Services and Resources
Survive and Thrive Small Business Forum: Small business owners throughout North Carolina are struggling. The following video will provide tips on how to not only navigate turbulent economic times but to identify potential opportunities as well. WNC Report Card 2009 (PDF)
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College recognizes the vital role of small business entrepreneurs in our economy.The Business Incubator and Small Business Center have been created to provide our vital small business community a focal point for education, counseling, advising and referral.The Small Business Center will address the continuing need for updating of information, refining of entrepreneurial skills and enhancement of techniques to improve the profit advantage in risk taking. Special emphasis will be given to the critical areas of capital formation and prevention of business failures.
Free One-to-One Counseling
The Business Center provides free one-to-one counseling for business owners or prospective owners to assist them in getting started or with a specific area of concern. Counseling can cover a variety of topics ranging from licensing and marketing to patents and trademarks.
Contact Us About Free Counseling
Professional Services Office
A Professional Business Services Office is available within the Center for Business and Technology Incubation which provides clients with access to a variety of outside experts. These professionals, who work on a pro bono basis, come from the accounting, financial, international, legal, marketing, management, military and technology fields. In addition, there are experts available who hold specific experience in emerging growth, turnarounds and workouts issues. The following experts are currently providing services to this office:
- Tim Barrett and Karen Townsend, BluePrints for Business
- Thomas Beckett, Law Offices of Thomas A. Beckett, PLLC
- Teresa Bouchonnet, NC Military Business Center
- Fran Durden, Roberts & Stevens, Attorneys at Law
- Thomas Healy, T. H. Healy and Associates
- Peter Henry, Henry and Byers Attorneys at Law
- Terry Howell and Amy Sullivan, Howell & Sullivan PLLC
- Marjorie J. Maginnis, Law Office of Marjorie J. Maginnis, PC
- Ty Moser, Asheville Savings Bank
- Carol Rovello, Strategic Workplace Solutions LLC
- Barry Silverstein, Branding Consultant
- Jonathan Snover, Ph.D, Chemistry and Clean Energy Technology Consultant
- Tracy Sigler, Internet Marketing Consultant
- Mike Sowinski, CPA, CFO Consultants, LLC
- Jason Syzdek, JAYMUNDA
- Martha K. Taylor and Thomas R. Taylor, II, Taylor Consulting Group LLC
- U.S. Commercial Service
Resource Library
A resource library of materials along with a selection of audio and videotapes can also be checked out. In addition, there are many state and national resources available as well at the following site: http://sbcn.nc.gov/resources/
Workshops and Seminars
Workshops and seminars are sponsored by the Center to assist the business entrepreneur with continuing education in the areas of management and supervision, communications, taxes and the "how tos’" of operating a business, as well as other topics.
Class Schedule | Jump Start Your Business Day | Export Expo
SBC Network and SCORE (Counselors to America's Small Business)
The SBC network involves all levels of business and civic leaders as well as organizations in the community. The SBC cooperates with local chambers of commerce, SCORE and numerous other agencies. The Center works cooperatively with state and local governments, universities and colleges and private enterprise in promoting assistance to small business firms. In addition, the U.S. Small Business Administration and SCORE provide additional materials and services.
For more information, contact Jill Sparks, Director, Small Business Center and Small Business Incubator, jsparks@abtech.edu.
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