Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

National Small Business Week: PCC spurs economic growth through its SBDC

Photos and story by James Hill

At Portland Community College, every week is “Small Business Week.”

For four decades, PCC’s Oregon Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is a key resource for small business owners in the Portland metro area year-round. Through one-on-one advising and expert-led training programs, the PCC SBDC equips entrepreneurs with the tools they need to succeed and serves an average of 550 businesses every year. 

From launching a new business to overcoming challenges, PCC SBDC’s training programs cover every stage of growth. These include the “Business Design Series” that helps early-stage, aspiring entrepreneurs refine their business concept and the “Business Builders” course that delivers foundational, industry-specific training to new business owners. For more mature businesses, the Advanced Small Business Management Training Program provides strategies for resilience, innovation and growth.

The PCC SBDC provides services across all industries and all sizes of companies. For food entrepreneurs, the “Getting Your Recipe to Market” (GYRM) class provides a pathway to commercial success while the Global Trade Center supports businesses expanding into import and export markets. The SBDC’s Capital Access Team delivers essential information to access capital. 

And, the no-cost “Intro to SBDC” orientation explores resources and creates an action plan for entrepreneurs. Courses are available online, ensuring accessibility for all small business owners.

“Uncertain economic conditions and a shifting landscape create challenges, demands, and a sense of unease for many small business owners,” said Tammy Marquez, PCC’s SBDC director. “Our team is here to provide essential information, explore solutions, provide resources, and offer long-term advice and guidance.”

Examples of successful small businesses include:

Migration Brewing

The Migration Brewing owners participated in the training program to accelerate its growth. PCC SBDC advisors, including those on the Capital Access Team, helped with the company’s business plan, financial projections, loan package development and lender relations.

As a result of continuous support, Migration Brewing earned the title of Oregon’s 2024 Small Business Person of the Year by the Small Business Administration (SBA) – the first time a craft brewery had received this accolade. Migration is now distributing its tasty brews in four states and has expanded distribution internationally to Asia.

“Their guidance helps us navigate challenges, pitfalls and considerations for new endeavors,” said McKean Banzer-Lausberg, co-founder and co-owner of Migration Brewing. “It has been invaluable in our expansion and growth.”

Pistakio

Pistakio is a unique pistachio-based nut butter launched by Francine Voit and Nicola Buffo in 2023. The duo took the GYRM course to take their product concept from idea to a commercial-ready product. With partners like OSU Food Innovation Center and New Seasons Market, GYRM helps local food professionals take their ideas to commercial-ready food products to produce, promote, and sell their new products. With up to 25 businesses per cohort, the class strongly supports emerging food entrepreneurs.

“We’ve just made it into our 200th door and are launching a new product in less than two months,” Buffo said of Pistakio. “We are very excited about it!” 

For more information, visit https://oregonsbdc.org/center/Portland-SBDC/, or email sbdc@pcc.edu.