Students help business center connect small businesses to critical resources in wake of COVID-19 pandemic

The Michigan Small Business Development Center (SBDC), housed in the Seidman College of Business, has taken the lead in providing support to small businesses across the state that are being affected by COVID-19.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared economic injury in all 83 counties, allowing for disaster assistance for small businesses.

Ed Garner, regional director for the SBDC West Michigan region, said the center is supporting small businesses with access to federal, state and local assistance, as well as information to successfully reopen. 

Garner said Grand Valley students and alumni have played a vital role in the operations of the center during this time, serving as the first point of contact with customers, setting up trainings and events, creating marketing materials and tracking attendance numbers and evaluations.

"Students are learning to improve their communication and organizational skills, perform database management, encounter a diversity of people, increase their knowledge of small business services and develop the critical soft skills they will need when they begin their careers in the business community," Garner said.

Kyle Bezy, a senior majoring in accounting, is the lead student office assistant, responding to requests for consulting and directing customers to outside resources if needed.  

"Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, we had a 24-hour follow-up policy in place to respond to client requests, but this has become especially important because many of our clients are requiring assistance ASAP," said Bezy. "I direct clients to different funding options and financial relief programs that are available to small businesses suffering during the pandemic."

Garner said graduate students are looking at large amounts of data and providing recommendations. Zara Smith, who earned an MBA from Grand Valley in 2000, manages a team of three GVSU market research graduate assistants who provide research reports for small businesses. 

"By being exposed to many businesses across the state, this is giving us the experience needed to help small businesses succeed," said Smith. "We help business leaders take a look at the big picture and help them see why they should invest in certain areas."

Graduate students Tierney Mosier, Marlon Pereira De Amorim and Daniel Mwangi developed updated Search Engine Optimization reports, guiding small businesses to effectively reach their audience through online platforms. Their market research includes industry and risk reports; competition, client and demographic analysis; and SEO audits to see how websites are performing.

Tyler Booms, a senior with a double major in marketing and human resources, implemented the promotions strategy for the SBDC's statewide COVID-19 webinar series, sharing executive order updates and educational opportunities through weekly email marketing, social media and internal communications.

The federal CARES Act is providing resources to help the SBDC respond to demand. In the last 80 days:

6,000+ businesses received SBDC consulting or training affiliated with COVID-19 assistance programs. (The SBDC typically consults 5,000 business in an average year.)

900%+ increase in online training/webinar attendees. 

743% increase in website users compared to the previous quarter. 

About the Michigan SBDC 

The Michigan Small Business Development Center provides consulting, business education, market research and technology commercialization to new and existing businesses throughout Michigan's 83 counties. Michigan SBDC services are available through the support of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). Entrepreneurs and small business owners may access the services of their nearest Michigan SBDC by visiting www.sbdcmichigan.org.