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Small Business Development Corporation of Orange County

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Small Business Development Corporation of Orange County

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Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Small Business Development Corporation of Orange County, Public & Government Service, 271 N. Sycamore Street, Santa Ana, CA.

Established as a non-profit corporation in 2001, Small Business Development Corporation of Orange County focuses on the economic development of underserved communities in California.

10/27/2026

It was a privilege to once again participate in the annual Sam Croft Meet the Firms event at La Sierra University’s Zapara School of Business on Oct. 15. SBDC-OC Chief Executive Officer Michael Ocasio and President Jim Ely represented the agency at this high-energy event sustained by wood-fired pizzas made on site and Italian gelato. Interacting with students who are eager to land internships and jobs, to launch into the world and make a difference is inspiring. Thanks to the Zapara School of Business for offering this opportunity to join 77 other businesses and nonprofits who fielded questions from hundreds of polished, business-suited, eager students with resumes in hand. We stand ready to assist the next generation of entrepreneurs and small business owners. The future looks good!

10/20/2026

Sometimes it just needs to be said. Below is a message of gratitude from SBDC-OC Chief Executive Officer Michael Ocasio to board director John Thomas, dean of the Zapara School of Business at La Sierra University, for the transformational impact Dr. Thomas makes on his students:

Dr. Thomas,

The impact you have on young adults as dean of the Zapara School of Business at La Sierra University is truly phenomenal. I’d like to share with you a text message I received from Karen Pedregon, the grandmother who raised Vanessa Pedregon, a former LSU student who has since relocated to Arizona.

Your graciousness, compassion, and willingness to support students navigating adversity and life’s many challenges make a lasting difference. It’s especially gratifying to see Vanessa move forward and achieve her educational goals, with LSU providing the critical jumpstart she needed along the way.

Stories like hers are a powerful reminder that your influence extends far beyond the classroom. You are helping shape futures, open doors, and create opportunities that might otherwise have been out of reach.

Thank you for the meaningful difference you continue to make in the lives of young people.

Warm regards,
Mike

Hi Mike,

We are celebrating Vanessa’s graduation, Bachelor's Degree with Honors. Finished with a 3.79 GPA.

On behalf of my Family, John and I would like to Thank you for Offering La Sierra University and Believing in Vanessa. Even with 2.7 GPA from high school.

I am forever Grateful and Thankful for the Blessing of Dr. Thomas and La Sierra. Vanessa’s future looks very bright. Please send to Dr. Thomas to see her accomplishment and Thank him from My Entire Family.

Blessings.

(Photo: Dr. John Thomas, dean, Zapara School of Business poses with La Sierra University students during the annual Sam Croft Meet the Firms networking event on Oct. 15.)

10/08/2026

It was a privilege to join the Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment (PACE) on Sept. 24 for its 51st Anniversary Gala at the City Club Los Angeles. Our CEO Michael A. Ocasio attended alongside colleagues Jim Ely, President; Nestor Correa, SVP; Richard Lee, SVP, Sylvia Pizarroso, Director of SBDC Finance Center, Armando Romero, President/CEO, EquiPoint Capital Advisors; and Chrissy Soret, Employer Relations Specialist, Network Kinection.

The Master of Ceremonies for the evening was David Ono of ABC7 Eyewitness News.

SBDC-OC was especially proud to be a sponsor of this milestone celebration. Founded in 1975, PACE was created at a time when there was no organization in Los Angeles specifically focused on addressing the employment needs of the Pacific Asian community. What began as a response to a critical community need has, over five decades, grown into an extraordinary comprehensive community development organization serving people and families of all backgrounds.

What we find particularly meaningful is that, while PACE has expanded its mission and reach, it has never lost sight of its roots or its proud Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage.

Organizations like PACE remind us that economic development is ultimately about people—creating opportunity, strengthening families, building stronger communities, and helping individuals achieve economic independence and mobility. Those values closely align with the mission of SBDC-OC and our commitment to expanding access to capital and opportunity for underserved communities.

Congratulations to PACE on 50 remarkable years of service and impact. It was an honor for SBDC-OC to be part of this celebration, and we look forward to seeing what the next 50 years bring.

Congratulations, PACE! Here’s to the next 50!

07/01/2026

On June 23 – 24, SBDC-OC had the privilege of gathering with our colleagues from our sister agencies for the annual statewide Small Business Finance Center meeting, held at the beautiful new L.A. headquarters for PCR Business Finance. We and PCR are part of a family of seven financial development corporations located around California, that are tasked with administering the state’s flagship small business loan guarantee program and other guarantee initiatives housed within the IBank California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBank).

