Small Business

Counseling and Assistance Organizations

The following resources are available to help entrepreneurs succeed in their business.

Small Business Administration (SBA), Arizona District Office: Delivers assistance to businesses at every stage of development. They support local resource partners who provide counseling and mentoring, encourage lenders to offer capital access through guarantee loan programs, and certify entities so they can have more opportunities in the procurement arena. In the declaration of a federal disaster, small businesses can get guidance on low-interest recovery loans in combination with FEMA services. If you are looking to grow your business, the SBA website has the tools you need. (24)
Arizona Small Business Development Centers (AZSBDC) Network: An innovative partnership between the U.S. Small Business Administration and eight of the state’s community college districts. The AZSBDC Network is Arizona’s largest and most accessible statewide source of assistance for small and growing businesses, providing free, one-on-one counseling and support from professional business counselors, analysts and technology specialists. Special programs, workshops and training resources help new and expanding businesses fast-track their plans for success. The AZSBDC has 25 locations statewide. (24)
SCORE Arizona - For the Life of your Business: Nonprofit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and helping small businesses start, grow, and succeed nationwide. They are a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and their network of volunteers offer small business entrepreneurs confidential business counseling services at no charge. In addition to meeting in person, you can use easy face-to-face video technologies like Google Hangouts, Skype or FaceTime to connect directly with an experienced SCORE mentor no matter where you're located. SCORE also provides local workshops and events to connect small business owners with the people and information they need, as well as online workshops available 24/7. (24)
Prestamos CDFI Women's Business Center (WBC) is hosted by Chicanos Por La Causa Prestamos and is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). They assist women-owned businesses through education, technical assistance, and access to capital. They also help with government procurement opportunities, and certifications for government contracting. (24)
Arizona MBDA Business Center: Federally funded by the Minority Business Development Agency, U.S. Department of Commerce and is locally operated by the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. The Center’s consultants, certified by GrowthWheel, are focused on business development and capacity building which includes comprehensive business consulting, facilitation of large public and private contracts; financing transactions, stimulating job creation and retention, and facilitating entry to global markets for eligible minority-owned businesses. MBC serves eligible MBEs with annual revenues of over $500,000 or participates in a high-growth industry (e.g., green technology, clean energy, health care, infrastructure, and broadband technology, among others). (24)
Maricopa County Small Business Assistance: In partnership with Maricopa County, Local First Arizona is offering free technical assistance and training to small and micro businesses covering essential needs that help businesses operate. Through the Maricopa County small business assistance program, small and micro enterprises in Maricopa County will gain access to pro bono consulting on social media, digital marketing, and SEO searchability; event management and marketing; video production; recommendations for marketing efforts and savings; business liability assistance; operations and inventory control; and community engagement. Services will be available in English and Spanish. (24)
Women’s Business Center of Southern Arizona (WBC): Provides comprehensive business and management training, one-on-one business counseling and wrap around professional and personal development services to equip individuals with the confidence and tools they need to start and expand their businesses. Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, hosted by Microbusiness Advancement Center and managed by the YWCA of Southern Arizona. (24)
Arizona Department of Economic Security, Rehabilitation Services Administration (DES/RSA), Vocational Rehabilitation Program: Provides a variety of services to individuals with disabilities, with the ultimate goal to prepare for, enter into, or retain competitive employment. The VR program is a public program funded through a Federal/State grant and administered by the Arizona Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), which is part of the Arizona Department of Economic Security. Eligibility requirements for the VR program include having a documented disability which presents a barrier to employment, needing vocational rehabilitation services, and having the potential and desire to work. Self-Employment for entrepreneurs with disabilities is one of the many options in the VR program for individuals who want to pursue this avenue of employment. (24)
Arizona Department of Economic Security, Rehabilitation Services Administration (DES/RSA), Business Enterprise Program: Provides entrepreneurship opportunities for individuals who are legally blind to own merchandising businesses, including vending and food service operations. (24)