Your Guiding Light

Learn how our SBDC client José L. Yepez Jr., President of Desert Building & Design in the Imperial Valley, started a rural business in the recession and is overcoming a pandemic as well. You'll hear his insights and discover his important traits as an entrepreneur. He also trusts the SBDC as a partner and encourages other business owners to not be afraid of taking that leap for success along with the hard work. It can make a big difference in your community, from your city to county and state.

James Santino came to San Diego as a refugee from South Sudan. He worked to support his family but always wanted to have his own business. He saved $30,000 but realized it wasn't enough to start his non-emergency medical transport business. James went to different lenders and learned of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) SBDC. Through them and their Center for Economic Opportunity, he received a $15,000 loan in the midst of COVID-19. While he planned to cover the remaining expenses with his other employment, he lost his job due to the pandemic and couldn't pay for the insurance to start getting contracts. He returned to the IRC SBDC and got a second chance with a $2,000 Pivot Business Grant. He could begin transporting clients!

Our Export SBDC, led by Lucas Coleman and hosted by the World Trade Center San Diego helps San Diego small businesses go global or grow their existing international sales with this flagship export assistance program. It's an innovative opportunity that takes applications each winter. Cohort companies gain $5,000 grants, dedicated consulting, free and subsidized resources, and a shot at a $25,000 grand prize!

Our SBDC helped this "delicious" small business carry on. Based in Bonita, California, Freshly Prepped is a commercial kitchen that offers catering, grab-'n-go meals, and weekly meal plan subscriptions ideal for busy, health-conscious families. The owner Sarah overcame her lack of a business background and fear of the unknown aspects of business to her with her trusted, dedicated advisor. "The SBDC was a no-brainer for me," she says, emphasizing how her advisor became a fundamental partner.

"I put everything I learned into this one company, and due to COVID I had to pivot and move our company to San Diego from South Korea," said Dr. Kay Olmstead about her two-year-old drug delivery technology company. The pharmaceutical scientist admits she didn't know much about running a business. She asked for help, and "the SBDC came to the rescue with advisor Jennifer Garvey, who became Kay's coach, advocate, and friend. "I could not be here today without her," Kay summarizes, adding how Jenn elevated their accounting, marketing, and funding potential (gained $423,000 in capital). The Nano PharmaSolutions team is learning and growing, became a recent competition finalist, and was also part of the San Diego Angel Conference this year.

Rancho Pharmacy launched in La Mesa with the SBDC's help and started offering COVID-19 vaccination appointments daily in spring 2021. The pharmacy started during the pandemic and became a community staple for COVID-19 immunizations — using the pharmacy website for bookings as well as managing calls and walk-ins. The owner and pharmacist Fatima Hamade took SBDC trainings, worked with her SBDC business advisor, and learned more about every aspect of her small business to start-up including financing, marketing, and how to hire employees. "The SBDC has been with me from the beginning," Fatima says, including helping her secure $455,000 in capital.

In pandemic relief our SBDC network helped regional small business owners access in the last fiscal year

You'll love learning about Joshua Middleton, owner of Siege Electric, which provides commercial public works, building technology, and sustainable energy services. He shares how "the SBDC isn't too good to be true; it's free, fantastic business services", he says. Joshua explains how they helped him nail small business certifications, from minority-owned to service-disabled veteran — and how they can make the entire business of being in business seamless.

Jimmy Tran, founder and owner of an online retail shop, used the SBDC to focus on selling home décor and personal wellness items — as well as selling and working with brands which are LGBTQ-owned or -operated including an emphasis on allies within that community. Learn how this Vietnamese-American pivoted from his employment during a pandemic and found success by navigating e-commerce with our Alliance SBDC and partnering Asian Business Association of San Diego.