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Is using the SBDC safe?

by dgmufasa
2 replies
Hello all,

Are organizations such as the Small Business Development Center or SCORE safe to show any ideas? I mean, I know that they sign disclosure statements and all - but - suppose they come across a "huge" idea. Can they do like the guy in Facebook and ignore everything they signed up for. Stall the one who had the original idea while they try to get someone else to do it (or pass it along to someone who is doing something similar)? Unless there is proof, there is no way to know whether or not they violated agreements.

TIA
#safe #sbdc
  • Profile picture of the author cjreynolds
    Originally Posted by dgmufasa View Post

    Hello all,

    Are organizations such as the Small Business Development Center or SCORE safe to show any ideas? I mean, I know that they sign disclosure statements and all - but - suppose they come across a "huge" idea. Can they do like the guy in Facebook and ignore everything they signed up for. Stall the one who had the original idea while they try to get someone else to do it (or pass it along to someone who is doing something similar)? Unless there is proof, there is no way to know whether or not they violated agreements.

    TIA
    When dealing with some organizations that may be a concern. However, the SBDC Network is a joint effort between the US Small Business Administration and community/junior colleges throughout the US, and is the "go to" place that any US government agency will send you to for info on starting a business.

    SCORE is a resource used by SBDCs and the SBA, and I've long known them as upstanding and ethical.

    I worked for one of the regional SBDC headquarters for about 4 yrs. and worked with all of the SBDCs as well as the one where I was officed - one of the best work experiences I've had (out of 20+ different companies in 30+ yrs). I highly recommend them for anyone starting almost any kind of small business in the US. I've heard recently (not sure) that some offices now have people experienced in IM to cater to folks like us
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    • Profile picture of the author dgmufasa
      Hi and thanks for the response.

      I suppose I was asking because my experience with the SBDC has been a bit different.

      While working with the SBDC, what was conveyed to me was: "Things are going to be hard. You need to have the wherewithal to stay with it". My first meeting, she asked "How much was the product". Most other vendors implement it as a SaaS but she was trying to convince me to sell it to the customer - or - sell it to another organization for them to market.

      Instead of doing a business plan, I made a type of proposal video. Although I have gotten good reviews from family, I have not been successful in getting feedback in the industry. It is taking an idea and applying it to a different market - no one is doing that as of now.

      I went to a person in the SBDC (who had background) and sent it to her for review. This was over 2 weeks ago and she has not responded to any of my emails (before, it would take her about a day - no more than 3 - to respond to an email). The video was 10 minutes long. According to Amazon S3, someone was looking at it at the afternoon hrs. (on the day I sent it to her).

      I spoke with another SBDC unit and she said if the video was 10 minutes, it should take no more than 3 days to review. But what I have been getting from the office is that "We're busy - we will get back to you in our good time. Don't bother us"

      So, my fear was of a Facebook situation where they just stall you long enough to hand the idea off to someone else for implementation. I can't think of no other reason for taking 3 weeks to provide feedback on a 10-minute video.

      TIA
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