Timing and smart planning helped IES expand in size and then exceed its business goals.

For the past 27 years, Small Business Development Centers across the country have helped nearly 13 million aspiring entrepreneurs start, manage, grow, and save their small businesses. The ASBDC is the federal government’s most comprehensive small business management and technical assistance program. The network includes 63 matching grant-funded recipient programs in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, and the Virgin Islands. The mission of the SBDC network is to help aspiring entrepreneurs realize their dream of business ownership, and assist existing small businesses to remain competitive in the complex marketplace of an ever-changing global economy.

Need further proof that the SBDC network helps small businesses? Just ask Robert Evans from Independent Energy Systems. At the 2007 Association of Small Business Development Center’s national conference, Independent Energy Systems (IES) was named the top small business/SBDC success story in a competition sponsored by Bank of America.

IES specializes in the design, installation, and sales of solar electric and thermal systems for residential and commercial properties in Santa Cruz and the Monterey Bay area. Evans, president and founder, began his business in 001 with the mission of providing the community with an opportunity to participate in renewable energy. In 2006, the California government showed support of this future in renewable energy by passing the “Million Solar Roofs Bill, SB 1,” which provides $3.2 billion over 10 years in rebates to solar electric system purchasers throughout the state.

The opportunities were there, but so were the challenges. Knowing that the rebate program was solid, Evans was ready to aggressively grow his company with the goal of doubling his revenue. The company had a strong backlog of orders but there was a risk of assuring adequate supply of solar panels if he increased sales. Also, Evans needed to develop sound financial projections to present to local lenders with the goal of securing working capital.

It was time to call the experts. Evans decided to meet with Central Coast SBDC Consultant Jim Weisenstein who conducted an in-depth business assessment. During the first few meetings Evans and Weisenstein outlined 2006 financial objectives, developed an ideal client profile, researched existing and potential solar panel suppliers, and reviewed potential lender requirements.

Additionally, Weisenstein suggested increasing staff so that Evans could focus on growing the business. Evans met with Weisenstein over the course of a year to assess the financial health of his rapidly growing company.

Within a few months of working with an SBDC consultant, IES was a preferred customer for a new solar panel supplier, and Evans had secured a home-equity line of credit. Ten additional full-time employees were added and IES secured 4,000 square feet of additional shop space. By the end of 2006, IES exceeded the original goals set with the help of Jim Weisenstein and the company nearly tripled annual revenue.

IES is just one example of the hundreds of thousands of small businesses who credit the SBDC network when asked about their success. If your company needs some expert advice and guidance in starting, managing, growing, or even saving your business, it’s time for you to make the call. Who knows? Maybe your company will be the next ASBDC small business success story.