Small business assistance

Your connection to small business support and resources in Inland Southern California

Search our online small business assistance tool to find help and resources for your business.

What we do...

WE CONNECT YOU TO SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT AND RESOURCES

We are a trusted Entrepreneurial Support Organization (ESO) dedicated to empowering small businesses across Southern California. By providing resources, guidance, and advocacy, we connect business owners with the support they need to start, run, and grow their businesses successfully in our region.

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Small Business Loan & Grants

Looking for small business loans and grant resources to help your business bounce back? Visit our curated grant and loan resource page.

WE WORK TOGETHER WITH OUR COLLABORATORS TO STRENGTHEN MICRO-BUSINESSES IN INLAND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

  • $0M +

    Regranted to partner organizations

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    Jobs created or supported

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    Capital accessed by small businesses

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    Partners in our collaborative

HOW DO WE SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES?

Our Small Business Assistance Tool Connects You to Helpful Resources and Support

Provide information about your business and what you’re looking for, review the resources that are vetted to your needs, and contact a resource to get the help and support you need. It’s free!

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Proud recipient of the 2024 CAMEO Connector Award

Recognized for commitment to fostering connections and supporting small businesses in Southern California by CAMEO.

Success Story

OCS Construction's Journey to SBA 8(a) Certification and Contract Succes

OCS Construction is a full-service general contractor with specialized experience in vertical and horizontal construction, including tenant improvements, roofing, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, asphalt paving, concrete, and landscape. OCS Construction Services, with the assistance of the IE SBDC, is a certified 8(a) firm through the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) program.

How the Inland Empire SBDC Assisted:

Mark Vaca, President and CEO of OCS Construction Services, first came to the IE SBDC in February 2015. He had attended a certification workshop that Karla Gonzalez was instructing in the TVe2 Outreach Center for the IE SBDC. He was interested in pursuing the 8(a) SBA certification and did not know how to go about it. After the workshop, Mark and Karla met to discuss the process of applying and Karla explained she could assist him with the process at no cost. After a couple of months of working with Karla on the application, OCS Construction Services was approved and certified as an SBA 8(a) Contractor.

Mr. Vaca has been successful at securing contracts that are sole-source contracts for 8(a) firms and in April 2022 the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) awarded him a $460,908 asphalt replacement contract for the Lukeville Land Port of Entry (LPOE). This award supports several key GSA initiatives. It not only marks the start of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding use but also aligns with GSA’s FY22 agency-wide goal of increasing the allocation of awarded contracts to small, disadvantaged businesses.

OCS Construction Services Team

MARK VACA SR., PRESIDENT

OCS Construction Services, Inc.

GROWTH AND SUCCESS HELP IS HERE!

Small businesses need access to business advice, loans and training

Microenterprises (or micro-businesses) are those that have fewer than 5 employees. That’s over 90 percent of the businesses that operate in inland Southern California. Successful microenterprises create jobs, generate tax revenue, supply needed goods and services, and improve the local economy.

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DO YOU SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES?

Join forces with organizations who serve small businesses in Southern California.

Your customers, clients, members or constituents may need advice with marketing, financial management, human resources, or tax management. They may need to develop a business plan to help think through their product or service offerings and launch their businesses.

Check out the resources listed under Small Business Assistance to gain access to business counseling and workshops.

Impact report

ARE THEY HAVING DIFFICULTY GETTING CAPITAL NEEDED TO START OR GROW THE BUSINESS?

The microlenders listed under Small Business Financing are equipped to work with the special needs of new and growing small businesses. No need to worry about choosing the correct referral. All small business assistance agencies and microlenders work together to connect your customer to the correct resource for their needs.

GUIDESTAR PLATINUM SEAL OF TRANSPARENCY

Microenterprise Collaborative is listed on GuideStar

We have received the 2025 Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid for the fourth year!

Visit our GuideStar profile page to review the most up-to-date nonprofit data available. Learn more about our organization’s current programs, the problems we aim to solve and verify our accomplishments.

OUR GUIDESTAR PROFILE

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Our Supporters

The Microenterprise Collaborative is deeply grateful to our supporters who fund our work.

Support of Microenterprise Collaborative - Bank of Southern California
Supporting of Microenterprise Collaborative - Cathay Bank Logo
CTBC Bank
Provident Bank logo
The James Irvine Foundation
US Bank
Walmart logo
Wells Fargo

Want to become a partner?

Become a Partner of the Microenterprise Collaborative and receive information on the programs and services offered in the region to help small businesses be successful.