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Business Counseling

Building a business isn’t just about the great idea or the ingenuity behind it. The best businesses are the companies that begin with the best business plan, a strategy that focuses efforts on achieving one overarching goal. And here, at the BVCC, we have all the resources that you need to design the perfect plan of attack to launch a successful business that will flourish in the Massachusetts & Rhode Island community.

At the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce, we provide in-house advisors to new and aspiring business owners. We have access to industry specific consultants who have the practical experience an entrepreneur needs to get the customized business plan that will give their startup the best chance of success. Whatever advice you are looking for, whether it’s for marketing, finance, insurance, we have the experts you need to get the best advice and the latest industry secrets.

Our business counselors provide personal advice, feedback, and information to help you:

Assess, confirm, and enhance your current plans
Discover & evaluate new opportunities, and
Acquire new ideas

SCORE

What is SCORE?

SCORE is a network of volunteer, expert business mentors. Mentors at the BVCC include: Scott Rossiter, David Libbey and Narayan Sharma.

Our mentors offer the business experience that new business owners need to bring the best possible business plan to the table. Our SCORE experts have experience in every aspect of business management, from the macro issues a business faces to the little details that allow everything to run smoothly. They are the ultimate asset to new business owners and the perfect sounding board for your new ideas and strategies.

How much will a SCORE session cost?

Absolutely nothing! Our network is volunteer based, professionals who offer their time to new business owners as a way to give back to the community. The counseling is free and confidential for any small business in Massachusetts, Connecticut, or Rhode Island.

Call (508) 234-9090 Ext 100 to make an appointment to see them or click the button below:
Schedule Appointment

Clark University Small Business Services

What is SBDC?

The SBDC (Small Business Development Center) provides free one-on-one comprehensive and confidential services focused on business growth and strategies, financing and loan assistance, and strategic analysis. The statewide program has three integrated product lines: Business Advisory Services, Government Contracting, and International Trade Services.

What do SBDC advisors do?

We work with business owners to develop business and marketing plans, evaluate financials and cash flows, and offer general business advice that will help their companies succeed.

How will SBDC help my business?

The SBDC business advisors are well versed in every aspect of business from the basic business plan a startup needs to a more aggressive business model designed to save a business. Whatever difficulty you as a business owner are encountering, the safe bet is that one of our professionals has experienced it too, and has the knowledge to walk you through the process.

Our advisors aren’t just business savvy professionals. They also work closely with local banks and the Small Business Administration (SBA) and it’s these crucial connections give our clients an opening directly to the financing source. This invaluable association gives our clients a better chance of securing a loan or financing plan they need to make their venture a reality. In addition, with this knowledge our advisors are often able to introduce owners to financing options they may not have considered, through federal, state, or local financing sources

How much will an SBDC appointment cost?

Our advisors are a free resource for our clients, offering confidential business advice to business owners and helping facilitate the growth of their venture.

Connect with SBDC

Leo Sharkey, Senior Business Advisor
Clark University Small Business Services

Alison Moronta Loan Officer & Grant Program Manager
Community Group
Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation
Schrafft’s City Center, 529 Main Street, Suite 201, Charlestown, MA 02129

EmpoweringSmallBusiness.org
Tel:: 617.337.2820
Email: amoronta@massgcc.com

Call (508) 234-9090 Ext 100 to make an appointment or click the button below:

Schedule Appointment

Other Business Resources

Economic Development Partners

Debra A. Boronski, Western Mass Regional Director
Massachusetts Office of Business Development
1350 Main Street, Suite 1110
Springfield, MA 01103

Tel: 617-595-6363
Email: debra.boronski@mass.gov

Janet A. Pierce, Executive Director
Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission
1 Mercantile Street, Suite 520
Worcester, MA 01608

www.cmrpc.org
Tel: (508) 756-7717 x 119
Fax: (508) 792-6818
Email: jpierce@cmrpc.org

Kelly Arvidson, VP, Business and Economic Development
MassDevelopment
33 Andrews Parkway
Devens, MA 01434

massdevelopment.com
Office: 978-784-2901
Cell: 774-312-3733
Email: karvidson@massdevelopment.com

Ted Bauer, Director Workforce Development Strategies
MassMEP
100 Grove St.
Worcester, MA 01605

massmep.org
Office: 508.831.7020 x20
Cell: 781.454.9596
Fax: 508.831.7215

Boston Area

MA Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC)
Bob Jones, Sr Loan Officer

TEL: 617-337-2811
Email: rjones@massgcc.com

Industrial Services Program (ISP)

ISP provides financial and management assistance to companies and re-employment training to workers with the goal of ensuring the competitiveness of Massachusetts manufacturing companies.

TEL: 617-727-8158

Massachusetts Business Development Corp. (MBDC)

MBDC provides supplemental financing to promising small- and medium- sized companies in Massachusetts.

TEL: 617-350-8877

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency (MDFA)
Kelly Arvidson, VP Business Development

MDFA provides a one-step economic development financing source and has the ability to assemble complete financing packages for companies wishing to start-up or expand in Massachusetts.

TEL: 978-784-2901
Email: KArvidson@Massdevelopment.com

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