America's #1 Trusted Small Business Network

Celebrates 35 Years

Business has changed dramatically in the last 35 years, from the introduction of new technologies to the expansion of global trade. And  America’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) network has been there throughout -- helping small businesses succeed, and helping aspiring entrepreneurs achieve the American dream of owning their own business.

“America’s small businesses are truly the engine of economic growth, and for 35 years, America’s SBDCs have been like spark plugs helping to keep that engine going,” said Charles “Tee” Rowe, President of America’s SBDC.

Today, a new business is opened by an SBDC in-depth client every 33 minutes; a new job is created in the U.S. by an SBDC in-depth client every 7 minutes; $100,000 in new sales are generated by SBDC in-depth clients every 4 minutes; and $100,000 in capital is obtained by SBDC in-depth clients every 15 minutes.

America’s SBDC network is a partnership that includes the U.S. Congress, SBA, the private sector, and the colleges, universities and state governments that manage SBDCs across the nation. SBDCs provide management and technical assistance to an estimated one million small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs each year. Small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs can go to their local SBDCs for free, face-to-face business consulting and at-cost training on writing business plans, accessing capital, marketing, regulatory compliance, international trade and more.

The 35-year story of how America’s Small Business Development Center Network grew -- from a small pilot program to a nationwide business education and training infrastructure with nearly 1,000 centers throughout the nation providing management and technical assistance to over a million Americans annually -- is a unique one. It chronicles the commitment of key federal lawmakers, training professionals, college and university officials, state and local policymakers, private and public sector partners, dedicated SBDC personnel, an active trade association and, most of all, the millions of small business men and women who have come to America’s SBDCs seeking to improve their lives through America’s free enterprise system.

Celebrating 35 years to us doesn’t mean looking back, it means looking to the next 35 years and where our network is going and what we are doing that is changing and revolutionizing the small business world. To learn more about what the SBDC program in your state is doing for small business, go to the SBDC locator and find out how SBDCs are helping businesses start, grow and thrive where you live.

To learn more about America’s SBDC or find your local SBDC, visit AmericasSBDC.org today!

 

 

 

Celebrating 35 Years

 

 

1975	William Flewellen, Jr. (of the University of Georgia) and Reed Powell (of the California State Polytechnic University at Pomona), both of whom served on the SBA National Advisory Board, begin discussing the need for a program that combines the resources of higher education, government and the private sector to support the development of small businesses.
1976	The SBA implements a new University Business Development Center (UBDC) Program by funding a pilot initiative at California State Polytechnic University in Pomona, CA.
1977	Seven more universities are added to the network, in Georgia, California, Missouri, Nebraska, Maine, Florida and New Jersey.   Senator Gaylord Nelson introduces the Small Business Development Center Act
1979	The network grows to 16 participants, with the addition of centers in Arkansas, the District of Columbia, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah and Washington State, and becomes known as the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) network.   The Association of Small Business Development Centers is formed, and Larry Bramlett, Director of the Georgia SBDC, becomes the Association’s first president.
1980	President Carter signs legislation enacting the Small Business Development Centers network into law (P.L. 96-302).   Massachusetts and Alabama are added to the network.
1981- 1982	Connecticut, Mississippi Kentucky, Iowa, Vermont, West Virginia and Delaware are added to the network.   The SBA SBDC National Advisory Board is established.
1983- 1984	SBA appoints a Deputy Associate Administrator for Management Assistance (later to be known as the Associate Administrator for SBDCs). Ms. Johnnie Albertson manages the national program in that position for the greater part of 20 years.   “Peer Reviews” are initiated and become the forerunner of the modern-day SBDC certification/accreditation program, which is provided for by statute.   Rhode Island, Michigan, Louisiana, Kansas Illinois, Tennessee, Texas- Arlington, Oregon, New Hampshire, New York (SUNY), Oklahoma, Texas- Houston and North Carolina are added to the network.
1985- 87	Indiana, Nevada, NY (Downstate) North Dakota, Puerto Rico, South Dakota, the Virgin Islands, Wyoming, Texas-Dallas, Texas-Lubbock, Texas-San Antonio, Ohio, Idaho and Alaska are added to the network.
1988- 1990	Arizona, Colorado, Maryland, Montana, New Mexico, Hawaii and Virginia are added to the network.
1991	The SBDC program returns to California after an absence of several years, establishing for the first time an SBDC program in every state in the nation.   The Association of Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC) hosts its first national Professional Development Conference for SBDCs.
1993	Dr. James Chrisman publishes the first SBDC Economic Impact report on the nationwide impact of America’s SBDC network.
1995	Guam is added to the network.
2000	American Samoa is added to the network.
2003	Six regional SBDC programs are established in California, making 63 total SBDC programs.

