The ocean has always been at the center of Greg and Janet Kent's lives. That's why when these avid swimmers and surfers learned about the impact storm-water pollution has on the ocean, they knew they had to do something. In 2000, the husband and wife team founded a business that manufactures small filters that can be retrofitted for drainage channels.
At first, the couple ran their business inside their home in Oceanside. In 2002, they decided to expand. On a whim, Greg walked into the North San Diego Small Business Development Center (SBDC), which ended up changing his life.
"We met with the director of North SBDC, Sudershan Shunak, and told him about our business," said Kent. "He was excited to help and literally drove my wife and me everywhere to find a bank that would give us a loan."
The Kents ended up securing a $10,000 loan, which provided them with more freedom to research and create their own products. Besides the loan, the North SBDC also helped the couple manage their growing business through free Quickbooks, accounting and business plans workshops.
By 2006, the company had an estimated annual gross of $375,000, which earned the company the award for Small Business of the Year in San Diego, Orange and Imperial counties. A couple of years later, new federal clean-water regulations drove-up demand for their products.
Today, the company has a staff of more than 45 employees, has expanded its sales, and grosses $10.5 million annually.
"North SBDC staff's input and expertise was an important factor in our growth," said Kent. "We will always be grateful."
This is just one of the successful businesses the North SBDC has helped over the years.
Hosted by MiraCosta College, North SBDC opened in 1999 inside a former fast-food restaurant in Oceanside.
Over the next 15 years, the North San Diego SBDC helped nearly 30,000 small businesses increase revenues by $137 million.
"We have a very simple mission," said Sudershan Shaunak, Director of the North SBDC. "Help improve and build the technical skills of small business owners so they can deliver a positive impact in the community."
To meet this mission, North SBDC provides workshops and counseling at no charge to small business owners.
Since its inception, the North SBDC has counseled 8,717 clients totaling 49,017 hours; hosted 1,750 training events with 22,739 attendees; retained or created 2,583 jobs; raised $50 million in capital infusion; generated $147 million in revenue increases and $40 million in government contracts; and helped in the creation of 331 new businesses.
In May 2015, the North SBDC relocated to MiraCosta College's new Technology Career Institute, located at 2075 Las Palmas Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92011.
For more information about their services, visit www.sandiegosmallbiz.com or call 760-795-8740.
At first, the couple ran their business inside their home in Oceanside. In 2002, they decided to expand. On a whim, Greg walked into the North San Diego Small Business Development Center (SBDC), which ended up changing his life.
"We met with the director of North SBDC, Sudershan Shunak, and told him about our business," said Kent. "He was excited to help and literally drove my wife and me everywhere to find a bank that would give us a loan."
The Kents ended up securing a $10,000 loan, which provided them with more freedom to research and create their own products. Besides the loan, the North SBDC also helped the couple manage their growing business through free Quickbooks, accounting and business plans workshops.
By 2006, the company had an estimated annual gross of $375,000, which earned the company the award for Small Business of the Year in San Diego, Orange and Imperial counties. A couple of years later, new federal clean-water regulations drove-up demand for their products.
Today, the company has a staff of more than 45 employees, has expanded its sales, and grosses $10.5 million annually.
"North SBDC staff's input and expertise was an important factor in our growth," said Kent. "We will always be grateful."
This is just one of the successful businesses the North SBDC has helped over the years.
Hosted by MiraCosta College, North SBDC opened in 1999 inside a former fast-food restaurant in Oceanside.
Over the next 15 years, the North San Diego SBDC helped nearly 30,000 small businesses increase revenues by $137 million.
"We have a very simple mission," said Sudershan Shaunak, Director of the North SBDC. "Help improve and build the technical skills of small business owners so they can deliver a positive impact in the community."
To meet this mission, North SBDC provides workshops and counseling at no charge to small business owners.
Since its inception, the North SBDC has counseled 8,717 clients totaling 49,017 hours; hosted 1,750 training events with 22,739 attendees; retained or created 2,583 jobs; raised $50 million in capital infusion; generated $147 million in revenue increases and $40 million in government contracts; and helped in the creation of 331 new businesses.
In May 2015, the North SBDC relocated to MiraCosta College's new Technology Career Institute, located at 2075 Las Palmas Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92011.
For more information about their services, visit www.sandiegosmallbiz.com or call 760-795-8740.