SBDC Brochure 2015

For established firms, emerging companies or aspiring entrepreneurs, the Virginia SBDC is the place where

businesses go to talk business. Counseling, training and information resources are the hallmarks of the SBDC

program. Business owners and managers can count on professional guidance, experienced insight, practical solutions

and respect for confidentiality when they work with a Virginia SBDC.

Small business owners know it takes hard work and long hours to achieve success. Often it also takes good advice and

help from a reliable mentor. The staff of the RU Small Business Development Center will listen to your goals and help you

find the best way to achieve them.

Budget and Financial Assistance

One of the first steps in starting a

business is your financial planning.

Our professionals are experts in start-

up and expansion operations such

as writing a business plan, preparing

financial projections, and identifying

sources of funding. We are in place

to guide you through these processes

to ensure your success during startup

or as you expand an existing business.

Marketing and Sales Assistance

Another important step in writing

a business plan for a startup or

expanding an existing business is

marketing and sales planning. With our

help, you will be able to determine:

• If there is a market for your

product or service

• How you will reach your

customers

• How to plan a strategy that

includes advertising, marketing,

and promotion

We will walk you through the steps

of assessing your market, learning

how to identify business-to-business,

business-to-consumer, government

procurement, and international

trade opportunities.

Management Assistance

The legalities of your business are

an equally important aspect of

your business plan. Selecting an

accountant and an attorney who

will give you valuable guidance is

important at this step. Our experts

will help you understand the

legal issues that may affect your

business, including what the proper

legal entity may be, accounting and

taxes, legalities

of the hiring

process and

labor laws, and

what is involved

with patents,

copyrights and

trademarks.

Client Resources

The RU SBDC offers client kiosks and

software resources to help you:

• Build a business plan

• Build a sales and marketing plan

• Conduct general business and

competitive market research

• View samples of startup

business plans

• Learn and utilize QuickBooks™

• Participate in webinars

• Access internally housed content

in a wide variety of business topics

• Build a website for your business

Specialized Programs of Assistance

We provide specialized programs of

assistance to and in the areas of:

• Veteran and women-owned

businesses

• Retail and restaurateurs

• International trade initiative

• Technology and innovation

• Becoming a government

vendor/contractor

Classes/Seminars

• Start-up assistance

• Business basics

• Financing

• Managing a business

• Managing employees

• Business accounting and budget

• QuickBooks™

• Tax planning

• Marketing and sales

• Government contracting

• Retail management and marketing

• Restaurant management and

marketing

Radford University Small Business Development Center | Southwest Region SBDC | radford.edu/sbdc PO Box 6953 | 701 Tyler Avenue | Radford, VA 24142 | 540.831.6056 (SBDC Main) | 540.831.6735 (Fax)