SBDC Earns Excellence and Innovation Award

The University of La Verne Small Business Development Center received the SBDC Excellence and Innovation award from the U.S. Small Business Administration, Los Angeles District Office on May 24.

Winners from the Los Angeles District Office 2016 Small Business Week Awards Celebration were chosen among organizations from throughout Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.

“Being recognized by the SBA, and the SBDC network, is incredibly important because so many people have been involved to create this program,” said Sean Snider, director of the University of La Verne Small Business Development Center. “This recognition is a real testament to everyone’s work and to our mission – to support our community.”

Since the university’s SBDC opened in August 2014, Snider and his team have helped more than 400 small businesses and entrepreneurs with one-on-one mentoring, as well as with market research, websites, accounting, government contracting, raising capital and strategic planning.

“I am really impressed by the accomplishments of the center given that it is less than two years old,” said Ibrahim “Abe” Helou, Dean of the College of Business and Public Management. “Sean’s leadership, passion, and dedication to help small businesses in the area is the driving force behind the success of the center.”

Snider said he utilizes the same suggestions he offers his clients – such as setting goals and striving to find new ways to better meet the needs of customers and the community. As an example, one of the center’s innovations touted by the SBA Los Angeles District is that its operations are completely digital and paperless.

The SBDC program, Snider said, was built on “the university’s core value of civic and community engagement.”

“It has been an outpouring of community support to help establish and grow the program,” he said.

Working for his family’s plumbing business in a small town in Virginia taught Snider valuable lessons about running a small business, and inspired his education and passion to help other small business owners.

“From an early age, I learned firsthand the impact that small businesses have on the community and the challenges they face,” he said.

Snider’s best advice for small business owners: “Find ways to get out of your comfort zone and learn more about your customers, your staff and the community that you’re a part of.”