Are you trying to take your small business to the next level? The Portland Business Alliance and Portland Community College’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) have just what you need to make that happen. The PBA and the SBDC partner to offer extensive training designed to help small businesses continue to increase revenue and build a solid core of employees. The Portland Pedal Power team is currently working through the program, which has helped local businesses like Pedal Bike Tours, Cellar Door Coffee Roasters, Inform Restaurant Accounting and Portland Sewing. The 10-month program includes classes that meet monthly, as well as one-on-one instructor sessions.
Classes include information on financial management, marketing and exploring International markets. The classes are specifically geared towards established businesses that are hoping to grow towards selling products or services outside of the Portland region. Among a list of satisfied clients, Jan Walker of Inform Restaurant Accounting has some great things to say about the program. “I could not have anticipated how beneficial this program has been to my business. To be able to hear fresh ideas, execute them and see results immediately has allowed me to regain my focus,” Jan said in a testimonial on the PBA website.
And here’s the best part about the classes. The PBA is now offering scholarships to 12 small businesses each year, valued at up to $3,250. Businesses that receive scholarships will only have to pay $500 of the $2,500 tuition, while participants will receive a one-time credit towards membership with the PBA, valued at up to $750. Apply now to be considered for a 2014 scholarship, and you could be well on your way to successfully expanding your business well beyond its current scope! And hurry! The deadline for applications is next Friday, October 18th, 2013.
Click here for more information about the program.
If you have questions about the scholarship, direct them to David Thompson via email or by phone at 503.552.6757.
