Updated March 2023

Warren Banks has been with the PCC Small Business Development Center for twelve years. He currently works as a co-facilitator and advisor for the Buying and Selling Outside the U.S. training program. Over the years, he's helped hundreds of small businesses across Oregon take advantage of the global marketplace. Today, he shares his journey and knowledge with us.

Warren, tell us why you love teach & advise? I love to learn about companies and help them get to where they want to be. In general, I’m one of those people who want to help others--I think most people are. By helping others, I feel that I am paying it forward. When I help out these business owners and employees, I get to share some of the many resources I’ve found over the years.

How will you drive your retail business growth this year?

That’s a question facing all retail business owners - and a problem we help to solve for small businesses registered in the Retail Small Business Management program.

Hot Mama Salsa's Chilly Oils won a Good Food award in January 2019.

Nikki Guerrero started the Hot Mama Salsa business when she moved to Portland and realized she could not find the fresh Mexican flavors she had grown up with. Nikki participated in the PCC SBDC Advanced Small Business Management program in 2017.  This is her story. 

Kim Allchurch-Flick began her work with the PCC Small Business Develop Center in January 2019. She is the cohort lead for the Encore & Solo Business Builders Program.

Orientations from PCC’s Small Business Development Center are a great, no-cost 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.

Dr. Sean Harry is a Senior Advisor and Instructor who has worked with the PCC Small Business Development Center since 2011. Each year he helps more than 150 small business owners turn their dreams into reality. Sean works with businesses at every stage of the small business growth curve, from start-up to mature businesses with more than $20m in sales. 

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Holiday season is quickly approaching, and for many retail businesses this time of year has the potential to make or break the entire year financially. It’s vital to start preparing as early as possible, so you don’t leave any potential sales or revenue on the table after the holidays are over. 

Holiday sales make up about 18 percent of overall annual retail sales, and in 2016 those numbers are  expected to grow around 3.7 percent. Combine this with recent evidence that a growing majority of American consumers favor buying and shopping local, and it’s no wonder holiday craft fairs have seen a boom in recent years.

The Portland Community College Willow Creek Center is seeking Informal Requests for Proposals for: Coffee Cart at Willow Creek Center

The College is seeking informal competitive proposals for an indoor coffee cart at the Willow Creek Center located at 241 SW Edgeway Drive, Beaverton, OR 97006. This is a 100,000 square-foot educational center and serves as a one-stop destination for customers of Washington County Workforce Development as well as those wishing to take classes from PCC. Portland State University and Oregon Institute of Technology also offer classes at the center.

The Holidays are such an important time of year for small businesses. For many, especially in retail, the Holidays may make or break the entire financial year. Craft fairs and holiday markets have become popular among both consumers and small businesses during this time. But are businesses doing all they can to maximize their retail sales from holiday markets?

After spending 30 years in the banking and financial services industry, SBDC Advisor and Instructor Terry Long shares his expertise to help small business owners set up, understand and utilize their financial information to build a successful business. Here is his story. . .  

Why do you teach & advise? I get great fulfillment when working with Small Business Owners in assisting them with their passion and dreams of taking on this exciting adventure in achieving a successful and profitable business.