Would you like to enjoy success?

In the past 20 years, nearly 5,300 entrepreneurs have taken advantage of services from the Louisiana Small Business Development Center at McNeese State University. As reported by our clients, the LSBDC has helped clients obtain nearly $75 million in funding, start over 365 businesses, add over 1,100 employees and retain over 400 workers in those 20 years.

Would you like to enjoy this success, too?

The LSBDC at McNeese is one of seven centers in Louisiana, part of a network of about 1,000 SBDCs in the United States. Each and every office has professional counselors that help small businesses get started and grow. Every day, the two business consultants at the LSBDC at McNeese work individually with entrepreneurs to develop business plans, calculate financial projections, research the market, understand the competition and get ready to go to the bank for a loan.

Counseling services from the LSBDC at McNeese are free of charge to the individual business owner. The center is funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Louisiana Economic Development and McNeese, with support from Sasol North America and the Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance. Entrepreneurs can meet with consultants regularly, from pre-venture (planning the start-up) and establishment of the company, through growth or expansion.

Some LSBDC clients started their businesses 15 or 20 years ago and still seek advice when they are making a big decision or handling a problem. History has shown that longtime LSBDC clients are more likely to be successful, add employees and increase sales. Bankers like to know that a potential business owner has met with the LSBDC because it means the business plan is more solid and the deal will probably be less risky.

Inexpensive workshops are also offered by the LSBDC at McNeese. On Thursday, March 14, Mark Judson from the Southwest Louisiana Law Center will speak about “Legal Pitfalls to Avoid as a Small Business Owner.” For just $10 per person, attendees can learn about legal issues that might affect their business. This training is sponsored by Sasol.

March 20 is National SBDC Day, when we will celebrate Small Business Development Centers across America. “Starting and Financing Your Business Idea” will be the topic of a workshop at 3 p.m. If you’re thinking of becoming an entrepreneur, this is the right seminar for you. We’ll cover what it really takes to start your own business, what a banker expects from a business borrower and many other aspects of running your own company.

Learn more by visiting www. lsbdc.org/msu. Click on “Training” to see details about upcoming workshops and to register. Call 337-475-5529 to schedule an appointment for one-on-one counseling or just to get more information. Let the consultants at the LSBDC at McNeese help you with the difficulties of running your small business. For 35 years, the LSBDC at McNeese has worked with entrepreneurs and business owners who are looking to start or grow their small business. Take advantage of this wonderful local resource.

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Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and La. Department of Economic Development.

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Donna Little is the director of the Louisiana Small Business Development Center at McNeese State University. Contact her at 475-5945 or dlittle@lsbdc.org.