Portland Community College Small Business Development Center

Congratulations again to our very own shining stars at Portland Community College, Sean Harry and Kayla Banda! In case you missed it, the Oregon Small Business Development Center Network recently announced Sean as America’s SBDC 2024 State Star for Oregon and Kayla as a 2024 America’s SBDC 40 Under 40 Award honoree. Our hats off go to Sean and Kayla for their exceptional leadership and service to the small business community! ⭐️⭐️ #PCCSBDC #AmericasSBDC #SBDC #StateStar #40Under40 #smallbusiness

Fire season is always a humbling reminder that small businesses need to be resilient in any circumstance. Whether it’s a natural disaster, an IT outage, or another business disruption, having a plan in place can reduce your downtime in the event of an emergency. The Oregon SBDC Network business advisers can help equip you with the resources and tools you need to create a business continuity and resiliency plan. Learn more at https://buff.ly/47uwjOt. #NationalPreparednessMonth #BusinessResiliency #ItOnlyTakesOne

From one shining star to another! Congratulations are also in order for our very own, Kayla Banda, Business Advisor, Marketing Coordinator, and Facilitator for the Business Builders Training Program at the Portland Community College Small Business Development Center! Kayla has been named as one of the 2024 America's SBDC 40 Under 40 Award winners and is among 40 outstanding individuals across the country who are fostering a spirit of innovation and driving success for small businesses. Kayla's dedication to Oregon's small businesses is exceptional. As a business adviser and training facilitator, her passion for creative entrepreneurship shines. After joining the Nevada Small Business Development Center in 2017, she brought her talents to Oregon in 2022, where she's used her marketing expertise to help businesses recover from COVID-19 and drive new growth. Congratulations again, Kayla and thank you for the service you provide small businesses everyday! ⭐️💫 #PCCSBDC #PCCSBDCPeople ##AmericasSBDC40Under40 #SBDC #AmericasSBDC #smallbusiness

Portland Community College Small Business Development Center's Getting Your Recipe to Market (GYRM) training program helped Francine Voit and Nicola Buffo of Pistakio pivot from a savory spread to a sweet pistachio spread that was easier to produce and more marketable. This change led to their successful pitch to New Seasons Market, now their biggest account. If you’re ready to follow in their footsteps and see your recipe on grocery shelves, Getting Your Recipe to Market is the program for you. This unique 12-week training will equip you with the knowledge to turn your idea into a commercial-ready product, connect you with local food professionals, and provide one-on-one business support. Don’t miss this opportunity—learn more about the program and sign up today: https://lnkd.in/gNENYz6c #PCCSBDC #GettingYourRecipetoMarket #GYRM #AmericasSBDC #Pistakio #smallbusiness #entrepreneurship #smallbiz

Jimin Kim of Haruharu Studio and a graduate of Portland Community College Small Business Development Center's Business Builders training program, transformed her concept into a thriving pop-up space and online shop with the center's support. Ready to elevate your small business? The PCC SBDC's Business Builders program offers the tools, knowledge, and guidance you need to confidently navigate entrepreneurship. This 12-week training program blends essential business education with industry-specific insights to help your business not just survive but thrive. Register by 9/1/24 to save $100: https://lnkd.in/gNr5bSXx #PCCSBDC #BusinessBuilders #AmericasSBDC #smallbusiness #entrepreneurship

Congratulations to our very own Sean Harry, Senior Business Advisor, Small Business Management Program Facilitator, and lead for the Manufacturing Advising Team (MAT) at the PCC Small Business Development Center at Portland Community College, for receiving this year's Oregon State Star Award! The SBDC State Star Award is the highest recognition for individual achievement within America's SBDC Network. State Stars are chosen by their respective SBDC Networks and are among the best of the best. Thank you for all that you do for our small business community, Sean! 💫👏 #PCCSBDC #AmericasSBDC #StateStar

National Financial Awareness day serves as a great reminder to stay on top of your business finances. The Oregon Small Business Development Center Network has put together some free resources to help entrepreneurs learn more about their small business’s financial documents and what they say about their business: 📈 Using a Cash Flow Statement: https://lnkd.in/gQdTxgW6 🧾 What Your Balance Sheet Tells You About Your Business: https://lnkd.in/gkcxngC9 💲 How to Read a Profit and Loss Statement: https://lnkd.in/g6FeWaWv #PCCSBDC #NationalFinancialAwarenessDay #FinancialAwareness #SmallBusinessFinances #Accounting #SmallBusinessAccounting #BusinessAccounting #CashFlow #CashFlowStatement #BalanceSheet #Profit #ProfitAndLossStatement #ProfitAndLoss #OregonSBDC #SBDC

Did you know August marks National Black Business Month, a time to celebrate the incredible contributions of Oregon’s Black business owners and entrepreneurs? Tag your favorite Black-owned Oregon business in the comments to show them a little extra love and support this month. #PCCSBDC #BlackBusinessMonth #BlackOwned #BlackOperated #BlackEntrepreneurs #OregonBusinesses #NationalBlackBusinesMonth #BlackOwnedBusiness #SupportBlackBusiness #ShopBlackOwned #BuyBlackOwned

Francine Voit and Nicola Buffo are the dynamic duo behind Pistakio, a company revolutionizing how pistachios are enjoyed. What started as a college project in Savannah, GA, turned into a thriving business when Francine and Nicola couldn't find affordable, local pistachio products. After moving to Portland, OR, and with help from the Portland Community College Small Business Development Center (PCC SBDC)'s Getting Your Recipe to Market (GYRM) training program, they launched Pistakio in April 2024. Their sweet pistachio spread quickly gained traction, landing in two large grocery store chains, New Seasons Market and Market of Choice and 75+ stores nationwide. Despite the challenges of launching a brand new small business, Francine and Nicola’s determination and community support have fueled their success. They advise aspiring entrepreneurs to leverage resources like PCC SBDC while putting in the necessary hard work. “The PCC SBDC provided the tools and resources to jump start our business but ultimately, it’s up to you to put the work and hustle for it. If you have the passion and dedication but need the groundwork, then it’s 100% worth it.” Read more to discover Pistakio and be inspired to take a crack at your small business dreams today: https://lnkd.in/grPDMQXe #Pistakio #GettingYourRecipetoMarket #PCCSBDC #AmericasSBDC #SBDC #smallbusinessbigdreams #smallbiz

Fireworks, food for a cookout, baked goods—however you choose to celebrate our nation’s independence, don’t forget to shop local and support the small businesses in your area today and every day 🎆🇺🇸 #PCCSBDC #FourthOfJuly #IndependenceDay #JulyFourth #ShopSmall #ShopLocal #OregonSmallBiz #SmallBizOwner #HappyFourthOfJuly #SupportLocal