Small Business Center

SBC Logo

QUESTIONS? CONTACT US.

Cassidy Ball
Director, Small Business & Entrepreneurial Development 
cball7094@stanly.edu
704-991-0355

143 N 2nd St, Albemarle, NC

Welcome to Stanly Community College's Small Business Center (SBC), your partner in entrepreneurship and business success!

The SBC is located in downtown Albemarle, providing easy access to experienced person-to-person assistance for individuals looking to start businesses in Stanly County.

 

Our Services

We are dedicated to supporting the development of new businesses and fostering the growth of existing ones. As a proud member of the NC Community College System Small Business Center Network (SBCN), our services are offered at low or no cost to the local community and include:

  • Counseling: Our experienced counselors offer confidential, personalized guidance for prospective and existing small business owners.
  • Resources and Referrals: Access valuable resources and referrals to subject matter experts for your small business journey.
  • Training Events: We provide community-based training to equip small business owners with the skills needed for success.

 

Small Business Startup Certification Program

Are you an aspiring entrepreneur or small business owner? This certification is for you!
 
Each semester, the SCC Small Business Center offers seven online, two-hour core classes covering essential topics, from starting a business in North Carolina to managing your bookkeeping. We're excited to now offer the Small Business Startup Certificate to those who complete all seven classes, regardless of whether they are taken in different semesters. This certification is completely free and is designed to provide you with the tools to start, build, and grow your small business!
 
To enroll, simply attend each of the seven core classes, all of which are offered each semester. These classes are listed below, and each class description will note that it satisfies the certification requirement. 
  • How to Start a Business
  • Financing Your Small Business
  • How to Write a Business Plan
  • How to Find Your Customers
  • Basics of Bookkeeping
  • Your Small Business Taxes
  • Marketing Your Business

Enroll in a Core Seminar

 

Apply for your certificate once you have completed all seven core classes! Please note that the Small Business Startup Certification is a non-curriculum certificate program. Completion of this program does not contribute toward a Stanly Community College degree or certificate and is not recorded on a college transcript. All seven core classes must be attended in order to submit an application for your certificate. Classes taken prior to January 1st, 2025 will not be counted toward certification.

All certificate applications for the spring semester must be completed by May 5th. For the fall semester, certificate applications are due by November 17th. Certificates will be mailed to the address listed in your application by the end of the month in which they are due. Congratulations on completing your certification!

Apply for Your Certificate

 

Business Counseling

We offer free one-on-one business counseling to help you with topics ranging from business taxes and marketing to choosing the right business entity.

Our experienced counselors are here to guide you through the steps to grow your business. We will help you find solutions to your challenging business questions as well as provide the direction and feedback you need to help your business SuCCeed! 

Once you submit your counseling request, we’ll reach out within 3 business days and send you a Calendly link to choose a day and time that works best for you.

REQUEST A COUNSELING APPOINTMENT

 

Stanly Startup Pitch Competition
-Empowering Local Entrepreneurs to Launch and Grow

The Stanly Startup Pitch Competition is a dynamic training and pitch program designed to equip early-stage entrepreneurs with the knowledge, tools, and confidence needed to secure funding and launch their businesses. Running from January 12 through April 27, 2025, this initiative supports Stanly County residents and aspiring founders who are ready to transform a strong business concept into a viable new venture within the year.
 
Supported by the NACCE Everyday Entrepreneur Venture Fund, the program will award a total of $2,500 to three standout participants, with prize levels of $1,500, $700, and $300. Participants gain access to targeted business training, individualized counseling, pitch development support, and a structured pathway that guides them from idea refinement to a polished investor-ready presentation.
 
Up to 30 applicants will be selected to begin training, with the top finalists advancing to deliver their pitches before a panel of regional business leaders at the April 27 competition and award ceremony. In addition to potential funding, finalists benefit from one-on-one coaching, a comprehensive business plan workshop, and personalized feedback to strengthen their long-term success.
 
Whether you are preparing to launch or looking to sharpen your entrepreneurial strategy, the Stanly Startup Program offers a high-impact opportunity to accelerate your business journey and join a growing community of innovators shaping Stanly County’s economic future.
We are accepting applications from January 12, 2025, to March 2, 2025. Apply today!
 
 APPLY HERE

 

Give to the SBC Fund

The SBC Fund was originated in February of 2023 by a generous gift from the Fike family in memory of a friend who was a small business owner in Stanly County. The goal of the fund is to accumulate corpus until it can be converted into an endowment. At that point, micro-grants will be awarded from the fund's interest to Stanly County entrepreneurs for start-up counseling from attorneys, accountants, digital marketers and the like. The application and selection process for recipients will be administered by the Stanly Community College Small Business Center.

 Learn More.