prosper.  SBDC’s help them do that as well as saving money, time and stress. 
 
LOL-Life Of Liberty Adult Day Program CEO and Founder Debra Howard had a successful career in law enforcement however she took a different career path.   She found herself working to support adults with developmental disabilities while helping them achieve successful independence.  She found her passion. Debra saw there was a demand for more day programs and decided to open “Life of Liberty” at 320 North Horne Street, Oceanside, CA (https://lol-lifeofliberty.com).
 
Debra had no idea how to make her idea a reality until she made an appointment with the SBDC.  “I knew I could do this but I just did not know how.  I sat down with the Director, took workshops and met with business advisors on a regular basis. They helped me create a business plan, operating budget, projections, obtain a loan, get all my licenses, permits, hire the right people, find clients and open my doors. I could not have done it without the SBDC.
I continue to access and use the SBDC consultants and their training programs, states, Debra Howard, CEO Life of Liberty.   “Our goal is to open more Life of Liberty locations not just in California but everywhere. And I know I can do it with the SBDC on my team!” exclaims Howard.
 
The North San Diego SBDC has expanded and relocated to 2075 Las Palmas Dr., Carlsbad, CA 92011 adjacent to the MiraCosta College Technology Career Institute.  The SBDC program is a partnership between the U.S. Congress, the Small Business Administration, (SBA), the private sector, colleges, universities and the state to help small business owners provide economic impact including job creation, increased revenues and capital infusion. 
 
During the past twenty years (July 1999- July 2019) the North San Diego and Imperial SBDC provided the following economic impact for the San Diego and Imperial region
•          9,100 New Businesses Were Created
•          3,232 Jobs Were Created and Retained
•          $234,654,427.00 in Sales Increases
•          $105,184,472.95 in Capital Infusion Raised
 
Small business owners and entrepreneurs can go to their local SBDCs for free, face-to-face business consulting and low or no cost training on writing business plans, business expansion, accessing capital, purchasing or selling a business, finance, marketing, sales, social media, human resources, regulatory compliance, international trade, procurement, and more.
 
The North San Diego SBDC is only a click or phone call away- visit us at www.sdivsbdc.org to register for workshops and the entrepreneurship academy or call 760-795-8740 to schedule a one-on-one meeting with a business advisor.
 
The Oceanside Chamber of Commerce and the SBDC are now offering small business owners the opportunity to meet with an SBDC business advisor at the Chamber of Commerce on Monday afternoons.  Business owners can schedule an appointment by contacting the North San Diego SBDC 760-795-8740 or centerinfo@miracosta.edu
 
Lynn Pittman is a small business owner and the marketing and outreach specialist for the North San Diego SBDC.