Ventura County organization lends a hand to businesses that need help

Job and business growth benefits everyone, according to the Economic Development Collaborative of Ventura County. The organization works in partnership with local cities to attract, retain and expand businesses throughout the county.

While the collaborative serves all businesses, it specializes in turnaround assistance for struggling small businesses, providing free and confidential assistance in business planning, vendor relations, marketing, human resources and cash-flow review.

"The Business 911 small business assistance program is a flagship of the program. It helps all businesses that employ 200 people or fewer," said Sarene Wallace, spokesperson for the organization.

The collaborative was created in 1996 to strengthen local companies and develop new business opportunities that in turn bring greater economic stability throughout Ventura County.

The public-private partnership provides programs to enhance the county's economic vitality.

"We assist small businesses when they face unexpected challenges," said Michele Pettes, president of the collaborative. The Business 911 program is funded by the Workforce Investment Board of Ventura County and the cities. It has assisted about 700 businesses and saved or created 1,212 jobs in the county since its inception in 2001, Pettes said.

"It's a great program because if something occurs in a business that is difficult to overcome, the collaborative provides fast and confidential turnaround assistance," said Moorpark Councilmember Janice Parvin, who serves on the executive board of the organization.

If a company has a temporary cash flow problem or if they need additional equipment to be successful, the collaborative may help, she said. Many times, small companies may also need interim assistance to prevent layoffs, Parvin said.

Training programs for those who want to start a business are also available.

Before Moorpark resident David Bagwell started his construction company four years ago, he attended a program offered by the collaborative and learned how to create a business plan for his company. "My wife, Jodi, and I attended the mini-MBA classes with our friends and fellow business owners for several weeks. This was before we went out on our own," Bagwell said.

While both Jodi and David Bagwell had already earned official MBAs, they said the sessions helped to prepare them as they planned to start their business.

They quit their corporate jobs and started Bagwell Construction Services Inc., which now has 27 employees. "We had already started a business plan, but these sessions helped to keep us motivated towards our goal, to be entrepreneurs," Bagwell said. The classes were well-structured and the "students" were provided many useful ideas and discussion topics, he said.

It was helpful just connecting with other people who had similar aspirations, according to Bagwell.

"I highly recommend that anyone interested in going out on their own study and prepare as much as possible before jumping into the fire," he said.

"He (Bagwell) turned his business plan into reality," Parvin said.

Weyland Academy, a private school for developmentally disabled students in Camarillo, also contacted Business 911 when the school was experiencing problems last year.

Volunteer consultants helped Weyland appeal a state's decision to close the school down. They coached the school's owner on growing the business and in May, the state granted a conditional certification so the school could remain open for the upcoming school year.

The efforts of the small business assistance program translate to a positive economic impact of over $145 million through jobs that were saved, according to Pettes. "These are jobs the county would have lost if it weren't for our services," she said.