Reach New Global Markets

Get Export Ready

At the OCIE SBDC Global Trade Center, we help small businesses take the leap into international markets with confidence. Whether you’re just beginning to explore export opportunities or are ready to scale your global operations, our team of experienced consultants is here to guide you every step of the way.

We understand that expanding into international markets can feel overwhelming, but it also opens the door to exciting new growth, customers, and revenue streams. That’s why we offer personalized, hands-on, no-cost support to help you navigate the complexities of global trade. No matter your industry or level of experience, we’re here to help you grow beyond borders.

Our Services

We specialize in helping businesses successfully enter and thrive in international markets. Our comprehensive suite of services is designed to meet clients where they are and guide them through the entire global expansion process.

Here is a quick overview of the most common expansion challenges our consultants can help you explore.

We assess your company’s capacity, resources, and goals to determine your readiness to enter international markets. Our consultants help identify internal strengths and gaps to ensure your business is positioned for global success.

Our team conducts customized research to help you identify high-potential markets for your products or services. Using industry databases and trade intelligence tools, we pinpoint where demand exists and how you can best enter those markets.

We connect you with a wide network of resources, including federal, state, and local trade organizations, foreign consulates, and trade-focused grants. From logistics to compliance, we provide the tools you need to navigate global trade confidently.

Our consultants work with you to create a tailored export strategy, complete with a tactical action plan. We focus on aligning your goals with international opportunities and support you through every phase, from planning to execution.

We facilitate connections through targeted trade missions and business matchmaking events. These opportunities allow you to explore new markets, meet potential buyers or distributors, and establish valuable partnerships abroad.

The Client Journey

Expanding into global markets is a big step, and we’re here to make it manageable. When you work with the OCIE SBDC Global Trade Center, you’ll follow a clear, personalized process designed to align your business goals with international opportunities. Here’s how we help guide your path to global success:

1. Initial Consultation & Intake
Your journey begins with a call to our intake team to learn more about your business, goals, and readiness for international trade. We gather key information like your industry, experience with exporting, and available resources to determine fit and next steps.

2. Assessment & Strategic Planning
Once qualified, you’ll meet with a Global Trade consultant for a full business assessment. We evaluate your operations, finances, customers, and team to understand where your business stands. Based on this, we deliver a customized plan with clear goals and strategies for export growth.

3. Market Research & Tactical Support
Our team conducts targeted research to identify high-potential markets and sales channels for your products or services. We provide actionable insights, including marketing plans, sales strategies, financial projections, and funding recommendations to support your expansion.

4. Execution & Ongoing Support
With your trade plan in hand, we help you take action. You’ll receive continued support through quarterly check-ins to track progress and adjust your strategy as needed.

Meet the Team

At the heart of the Global Trade Center is a dedicated team of international trade experts committed to helping small businesses grow beyond borders. With deep knowledge in export readiness, market analysis, global expansion, and international finance, our team provides personalized guidance to help you navigate the complexities of doing business abroad. Whether you’re new to exporting or scaling your global reach, we’re here to support your success every step of the way.

Success Stories

From first-time exporters to seasoned businesses entering new markets, our clients have achieved remarkable global growth with support from the OCIE SBDC Global Trade Center. These success stories highlight the impact of personalized guidance, strategic planning, and strong international partnerships.

Check out some stories from our clients:

Martha Garduño, founder of HAAB Networks, launched her technology reselling company in 2019 with a mission to gain financial independence, spend more time with family, and make a meaningful impact. Specializing in networking equipment, routers, and fiber optic products, HAAB Networks serves B2B clients across the U.S. and Latin America, with a strategic focus on government contracts in Mexico.

Although Martha had limited business experience at the outset, her determination and persistence, often literally knocking on doors, led to early success. When presented with an opportunity to secure a nearly $850,000 export contract in Mexico, Martha turned to the OCIE SBDC Global Trade Center for guidance on navigating regulatory challenges and cross-border trade requirements. With SBDC support, she successfully fulfilled the contract and positioned her business for further growth.

Martha credits her experience with the SBDC for transforming her understanding of business models and expanding her reach to new manufacturers and markets. She emphasized the continued support from her SBDC consultant who provided invaluable resources, answered complex questions, and facilitated opportunities, including participation in the Vietnam trade mission. According to Martha, the SBDC has been instrumental in opening doors to major projects and helping her scale her business in ways she never imagined.
Jonnalyn launched her business, The Humble Hearts of the West LLC, after becoming the sole and exclusive U.S. distributor for “Klirwhite,” a cosmetic soap manufactured in the Philippines by a well-known Filipina celebrity. Inspired by her son to build a lasting legacy, Jonnalyn entered the beauty and skincare industry with a mission to empower stay-at-home individuals and those seeking supplemental income.

