2. For established firms, emerging companies or aspiring entrepreneurs, the Virginia SBDC is the place where
businesses go to talk business. Counseling, training and information resources are the hallmarks of the SBDC
program. Business owners and managers can count on professional guidance, experienced insight, practical solutions
and respect for confidentiality when they work with a Virginia SBDC.
Small business owners know it takes hard work and long hours to achieve success. Often it also takes good advice and
help from a reliable mentor. The staff of the RU Small Business Development Center will listen to your goals and help you
find the best way to achieve them.

3. Budget and Financial Assistance
One of the first steps in starting a
business is your financial planning.
Our professionals are experts in start-
up and expansion operations such
as writing a business plan, preparing
financial projections, and identifying
sources of funding. We are in place
to guide you through these processes
to ensure your success during startup
or as you expand an existing business.
Marketing and Sales Assistance
Another important step in writing
a business plan for a startup or
expanding an existing business is
marketing and sales planning. With our
help, you will be able to determine:
• If there is a market for your
product or service
• How you will reach your
customers
• How to plan a strategy that
includes advertising, marketing,
and promotion
We will walk you through the steps
of assessing your market, learning
how to identify business-to-business,
business-to-consumer, government
procurement, and international
trade opportunities.
Management Assistance
The legalities of your business are
an equally important aspect of
your business plan. Selecting an
accountant and an attorney who
will give you valuable guidance is
important at this step. Our experts
will help you understand the
legal issues that may affect your
business, including what the proper
legal entity may be, accounting and
taxes, legalities
of the hiring
process and
labor laws, and
what is involved
with patents,
copyrights and
trademarks.
Client Resources
The RU SBDC offers client kiosks and
software resources to help you:
• Build a business plan
• Build a sales and marketing plan
• Conduct general business and
competitive market research
• View samples of startup
business plans
• Learn and utilize QuickBooks™
• Participate in webinars
• Access internally housed content
in a wide variety of business topics
• Build a website for your business
Specialized Programs of Assistance
We provide specialized programs of
assistance to and in the areas of:
• Veteran and women-owned
businesses
• Retail and restaurateurs
• International trade initiative
• Technology and innovation
• Becoming a government
vendor/contractor
Classes/Seminars
• Start-up assistance
• Business basics
• Financing
• Managing a business
• Managing employees
• Business accounting and budget
• QuickBooks™
• Tax planning
• Marketing and sales
• Government contracting
• Retail management and marketing
• Restaurant management and
marketing

4. Radford University Small Business Development Center | Southwest Region SBDC | radford.edu/sbdc
PO Box 6953 | 701 Tyler Avenue | Radford, VA 24142 | 540.831.6056 (SBDC Main) | 540.831.6735 (Fax)