The counseling program at Northland Pioneer College SBDC is a confidential, no-cost service.  Clients may utilize counseling time as agreed upon by the SBDC.  As a client of the SBDC we guarantee that anything we discuss will be held in the strictest confidence.  Our counselors are experienced in running a small business, and educated in business and/or their area of specialty.  We provide assistance in the following areas:  business plans, financial statement analysis & projections, well-business checkup, marketing & feasibility analysis, financing assistance, and other areas, dependent upon a clients needs.

          Online counseling works much like counseling that takes place "face to face", except you use a computer for communications.  Online counseling is when a counselor talks with you over the Internet, to give you support, advice or other professional assistance.  It could be one question, or an ongoing series of assistance to help with a project or problem.  It can be by email, chat, bulletin board, or even audio/video.

How does Counseling help?

          Not everyone wants help in starting or operating a small business, and our program of "one on one" assistance is not for everyone.  But, small business management requires a set of skills that are unique, and most are learned through experience, rather than at Harvard Business School, or by working for a large Corporation for that matter.  Our counselors have all had small business experience, and we can share much that we have learned in our pasts.  Also, we learn from other small businesses, in a general way, which contributes to the skills we pass along to others.

Conversation, not just information

          Millions of people search the Internet daily in search of information.  Our service provides much more than just facts and figures.  Our counselors can provide advise and support that is not found on web sites, and we will customize our responses and assistance to you and your plan or project. 

See a list of our qualified Counselors

and their Resumes here

Why do it Online?

          There are quite a few good reasons to utilize our services Online.  You might live outside our service area, or find it difficult to get to a location that we serve.  Maybe you are slightly nervous about providing the information in person.  Your schedule might be keeping you from meeting in person, or maybe you need more immediate service. 

Can I utilize Online AND Face to face counseling methods?

          Certainly!  You may sign up using this Online section, and request a meeting at any time with your counselor.  We have learned that some services are better performed in person, such as working on financial projections.  You are free to utilize a combination of means to access our services, which are shown below:

Access to SBDC Counseling

What is the next step? 

          The next step, or the first step in establishing an Online relationship, is to become a "client" of the SBDC.  This can be done by filling out a form requesting our service, which is found at the hyperlink below. 

NPC-SBDC Request for Counseling Form

          This information is kept confidential, and in general, e-mail and other correspondence will be kept safe (please read our statement of security issues described at this link).