See What the SBC Can do for you
Mission Statement/Description
The objective of the Small Business Center Network is to increase the success rate and the number of profitable small businesses in North Carolina by providing high quality, readily accessible assistance to prospective and existing small business owners and their employees. The Small Business Center is a community based provider of education and training, counseling, information and referral to residents of Davidson and Davie counties.
Faculty
Our seminars, courses and workshops are conducted by qualified presenters who are experts in their fields.
Frequently Asked Questions
I’m thinking of starting a business. What should I do first?
Before you quit your job or print business cards, it is wise to take stock of personal considerations. Ask yourself: Do I have what it takes to be an entrepreneur? Am I a risk-taker? Do I have a grasp of basic financial and marketing principles? Am I resourceful and organized? Can I support myself and/or my family financially during the early stages of the venture when cash may be short? Will my family and friends be supportive during the start-up process? Am I knowledgeable and experienced enough in my chosen field? If the answer to any of these questions is ‘no,’ you may want to focus on some form of self-improvement before proceeding. If most of your answers are ‘yes,’ then it is time to become a realist! Get as much information as you can on the feasibility of your idea and on the real experience of starting and managing any business. The Small Business Center has a resource center with books, videos, and software on business topics and offers seminars and workshops on how to start a business.
I lost my job recently and am thinking of starting a business. Can the Small Business Center help me?
Yes! The Small Business Center offers the NOW program (New Opportunities for Workers) to help people who are unemployed or underemployed get their own businesses started. Grant money is available to help you acquire the skills you need to start a business.
I’ve been running my own business for several years. What does the Small Business Center have to offer me?
The Small Business Center provides counseling to help existing businesses with all of their needs: expansion, addressing changing markets, training employees, facing new competition. We also offer seminars on subjects that are pertinent to small businesses from customer service to marketing to managing conflict. Through its network of contacts, the Small Business Center can put you in touch with the resources you require at any stage in your business life cycle.
Do I need a business license?
Whether or not you’ll need a license depends on where you’ll be operating and what type of business you have. You can get information specific to your situation by calling the North Carolina Business Licensing Information Office at 800.228.8443.
Testimonial
Creative K-9 Cuts, established in 2001 and specializing in dog grooming, sought assistance with business planning and expansion in 2004 from the SBC. Now Creative K-9 Cuts offers massage therapy and obedience training and, as the business grows, will offer a full line of canine services.
Helpful Links
These links provide access to a wide array of information on topics such as state and federal taxes, business licenses, Small Business Administration (SBA), start up “toolkits”, on- line small business assistance, web page services and the SBA’s online library.Note: clicking on any of these links will take you off of the DCCC website.