Masking tape.
It may sound strange, but, that’s what comes to mind when I pass the many small auto repair and auto body shops dotting Western Pennsylvania’s landscape. Growing up, I always was at my dad’s auto shop; I not only handed him tools but taped off windows when he painted cars.
As the daughter of an entrepreneur, I’ve come full-circle; now serving as the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Pittsburgh district director. Fixing cars since he was a teen, my dad still owns and operates his shop in Washington County. And I wish he had known about the SBA when he decided to live the American dream of small business ownership.
He’s a skilled mechanic, why would he need assistance? Because he knew his trade, but not necessarily how to run a business. That’s where my agency, the SBA, becomes a pivotal partner – we are tasked with helping small businesses start, grow and succeed.
Instead of wrenches, ratchets and sockets, SBA has its own tools for assisting aspiring and current business owners. For more than 60 years, we’ve been providing the three C’s: counseling, capital access and contracting programs to Western Pennsylvania entrepreneurs.
What are these tools?
Counseling: Locally, SBA provides funding for eight small business development centers, six SCORE (Counselor’s to America’s Small Businesses) chapters and one women’s business center to provide free, one-on-one and confidential advice to entrepreneurs. They can help you craft a business plan and turn your idea from blueprint to fruition. Or, tweak your marketing platform to include a social media presence.
Capital Access: Sooner or later, most businesses need additional funds for upgrades, supplies, signage or even purchasing real estate. At SBA, we’ve got you covered offering loan packages ranging from a few thousand to a few million dollars. Our guaranteed loan programs are supported by most local financial institutions who will work with you to boost your cash flow needs. Last year in the Pittsburgh District, we disbursed 573 loans pumping more than $148 million into economic growth.
Contracting: Once you’ve been in business a few years, you might want to consider selling your goods and services to the federal government. We’re the largest marketplace in the world purchasing everything from staples to snow removal services. We have programs to help women and service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses, as well as contracting initiatives to grow socially and economically disadvantaged businesses and those located in historically underutilized business districts.
Now that you know a little bit more about the SBA. I’m inviting you to contact my team of specialists if you want to hang out your shingle and start a business.
I want to end with this quote. It’s actually emblazoned on the back of my dad’s auto shop T-shirts.
“Where satisfied customers send their friends.”
It’s not only a perfect slogan his business, but also for a dedicated team helping entrepreneurs. We can be reached at 412-395-6560.
Hunt’s business column will appear quarterly. For more information or to suggest a topic, contact the SBA Pittsburgh District Office at: wpainfo@sba.gov
