Small Business Center
The Mission of the Small Business Center Network (SBCN) is to increase the success rate and the number of viable small businesses in North Carolina by providing high quality, readily accessible assistance to prospective and existing small business owners, which will lead to job creation and retention.
Services available through the Small Business Center Network include:
- One-on-one business counseling, which provides an evaluation to determine immediate needs. To make an online request for counseling complete the online form by clicking here.
- Custom designed programs to assist with preparation of paperwork necessary to obtain financing for a qualified new business or expansion of an existing business.
Win Funds to Start Your Small Business!
The 2nd Annual Seed & Sow Pitch Contest is back for 2025!
This is a small business learning and planning process culminating in a “pitch contest”, where qualifying entrepreneurs compete to win cash awards to help fund their small business startup or expansion idea! Qualifying contestants will be required to complete one of our FREE full day Seed & Sow Workshops and attend three (1-hour) counseling sessions with the BCCC SBC Director. Contestants will complete a basic business plan during this process and are expected to register their business with the NC Secretary of State.
The contest will take place on April 12, 2025 with workshops & counseling beginning in September 2024. Only open to Beaufort, Hyde, Tyrrell, and Washington County entrepreneurs. Past contestants are permitted to participate! Winners will receive Seed Funds to help them start or expand their small business.
All Available Seminars & Workshops
Click Here for a list of upcoming events and workshops
SBCN Core Curriculum
Students who complete a class in each of the small business topics will receive a certificate of completion. The five topics are: Start-Up Assistance, Planning, Financing, Taxes, and Marketing. Each qualifying class will list the topic it covers in the class description.
Classes include, but are not limited to: How to Start an LLC, How to Start a Non-Profit, Opportunity Canvasing for Small Business, Develop a Professional Business Plan in Just One Day, Financing Your Small Business, Recordkeeping & Taxes for Small Business, Product Photography for Small Business Marketing, Small Business Marketing With Canva, Bookkeeping with QuickBooks and Build Your Business Website.
Examples of other targeted workshops
- Sales and Use Tax Workshop (NCDOR)
- The Experience of a Lifetime – Customer Service That Works!
- Effective use of Social Media
- How to Publish Your Book Now!
- Managing Stress and Preventing Burnout
- Data Security for Your Business
- HP LIFE Online Entrepreneurship Training
Additional SBC Resources
Continuing Education Catalog
Jack Dugan
Director of the Small Business Center
(252) 940-6306
[email protected]