SBM includes monthly interactive learning sessions with other experienced business owners on current and relevant subjects with professional experts in our communities. It also includes monthly one-on-one business advising to meet your individual needs. The program lasts for nine months of the year but is designed in stages so that as you and your business develop, the program will continue to benefit you year after year. Click here to see comments from participants in one of our three levels of SBM, Strategic SBM and SBM Alumni.

SBM is a nine-month program (September-May). Educational sessions are one morning per month from 9 am-12 pm. The 1.5 hour monthly one-on-one advising sessions are flexible around your busy schedule. We will meet with you at the Small Business Development Center, by video conferencing or occasionally at your business.

Chemeketa supports small business by contributing funds towards the cost of the SBM program, which is valued at $3,690. The investment by each business owner is only $800 per year. As an extra benefit to your business, a key person from your business can join you for an additional $150. Payments are due upon application approval. Payments accepted by check or credit card through the Small Business Development Center at 503.399.5088.

While the topics for the SBM program vary from year to year and change based on needs of the business owners, a sampling of the topics you can expect to benefit from are –

• Goals & Big Picture
• Financial Management & Accounting
• Human Resources & Employees
• Marketing
• Social Media
• Managing Risk & Systems

The topics for Strategic SBM & SBM Alumni change each year based on the input from current Strategic SBM and Alumni participants.

SBM is ideal for established small business owners (2-50 employees) who have been in business at least years throughout Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties. Service, retail, contractors, professionals and manufacturing businesses have all benefited from the SBM program over the past 35 years.

Most business owners in our program started off by saying, “I do not have time for one more thing!” After their first year we repeatedly hear, “...I wish I would have done SBM years ago! I now have a life! Why wouldn’t every business owner participate in SBM?”

Also, classroom sessions are NOT a series of lectures. Sessions include critical updates from professionals such as employment attorneys, CPAs and many more. It is also a time for interactive learning with other business owners in the community, creating an environment for problem solving and growth.

SBM qualifies for the 5 hour electives portion of the CCB mandatory continuing education requirements.

We collect statistics from the participants and roll them up into big exciting numbers to share. For example –

• During our 2018-19 program year, our 53 business increased their sales by over $7 million
• They grew to the point that they added another 74 employees to keep up with all that success
• The average number of years in business for these 53 businesses is 14 years

Your SBM business coach has real-world experience owning or operating a business. Our advisers are experienced in a variety of business topics including, but not limited to: marketing, performance management, social media, human resources, leadership development, financial analysis, budgeting, QuickBooks, legal, strategic planning, sales, business planning, access to capital and time management. They also understand the nature of starting and doing business in Oregon.

We will support you with valuable and relevant confidential advising at every stage of your business.

The Small Business Management program does not focus on a specific type of business but on the common challenges and stresses that business owners face. This allows the program to benefit all types of business owners equally while the one-on-one business coaching allows for an individualized focus on you and your specific business needs.

There are also individualized focus groups for retail business owners and manufacturers that meet monthly to share resources, ideas, and education specific to their industry.

The Chemeketa SBM began in 1981 and was one of the first programs in Oregon. The sessions are offered on a non-credit basis with a certificate of participation provided at the year-end celebration. The information is practical and can be immediately taken back and applied to your business.