Our community of small businesses and the partners who serve them is one of innovation, creativity, resilience and drive.

Without question, the COVID-19 pandemic is challenging many of our traditional approaches to small business services, including business advising and training. We are rapidly adapting the ways we bring together communities of small businesses as we learn and fortify together.

Topics: Small Business, coronavirus

 

The Oregon SBDC Network has developed a set of guidelines for you to consider in not only this unprecedented situation created by COVID-19, but in any situation that may create significant impacts to your business operation. The reason for developing these guidelines is simply to help you be prepared in advance to respond to an abrupt decline in sales or profit, and to identify any changes to your operations that would make your business more resilient. The objective is to develop a plan of actions that you can implement quickly should they become necessary.

Topics: Small Business, Business, coronavirus

The PCC Small Business Development Center will offer Preventative Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) Training for food manufacturers during the spring term. PCQI training will equip you with knowledge to get your PCQI certification, but is also structured to guide you to develop all elements required to develop a food safety plan, including a completed food product recall plan.

Topics: Small Business, Restaurants

Now is the time to start planning for our upcoming courses! We've summarized all upcoming programs and start dates below. Get in touch if you'd like to learn more about a program or need help with enrollment.

Topics: Small Business, Business, Global Trade, Encore Entrepreneurship, Starting a Business, Growing a Business

 

Leslie Hildula has been around entrepreneurs all of her life, but nothing she has experienced could have fully prepared her for what's happening with small businesses during this time of global pandemic. Leslie and her team are working diligently to help Portland restaurant owners weather the storm of Covid-19 and the Oregon Governor's "Stay Home, Save Lives" orders.

Restaurant Virtual Meetup -- Leslie and her team are hosting virtual meetups for restaurant owners every other Tuesday. Learn more and sign up HERE.

Topics: Small Business, Retail, Restaurants, Retail Small Business Management, Covid-19

Sean Harry has been with PCC's Small Business Development Center for the last eight and a half years. Before that, he helped budding entrepreneurs turn their hobbies into small businesses. He has started four small businesses and is always excited to share his experiences and the experiences from the many small businesses he has advised.

Topics: Small Business, Meet the SBDC Team, Portland Community College, small business builders

Business development classes from the PCC Small Business Development Center are available throughout the year! We've summarized available small business programs below. All programs are available virtually. Get in touch if you'd like to learn more about a program, or need help with enrollment. 

Topics: Small Business, Business Design Series

Orientations offered by PCC’s Small Business Development Center (at no cost!) are a great way to learn about the opportunities we offer to help turn  business ideas into action. A typical orientation includes a small group of future entrepreneurs – but may also include sole-proprietors and small business owners seeking to find efficient, practical and effective solutions to common business-related challenges. You’ll leave our 2-hour orientation having identified new resources, and with an action plan to guide your next steps.

Topics: Small Business, Encore Entrepreneurship, Starting a Business, Growing a Business, Getting Your Recipe to Market

With over 35 years of professional banking experience under his belt, Harlan Barcus began his work with the PCC Small Business Develop Center and Oregon Small Business Development Center Network Capital Access Team in October 2019.

Topics: Small Business, Meet the SBDC Team, funding, Capital Access Team, PCC Stories

Jackie Babicky-Peterson has been with Portland Community College since 2001. With a well-versed background, Jackie teaches the Business Design Series for PCC's Small Business Design Center. Keep reading to learn more about the program. 

Topics: Small Business, Meet the SBDC Team, Business Design Series, PCC Stories