Though passionate, she initially lacked the operational foundation to support her growing business and came to the SBDC feeling overwhelmed. With many U.S.-based customers and potential resellers reaching out, her top priority was to establish a legal distribution agreement. The OCIE SBDC Global Trade Center connected her with legal resources through the Southern California District Export Council (So. Cal DEC), resulting in a finalized agreement with the soap producer. She was also provided guidance on U.S. import regulations, state-level compliance, logistics, and pricing strategy.

Through this support, Jonnalyn successfully imported her first shipments, onboarded four state distributors and two county distributors, and generated thousands in sales. She credits the SBDC with helping her reduce shipping costs, develop contracts, and improve her pricing structure. In her own words, working with the SBDC “remarkably transformed [her] business.”

Vietnam Trade Mission

The OCIE SBDC led a trade mission to Vietnam, connecting local businesses with international partners through strategic meetings, site tours, and cultural experiences. The trip opened doors to Vietnam’s dynamic market and laid the groundwork for future global growth.

South Korea Trade Mission

A delegation of prominent leaders and business professionals concluded a successful trade mission to South Korea, organized by the OCIE SBDC. The mission, aimed at fostering economic partnerships and exploring opportunities for collaboration, facilitated a vibrant exchange between the two regions.

Ready to Grow Globally?

No matter where you are in your export journey, the OCIE SBDC Global Trade Center is here to help you take the next step with clarity and confidence. Our expert advisors, deep trade resources, and personalized approach are designed to help your business thrive in international markets. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation and discover how we can support your global expansion. Let’s take you global.

Richa_Manal

Manal Richa

Director, CSUF SBDC and SBDC Global Trade Center

Areas of Expertise

  • Startup Assistance
  • Marketing
  • Retail
  • Software
  • Financial Projections and Micro Loans

Languages

  • Arabic
  • French 

Experience
Manal owns her own business and understands the challenges that small businesses face.  At the SBDC her focus has been on guiding entrepreneurs in launching and starting new businesses and helping established business owners take their companies to the next level. She is very knowledgeable of the digital world, e-commerce, SEO, and social media.

Beau Brown

Business Consultant

Areas of Expertise

  • Export and import
  • Trade agreements
  • Tariff and non-tariff barriers
  • Political risk
  • Trade facilitation and capacity building
  • Textile and apparel
  • Food manufacturing
  • Agriculture
  • Services sector
  • Market research
  • Competitive strategy
  • Qualitative methods
 

Experience
Beau is the founder of a consulting firm that serves the sports and lifestyle markets. With more than 20 years in international business development, he has spent his career in product innovation, building sales and marketing teams, and developing strategies from concept to consumer. Beau works with numerous companies as a Trusted Advisor to bring market and industry insight to their organizations. His ground-up, practical experience as a small business owner has afforded him the opportunity to see issues from the clients’ perspective.

Ina Wang

Business Consultant

Languages

  • Mandarin Chinese
 

Experience
Ina Wang has more than 30 years of experience in international trade, previously serving as executive director and group vice president at a public company. Her expertise spans commercial contract management and global trade compliance, with a deep understanding of U.S. export regulations, including EAR, ITAR, and U.S. customs laws. She holds a master’s in regulatory trade compliance from Dunlap-Stone University and an MBA from the University of Phoenix.

Stewart_Lynn

Lynn Stewart

Business Consultant

Areas of Expertise

  • International expansion
  • Exporting
  • Importing
  • International marketing
  • Training
  • International trade missions/shows
  • Foreign direct investment


Experience
Lynn has 30 years of international trade experience as an exporter, consultant, and teacher. She ran the Orange County Center for International Trade Development. There, she assisted importers, exporters, and foreign investors in expanding their businesses. Lynn has also done business in over thirty countries and worked in various business industries as a trade consultant and business advisor. She is also a NASBITE Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) and trainer. She has received awards for her contributions to advancing international trade in both Orange County and the state of California.

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Sherri Tran

Program Coordinator

Areas of Expertise

  • Marketing
  • Customer service
  • Retail

Languages

  • Vietnamese

Experience
Sherri has a background in customer service. She is a recent graduate of California State University, Fullerton with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and a concentration in Marketing. Sherri admires the effort the consultants put in to support their clients. As an admin for the Global Trade Center, she wants to see more small businesses grow and make their way to the international market.

Global Trade Center

Mike Daniel is the network director of the Orange County Inland Empire SBDC Network, which assists aspiring entrepreneurs and current business owners throughout Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Mike was formerly the director of the SBDC office at Long Beach City College. As business owner and entrepreneur himself, he started his career as the owner of a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory location in Manhattan Beach and went on to open a second location in Long Beach in 2001. In 2007, Mike sold the Manhattan Beach store for an above-market offer then invested in several additional locations as a minority shareholder. Mike further expanded his candy empire with venture located in Shoreline Village in Long Beach called Sugar Daddies Sweet Shoppe, based on fill-it yourself candy options.

Mike has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from California State University, Fullerton.