Internal Newsletter January 2020

2020...Here We Come!

On the heels of a successful 2019 the LA SBDC is charging into 2020 full-force. Read below to learn about Centro de Negocio SBDC's new digs, Long Beach’s first cidery grand opening, and meet PCR's newest business advisor. The LA SBDC Network reached its goals once again in 2019, can we d éjà vu it all over again? Go team go!

Reminder: Confidentiality Paperwork Due Just a friendly reminder that new confidentiality agreements for 2020 are required from all advisors. If you have not yet completed one for 2020, please be sure to contact your director. Thank you!

Grand Opening for Centro De Negocios SBDC

Centro de Negocios SBDC finally has a home! On Jan 22nd, Claudia Shah and team moved to the new office space at the Maravilla Center. on E Cesar E Chavez Ave. Centro de Negocios SBDC, formerly known as the East LA Initiative, is an outreach program the LA SBDC network established back in 2015 to serve Latino business owners. Claudia Shah, who runs the program with the help of Martha Castro and Maria Chacon, recalls its humble beginnings at the Boyle Heights YMCA: "We were located next to the spinning room and would have to move the bikes into the corner to make room for our workshops. We had to shout to be heard over the noise of the nearby day care center playground." Fast forward 5 years - thanks to Claudia's tireless efforts, the Centro de Negocios SBDC is now located at the new East LA Entrepreneur Center at the Maravilla - a community resource center funded by LA County and championed by Hilda Solis, former U.S. Secretary of Labor. Centro de Negocios SBDC's presence in the East LA community will now be even stronger, as Claudia and team will offer workshops and business advising in Spanish and English. They will hold office hours 3 days per week to meet with clients, and offer workshops in the center's training facilities - which include classrooms that accommodate 15-30 students, a computer lab, and a 100-seat auditorium. Long Beach SBDC's Max Ordonez will be available on Fridays to offer his expert advice on accessing capital. Stop by on Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday for a tour! This is an exciting new chapter for Centro de Negocios SBDC! Check out the pictures below from their grand opening on January 22nd.

Victor Parker, Hilda Solis, and Claudia Shah at the Grand Opening on January 22nd.

Top: Celebrating the East LA Entrepreneur Center, which houses the the new center. Bottom: The big ribbon cutting!

"Welcome to Centro de Negocios!"

Calling all bloggers.... Last fall, we re-started our blog by posting 2019 success stories. To kick off 2020, we've launched our business tips articles (shout out to La Verne SBDC business advisor Josh Botello for the first article). Aaaaaaand we're blogging! Would you like to share your small business knowledge on our blog? Here's how to submit an article.

ICYMI: Letter From Dave Jackson

At the end of 2019, Pat received an email from Dave Jackson commending the LA SBDC Network for its hard work and success in hitting all its goals. If you missed last month's internal newsletter, you can read Dave's words of praise in our newsletter archive on the Hub.

SBDC Day is Right Around the Corner! Mark your calendars! America's SBDC Day is March 18th! The Los Angeles network will be observing this day by holding special workshops and sharing the successes of various clients around the network. More details will be provided in the coming weeks.

Long Beach's First Cidery is Now Open!

This past Saturday, January 25th, Ficklewood Ciderworks had its Grand Opening! Celebrating Ficklewood was a blast, and the ciders were fantastic! Mayor Robert Garcia was among the 50+ guests in attendance, and shared some inspiring words and a warm welcome for Ficklewood owners Stefano Enjem and Joe Farrier. Stefano is a two-time SBDC client. In 2018, he launched food truck Brew Wings. This time around, Stefano and his neighbor, Joe Farrier, have established Long Beach's first cidery - with help from Long Beach SBDC business advisors Lori Williams and Kari Armstrong. From the extensive options of ciders to the Long Beach-inspired decor, Ficklewood creates a space for people to come together and enjoy. Click here to find out more about this new Long Beach hangout. Also, be sure to take a look below at some photos from the grand opening.

Mayor Garcia enjoying a flight of ciders with Ficklewood co-owner Stefano Enjem.

The official ribbon cutting of the first Cidery in Long Beach!

Stephano Enjem and Joseph Farrier with their SBDC Business Advisor Karie Armstrong.

Hub Reminder

 Just a reminder that we now have an internal calendar for important deadlines. Go to this link to view the internal calendar on the Hub.

California Development Training - Save the Date!

The California Professional Development Training is scheduled for May 28 th  & 29 th , 2020 in San Diego. This year, the training is open to all TAEP recipients including CA SBDC networks, Women’s Business Centers and the Veteran Business Outreach Center. The agenda is still in the planning stages, however the training content will likely include tracks related to marketing, disaster support and trade. Stay tuned for more information... Not sure what TAEP is? It stands for the Technical Assistance Expansion Program, and is funding from the CA State Governor’s Office of Economic Development. In addition to our SBA funding, we have received TAEP funds to find and advise more clients. Keep up the excellent work everyone!

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Advisor Spotlight - Georgette Huckaby

This month we would like to introduce Georgette Huckaby, a specialty advisor and instructor for PCR SBDC program. Georgette earned her Associates and Bachelor’s degrees while working at Northrop Grumman and caring for her family. She started working at Southern California Edison in 1995 weeks before graduating from CSU Dominguez Hills with a B.S. in Accounting. Georgette recently earned an MBA from Marshall Business School at the University of Southern California. Georgette's education and experience afforded her the opportunity to master the art of developing mission, vision, and values as a division leader, and communicating execution plans, processes, and procedures to individual contributors. She currently works with small businesses to provide accounting, bookkeeping, and business planning services. Georgette also launched her company “By The Books” January 2020.

Success Story - Dog is Good

Dog is Good is a lifestyle brand for dog lovers, launched in 2007 by Jon and Gila Kurtz. Gila, a professional dog trainer, saw an opportunity in the marketplace for clothing that not only expressed her love of dogs, but was also fashionable. Jon, a Us Navy Captain (now retired) was less interested in the clothing but full of ideas for humorous, catchy phrases that playfully express the joy of being “with Dog”. Together, the couple developed a large selection of products such as shirts, mugs, and hats imprinted with endearing messages. During the first 10 years of existence, the company struggled to meet the cash demands of a growing business. The Kurtzes experienced many challenges, such as trying to survive through the recession and losing a major client, and were personally funding the company through several high-interest loans. The interest payments on the debt were cutting into their cash flow for operations. They had a demand for their products, but they did not have the cash to purchase the necessary inventory. Jon and Gila met with Business Advisor Brett Dickstein from the Access to Capital Team at the LA SBDC. Brett reviewed the company’s financials and discussed a long term financing strategy. He also helped them through the process of applying for an SBA loan. The Kurtzes obtained a $250,000 loan from the SBA, which allowed them to consolidate their debt to a lower interest rate. It also provided capital to purchase inventory and run the company. Since then, they have expanded their line to several new products. They now have licensing agreements with several large retailers. Nordstrom department store carries their pillowcases, and Sketchers will soon be launching a newly printed sneaker with the Dog is Good logo. Jon and Gila just signed an agreement with a major medical uniform manufacturer to have their logo imprinted on their line of medical clothing. Between independent contractors and employees, Dog is Good has created 10 jobs. The company is now helping others to become business owners. They have launched an Exhibitor Program, which allows startup entrepreneurs to sell Dog is Good products at pop-up events throughout the country. This has been a very successful program, giving many new business owners a unique product to sell.