|
Connect With Us
|
 Facebook  Twitter |
|
|
May 6, 2010
We are so happy to announce that the North Coast Small Business Resource Center has made it to our 25th Anniversary!
In all of the excitement, I've found that USAToday columnist and bestselling author of books for small business and entrepreneurs Rhonda Abrams recognizes the value of the SBDCs by saying,
"Small
business is the most trusted institution in America!
It's time for us
small business owners to pat ourselves on the back! We're part of the most
trusted institution in America! A Pew Center study that came
out earlier this month showed that we're trusted by people of all political
persuasions-Republicans,
Democrats, and Independents alike. That's because people know that small
businesses make up the "real economy" in this country and create 90% of jobs.
So, be proud, small business!"
|
Our 25th Anniversary: People
| |
Much gratitude to Joan Rainwater-Gish, who wrote the first grant that started the North Coast Small Business Resource Center.
 Joan recalls, "I
originally wrote the proposal to fund the first State NCSBDC when Theatta
Goodwin was the Executive Director of RREDC. RREDC provided us with an office
space in the building they occupied which was located next to the Stanton
Drive-thru - which, of course, is now a laundromat!!
I remember my proposal was
to provide technical assistance to startups/existing businesses. I received
requests for accounting and marketing help but the majority of the requests were
for financing. As RREDC had minimum money to loan out, I looked for another
financing source and discovered the SBA!
I drove down to S.F., found its large
office building, walked inside and introduced myself. I vividly remember the
conversation: "Hi, my name is Joan Rainwater-Gish from Eureka, CA and I would
like to talk with someone regarding securing SBA loans".
The response: "Eureka
. . . . . well, we haven't been there in years!" To which I replied, "That's
what I want to talk to you about". And so began the long relationship with the
SBA."
Fran Clark was the Executive
Director of the North Coast Small Business Resource Center and really
was one very influential person at the onset of the organization.
In
tribute to Fran:
"Executive Director Fran Clark mostly
worked in Crescent City, where she lived. With Fran's encouragement, I
started holding "basics classes", which were a big hit and helped us
handle the work load with a single full-time counselor (me).
Fran
was a wonderfully warm and witty person. She really cared about her
clients, and worked with a wide variety of them. Before my time, she
had set up a co-op for the Hmong women to help sell their crafts, and
specialized in helping people set up day care centers.
She
helped people from Bridgeville and Orick as well as those closer by in
Eureka, Arcata, and Crescent City. She worked, maybe, too hard, and
took on, maybe, too much. But she loved it, and was loved for it. Fran
was skilled at working with her board, and worked closely and well with
Gregg Foster.
Fran is one of the people I will always admire and
miss, even though I knew her so briefly."
-Barbara Madaras,
Former Business Advisor and Interim Executive Director
|
Our 25th Anniversary: Clients
| |
In the Beginning...
Kees Oostra and Teri McCune-Oostra of The Dutch Gardener were just starting to 'plant the seeds' of starting their business, and contacted Fran Clark at the North Coast SBDC to get help with their business plan and to 'grow' their business.
In the Nineties...
Executive Director Fran Clark was a Founding Member of the Women Entrepreneurs Institute, playing a significant role in the development and integration of the SBDC's support of the WEI.
In the New Millennium...
Jessica McGuinty of Jessicurl decided to relocate when she realized it probably wasn't a good
idea to make hair products on her stove at home while simultaneously making
dinner.
Renata Maculans of Renata's Creperie was operating out of a truck while dreaming of a brick-and-mortar restaurant.
And many more of our success stories flourished.
Now....
Meet our current success stories:
|
| Our 25th Anniversary: Events |
Celebrating small business success
with renewed energy and optimism.
Tuesday May 18
5:00 - 7:30 pm
Arcata Theater Lounge
1036 G Street, Arcata
Join Arcata Economic
Development Corporation in celebrating the success of the North Coast
SBDC's 25 years; NorCAN's Non-Profit Leader of the Year, Sharyne Harper;
and all of the small businesses in our community who have come through a
tough year with the spirit to continue to move forward.
·
Sample local foods
· Visit business displays
· Win great door
prizes
· Live music
by Magnolia
This
event is FREE, but you must RSVP! Please call 822-4616 ext. 12 to RSVP
before the event.
|
| Events |
Save the Date...
North Coast SBDC Contractors:
Semi-Annual Contractors Meeting is scheduled for Friday June 4 from 10
am to 12 noon.
Official notification will follow via email.
The Greater
Eureka Chamber of Commerce Business Builder Workshops
Getting
Your Business Noticed in the Media
May 28, register by May 17
Round
Table Discussion
June 11, register by June 2
www.eurekachamber.com/workshops
Go to top
|
| News |
California SBDC builds small business tenacity
through recession
EUREKA-Despite enduring lulls in the national and state economy, the
California Small Business Development Centers continue to leave an
indelible impact on statewide economic development-retaining 2,400 jobs
and building 3,000 new ones in 2009.
The California SBDC, with 35 Small Business Development Centers
throughout the state, provides free consulting to over 17,000
entrepreneurs and low-cost training to approximately 40,000 of
California's 1.3 million business owners every year.
Read more here
|
|
Grants & Programs |
Every year the North Coast Small Business Resource Center provides technical assistance to hundreds of clients in our region by utilizing grant funds from the Small Business Administration, the County Workforce Investment Board, the Headwaters Fund, and California Community Development Block Grant-Microenterprise Program.
We also receive project specific funds from organizations such as the Local Child Care Planning Council, Wells Fargo, and PG&E, for example.
The work we do here is a reflection of the work of thousands of SBDC's throughout the nation. The Association of Small Business Development Centers conducted a survey and research for 2007-2008 and found that nationally the SBDC's have a meaningful impact.
|
Workshops
|
EurekaMay 12: Start-Up Basics May 18: Marketing Basics May 26: Books and Records May 27: Business Plan Basics June 1: Financial Basics To register or for more information go to www.northcoastsbdc.org or call 707-445-9720
Crescent City May 6: Books and Records
May 11: Marketing Basics
May 25: Financial Basics
June 8: Start Up Basics
June 22: Business Plan Basics
To register or for more information call 707-464-2168.
|
| Stat for this month. |
The North Coast Small Business Resource Center has helped clients to create and retain jobs by being our area's premier provider of technical assistance and layoff aversion counseling. The overall 2009 impact is 220 jobs created and 424 jobs retained, for a total of 644 jobs in small businesses in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties. Thank you to Lead Business Advisor Janet DePace for compiling the data into the above charts. |
|
Thank you to all of our clients and supporters for 25 wonderful years!
 Sincerely,
Kathrine Bridgwater
Small Business Development Analyst
Go to top
|
|
|
