Committed to the small business community

We at the Ohio SBDC at Lakeland Community College are committed to our small business community.

Please note, we are currently working a combination of both remotely from home and in the office, and we are available and happy to assist local small business owners via online, telephone or video conferencing. If you require business assistance, please register through our business counseling link and someone will contact you. You can also email Cathy Walsh at cwalsh@lakelandcc.edu for further assistance.

Need help in developing a business plan, market research, social media and customer outreach? Unsure about financing options, cash flow analysis and loan packaging? Would you like to learn more about the many small business resources available?

Our team can provide the assistance, coaching and resources you need to achieve your business goals! Contact us to connect with the Ohio Small business Development Centers.

Are you preparing to start your own small business? First, take one of our upcoming On BASE start-up business training webinars, then contact us to set up a meeting with our business counselor.

Already in business? Sign up for your business counseling today!

Biz Chat Ohio Podcast

Biz Chat Ohio brings big ideas for small businesses with the best of small business news and industry trends from Ohio's thought leaders. Biz Chat Ohio serves small businesses and start-ups in the state of Ohio with resources and education to help companies evolve. Listen to the latest episode here or find us on your favorite podcasting platform!

• Facebook
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• Twitter
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• Linkedin
  https://www.linkedin.com/company/ohio-sbdc-at-lakeland-community-college

Find out more about how our clients have launched and grown successful businesses under the guidance of the Ohio Small Business Development Centers.

Classes, Seminars and Webinars

Click here for all upcoming seminars, webinars, workshops and events

On BASE Business Startup Training

• On BASE Start-up Business Training Webinar
  10/19/23 10:00 AM-11:30 AM
• On BASE Start-up Business Training Webinar
  12/5/23 10:00 AM-11:30 AM

On BASE is a free seminar that details what you need to know and do to start your own business. Topics Covered Include:

• Self Evaluation
• Your Business Idea
• Market Research
• Regulatory Steps/Ownership Structures
• Importance of a Business Plan
• Funding Sources
• Free/Low Cost Business Resources-where to find them and how to utilize them
• Networking

• QuickBooks
• Small Business Manufacturers and Wholesale Distributors

Need some guidance and coaching when it comes to keeping the books for your business? The Ohio SBDC at Lakeland Community College is now offering QuickBooks Coaching at no cost for a very limited time to current Northeast Ohio small business owners already using QuickBooks.

We'll help you with topics such as:

• Review of your current QuickBooks processes
• Overview of getting your bookkeeping in order

Our expert SBDC business advisor, Scott Gregory, will work with you via virtual/online meetings so it's easy to share information about your situation and needs. Scott is a CPA, QuickBooks Expert and Small Business Profit Specialist at Bottom Line Accounting Solutions, LLC.
 

• This service is for those business owners already using QuickBooks in their business 
• This service does not provide QuickBooks Training for Beginners 
• This service is not intended to perform any hands-on bookkeeping or replace the need for a professional bookkeeper
• This service is limited per SBDC client, delivered in a minimum virtual meeting length of one hour 
• This service does not offer any type of tax advice
   

• You must be an existing small business owner located in Northeast Ohio 
• You must be in business for at least one year
• You must have 20 employees or less 
• You must have a "for profit" business
• You must already be setup and using QuickBooks for your business

To request this assistance, please follow this link to register. When you get to the page "Assistance Requested," check "Accounting" and type "QuickBooks Coaching" in the box requesting assistance details.

The Ohio SBDC at Lakeland Community College is now offering a FREE Operational Review for Business to Business Small Companies in Lake and Geauga Counties. Our expert SBDC Business Advisor, Jim Gray, will work with you in person at your place of business to uncover any shortcomings and provide guidance on improvement.

In the day-to-day activities of your business, it can be difficult to get a sense of whether the entity is functioning as effectively as possible. Operational reviews are the perfect tool to help business owners and operating executives take a closer look at the organization, flagging any issues, whether it is communication, process, quality, staffing, etc., that affect the company's performance. 

Please note that this service provides an overview and will not go as in depth as a normal review. Though it can uncover:

• Is the business organized in the optimal manner to support its mission and objectives? 
• Are day-to-day operations working as efficiently as they could, particularly in certain areas? 
• Are the right people in place to perform the necessary tasks? 
• Are sufficient resources available to allow employees to fulfill their responsibilities?

Jim Gray is an Engineer, Operations Strategist and Business Solutions Advisor at JPG Advisors, LLC. Jim also has executive experience in small and midsize manufacturing companies. 

To qualify for this service:

• You must be an existing small manufacturing or wholesale distributor business owner located in Lake County or Geauga County
• You must be in business for at least one year
• You must have 20 employees or less
• You must have a "for profit" business

To request this assistance, please follow this link to register. When you get to the page "Assistance Requested," check "Operations Analysis and Planning."

