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EL CENTRO — A training event for aspiring entrepreneurs was held Jan. 24 at the Small Business Development Center. Viridiana Rosales Trujillo, Interim Manager of the SBDC, led her two-hour session, providing guidance and important steps for running a successful business.
“I love being able to help people start their businesses. It’s such a noble job. It’s rewarding to see people come in with business ideas and witness their journey to building a successful business. I feel that way,” Trujillo said.
Topics covered included business ideas, planning, structure, and legal information.
“Staying connected and staying educated is critical to the success of any business,” Trujillo said. “Build a team around you and ask for help when you need it.”
One example of a business strategy discussed was location and user engagement using El Centro’s burrito factory. Other steps discussed included fundraising, research, choosing a name, and building a team. The course ended with questions from the participants, which Mr. Trujillo answered.
SBDCs are a helpful resource for companies that are just starting out, as well as those that are growing. As part of the Imperial San Diego network, he offers different types of training, smaller programs like his two-hour session mentioned above, and his longer eight-session program called Business Launch Academy .
The program is part of the Workforce and Economic Development Center and 11 other centers between San Diego and Imperial Counties. The service is free. A specialized center for innovative technology is also available.
“Whether you’re developing an app or you’re developing a medical device, they have experts who are also attorneys, so they can help you with patents and trademarks,” Trujillo said. .
The SBDC also has a trade center for businesses that are two years old or older. This center can export products internationally and assist with regulations. Northern SBDC handles government contracts.
“SBDCs have a very rich array of services to offer,” Trujillo said.
The U.S. Small Business Administration is a federal agency that provides funding to SBDCs and recommends conducting market research to support startups.
“Let’s say you have a great business idea because you’re starting something that no one else has here in the Imperial Valley,” Trujillo said. “This business is centered around selling ski equipment. How successful do you think you will be in selling ski equipment?”
One of the most important things SBDCs tell entrepreneurs is that they don’t create demand for something. “The demand must already exist. Your job as an entrepreneur is to meet the demand for what’s already there.”
Coin-operated laundromats are cited as a success story because people want to wash their clothes. Trujillo said great ideas come from thinking outside the box because the first idea comes to you at some point.
“Our goal is to continue to reach as many people as possible who are interested in being their own boss and creating a successful business,” Trujillo said, adding, “With businesses across the county, “If we empower our communities to be sustainable, that only helps the economy.” Imperial Valley Growth. ”
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