 

 

2013	America’s SBDCs help in-depth consulting clients create a new job every 7 minutes; a new business every 33 minutes; $100,000 in sales every four minutes; and access $100,000 in capital every 15 minutes.   The Association of Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC) rebrands itself and the national SBDC network as “America’s SBDC.”
2015	America’s SBDC celebrates its 35th Anniversary.   America’s SBDC network comprises nearly 1,000 centers across the nation, providing consulting, training and other services to approximately one million small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs each year.

 

 

 

 

 

Tahitoa Polynesian Dance School Opens in Tamuning

By: Denise Mendiola-Hertslet
Senior Business Advisor/WIB Program Coordinator
(Guam SBDC)

Jens Holvoet is from Belgium, but his heart is in Guam. He had the idea of starting a Polynesian entertainment company back in October 2013 when he visited. Although his background involved making hip hop & rap music which is the opposite of Polynesian dance plus he was not a dancer himself, Jens felt that this was an opportunity worth investing in. He soon met June Cabral and that was the start of Tahitoa Polynesian Dance School.

Jens Holvoet received his Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Clinical psychology, has a background in economics and trade, and knowledge in online marketing and consumer psychology. His parents owned a bicycle repair and sales shop for over 25 years, but closed the shop earlier this year where his father continues to be a self-employed mechanic. His mother stopped working as a seamstress to tend to their three children and assisted in the daily operations of the shop.

 

Instructor and choreographer, June Cabral came from a talented and supportive family.  Her dad is a professional ballroom dancer and an architect.  Her mom is a home maker, active with sports (volleyball) and helps her dad with the family business. “Our parents supported us kids with anything we did. Growing up I took piano lessons, choir, sports and even dancing. But as I grew older I realized that I actually wanted to pursue dance more than anything.” June has extensive experience in Polynesian dance:  teaching, choreographing, designing and creating costumes for almost 15 years. She explained that she was taught by many great instructors and professional dancers. In addition, she shared that dance is her passion.  “When it comes to dancing, I have the patience and determination to get it done. I never give up on anything I set my mind to until I succeed or feel it’s perfect.”

Owner, Jens and choreographer, June, decided to bring their individual talents together to pursue a Polynesian dance company.  According to Jens, “She has a lot of experience in Polynesian dancing and I see it as one of the big markets in Guam and feel it can be a successful business.”

When Jens and June needed assistance with a business plan, they contacted the Guam Small Business Development Center.  June says, “It helped so much. They are there to guide you. Give you advice. They pretty much helped paved the way. And it was a big plus knowing it was a free service for small business owners or people that are thinking of starting a business but dont really know where to start. I give many thanks for their help and support. We at Tahitoa Productions are forever thankful for SBDC and especially to Denise Hertslet.”

For Jens who came into Guam and was not familiar with the regulations and policies, the Guam SBDC was a useful tool in accessing this information. Denise guided them to the correct departments and showed them to the right people to help with certain things that are vital to starting a business. According to Jens, Denise gave him the chance to address his ideas and concerns which gave him better insight on what was needed to be done. June also played a vital role in assisting Jens with Guam’s way of life.



Owner Jens Holvoet and
Choreographer June Cabral

The constant worry of whether you will succeed or not and dreaming up of worst case scenarios were some things that June feared. But that fear also served as a motivation to succeed. “I guess not matter what you just have to be optimistic and find out what the people want and just keep moving forward no matter what comes your way,” June says. Knowing that she had followers and people who loved and supported her served as positive influences to keep pushing forward. June adds, “Just simply being able to own and run your own business knowing you’re in control and you can do things the way you want it to be is great.”

 

June advises, “Seek help with SBDC. Don’t waste any time and don’t ever give up. Make a plan and follow it. It can be quite challenging at times but just keep your head up and work hard to make it happen. Someday you will reach your goals and you'll look back and be proud of yourself that through it all you never gave up.”

For more information on how the Guam SBDC can assist you, contact their office at 671-735-2590 or visit their website at www.pacificsbdc.com.