Halifax Community College's Small Business Center (SBC) is making dreams become reality. The mission of the SBC is to increase the success rate and number of profitable small businesses in the Roanoke Valley service area through high quality, readily accessible assistance to prospective and existing small business owners and employees. Secondly, the SBC wants to become a community-based provider of education and training, counseling, information and referral. Having been in operation for more than 20 years, the center has served hundreds of clients in Halifax and Northampton counties, and surrounding areas.

The SBC offers more than 20 free classes per semester ranging from "How to Fix Your Credit" to marketing, public speaking, "Making Money on the Internet" and improving customer satisfaction. For larger employers, classes cover communication, motivation, quality and time management, and customer service. All classes can be viewed at the SBC button on the college's Web site, www.halifaxcc.edu.

A major component of the center is counseling for those considering a business start-up and those who want to implement a business idea. Our primary focus here is on helping people develop their own comprehensive and complete business plans. These plans not only help to ensure the viability of a business, but also are necessary for people who need to finance a business through a loan. The SBC has helped individuals start beauty salons, automotive repair shops, daycare centers, residential cleaning services, a goat farm, and portable concession units.

Three free services are offered to help entrepreneurs. First, we have three-hour classes and seminars for small business owners and larger employers. Secondly, we offer counseling for start-ups and existing businesses. Thirdly, we have a resource center in the HCC library with a wide variety of business magazines, books and videotapes on management and supervision. We have free help with business issues, computer use and Internet access, and offer on-site training for established businesses. The center also provides assistance with business planning; marketing including products and services, packaging, pricing, distribution, competition, and research; financials including P&L, balance sheets, and cash flow; and, other business and management issues.

Our SBC director is Dick McCormick, who has consulted with and taught small business owners for more than 15 years. Additionally, he has consulted with Bell South and Equifax and a multitude of businesses in a variety of industries. He holds an MBA from the University of Michigan, was a Supply Corps Officer in the U.S. Navy, has held marketing, administrative and management positions, and has headed his own consulting business in Atlanta.

Lindi Fields of Lake Gaston Boat Lift Service recently commented on the SBC. "The classes were helpful in giving me ideas for growing the business," she said. "I also met with Dick and he answered all of my questions. This is a free service and I think more people should take advantage of it."

Over the past year, the SBC held the first REAL Entrepreneurship class, helped a number of people considering a business start-up, provided free income tax preparation through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, and hosted the first annual Entrepreneur Expo. Also, Mr. McCormick met with municipal representatives to discuss management issues and entrepreneur training. Last fall, the SBC Advisory Committee was established. The group assists with practical suggestions on courses, marketing and other issues.

From the President's Perspective, the SBC at the college provides an invaluable resource to area citizens. We want more individuals to take advantage of the opportunities that the center makes available. Many are free. Watch for flyers, news articles, and advertisements announcing upcoming classes. Make time to attend the seminars. Past seminar attendees have commented on programs saying, "This was easy to understand and well planned," "This was informative and I was able to build on my current knowledge," as well as "I had a wonderful time."

With the potential for small business growth to rapidly expand in the near future here, there is no better time to prepare. If you have questions, contact SBC Director, Dick McCormick at (252) 536-7274. He will be glad to help you with any business issues you may have.

To learn about other HCC programs, stop by campus, call us at (252) 536-HCC1, or check us out online at www.halifaxcc.edu. Also, feel free to send me an email message at president@halifaxcc.edu with your thoughts or ideas about HCC.