Small Business Assistance

Helping entrepreneurs and small businesses overcome barriers to growth and success, generate jobs and sustainable businesses in the community, accommodate the unique economic needs of low income immigrants, and serve as a link between the mainstream economy and ethnic small businesses.

Services

Individual Business Counseling

Individual Business Counseling is available to anyone seeking general or specific assistance with business plan development, general operations, financial management, marketing strategy, loan packaging, contracts and licensing. Business Counselors provide in-language technical assistance, translation assistance, resources or referrals to entrepreneurs and business owners. Business Counseling services are free and offered in any of our five communities, or at a place of business in Los Angeles County.

Workshops

Workshops are offered throughout the year. Topics include: Access to Capital, E-Commerce, Taxes, Business Plan Development, Import/Export, Business Insurance, Restaurant Business Start Ups. Workshop guest speakers from the private sector, including banks, trade and technical services provide in-depth and practical industry advice.

Entrepreneur Training Program (ETP)

Our popular Entrepreneur Training Programs are geared for the entrepreneur and first time business owner. ETP’s provide a comprehensive introduction and discussion on developing, opening and running a business. ETP’s are offered twice a year in each community, once a week for 5 to 8 weeks. Participants obtain a solid foundation to start their small business. Topics covered include: developing a business plan, licensees and permits, the importance of credit, business legal issues and access to capital. Experts from the private and public sectors host workshops and provide insights and expert advice. There is a nominal enrollment fee for ETP’s.

Business Resources

Participants in our small business program get access to a large network of organizations to help you get started. Resources include:

Business & Networking Organizations
Chamber of Commerces
Business Development Improvement Districts
Credit & Debt
Financing
Government
Legal

Clients We've Assisted

About the Small Business Assistance Program

SIPA’s Small Business Assistance Program was established in 1999 as one of the collaborative partners of the Asian Pacific Islander Small Business Program (API SBP), which is an SBA Women’s Business Center, a federally funded agency. Other API SBP partners include: Chinese Service Center, Korean Youth and Community Center, Little Tokyo Service Center, Thai Community Development Center, and the United Cambodian Community.

The mission of the Asian Pacific Islander Small Business Program (API SBP) is to assist the development of small and micro businesses in Los Angeles with a particular focus on Asian American business communities, especially those of low income immigrants. API SBP’s objectives are to help entrepreneurs and small businesses overcome barriers to growth and success, generate jobs and sustainable businesses in the community, accommodate the unique economic needs of low income immigrants, and serve as a link between the mainstream economy and ethnic small businesses.