We are very lucky to work at the San Diego and Imperial Small Business Development Center (SBDC). We can help people achieve their dreams through small business ownership and entrepreneurship every day. From helping someone start a food truck to growing their construction company with a government contract, sometimes helping a person formalize their side hustle and then helping the next innovative company in the region, we can help our community .
Our workshops and training sessions are a key part of our support. They are filled with entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds, all learning financial management, strategic planning and marketing. These sessions will help business owners gain the skills needed to make their business dreams come true.
Diversity and inclusion are not just buzzwords for us; They are the essence of our work. We support underrepresented groups, including women, minorities and veterans, in their entrepreneurial journeys.
Our results for 2023 say it all: for African American entrepreneurs, we helped start 65 new businesses, facilitated 7.5 million dollars in capital infusion and generated $22 million in sales and contracts, serving more than 1,200 clients. For women-owned businesses, we supported the creation of 145 new businesses, secured $60 million in capital infusion, achieved $46 million in sales and contracts, and created 508 new jobs.
Take, for example, Kate Dilligan, founder of Cooler Heads. His company developed a scalp cooling device to help cancer patients minimize hair loss during chemotherapy. It is a testament to the power of diverse founders. With our support, Cooler Heads raised 8.2 million dollars in equity and 2.1 million dollars in financing. This helped a lot of people.
Our commitment to diversity is exemplified in the achievements of our team members. Jason Paguio, who leads the San Diego Asian Business Association (part of the SBDC Network), was honored as Minority Small Business Champion of the Year by the Small Business Association. Their recognition underscores our dedication to fostering an inclusive workplace.
We also focus on supporting Latino and Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs. We know that cultural trust can be a barrier. We are dedicated to building strong relationships in this community. Our goal is to close the gap. By offering bilingual services and cultural support, we want Latino entrepreneurs to have the same opportunities as everyone else.
For example, Edi Carlos Gonzales was a prominent journalist for the Univisión network. He made a bold move by leaving his position to launch his own Spanish news website, CGN-Noticias. Small Business Development Corp. assistance was extended to help Carlos obtain a $100,000 Small Business Administration loan through San Diego. CDC Small Business Finance Small business financing, enabling significant business growth.
San Diego & Imperial Small Business Development Corp. is part of Southwestern College. It is a community organization, not just for students. We are proud to serve business owners in San Diego and Imperial counties. We provide the resources and support they need to succeed. When disaster strikes, Small Business Development Corp. is there to help.
And sometimes it’s not just about helping companies get started, but helping them in times of crisis. Following the recent flooding, we mobilized our resources to support affected business owners. Our advisors helped business owners. They provided key information about government aid and guided them through the process. We organized the Small Business Administration Disaster Recovery Team in National City. In crises, our commitment to the community shines. We help businesses rebuild and resume operations.
Our commitment to diversity is also reflected in our participation in the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Build to Scale program, which focuses on scaling diverse businesses. Additionally, the Regional Innovation Cluster (RIC) initiative is another avenue through which we promote diversity and inclusion.
San Diego & Imperial San Diego & Imperial Small Business Development Corp. is more than just a support center; It is a catalyst for dreams and a pillar of the community. Through comprehensive support and a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, we empower business owners to grow and succeed.
Weisinger is deputy regional director of the San Diego & Imperial Small Business Development Corp. network and lives in San Diego.. Rodríguez is a Rodríguez is the mmarketing and communications associate at San Diego & Imperial Small Business Development Corp. Network and lives in San Diego.