SBDC FAQ

• What types of business issues do you help with?
• Are your services free?
• I am starting a new business, but I'm not sure what steps I should take. What would you suggest?
• I heard there is grant money available for startup/women/minority/etc. businesses. How do I get this?
• I saw an advertisement for an upcoming event that's going to give me all the information and names of the grants available to me. The charge is over $300. Is it worth it?
• How do I finance my startup business?
• How can I get an SBA loan?
• What defines a "Small Business" according to the SBA?
• How important is my credit score when I am seeking a commercial loan?
• Do I have to have experience in the business I am considering in order to have a reasonable chance of success?
• Who are the most important key advisors for my business?
• If there is one item I should focus on to make my odds of success the greatest, what should it be?

The SBDC helps with a variety of business issues from basic startup questions to assisting with financing issues, preparing business plans and marketing assistance. We do not provide specific legal or tax advice, but we can provide you with information to help you make a decision or provide referral sources if further help is required.

Yes.

We first recommend you attend an On BASE Business Startup Seminar. These monthly workshops are offered at no cost and cover all the basic startup issues like forms of ownership, business plans, resources and financing options.

This is an urban myth type question. While there are thousands of grant programs across the country, most are NOT targeted toward for-profit businesses. Careful research may reveal small, isolated opportunities in specific markets. However, as a general rule, grant dollars are not available to help start a small business. The federal website for grant programs is www.grants.gov or you may want to visit your local library for a copy of The Grants Guide. In addition, the Morley Library in Painesville has a Grant Resource Center.

Most of the materials we have reviewed that folks bought for $300-$500 contain nothing more than our contact information and forms and documents already available for free on the SBA's website. Be wary of these seminars and remember, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Most businesses are financed out of a combination of owner's equity (owner's investment) and loans/investments from friends, family and business associates. Commercial lending is also an option. However, banks normally make loans to businesses with operating histories. Attend one of our On BASE startup training classes to review other financing options. You can also check out the SBA's website for more information on small business loans.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) programs are designed to encourage commercial lenders to make loans directly to business owners and entrepreneurs. The SBA does not make direct loans. Contact us for assistance. Our staff of highly-trained business advisors offer FREE counseling to help you with your specific business needs.

The U.S. SBA Office of Advocacy generally defines a small business as an independent business having fewer than 500 employees.

A borrower's credit score is very critical to the approval of a commercial loan. While there are occasional exceptions, most lenders want a credit score of 650 or better for a commercial loan. In addition, a recent bankruptcy (last seven years) is almost always a stumbling block.

Not to dwell on negatives, but there is a high failure rate for startup businesses. Your odds of success are going to be much greater if you are taking on risks that you understand as opposed to risks you do not understand. If you are going to need a loan to get your business started, most lenders will strongly prefer that you are experienced in the new business.

Key advisors should be knowledgeable about small business issues in general and about your specific type of business in particular. Over the long haul, you will benefit the most from a good accountant, a good attorney, a good insurance agent and a good banker. You should also include one of our SBDC counselors.

Entrepreneurs and business owners who understand and are dedicated to good planning are usually among the most successful. Be prepared to dedicate many hours to build the success of your business. Your business plan should be your guide along the journey to success.

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SBDC Links and Resources

• National SBDC Network
• Ohio Small Business Development Centers
• Ohio Minority Business Development

• Ohio Development Services Agency
• The SBA SBIR Grant Information
• Grant and Loan Finder
• How to Pay Business Debts You Can't Afford
• 27 Biggest Mistakes to Avoid When Negotiating Business Debt
• Business Start-Up Calculator
• Cash Flow Projection Worksheet
• Income Statement
• Personal Financial Statement

• Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center
• IRS Recursos para Pequeñas Empresas - IRS
• IRS Tax Information for Businesses

• 1st Stop Business Connection and Sample Business Plans
• SBA Business Plan Tool
• Ohio Secretary of State
• Online Business Filings
• How to Create Financial Projections

• U.S. Small Business Administration
• Ohio.gov
• Ohio Business Gateway
• US Department of Labor
• Ohio Directory of New Hires
• Lake County, Ohio
• Lake County Safety Council

• Eastern Lake county Chamber of Commerce (Madison, Perry and Painesville)
• Mentor Chamber of Commerce
• Willoughby Western Lake County Chamber of Commerce

• State of Ohio Home Page
• Ohio Revised Code
• Ohio State Bar Association

• Ohio APEX Accelerator
• Veteran Small Business Certification

• North American Industrial Classification System

• GS1-US

• U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

• Business Research-Library of Congress
• Better Business Bureau
• Leadership Development Outline
• Entrepreneur's Help Page
• Stanford University's Entrepreneurship Corner