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www.HartfordBusiness.com March 3, 2014 • Hartford Business Journal BP-21 HBJBUSINESSPROFILES CTSBDC Helps to Start and Grow Small Businesses in the State Y ou have a great business idea but how do you launch it? Your business is ready to grow but how can you access capital to expand? Your sales are down so how do figure out the root cause? You want to boost market- ing, but which methods are right for your business? If you want answers to questions like these, contact the Connect- icut Small Business Development Center (CTSBDC), and guide your startup or existing small business to efficient, profitable, gratifying success. To serve you better, we've reenergized CTSBDC with new business-building tools and 12 talented new advisors who believe, like you that helping your small business thrive is the surest way to cultivate a strong small business environment throughout Connecticut, which can benefit all our communities. There's no cost to tap into our confidential, customized service, and you can meet your advisor at your business, local coffee shop or one of our 10 sites across Connecticut for assistance with: • Business plan reviews • Marketing and social media training • Loan and grant applications • Cost analysis • Financial statement review • Industry trends research You also discover new opportunities to strengthen your business. Based on your interests and business character- istics, our advisors mentor you in green business technol- ogy, disaster recovery and preparedness, international trade assistance, women, minorities and veterans assis- tance, technology transfer, regulatory compliance and more. Teaming with us you can expect: • Appreciation. As longtime business advisors and entrepreneurs (225 years between them!), our advi- sors can relate to your needs, questions, concerns and aspirations. • Know-how. Whatever your industry, our advisors can dig right in because they have expertise in man- ufacturing, retail, health care, food, transportation, insurance, finance and many other industries. • Commitment. As members of your community, our advisors believe in giving back—by sharing their skills and experiences—to help your busi- ness flourish. Getting started is fast and easy. Visit CTSBDC.com, click "Request Business Advising," follow the prompts and hit "Submit." That's it! Within moments you receive an email confirmation. Promptly afterward, our friendly spe- cialist calls and matches you with the right advisor depend- ing on your needs and location. Want more ideas, tips and tools to help you start or grow your business? "Like," follow or connect with our social media communities: • www.facebook.com/growCT • www.twitter.com/growCT • www.linkedin.com/company/CTSBDC Connect today! Pictured (l-r): Partners ronald Krippner and thomas Kelly of doctors Express Urgent Care in danbury and West Hartford and CtSBdC Business advisor Nelson Merchan Connecticut Small Business Development Center Address: University of Connecticut, 2100 Hillside Road Unit 1044, Storrs, CT 06269 Phone: 855-4CT-SBDC (855-428-7232) Website: CTSBDC.com Number of Employees: 20 to 25 Top Executives: Emily Carter, State Director and Joseph Ercolano, Associate Director Product or Service: CTSBDC provides no-cost, confidential business advising to entrepreneurs and small businesses in the state helping to start or grow their business. Year Founded: Federally funded 35-year-old program Funding Partners: The Connecticut Small Business Development Center is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development and the University of Connecticut. ' ' Helping your small business thrive is the surest way to cultivate a strong small business environment throughout Connecticut. p h o T o / l i z C A l v i