Thank you for your inquiry to the Small Business Development Center.  We have a two-step process that we recommend for first time business owners.

Step 1 is to develop your business idea.  There is a worksheet included our start up packet called “Evaluating Your Business Idea” that will assist you in this process. Click here to down-load a copy of our packet. Your responses will help determine if you are ready for the next step, or if you need to re-evaluate your business idea. This document is an excellent precursor to the development of your Business Plan.

Please attend a SCORE Pre-Business Workshop if you need to evaluate your business idea further.  SCORE works out of the local Chambers of Commerce. The Capitola (www.santacruzscore.org, 621-3735) and Monterey (www.montereybayscore.org, 648-5360) SCORE Chapters have developed workshops designed specifically for first-time business owners in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties.

Step 2 is to develop your Business Plan.  You can access a list of our classes including: Quickbooks Basics, Writing a Winning Business Plan, and Social Media Marketing under Events in the left-hand column.  There is a $30 space and materials fee for each seminar and pre-registration is required.  In addition, the county branch of the Public Library and the UCSC campus library have resources for Business Plan development as well. 

Once you have developed a good rough draft of your Business Plan, the SBDC can provide you with free and confidential advising services to help you get where you want to go.  If, after reviewing this information, you find you have additional questions, please call our office and we will be happy to assist you.

Good luck to you in your small business venture!