Page 12 - YC360 Spring 2021 Edition

SBDC’s “Makeover” Program
Keeps Local Business Dreams Alive!
YC’s Business Think Tank offers no-cost resources and expertise
YC’s Small Business Development Director Jeri Denniston (left) at Insurgent Brewing Company. The Chino Valley business was one of the first participants in the REDC’s Makeover Program.
The pandemic continues to impact many small businesses throughout Yavapai County. While some have successfully pivoted to online and alternative strategies, many still hang by a thread.
So Yavapai College’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has launched the Small Business Makeover Program. “Thanks to new funding from the CARES Act, we are able to bring additional resources to help us plan and launch this pilot program
for new clients,“ SBDC Director Jeri Denniston said. “Our goal is to expand this program to all SBDC clients next year as an additional tool to help small businesses thrive.”
Four business owners will be selected by a panel of community partners to receive the “Makeover of a Lifetime”
– an in-depth assessment of their top 2-3 business challenges. The SBDC will then help the owners address those challenges over the next several months. “We’ll bring in industry experts, tools, resources, and possibly some funding to help these four businesses move their operations from
good to great.” Denniston said. Remaining contestants will be entered into the “Mini-Makeover Bootcamp,” receiving confidential one-on-one coaching with SBDC consultants, access to subject matter experts
and resources to suit their specific needs. A special cohort has also
been established for Hispanic-owned businesses to address the unique language, access and capital resource challenges these business owners face.
Inspired in part by the Hulu series “Small Business Revolution,” The Small Business Makeover Program will be fitted to meet Yavapai County needs. The SBDC will partner with the Arizona Commerce Authority to provide subject matter experts and access to their Small Business Academy, a live, online workshop facilitated by industry experts.
Interested businesses still have time to apply. The remaining application deadlines are April 30, and May 31. (See sidebar.) Don’t pass up this opportunity to keep your business dream alive!
12 YC360 A Yavapai College Publication
WORKFORCE
Your Business Qualifies for The Small Business Makeover if it...
• Has fewer than 500 employees
• Has less than $15 million in annual
revenue
• Is structured as a for-profit entity
• Has been in operation at least
three years
• Has not received SBDC coaching
in the past five years
Business owners who contacted the SBDC for occasional disaster funding assistance last year are still eligible
if they did not receive ongoing coaching.
Apply for your makeover at: www. mybusinessmakeover.com/apply.