Small Business Development Center Day celebrates success of SBDCs guiding entrepreneurs

Valarie James, ’10, never anticipated opening her own business, but with the guidance of the West Michigan Small Business Development Center, she’s embracing the new opportunity before her.

James is one of thousands of clients helped by the Michigan Small Business Development Center and the West Michigan SBDC, both headquartered at the Seidman College of Business. The Michigan SBDC acts as the state headquarters for the 10 regional SBDCs across the state. 

Wednesday, March 20, marks Small Business Development Center Day, a day to recognize the network of nearly 1,000 SBDCs around the country and its mission in offering no-cost consulting and planning to entrepreneurs. 

“Working with the Small Business Development Center, I was able to learn how to create a marketing plan and learn how to do market research,” James said. “At first, it could sound very intimidating, but once you have the support of a mentor, you're able to have those conversations. We walked through that process, and so now, it makes sense.”

Ed Garner, the West Michigan SBDC regional director, is elated whenever he hears of a client reaching their potential like James.

“We are really client-focused, so when we hear the success of people expanding their business, we really feel honored that we had a maybe some small part in that,” Garner said. “That’s what we work for.” 

“We’re here to provide advice and technical assistance to not only new and starting entrepreneurs, but to people that are growing their businesses or people that may be exiting their businesses as well. We are there for the whole lifespan of the business entity."

For James, her journey to becoming a small business owner began as a result of her fitness journey, she said. 

“Fitness is important to me because it helps me along like my own personal journey just dealing with my own mental health needs,” she said. 

James said she felt inspired and creative after teaching a Zumba class. But what really surprised her was hearing how her classes affected her students in the same manner. 

“There's just something about fitness and also being in a group setting, where it can lead to community,” James said. “It can lead to friendships and conversations, and it can lead to healing.”

But, it wasn’t until she attended a women’s conference with other health and wellness professionals, she said, that everything clicked for her, and she saw her future path. 

“ I never saw myself as an entrepreneur, but it was at that moment, taking that trip by myself, when I felt inspired to turn this into a business,” James said.

In 2023, James was one of seven finalists selected for the Michigan SBDC Pitch Black competition. Organized to assist Black entrepreneurs and small business owners, the pitch competition gave contestants five minutes to sell their venture to a panel.  

“We found throughout COVID that Black-owned businesses had been disproportionately  financially impacted,” Garner said. “We at the SBDC felt we needed to respond to that to try to help these businesses survive.”

While James didn’t finish in the top three, she did earn the People’s Choice Award and its $500 prize. And, the Pitch Black concept has taken off, Garner said. Besides Muskegon and Grand Rapids, Garner said there will be a similar event in Detroit and hopefully in Saginaw or Flint. 

“ I feel like the event did expand my network,” James said. “Still to this day, I get emails from people who remember me from the pitch competition. 

“Then I’ve been able to follow up with my mentor through the SBDC, just so that I have that support. I don’t have to feel like I’m going through this alone, or if I feel like I’m stuck, or I want to pivot my business. I have someone I can connect with to make sure I’m making the right decision.”