By MARK RUSSELL JOHNSON

egions of outdoor enthusiasts in the Bend area turn to the local experts at Pine Mountain Sports for mountain bikes, backcountry ski gear and pearls of trail wisdom. But back when Dan McGarigle, owner of the shop, was hoping to learn more about running his now-established business, he was the one who turned to local expertise — and signed up for the Small Business Management Program at Central Oregon Community College.

“I knew products and had great relationships with our representatives, but zero exposure as to how to financially run a small business,” recalls McGarigle of his lead-up to the program. “I needed an education like this because like most small business owners, I was in the industry long before owning a shop.”

So he enrolled in a cohort of local small business owners all seeking guidance — and went on to learn about making cash-flow projections, calculating sales per square foot and creating profit margins. “It not only helped me understand business, but has helped us improve everything we do.”

Limited to 20 participants, the annual Small Business Management Program — which starts up Oct. 9 for the 2024-25 year — is part of the college’s Small Business Development Center. It meets once a month for nine months, gathering Wednesday afternoons on the Bend campus for three hours of learning time, and includes ongoing one-on-one advising. Program graduates include Silver Moon Brewing, Wahoo Films, Giant Loop, the School of Enrichment and Dana Signs, among many other past participants.

The cost is $999, with scholarships available to eligible businesses. Owners need to be in operation for at least a year, have one full-time employee besides the owner and produce monthly financial statements. Additional participants from the same company may attend for just $199. Apply at cocc.edu/sbdc.

“Our program provides strategic help with setting and achieving goals,” explains Keith Sherrill, MBA, who coordinates the program. “Each class spans traditional business fundamentals and processes.” Having founded and operated an award-winning craft brewery in Alabama, Sherrill brings firsthand business savvy to the immersive sessions.

The Small Business Development Center is a key part of COCC’s Center for Business, Industry, & Professional Development, a comprehensive workforce training hub that offers everything from standalone workshops to multi-session trainings to specialty business niches, such as real estate broker license exam preparation, CPR training and forklift operation.

October’s learning line-up includes: “Brain-based Planning” (Oct. 28), a three-hour course to develop organizational tools for work and home “to-dos”; “Excel: Level 1” (begins Oct. 11) for creating spreadsheets using expressions, formulas and functions; and “Starting Your Business in Central Oregon,” a two-hour evening class that will be offered entirely in Spanish (Oct. 15).

For many in search of new business skills and tips, the advice available from the center’s seasoned team of advisers — with free consultations offered — is the ultimate resource. Just this last year, the center provided advising services for 347 clients: 184 existing businesses and 163 startups.

Redmond-based home designer Nicholas Buccafurni came in search of free business consultation in 2022, hoping to establish his own firm. He connected with Sue Meyer, a seasoned adviser and professional facilitator with plentiful small business experience and a master’s degree in organization management. She talked Buccafurni through pricing strategies, insurance needs and how to best identify builders with projects that would be appropriate for the firm. Last year, when his Vellum Design Studio was named the Central Oregon Builders Association’s 2023 “Home Designer of the Year” he was quick to thank Meyer for being “such an integral part in helping me start my company.”

On the horizon: Next spring, the Small Business Development Center at COCC will be one of eight sites nationwide that will be offering a unique training program for veterans, called the Startup Training Resources to Inspire Veteran Entrepreneurship, or STRIVE. The program was created by Syracuse University’s Institute for Veterans and Military Families to help veterans and military family members realize an entrepreneurial dream. The program will launch in April, with information sessions to be held in January and February. Contact Keith Sherrill at 541-318-3764 to learn more.

Visit cocc.edu/cbipd to view the full menu of courses and services, and build a brighter future for your business or career.