Your Guiding Light

Participants joined our SBDC OC MADE four week program, where they learned how to source, cost, and price products for the local market. They also have obtained necessary permits and licenses to launch their business. The OC MADE participants identified options to accept payment and developed an understanding of designing an appealing booth to sell at a local market, where they fine-tuned their skills to become a vendor at The Original O.C. Swap Meet.

Ahmed Zobi, competed in the first-ever Pitch Launch Grow Competition, where he won first place in the Life Science track, he will be awarded a 1-year sponsored lab bench at University Lab Partners, the premier wet lab incubator in Irvine, California. "As a bootstrapped company looking to expand and grow our team, this prize will allow us to do just that. Syntr is building momentum off our FDA Clearance and this prize is a reflection of the years of hard work and sacrifice being realized. We look forward to expanding our sales in the aesthetic space with ULP's facilities and support being instrumental in fostering our rapid progression," said Ahmed Zobi, CEO of Syntr Health Technologies.

After emigrating to the United States from war-torn Syria, Rasha Albasha knew she wanted to do something different for a career. The former educational administrator opened her first Chocolate Bash in 2015 in Newport Beach and now has 3 additional stores in Southern California with more in the works. Chocolate Bash offers a menu of customizable crepes, waffles, pancakes, and fruit, as well as coffee drinks, tea and shakes.

Attended the 3rd Annual SBIRSTTR Conference, featuring 16 federal agencies and 5 expert workshops

California Shop Small is a 5-week program to help product-based aspiring or existing business owners sell online. Business owners learned how to get their business online, reach new customers, and increase their sales at a local, regional, and national scale. After completing the program, business owners gained access to sell on a California branded eCommerce platform. Business owners received a six month free subscription to sell online while receiving no cost 1:1 consulting.

Healthy At Home Caregivers, based in Dana Point, CA, provide part-time or 24/7 compassionate, personalized in-home care with their experienced registered nurses and caregivers. The SBDC was able to provide Pat Chiku, founder of Healthy At Home Caregivers, the support she needed to run her business.

Goodwill of OC was forced to cut staff last year, and a difficult future loomed ahead. With help from OCIESBDC Network, Goodwill of Orange County received $10 million from the federal Paycheck Protection Program.