When Michel Mouzong recognized a need for improved business infrastructure in the developing world, he reached out to the PCC Small Business Development Center for assistance in founding NEMILIS Global Strategy Group. Since then, Michel has completed several PCC SBDC courses, including Business Builders and Buying and Selling Outside the U.S., and has taken advantage of specialty, no-cost advising with PCC SBDC experts in areas of start-up strategy, international business best practices, and trade regulation. This is his story.
Read more about Michel's entrepreneurial experience below!
Michel, thank you for sharing your story with us today. Please tell us a bit about your business.
NEMILIS is an international business development consultancy focused on optimizing technology to maximize a business’ potential by helping them develop their missing infrastructure, no matter what it is. What inspired me to pursue this endeavor is the need to improve the level of service provided to entrepreneurs in the developing world.
How has the PCC SBDC helped you along your entrepreneurial journey?
I always knew what I needed to do, but I didn’t necessarily know how to do it. The SBDC gave me tools to get me going and has been at my side through every challenge. Almost three years into this venture, I can say that I have used a wide spectrum of SBDC services ranging from business management and business writing to seeking startup funding and legal counsel.
Since working with SBDC, I've reevaluated the scope of the services I can realistically offer. This is huge since I was close to saying yes to opportunities that weren’t aligned with my goals. The SBDC has helped me get my business organized by tracking what I do with tools like GrowthWheel and LivePlan. I also know who to contact when I'm in need of help. Now, my biggest project is about to be funded for an international construction project in Cameroon, Central Africa, providing infrastructure for health-related business local to the region.
What would you say to other small business owners thinking of working with the SBDC?
It saves time and money. Small business owners spend a lot of time trying to figure out what to do, where to get help for this and that. The SBDC is a one stop shop where you can bring any question and you will most likely find the beginning of an answer, if not the answer itself. Though all the work is still to be done by you, they are a great support system to have as a small business owner.
Want to learn more about starting and growing a sustainable business? Check out Business Builders!
Want to become more familiar with the opportunity for international trade? Learn more here!
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Programs and services are provided to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. Language assistance service are available for limited English proficient individuals. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Please contact us at 971-722-5080 or sbdc@pcc.edu, to request accommodations. Oregon Small Business Development Centers are funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, and the Oregon Business Development Department.
