SBDC Expands Roster of Advisors

June 13, 2013 - PRLog -- CAMARILLO, Calif. – The Small Business Development Center of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties announces the addition of four industry experts to its roster of more than 30 advisors offering free one-on-one advising and workshops to help the businesses grow. The new advisors include hospitality veteran Kevin McVearry, business startup specialist Julie Samson, media technology expert Randall Peede and Greg Bracy, who will advise clients in the area of engineering product development and manufacturing. The SBDC (http://www.edc-vc.com/sbdc.htm) is a program of the Economic Development Collaborative-Ventura County.

“Our SBDC continues to attract the highest caliber of experts in their fields. With the addition of  Julie, Greg, Kevin and Randall, we offer specialized help geared for entrepreneurs and small business that have a great deal of untapped potential,” said Ray Bowman, SBDC director.

McVearry is a partner and senior consultant with RBC Consultants, which advises restaurants, bars and nightclubs in all aspects of operations. He has nearly 20 years’ experience working with businesses in the food and drink industry and has extensive knowledge in opening and operating new restaurant venues, including construction, projections, budgets and P&Ls. He will assist SBDC clients in the area of business startups.

Samson is a business strategist, trainer and founder of The Brilliant Edge, a Santa Barbara company that helps entrepreneurs package their expertise. With more than 18 years’ experience as a small-business owner, she will assist SBDC clients with efficient startup and operations, and improve client attraction and sales.

Peede is a senior executive with more than 30 years’ corporate, entrepreneurial and consulting management experience. He is the founder and president of Directors Clip, Inc., a web-based business model to monetize viral videos for producers and advertisers. He has extensive business development experience in business-to-business, business-to-consumer and web marketing. He will assist business startups and offer guidance in the area of media technology.

An engineering entrepreneur, Bracy has experience in multiple system designs. He is a partner and electrical engineering consultant for the Simi Valley-based Illuminati Engineering, where he has designed circuit boards and systems for multiple industries. He’s a specialist in unmanned aerial vehicle technology and in the UAV economy in Ventura County. He will assist SBDC clients in the areas of engineering product development and manufacturing.

The SBDC is funded by the SBA and provides professional business assistance at no cost to businesses. Participating businesses are required to follow a well-defined scope of work and report their economic successes. These SBA milestones are defined as job creation, increase in sales, capital investment, jobs retained and business started.

EDC-VC is a private, nonprofit organization that serves as a business-to-government liaison to assist businesses in Ventura County by offering programs that enhance the economic vitality of the region. For more information about the Small Business Development Center, loan programs, manufacturing outreach and international trade program, or other services available to small businesses through EDC-VC, contact Bruce Stenslie at 805-384-1800 ext. 24 or bruce.stenslie@edc-vc.com. Or visit www.edc-vc.com.