Long Beach Small Business Development Center - Long Beach, California

Brian W.

I've been seeing advisors here for course to 10 years and they are excellent! Our tax dollars per for this so please take advantage of the free help. Thank you to Joseph, Dan, Bruce, Meghan and ask if the wonderful advisors I've seen over the years. My business and I have become better as a result of the work you all do!

Darlene B.

I am beyond frustrated with SBDC. I signed up with this organization last June/July 2016. The first advisor was useless! He had no real knowledge of retail or financials and spent most of our time over a near three month session discussing the decorations and layout for a physical store I did not have, instead of looking at my drafted business plan and financial reports I was there to the assistance with. Then, I am transferred to another to assist with my financials, who although was very helpful with ideas to shift me to an online e-commerce company instead of a brick-n-mortar, did not schedule another session because of the holidays. When I reached out to him after the holidays, he said he would look at his schedule and get back with me, which never happened. I do appreciate the fact that he tried to correct the financial spreadsheet I received from SBDC and tried to schedule me with another counselor in October of 2016 to get me going on the e-commerce; but then that appointment was rescheduled until the day before Thanksgiving (end of November 2016). So, in November, I meet with e-com counselor to outline what we were going to work on in our February meeting (which got cancelled). Now, I am being shifted again after waiting from November to February to see someone. Meanwhile, the guidance I had hope to get from Small Business Development Center on how to legally & financially establish and promote my small business, I have had to turn to YouTube, MSN Money and other small business owners just to know what I am suppose to be looking for and have in place.

All of this to say that everyone keep acting as if I am not ready to start my business and that I have all the time in the world to shoot the breeze. I already started my business the best I know how; and I could use REAL help on tightening things and getting it to grow, but I don't believe SBDC is taking me or my time seriously. So far, this is not a program I would recommend.

daryl H.

Didn't help at all. Something about this whole deal seems fraudulent. I've read many reviews of these places, and they mirror what I experienced. When it comes down to it, huge waste of time, effort, money. Such entry level business info, it's insulting. The speakers are nice, and do a good job, if you're in 1st or 2nd grade, you might learn some things. Something is def fishy going on 100% sure of it.

Bruce M.

Neel P.