LC Meridian

Issue date: 2/1/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Osjua Newton

Many people dream about becoming their own boss, having the ability to make their own hours and answering to their own customers. For some, this entrepreneurial dream might come true with the help of the Bronx Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Lehman College.

The Bronx SBDC is partially funded by New York State and the U.S Small Business Administration, which was founded by the federal government in 1953 to help small business owners. The center, housed in room 007 of the Old Gym Building, has helped many area residents to start and improve their small businesses. SBDC reports that since its opening in 1987, advisors at the Bronx SBDC have worked with 11,258 businesses. They claim that they have helped small businesses invest $80,678,329 in the Bronx, which has created or saved over 4,000 jobs.

"A lot of people who come here don't have papers, and that is one of the most difficult problems," said SBDC Director Clarence Stanley. "With such a large population of emergent immigrants, we have adapted our business and that is what helps us do so well."

SBDC welcomes Lehman students and Bronx residents seeking assistance in starting their own businesses. The center offers services free of charge, which cover most facets of creating a business. They also help Bronx entrepreneurs create a business plan to assess their target market.

One of their tools, the U.S. Small Business Administration website (www.sba.gov), has free business courses that can take approximately a half hour to complete. Topics include how to find funding and advertise your business.

Stanley recalls the success story of entrepreneur Norberto Rodriguez. Rodriguez came to the SBDC seeking loan assistance for his restaurant and obtained the largest loan ever procured by the center with the help of SBDC Business Advisor Alzie Glickstein. Rodriguez now owns Ohana, located in City Island, the only Japanese seafood and steakhouse restaurant in the Bronx.

"We worked with him on a business plan and financial projections, which they presented to the Hudson Valley Bank and he obtained financing to buy the building and move the restaurant to the next level," Stanley said.

This past January the SBDC conducted programs in starting your small business, preparing a business plan and marketing your business. In February, they will host events on financial literacy, writing a business plan and a program in conjunction with the New York Women's Chamber of Commerce. Though many of the center's workshops and seminars are free, some presented by SCORE cost upwards of $40 dollars.

SBDC also counsels on inventions, patents, and copyrights. The center says that their staff are certified, knowledgeable business advisors capable of advising one-on-one.

"Our mission is to help minorities succeed and not fail within the first year, as well as educate them with everything they need to know to be a successful business owner," said Nancy Beltraz, office manager.

Although SBDC does not partner directly with Lehman's Business Department, They offer internships through the Career Services office. Stanley says that the internship program has been very successful in the past, with six of its former students now working at major banks as business bankers, branch managers and other management positions. The center is currently seeking to recruit new interns who are interested in the areas of banking and finance.

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