MiraCosta College Small Business Development Center Client Named 2008 Business Person of the Year

Since opening its doors in 1999, MiraCosta College’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has helped entrepreneurs launch nearly 200 businesses throughout San Diego. Over the years, the center’s team of business consultants has worked with more than 5,000 area entrepreneurs.

Behind the impressive statistics are many success stories of San Diego business people who came to the center for help in everything from marketing and developing a business plan to getting loans, obtaining government contracts, and setting up accounting systems.

“Our work is best illustrated by the success of the people we’ve coached,” said Sudershan Shaunak, director of the center.

One such success story is Greg Kent, president and founder of Oceanside-based Bio Clean Environmental Services. Kent will receive the prestigious 2008 Business Person of the Year Award from the Small Business Administration on May 28. The award recognizes exceptional small businesses and their impact. Kent was selected for the district-wide award from businesses in San Diego and Imperial counties.

Bio Clean started selling bacterial treatment products in 1998 in Southern California and grew to become a nationwide leader in innovative technology for storm water filtration systems.

“Bio Clean’s focus is to offer natural, low-impact development solutions for wastewater pollution,” Kent said. Bio Clean recently completed the installation of two filtration systems for the Dieguito Wetlands Restoration Project, and the company has a five-year government contract to provide wastewater services at Camp Pendleton.

“You have to trust yourself and believe in what you do to stay on course when times get tough--and there will be many such times,” Kent said.

Kent came to the SBDC for help in securing a startup loan.

“The center introduced me to bankers and taught me how to put together my financials to present for financing,” Kent said.

Over nearly a decade the center has helped clients raise $18.3 million in loans for start up and growth. But the impact has gone beyond individual businesses. Through management consulting, the center has helped businesses increase revenues by $58 million, create 811 new jobs and retain 501 jobs that would have been lost by struggling companies.

“We work together as a team helping a business. It takes more than one consultant to bring a variety of expertise,” said Joe Molina, a business consultant at the center.

The SBDC, partly funded by the Small Business Administration and the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, offers free consulting services to business owners in San Diego County north of Interstate 8.

“We’re here to help businesses succeed and we’re always proud to hear when they are recognized,” Shaunak said.

For more information about the award or the SBDC, call Shaunak at (760) 795-8735 or e-mail.