Your Guiding Light

Fledging started in an apartment with a few thousand dollars. After only three years, their products have been sold to 50,000+ customers in over 100 countries across six continents. They have grown from two employees to ten, and they support three student intern positions. Revenues were over $2 million last year, and they established distributors in 4 countries. According to CEO Ethan Summers, "We've been an eCommerce business shipping to every continent since day one. The AL International Trade Center has been a great partner in helping us understand complex issues like Incoterms and Section 301 Duties on Chinese Imports. I think about the SBDC's Trade Center every time I have an international question, and love reaching out for support."

In our experience, the SBDC is the most top-notch, responsive, and supportive government agency that we have worked with thus far. Now, we have laser-sharp focus, valuable accounting, and planning support, and we understand our customers and opportunities through high-level market research through their guidance. Our team of fantastic employees are as committed to our customers and our company's success as much as we are.

Michael Hocklander's Springdale-based company Caribe Producers, maker of the first "made in the USA" Halal-certified beef jerky, formed an e-commerce export strategy for Five Star Jerky, the company's international flagship brand, with the help of the UA Fayetteville ASBTDC. Hocklander is targeting Middle East markets, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar. ASBTDC is helping Caribe, an established Amazon seller, build a Five Star website to appeal to both domestic and international customers.

Supply-chain disruptions centering around the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have been front and center in the news. Since the pandemic began, SBDC clients in the Los Angeles region have faced an array of challenges related to export, import, and logistics in general, but SBDC advisors are well-equipped to help. The Go Global Trade Program provides specialized assistance to new and established exporters. The program's advisors guide small business owners through developing an export plan and global marketing strategy. They help businesses navigate export/import regulations and documentation. And they support SBDC clients as they access funding, such as the STEP program, for promoting export activities.

Throughout 2021, Norcal SBDC provided training to 142 entrepreneurs to help them navigate the opportunities in the international marketplace