Small Business Owners Talk About NJSBDC

I have received financing in the amount of $250,000. Because of their help, we were able to move into a larger facility, expand our product lines and hire new employees. "
LM, West Berlin.

“ After being downsized by AT&T, SBDC counselors helped me in many ways. Through the SBDC, I gained the knowledge necessary and confidence to start my own business. If the SBDC had not been there, I definitely would not have created my own company. Due to free counseling services of the SBDC and the SEA program I gained the knowledge and confidence to start my own business that has generated over $11,000 of NJ tax revenue that would not have been realized without the SBDC."
JS, Holmdel.

“ I received SBDC assistance to help me start my business in 2006. Since then, I have received financing in the amount of $50,000.00 due to their assistance and this has helped me expand my business with essential working capital. "
MC, Clifton.

“ SBDC counselors helped me as I was considering how to startup my business. I am an independent technical sales/training consultant for a NJ small business. It was confusing to start trying to decide my legal risks and accounting issues to consider and how to organize myself. It was a great relief to know that there were experts available at no change to help me out. "
TW, Flemington.

“ I received SBDC assistance in 2004 and started my gardening business in 2005 after realizing how to go through the start-up process. Since then, I have been able to grow my business significantly to the point where I am no longer taking on new clients and have began to consider hiring employees to assist me. "
LA, Point Pleasant Beach.

“ I am a client of the SBDC and they have helped me with several different parts of my business. I am a small-business owner - formerly an employee of Lucent Technologies and trying to start a technology-based firm in Monmouth County. The SBDC has helped me with my business plan, with filing some of the required forms, and with consulting regarding moving my business to the next level. I have not had to pay for this service, which has helped me considerably. (My business is still in a "pre-revenue" phase.) I am a satisfied customer of the SBDC, and I want to express my request to Governor Corzine and members of the New Jersey Legislature to continue to fund the SBDC program to the extent possible. Thank you for your consideration! "
RL, Lake Como.

“ In 2004, my husband and I decided to start a pediatric practice but had no business experience and reached out for help. It was with the personal counseling sessions with Mr. Jim Smith that we were able to write a business plan that helped us secure a SBA loan that allowed us to get the start we needed. Mr. Smith spent many hours reviewing our research and work and provided us with educational materials to show us just exactly what the process was. "
Dr. CM, Sparta.

“ I received SBDC assistance to help me start in my business as a fund raising counselor. Since then, I have signed $38,000 in contracts with non-profit organizations throughout northern New Jersey. "
BS, Glen Rock.

“I received SBDC assistance to help me start a business after being laid off from my previous place of employment. The SBDC assistance was instrumental in providing me with the information I needed to start my own business in 2006. The SBDC provided practical training and information. I think the training from the SBDC and that I knew they were available to assist me after the training period ended, gave me more confidence to pursue this opportunity. I would recommend the SBDC to anyone considering starting a business. "
NM, Middletown.

“I couldn't have started my business without SBDC. SBDC counselors helped me tremendously. Due to free counseling services of the SBDC and their invaluable training sessions, the SBDC has provided me with savings so that I can divert my business earnings and income and invest into my own business operations. I would recommend the SBDC to anyone who wants to start or expand their business operations. "
RC, Matawan.

“The Governor and Legislature should realize that by funding training through SBDC they increase state revenues as a result of new businesses developing and hiring others within New Jersey. Neighboring states like PA and NY have been extremely successful at doing this. The Governor and Legislature should see this and learn by example. "
Dr. RU, Morris Plains.

“I am on track to hire my first employee in 2007, and I believe that the SBDC contributes to NJ's growth and job creation at a local level. "
MV, Bedminster.

“I strongly feel if it was not for the SBDC I would not be where I am today. They have helped me in so many ways I don't where to even start to say thank you. This is the type of programs needed for small businesses to prosper and grow, especially in all the early years of the trials and tribulations all small businesses go through. I feel that it is in the best interest of New Jersey to keep funding the SBDC and even give more so they can help small businesses like myself continue to grow and succeed. "
JS, Cranford.

“We have directly witnessed the benefit of the SBDC for NJ businesses and the positive benefit overall for the state of New Jersey that emerging small businesses with the SBDC's assistance bring to the state particularly in the urban areas. It is imperative that New Jersey protect its standing among other states as a strong place to do business. The SBDC and its many capable people is a key means to accomplish this. "
FE, Ramsey.

“I received SBDC assistance to help me start my business in 2003. SBDC counselors helped me in many ways. If I had to pay for those services through for-profit professionals and consultants, I would not be in business today because I could not have afforded both the "experts" and have had money left to actually start the business. As a result, I would have made several costly mistakes that would have made continuing the business impossible. The free counseling and reasonably prices training classes have made it possible for me to be successful by providing me with a good solid foundation to both run the business and meet all of the legal requirements. "
DW, Manchester.

“I found the government registration forms extremely confusing and my counselor was able to help me understand them so I could more accurately fill them out. He also gave me some sound advice on finances and maintaining my company's identity. "
KW, Baptistown.

“SBDC counselors were very knowledgeable and professional! It is a pleasure to know that my taxes are going to support the SBDC and to help small businesses like mine get off the ground. "
AD, Plainfield.

“This is one of the best low-cost services available to the taxpayer of NJ. The state needs small businesses and small businesses need SBDC. "
LFH, Fair Haven.

“I personally received assistance from the Rutgers-Camden SBDC, part of the statewide NJSBDC network. I started my own small business in New Jersey approximately 2 1/2 years ago and the SBDC was invaluable. When I first visited the Rutgers office I had been turned down for a loan by a bank based on the Projections and Business Plan I had put together on my own. After working with Gary Rago and the entire team at the SBDC I was able to procure a loan from Commerce Bank and open my business. I now employ 5 full time NJ residents and am continually expanding.”"
TM, Marlton

“As a small business owner who received assistance incorporating my small publishing business from the Monmouth Ocean SBDC regional center in Lincroft, I want to voice my full support for the nonprofit New Jersey Small Business Development Centers (NJSBDC) network with service centers located throughout the State. I received assistance from SBDC’s experts and succeeded in starting and growing my business as a result of their assistance, counseling and training, especially in terms of marketing and Web design.” "
Rick Black, Turtle Light Press, Highland Park

“As a small business owner who received assistance from the Bergen SBDC regional center in Hackensack, I want to voice my full support for the nonprofit New Jersey Small Business Development Centers (NJSBDC) network with service centers located throughout the State. I received assistance from SBDC’s experts regarding financial documents needed to pursue venture capital & angel investors for our start-up company. Our hi- tech company develops smartcard solutions for smartcards. We are very close to securing more funding & could not have done it without their help.”"
LT, Moonachie

“I opened doors for my business in the spring of 2004. I could go on and on about how much the New Jersey SBDC has helped me - and how their programs have made the difference as I have moved from being a one woman shop to employing two and using over 30 contractors on jobs in New Jersey and New York. I think it is hard for people who have never started a business to understand the challenges facing us. We are GOOD AT WHAT WE DO, BUT IN ORDER TO GROW WE HAVE TO BECOME GOOD AT MANY THINGS THAT WE DO NOT START OUT BEING GOOD AT. We must wear many hats - accountants, business development, proposal writers, managers, HR departments. All this takes learning. It just doesn't happen by accident, and it doesn't happen without help. And yet most of us can't stop being in business to go to business school, or law school. We rely on the advice and information that we receive from the SBDC. Please, understand that the SBDC is not a luxury in New Jersey, but an essential piece of our economic health. Do not under fund them, stop or decrease their funding. If anything, consider raising it to be commensurate with that of other states.” "
TK, Princeton