STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  (Dec. 3, 2014) – At this time of year many Staten Island and Brooklyn business owners – like their nationwide counterparts – experience a sense of urgency that lasts through the end of December.

Retailers work hard to spur sales during the holiday season, as other businesses and professional practices also seek to maintain or grow their profits during one of the most hectic times of the year.

Concurrent with the personal and business stresses experienced in December, aspiring business owners and established business operators need to plan for the coming year – a fact that could spell ruin if not addressed. This is a responsibility that may be best addressed with some outside guidance.

This is why, despite its hectic pace, December is a perfect time for operators of small businesses and professional practices to contact the Staten Island Small Business Development Center (SI SBDC) at the College of Staten Island.

The SI SBDC Business Advisors can help guide your business whether it’s long-established, a start-up, or even just a dream in the works. And the services provided won’t cost you a dime.

Dean L. Balsamini, director of the Staten Island Small Business Development Center, meets with Edward Piszko, a New York State-certified senior business advisor in his organization.

“It’s always wise to be proactive in a business or professional practice and avert potential hazards before they occur,” said Dean L. Balsamini, director of the SI SBDC. “Being prepared, having the essential business tools and strategies in place, could determine the success or failure of a life’s ambition. Common needs range from marketing guidance and business plans to product development, business licensing and compliance, and more. It doesn’t make sense to leave vital decisions to chance, especially when free expert help is available.”

FREE, CONFIDENTIAL GUIDANCE

The SI SBDC is a full-time resource providing free confidential guidance and technical assistance to small-business owners, professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs.

Open weekday business hours, the center is part of the New York State Small Business Development Center, which is administered by the State University of New York.

Since launching in 1993, the professional state-certified advisors of the Staten Island SBDC have worked directly with more than 6,800 businesses, helping them to invest more than $150 million in the area’s economy, and creating or saving more than 4,600 jobs. 

The Staten Island SBDC is located at the College of Staten Island, 2800 Victory Blvd., Building 3A, Room 105; Staten Island, NY 10314-9806. To make an appointment, please call 718-982-2560 for your one-to-one counseling.

The Staten Island SBDC additionally operates two outreach sites: The Small Business Development Center, Bay Ridge Satellite Office, in the Santander Building, 9512 Third Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11209, and the Small Business Development Center, Staten Island Office, in the Empire State Bank Building, 1361 North Railroad Ave., Staten Island, NY 10306.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER ON FACEBOOK