NYSBDC 2019 Staff Training

The Pace University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) team recently attended the NYSBDC’s annual staff training conference in Ithaca, New York. Our team joined workshops and connected with NYSBDC colleagues from throughout New York State to discuss small business assistance best practices. In addition to this invaluable professional development, the conference included a dynamic pitch competition comprised of teams of business advisors in a range of specialty advisement areas. The winning team developed Procurement IQ training guidelines and material to help clients identify and submit for relevant government contracts, and received a $10,000 allocation from Betterfin to roll out this new resource.

At the conference award ceremony, Pace SBDC client Earth Angel received the NYSBDC Environmental Business of the Year award. Emellie O'Brien, the founder of the Earth Angel, worked with Pace SBDC Business Advisor Sandra Cely to develop a business plan and financial projections, and get started on her MWBE certification. Sandra also helped the client submit a loan package to Excelsior Growth Fund, who approved Earth Angel for a $100,000 EGF SmartLoan for working capital to purchase inventory and hire a new staffer.

The Pace SBDC team and individual staff members also received a number of awards: Senior Business Advisor Rawle Brown was recognized for the highest number of new business starts of any NYSBDC business advisor; Business Advisor Anish Thakkar was recognized with a "Lead by Example" award for his dedication and initiative; and our center was recognized for enrolling the second highest number of clients in the BidLinx procurement bid matching system.