PCC Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

08/19/2026

Small business owners juggle a lot, and the jargon doesn’t always make things easier. So your friends from the PCC SBDC are kicking off a new series breaking down one key business term at a time — short, simple, and actually useful.

This week’s word: Value Proposition.

Follow along as we unpack more terms that help you run smarter, plan better, and grow with confidence.

08/18/2026

ICYMI: PCC Small Business Development Center (SBDC) lit up KGW-TV's Hello, Rose City! with a five‑minute spotlight on our Getting Your Recipe to Market training program and its 20‑year impact. More than 7,600 viewers tuned in as PCC SBDC staff, Jill Beaman, Kayla Banda and Elisa Wickstrom, broke down how local makers turn home recipes into shelf‑ready products — with help from Oregon State's Food Innovation Center, Portland Oregon and New Seasons Market. A big win for Oregon’s small business community!

Jill Beaman, Kayla Banda and Elisa Wickstrom shined on 'Hello, Rose City!,' showcasing PCC's expert support for food entrepreneurs and businesses

08/05/2026

The PCC Small Business Development Center (SBDC) team hit KGW-TV's Hello! Rose City this morning to celebrate 20 years of Getting Your Recipe to Market (GYRM) — and the partnerships powering Portland’s food entrepreneur scene.

Portland Community College SBDC advisor, Kayla Banda, joined GYRM co-facilitators Jill Beaman and Elisa Wickstrom to share how PCC SBDC, OSU's Food Innovation Center, Portland Oregon, and New Seasons Market have helped local makers turn kitchen recipes into retail-ready products. Today, you can spot GYRM alumni on shelves across Oregon and beyond.

Watch the feature and celebrate two decades of building businesses, filling grocery shelves, and strengthening Oregon’s local food economy.

08/04/2026

Dr. Katy Mawson opened Aspen Audiology with one goal: to make hearing healthcare more human. As both an audiologist and a hearing aid user, she knows the challenges firsthand — and she’s built her clinic around accessibility, transparency, and whole‑person care. “Healthcare should be accessible to all people…This is the fundamental foundation of my business.”

Like many new entrepreneurs, she needed support navigating hiring, marketing, funding, and legal steps. Enter the PCC Small Business Development Center (SBDC). With help from the Capital Access Team and the Business Builders training program, she secured funding, built her operational plan, and opened her Beaverton clinic in just five months. “Jackie and Kayla helped answer so many of those questions for me!”

Today, she’s breaking stigmas, connecting with patients through shared experience, and helping people rediscover the sounds that shape their lives. “I love showing patients how technology can improve their health and their life.” Her message to other business owners? You don’t have to figure it out alone. “There is something at the PCC SBDC for everyone.”

07/22/2026

Meet Bruce Melzer, Business Advisor and member of our PCC SBDC Capital Access Team, where he helps small business owners tackle one of the biggest challenges in business: finding the right path to funding. He also supports business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs through the business transition process — whether they're buying, selling, or planning the next chapter of a business.

Bruce describes funding as "a puzzle," and he loves helping clients identify the right pieces to build a financing strategy that supports a thriving business. It's work that's equal parts strategy, problem-solving, and possibility.

A former business journalist, Bruce says one of the greatest joys of his role is that "I get to learn something new every day." From discovering innovative products to hearing the stories behind local businesses, every client brings a fresh perspective. And nothing beats spotting a client's product on a grocery store shelf or passing a storefront and knowing he played a small part in helping that business succeed.

Most of all, Bruce is inspired by the vision, creativity, and courage of the entrepreneurs he works with every day. Helping them navigate the funding landscape and turn big ideas into flourishing businesses is what makes his work so rewarding — and we're grateful to have him on the PCC SBDC team. 💙

07/05/2026

Happy Independence Day from the PCC Small Business Development Center (SBDC)! 🇺🇸

As communities across the state gather for parades, events, meals, and celebrations this weekend to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of our country’s Declaration of Independence, we recognize the small businesses that help make these moments special.

From local restaurants and retailers to event vendors, makers, and service providers, Oregon’s small business owners play an important role in keeping our communities strong 🎊

07/01/2026

Social media is one of the most powerful tools available to small businesses, helping owners connect with customers, build brand awareness, and grow their reach.

Social Media Day is a reminder to Oregon small business owners that your local Oregon Small Business Development Center like the PCC Small Business Development Center (SBDC) offers no-cost advising, workshops, and training focused on digital marketing and social media strategy.

Whether you’re learning the basics or refining your content plan, support is available to help you grow online with confidence. Learn more about the PCC SBDC: https://www.pcc.edu/small-business/

06/25/2026

Congratulations to the Class of 2026 — and a special shout‑out to the graduates of Portland Community College, proud home of the PCC Small Business Development Center. To the future business owners, innovators, educators, and community leaders, your journey is just beginning. Here’s to all the great things you'll do!

06/08/2026

Meet Kasten Spethmann, Capital Access Advisor at PCC Small Business Development Center (SBDC), who helps small business owners navigate one of the biggest challenges in business: funding.

Drawing on her background in venture capital, Kasten works with clients to demystify the world of investment and financing. She helps business owners understand how equity funding works, prepare the materials investors expect to see, identify funding opportunities, and negotiate with confidence. Just as importantly, she coaches small business owners on creative funding strategies so they can grow their businesses without giving up more ownership than necessary. What makes Kasten’s work so impactful is her ability to turn complex financial concepts into practical guidance that helps business owners make informed decisions about their future.

When she’s not helping clients unlock capital, you’ll likely find her outdoors with her husband, dog, and friends. Whether it’s boating, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, or surfing, Kasten loves being on the water and making the most of the Pacific Northwest lifestyle.

We're grateful for advisors like Kasten who help small business owners chart a path toward growth, sustainability, and long-term success.

06/05/2026

What starts as a dream can become a destination.

When Christopher Phillips came to the PCC Small Business Development Center (SBDC), he had one question: "Is this idea viable?"

Through our Business Builders training program and advising, he transformed a long-held dream into Selected Stories, a thriving independent bookstore in Southeast Portland.

"The biggest milestone is that my shop is open!," he says. Several months later, he's building a loyal customer base and a true sense of community. "I can't picture how much harder it would have been to find my way without the PCC SBDC. Starting a business on my own, just having someone knowledgeable to bounce ideas off was so useful."

Ready to take your business idea to the next level? Explore our training programs like Business Builders and advising support to help bring your vision to life. Learn more about Selected Stories: https://www.pcc.edu/small-business/2026/03/selected-stories/