About The SBDC
Our Services
Our broad mission is to help start-up and existing businesses grow and prosper. Our center serves individuals interested in starting or expanding a business within the five Florida Parishes: Livingston, St. Helena, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington.
The Small Business Development Center is organized into two departments:
Business Consulting Department
The SBDC Consulting Department provides FREE confidential one-on-one counseling services to potential and existing small business owners. Counseling sessions are scheduled on an appointment basis with the initial meeting lasting approximately one hour. Call our office at (985) 549-3831 for an appointment in Hammond. Our counselors also meet at several locations throughout the Florida parishes. Contact us or the following organizations to find out when we are in your area:
St. Tammany West Chamber of Commerce (985) 892-3216
St. Tammany Economic Development Foundation (985) 809-7874
Dixie Business Development Center (225) 665-0809
Bogalusa Chamber of Commerce (985) 735-5731
East St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce (985) 643-5678
Livingston Parish Literacy and Technology Center (225) 665-3303
Louisiana Technical College - Greensburg Campus (225) 222-4251
The Consulting Department offers SBA handouts, business plan outlines, financial forecasting worksheets, demographic information and business start-up guides. Our center also provides marketing and advertising resources and a "tool box" containing clipped articles, studies and information on various industries and small business topics.
Our center typically assists with the following:
- Business Plans
- Loan Proposals
- Feasibility Studies
- Marketing Plans
- Advertising Plans
- Financial Analysis
- Cash Flow Projections
- Financial Projections
- Buying/Selling a Business
- Accounting Systems
- Location Studies
- Sources of Suppliers
- Inventory Control
- Cost Analysis
Click here for our request for counsulting form.
Training Department
The SBDC Training Department hosts seminars and workshops to keep small businesses informed of current practices and changing trends in the workplace. Approximately 40 to 50 low cost seminars are offered each year and cover a very wide range of subjects. Typical topics include but are not limited to:
- Financial Statements
- Self Employment Taxes
- How to write a Business Plan
- Payroll Taxes
- How to write a Loan Proposal
- Income Tax Laws for Small Businesses
- Marketing
- Quickbooks Pro
- Selling to the Government
- Creative Problem Solving
- Human Resource Management
Additional topics are added to the schedule as they develop in the business environment. Customized training is also available for special groups.
Seminar presenters are usually business leaders, industry experts, or university professors. Some seminars are provided for no charge; others require a payment to cover the presentation expenses.
Click here for current list of upcoming events.
Business Library
At the Southeastern Louisiana University SBDC, we offer our clients the access to vital business information in our on-site business library. Entrepreneurs can research industry trends and target market information housed in our library, or access the Internet via our Computer Center.
To view the material available in our Library click here.
The LSBDC Program is partially funded by the U. S. Small Business Administration, Louisiana Economic Development, and Southeastern Louisiana University. The support given by the SBA through such funding does not constitute an expressed or implied endorsement of the cosponsors or participants’ opinion, products, or services. All SBDC programs are non-discriminatory and open to the public.