Region: The Gorge

The SBA has teamed up with the Seattle, Tacoma, and Portland chapters of the Urban League to connect Black-Owned Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs with the various financing options available through the SBA.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the corresponding economic crisis are devastating to Black-Owned Small Businesses and the communities they operate in, and they have been hit disproportionately hard because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The SBA is committed to delivering equitable relief to hard-hit businesses so they can rehire and retain workers, safely reopen, and deliver essential goods and services our communities depend on.

Join us for a webinar that will cover the following:

• An overview of SBA financing programs, including Coronavirus Relief options – like the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), and Shuttered Venue Operators Grand – and traditional SBA lending programs – like the SBA Microloan, 7(a) and 504 loan programs.
• A facilitated panel of local lenders sharing tips and insight to help entrepreneurs gain access to capital.
• Messages from local Urban League leadership.

Runs 4 weeks. Take the first steps to turn your idea into a profitable business. If you have a business idea and need help getting started, the Business Design Series is for you!

In the Business Design Series participants are introduced to key aspects of designing and building a business so they can develop a workable action plan that will become the foundational piece for meeting with an SBDC Advisor. We begin with a self-assessment to help determine an entrepreneur’s level of comfort and competence in 20 critical business focus areas. Instructions, in class activities, articles and worksheets will provide students with tools to address the 4 basic challenge areas to every business: an attractive Business Concept, strong Organizational Structure, lasting Customer Relations and profitable Business Operations.

This class that meets once a week for 2 hours. In 4 weeks students will be able to:

• Use the GrowthWheel to assess their readiness to start a business

• Select a business entity and start a business

• Utilize the Customer Relationship Arc model to design a successful business

• Clarify an idea to determine the viability of the business

• Identify key customers and develop a Customer Persona

• Design a revenue model to meet the needs of key customers

• Create an effective Elevator Pitch

• Explore 21.5 questions every business owner must answer before starting a business

• Determine start up costs and create a basic budget

• Create an action plan with key milestones

• Answer the question “Do I need a traditional business plan?

At the end of this course entrepreneurs will have a workable Action Plan for taking the next steps in building a successful and profitable business.

Following the request of the Governor and the guidelines of Portland Community College, the PCC SBDC and Global Trade Center will now be offering our programs via Zoom technology.

Your program will be delivered via Zoom and you will not need to travel to a PCC campus.

Please reserve your seat in the program here. The Zoom login information will be sent to you in a reminder email prior to the start of the program.

We know that starting a business is daunting. You dive in head first with a thing you are good at and likely love doing and then are slammed in the face with reality: you don’t just do all the things you love. And one of those things that must be done is contend with words like, “revenue, gross receipts, deductions, write-offs, bookkeeping, and taxes.” *Shudder*

But none of these words have to instill fear or shame. Megan Justice, Owner of Crayon Advisory, is out to change those feelings in business owners. With 20 years of experience working with small businesses, she makes accounting and taxes approachable if not a little bit fun.

During her presentation, you can expect to gain a better understanding of what you and/or your tax preparer are/should be looking at while preparing your tax return. Besides your most burning questions about taxes and accounting, bring your most recently prepared return, your 2020 Balance Sheet and Income statement, and maybe even a few colored pencils.

Angel Investment Workshop
…for Fun, Profit, and (local) Economic Growth
March 25, 2021 @ 5:30

One essential component for economic development is entrepreneurship. With economic development in mind, we are generally looking for scalable traded-sector business ventures. These types of businesses can create wealth and jobs that would not otherwise be present in the community.

These types of business ventures also require an eco-system in order to thrive: investors, entrepreneurs, employees, coaches/advisors, service providers, affordable space… The cycle usually starts with investors and entrepreneurs who are willing to make the leap together.
However, this can also be a chicken and the egg type of scenario. It is difficult to create an investment community, unless there are entrepreneurial ventures to invest in. On the other hand, it is difficult to get entrepreneurs to raise their hand, unless the potential to finance the venture exists.

To kick-off this process in eastern Oregon, Eastern Oregon Ventures (EOV), in partnership with the Oregon Technology Business Center (OTBC), will host a virtual workshop on Angel investing. The program is informational in nature, but the ultimate goal is to help raise an Angel fund to invest in early stage eastern Oregon business ventures. The State of Oregon has also expressed an interest in chipping in.

Have you ever wondered about Angel investing? Do you have skills and experience that could be useful for a budding entrepreneur? Would you like to be involved in building early stage ventures? Would you like to help boost the local economy?

Well, this is your opportunity… There is no cost to attend and no obligation to invest.
Come join with your peers and learn how to support/inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Oh, and it can be a blast as well!

REGISTER NOW
(no charge to attend)

Questions?: Call Wilson @ 503.789.2676

This begins a 10 week program of Business Building, finance, marketing, legal issues, ecommerce, accounting and more!
Develop, Start, and Grow your business with confidence. Are you uncertain about how to develop, start and grow your business during the current economic climate? At the same time do you feel overwhelmed AND excited about your new business? Business Builders gives you the training, resources and support you need to develop, start and grow a business towards adaptability, resilience, and profitability. Need more information? Through the 10 week program, you will: Learn how to develop a business model able to innovate and adapt during changing economic conditions Network with other small business owners and learn solutions to navigating these times Hear from experts to ensure your company is compliant Ensure consideration of safety measures for your staff, customers and community are in place Gain clarity about your business within current market conditions Learn how to work on your business in an efficient manner Work and plan one-on-one with a business advisor Learn from subject-matter experts

Each week we’ll bring in subject-matter experts to teach on important areas. Sessions meet weekly for 10-weeks and are 3-hours long. Business Builders is more than just a class. It includes: -Group learning and networking to discuss challenges, exchange resources, and find solutions with peers -30 hours of classroom business education with 10 weekly, 3-hour sessions taught by subject-matter experts. Subjects include:

Defining mission, vision, goals The Business Model Canvas The Pillars of Marketing Building Your Brand Marketing in the age of COVID-19 Understanding Legal Concepts Bookkeeping and Finance Pricing is an Art E-Commerce Sales: Virtual Business Model Financing Your Business

Compliance with U.S. Import and Export Regulations

Who is legally responsible for compliance? What government agencies beside BIS (Bureau of Industry and Security) are involved? Why is compliance important (fine avoidance and…)? Review of key focus areas; compliance terms; and prohibitions.

Following the request of the Governor and the guidelines of Portland Community College, the PCC SBDC and Global Trade Center will now be offering our programs via Zoom technology.

Your program will be delivered via Zoom and you will not need to travel to a PCC campus.

Please reserve your seat in the program here. The Zoom login information will be sent to you in a reminder email prior to the start of the program.