HispanicBusiness

In 2011, 235 state businesses created more then $1 million in new export revenue through the SBDC program, according to a press release.

The program is part of a statewide export initiative sponsored by a grant from the Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board. Two export readiness centers joined the Washington SBDC network, along with four international trade specialists.

Terry Chambers will direct the international trade program from the WSU Small Business Center in Spokane.

Across the state, Latino-owned businesses have also expanded in the last few years, Rogers said. The WSU Extensions and various economic development groups in those areas have been engaged, as well as more Latino mentors and Spanish language resources.

Other areas Rogers sees as potential growth avenues are green initiatives and value-added agriculture products, such as a wheat farmer who keeps honey bees on the side, selling that product in local stores or farmer's markets.

For McKenzie and SCORE, changes have come in increased aid for veterans and their families, as well as more classes, seminars, tutorials and the addition of social networking experts.

Although many of SCORE's services are free, some, like classes and workshops, have costs attached.

One such class is coming soon to the Palouse. McKenzie is working to bring NxLevel, a 12-session business class, to the region. He hopes the $400-$500 class can begin this fall.

The veteran's aid program can help decrease the cost of that course and similar ones, he said. Veterans and their immediate families can receive up to $120 in credit for such classes.

"Headquarters has directed us to provide more resources for returning veterans and their families," he said. "This helps them to create their own jobs and helps to build the community organically."

Tough economic times have meant both organizations have new concerns and people seeking different kinds of help.

"Our people have been around," Rogers said of the SBDC. "It's a pretty savvy group and they've seen a lot of things. They're able to at least float an idea of a nontraditional way to grow capital or start a business. ... (Business owners) may think their only option is to go to the bank and convince them to give them a loan, but there are other options and a lot of time people are so busy working on their business they don't think so much about working on it at a strategic level."

Finding value

Ultimately, what both organizations do is help business owners through the twists and turns, from writing a business plan to figuring out payroll.

"We won't take over payroll or write their HR manual, but we can certainly put businesses in touch with resources," Rogers said. "Some of those resources will be free and some will have cost, but it will help them. (Business owners) need to make those decisions, but sometimes we're good at helping them understand what their options are."

And that can mean sharing the credit. An SBDC counselor in Pullman may not have the best answer, but through technology and travel, connections can be made with counselors elsewhere, Rogers said.

"They all have competencies in the general area of business operation, and each counselor has individual skill sets, but we're a very collaborative network," Rogers said.

The two organizations will also team up.

"If I had a 10-year-old, $5 million business coming for help looking for satellite sites, I'd say let's get together, and I'd bring in help from the SBDC," McKenzie said of his expertise. "There's a good partnership there. Everyone is better off when you lift each other up."

The Pullman SBDC is at 1610 NE Eastgate Blvd. Ste. 650. The phone number is (509) 335-8081. It can serve both Pullman and Moscow residents. The SBDC is online at www.sbdc.org.

McKenzie is available at (509) 868-9801, and by email at scorespokaneleadersip@gmail.com. SCORE is online at www.score.org.