Insight
Working with your SBDC advisor can help you gain fresh and objective insights into your business. Our goal is to help you get the knowledge, understanding and tools you need to make better informed business decisions
Solutions
Your advisor can guide you through the discovery process to develop viable solutions to the challenges you face or opportunities your business wants to take advantage of
Success
For 30 years the SBDC has consistently proven that businesses using our resources have a higher level success, both in the short term and over the long haul
Client Services
Our Certified Business Advisors and International Trade Specialists assist owners and managers across every aspect of your business management, operation and expansion. Other SBDC advisors and private sector resources are brought in when needed to address specific needs and issues. Our approach is to surround you with the help that you need, when you need it!
SBDC primary services include customized one-on-one advising designed to assist and inform business owners and managers to help them make better informed business decisions to grow and sustain their businesses. Other services of the SBDC include customized and nationally recognized training and advisor assisted gathering of critical market intelligence.
The SBDC Network maintains offices throughout the state. Most businesses are within one hour of their local SBDC office.
In-depth assistance
We take the time to get to know you and your business to insure you get the assistance you need. Typical advising sessions include financial topics, access to capital, growth planning, marketing and sales, employment issues, government procurement, e-commerce and more.
Your SBDC advisor(s) will take the time to learn about your business and you as an owner/manager. This approach is part of the long-term relationship with your business that is designed to help insure you have the knowledge, tools and processes you need to take the business wherever you want it to go. In short, we help you find what you need to make better informed business decision now and into the future.
Confidential assistance
Your confidentiality is mandated by federal law. The fact you are working with us and the information you provide will be held in strictest confidence and will not be released to any parties outside of the Washington SBDC network without your written permission. Your information will never be sold, shared with other organizations or used for commercial advantage of any SBDC advisor or staff member. In fact, SBDC employees are forbidden to get ANY benefit from their relationship with our clients.
No-cost assistance
Our advising services are delivered to you at NO-COST. They are paid for by the U.S. Small Business Administration, the State of Washington, Washington State University and various local universities, colleges, community organizations and a few private sector companies supporting economic development. We have strict conflict of interest policies that prohibit our advisors from receiving any benefit from assisting you, thus keeping our focus where it belongs, on your business. However, minimal fees may apply for specialized training, outside services (such as research) or materials.
“[The SBDC Advisor] was not just helpful, he was CRUCIAL.” “We would not have been able to do nearly so well so soon without him.”
March 11, 2020
“He took everything I wrote and made it better” “He made sure it sounded professional and he added research on demographics and other market research.” “If I didn’t have [my SBDC advisor], I don’t think the bank would have given me the loan”
Dr. Tashauna Devine Devine Chiropractic Ephrata December 23, 2019
“If I had to do it all over again, I would have started with the SBDC sooner”. “I could have been building people and systems much earlier and my business would be larger and more profitable today.”
Joshua Wilke Sky High Tree Removal Auburn December 20, 2019
“If you don’t run the reports every morning, you might think you are making a lot of money, and you aren’t” “Now, we have better systems.”
David Ruelas Fast Mobile Service Truck Repair and Parts Grandview December 17, 2019
“I can see the business being easier to manage in the future because now I have systems in place”
“He’s helped me become a better boss”
Nicole Chryst Ballaura Wellness Spa Olympia July 25, 2019
“She helped me understand what bankers are looking for”
Tim Buiten Tim’s Complete Landscape Management Kent June 11, 2019
“He helped us look at things we didn’t want to look at or didn’t know to look at.” “He always says, ‘Let’s look at the facts, let’s look at the numbers”
Kim Bisson and Susan Hays Rainier Family Physical Therapy Puyallup January 25, 2019
“SBDC advisors have such a breadth of experience” “Sometimes you don’t even know what you don’t know. They can point out things that you never thought to look at.”
Arianna Brooke Millianna Spokane October 11, 2018
“I love working with [our SBDC advisor] because she is so honest with me,” “and she’s really efficient.” “We are grateful to SBDC for their practical and spot-on advising,”
Ashley Fullenwider Nuu-Muu Bellingham July 27, 2018
“I know I wouldn’t have bought Cevado without Lew's help” “There were so many things that I needed to do, and he helped me with every single one.
Jennifer Tate Cevado Technologies Twisp July 13, 2018
“He's been a great resource every time there’s been an issue that we are dealing with.” “Business owners can benefit from SBDC advising at any stage.”
Matt and Kaylee Purcell PCI Pest Control Olympia April 13, 2018
“All of them were in my corner, finding a way to make this happen” “They are everything that you would want when trying to grow, need advice or are applying for a loan”,
Danny House Dan the Sausageman Burien April 2, 2018
“The opportunity to talk over financing, cash flow, business structure and business systems was extremely helpful.” “The advice, information and guidance we received was exceptional”
Patricia Butterfield Winescape Spokane March 19, 2018
“Troubling trends can be addressed before they become disasters, and opportunities can be exploited before they disappear. I learned that from my SBDC advisor”
Kenneth Rogers Rain City Catering Renton June 30, 2017
“He was able to walk us through the early steps to the point that we were able to finally buy the property.”
Paul Smotherman North Cascades Mountain Hostel Winthrop May 26, 2017
“It’s not easy, and I think people really need to understand that. But the SBDC really is an amazing resource and guiding light in helping to make it more manageable”
Marley Shain Rall The Brewmaster’s Bakery and Taproom Renton May 12, 2017
We don’t always love putting our business hats on,” but their advisor helps them do that: “We never leave his office without at least three great ideas, three action items and renewed focus and energy for our businesses.”
Suzy Green Three Trees Yoga Federal Way March 21, 2017
“We couldn’t afford any missteps, so guidance was crucial to our decisions going forward. My SBDC advisor helped me build a business plan with the money I had available.” “I know that we couldn’t have achieved our success without assistance from the SBDC.” Rod Cassel, Core Northwest, Yakima February 21, 2017
Rod Cassel Core Northwest Yakima February 21, 2017
“The biggest advice [my SBDC advisor] gave me is that I need to work on the business, not in the business” “That kind of changed my mindset.”
Northwest ABA Tukwila February 15, 2017
“He’ll walk in with a fresh set of eyes with a lot of experience. He helps guide us where we need to be.”
Luke Hossner DropForge Leather Care Clarkston January 27, 2017
“I have the utmost respect for the SBDC.” “I could not have done this without the support and help of my advisor. It changed my life.”
Thea Heineman Monroe Montessori Monroe January 27, 2017
“They didn’t take us seriously until they saw our projections, but then it was like, ‘Wow, this girl really knows what she’s doing.’”
Megan West Owner Claim Clothing Ellensburg November 2, 2015
"There is no doubt that my planning process would have been far more difficult, and I would have missed some essential elements if not for the SBDC."
SBDC Client Wenatchee June 26, 2014
"SBDC provided tools such as spreadsheets to help plan and manage the business."
SBDC Client Yakima June 26, 2014
"My advisor at the SBDC gave me the knowledge, insight and technical assistance necessary to encourage and empower me."
SBDC Client Seattle June 26, 2014
How can we help you?
I want to learn about ways to grow my business.
I want to learn about growing my sales through exporting my products and services.
I want to learn about starting my own business.
