Ready to Grow - OCIE SBDC

(800) 616-7232

Grow Your Small Business

Owning a small business is difficult and planning for growth can be a daunting task. Do it with the OCIE SBDC on your side.

Take Your Business to New Heights

We provide personalized one-on-one support to help you tackle obstacles and succeed. A dedicated team of SBDC consultants, seasoned business owners and experts, will start by thoroughly assessing your business for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

Let us help you pinpoint areas for growth and devise strategies to capitalize on them. From finances to operations, workforce to marketing, we will provide consulting, knowledge, and additional resources for business growth.

One-on-One Consulting
Work with one of our business consultants to turn your business idea into a viable plan. Our consultants will assist you with crafting your business strategy, completing your financial projections, creating a marketing and operating plan, and anything else you may need to get your business started. All one-on-one consultations are personalized, confidential, and targeted to your business.

Comprehensive Assessment
Our seasoned consultants will conduct a thorough assessment of your business. From analyzing your financials to assessing your workforce, we’ll identify areas of growth and opportunity.

Tailored Growth Strategies
Armed with insights from the comprehensive assessment, your SBDC team will work closely with you to develop customized strategies to drive your business forward. Whether it is refining your pricing structure or expanding into new markets, your consultants will be by your side every step of the way.

Training & Events
We offer an array of learning opportunities designed to help you grow your business and achieve success. Our training programs are taught by both our team of experts and partners, all of whom are industry professionals positioned to answer your questions.

The Client Journey

Intake & Matching

Give us a call or schedule your intake appointment with our call center team. They will ask you some questions about your business and goals. From there, they will match you with an expert consultant whose expertise best matches your needs.

Initial Consultation

Meet with your consultant either in-person or online. They will take the time to fully understand your business and create a customized solution.

Continued Support

Your consultant will continue to check in with you regularly, refer you to other specialists as necessary, and help you take your business from ideation to first sales and beyond.

Core Areas of Support

Access to Capital

Explore all your funding options and receive matchmaking assistance from the SBDC Finance Center.

Access to Capital

Explore all your funding options and receive matchmaking assistance from the SBDC Finance Center.

Access to Capital

Explore all your funding options and receive matchmaking assistance from the SBDC Finance Center.

Access to Capital

Explore all your funding options and receive matchmaking assistance from the SBDC Finance Center.

Access to Capital

Explore all your funding options and receive matchmaking assistance from the SBDC Finance Center.

Access to Capital

Explore all your funding options and receive matchmaking assistance from the SBDC Finance Center.

Getting funding for your business is about more than filling out forms; it’s about having the right guidance and support at your side. At the OCIE SBDC, we offer personalized consulting to help you confidently navigate your funding journey. Here’s how we support you:

Capital for My Business
The SBDC Finance Center connects you with over 100 qualified small business lenders, significantly boosting your chances of securing the funding you need. We’ll also guide you through every step of the process. Learn more about our Finance Center.

Marketing and Digital Technologies
The SBDC Marketing Center provides the skills and expertise of an agency at no-cost to you. We will conduct a comprehensive marketing analysis, review your website, identify your competition and target audience, and pinpoint social strategy.

Contracting and Procurement
The SBDC Center for Contracting focuses on assisting your business with securing procurement contracts at the federal, state, local, and corporate levels. Government and corporate procurement provide an opportunity to grow your businesses revenues in a new and diversified manner. Our consultants are here to help you with education, training and contract opportunities.

International Trade
The SBDC Global Trade Center can help you connect with global trade opportunities and learn about securing sales outside of the U.S. With a team of certified global consultants, we can help you develop a trade plan, conduct market research, find buyers, and help you through the transaction process. The SBDC Global Trade Center team also provides guidance on trade shows, state and federal subsidies, and trade mission opportunities.

Training Programs

We offer a comprehensive array of cohort training programs tailored to support individuals looking to grow, expand, or streamline their small business. Led by expert business consultants, our programs provide insight, resources, and opportunities tailored for existing businesses.

Alongside your training program, you will have access to no-cost one-on-one consulting sessions for personalized guidance and support. Explore our range of training programs designed specifically to help your small business thrive.

LEVEL UP

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This six-week training program will fuel your growth as you evaluate and develop your goals, metrics, financials, operations, and strategies. Reach the next level of success through tailored support, expert guidance, and invaluable resources. Learn how to de-risk expansion and get involved in proactive growth.

CEO MOMS

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This five-week cohort training program is designed for women entrepreneurs looking to grow their small business and is tailored for the distinct challenges women often face in entrepreneurship. Join a network of like-minded women for the support, resources, and community to help your business thrive. This cohort is for women, taught by women. Attendees can expect highly interactive and vibrant discussions with the instructors and other cohort members.

FINANCIAL FITNESS

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As a business owner, having a good handle on your accounting and finance can be critical to expanding your business. Join Financial Fitness — a four-part webinar series designed to support you in optimizing your business for financial success.

LEVEL UP

This six-week training program will fuel your growth as you evaluate and develop your goals, metrics, financials, operations, and strategies. Reach the next level of success through tailored support, expert guidance, and invaluable resources. Learn how to de-risk expansion and get involved in proactive growth.

CEO MOMS

This five-week cohort training program is designed for women entrepreneurs looking to grow their small business and is tailored for the distinct challenges women often face in entrepreneurship. Join a network of like-minded women for the support, resources, and community to help your business thrive. This cohort is for women, taught by women. Attendees can expect highly interactive and vibrant discussions with the instructors and other cohort members.

FINANCIAL FITNESS

As a business owner, having a good handle on your accounting and finance can be critical to expanding your business. Join Financial Fitness — a four-part webinar series designed to support you in optimizing your business for financial success.

Explore our range of training programs designed specifically for entrepreneurs looking to start a small business.

Success Stories

Every thriving business begins with a vision, and behind each one is a story of perseverance, growth, and partnership. At the heart of these stories are entrepreneurs who took bold steps toward their goals, and we’re honored to have walked alongside them.

Check out some stories from OCIE SBDC clients:

Gelatissimo

Already proud owners of a Gelatissimo franchise on Balboa Island in Newport Beach, Sarah and Rey wanted to open a second Gelatissimo store in Irvine. Working with SBDC consultant Ace Tarakchian, the couple explored financing options, received expert advice on accessing capital, and gained a clearer understanding of their financial responsibilities.

Akbar Auto Service

When small business owner Perry Akbarhosseini of Akbar Auto Service needed assistance with preparing for a loan, she was referred by her local bank to the OCIE SBDC. Perry was matched with a small business consultant with a specialty in finance who walked her through every step of the process to help her secure a loan. With this new access to capital, Akbar Auto Service was able to purchase new equipment, hire experienced workers, and expand their business to take on new accounts.

Let's Get Started

In order to match you with the best consultant, we will conduct a 15-minute intake phone call where we will discuss your existing business or startup so that we can evaluate and determine which consultant is the best fit to assist you with your business goals.