During the annual meeting, we worked through a full agenda that covered program eligibility rules, appropriate use of proceeds and other actions related to various guarantee programs, as well as requirements for enrolling lenders into IBank’s programs. Our agencies partner with lenders toward supplying loan guarantees to eligible small businesses and nonprofits.

These detailed processes and the new information we learn during our annual meetings are all designed to support small business owners toward helping them succeed. In that process, we are helping grow our state’s economy. It is a gratifying experience whenever we can gather with our FDC partners, celebrate our successes and support each other in securing California’s role as an economic powerhouse that believes in its small business community.
(Photo courtesy of IBank)

06/18/2026

In celebration of the Juneteenth holiday, Small Business Development Corporation of Orange County will close at 12 noon on Thursday, June 18 and remained closed through Friday, June 19.

June 19, known by many as the nation’s second Independence Day, commemorates the freedom of 250,000 enslaved African Americans in Texas who remained slaves for two years after the passing of the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863. This pivotal act set free enslaved peoples in Confederate states, but did not immediately affect all enslaved individuals in Confederate territories. Those in Texas, many of whom were unaware of the Emancipation Proclamation’s passage, were finally freed on June 19, 1865 under executive decree, their freedom enforced by 2,000 Union troops.

When all enslaved peoples finally were given freedom on June 19, celebrations ensued and the historic moment came to be known as Jubilee Day, Emancipation Day, and by other names. Juneteenth represents the perseverance and determination of the human spirit and the undying hope in a future free from oppression.

To learn more about this significant moment in U.S. history, click here: https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/historical-legacy-juneteenth

06/03/2026

What a great event and opportunity to gain knowledge about so many topics related to business ownership. entrepreneurship, and economic development––the 23rd Annual Economic Development Conference hosted by the National Diversity Coalition on May 22 provided a critical forum for learning about what makes small businesses tick and what helps them move forward. Our CEO Michael Ocasio shared his knowledge and insights as part of a panel that addressed the stages of entrepreneurship, from the first lightbulb idea through to building a business model and creating sustainable income. The panel was facilitated by Advancing The Seed, Inc. (ATS) Founder and CEO Regeanie Corona. The panel’s discussions included passing along actionable next steps that entrepreneurs could apply to their business planning. These are the types of events that help facilitate economic growth in our state and SBDC-OC was privileged to be a part of it.

05/24/2026

This Memorial Day, we honor the brave men and women who have made the highest sacrifice for our country. “Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude.” -- Harry S. Truman

05/15/2026

Did you know that approximately nine out of every 10 net new jobs in the United States were created by small businesses between March 2023 and March 2024? (U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy) The large conglomerates capture the headlines, but it is small businesses that truly drive the nation’s economic engine. There are approximately 36.2 million small businesses in the U.S., according to the Office of Advocacy, and of those, around 4.3 million are in California (source: CalOSBA), the highest count in the nation.

So it is with pride that we give a huge shoutout to the tired-to-the bone small business owners during National Small Business Month, those individuals pushing to make their dreams come true and supporting the bulk of our state and nation’s economies in the process.

We are grateful to serve so many small businesses and nonprofits, and to help facilitate funding vehicles that truly move their ventures forward in operating activities, expansions and job creation, with a particular focus on businesses owned people of color, women, the disabled, and veterans.

Support small businesses. You are supporting your nation and state’s economies.

05/09/2026

SBDC-OC recently provided a charitable donation to Long Beach–based nonprofit, Whole Systems Learning. This contribution follows the recent funding of a line of credit for Whole Systems Learning from Enterprise Bank & Trust made possible through our guaranty support.

Whole Systems Learning, established in 1996, creates safe, innovative spaces for youth and adults who often have nowhere else to go. The organization becomes the place to be and become the best versions of oneself. Services include wrap-around case management, mental health coaching, and hands-on career training in fields such as audio/video production, trucking, and entrepreneurial development.

Pictured from left to right in check photo: Jason Edmonds, Whole Systems Learning director of business development and communications; Armando Romero of Equipoint Capital Advisors and SBDC-OC loan committee member; Reinaldo Henry-Ala, Whole Systems Learning executive director, Shayna Hollinquest, Whole Systems Learning adult program manager; Jim Ely president, SBDC-OC; Eddie Nevarez loan officer, SBDC-OC; and Daniel Lee of Enterprise Bank & Trust.

04/23/2026

ICYMI: Recently one of SBDC-OC’s longtime board directors received a significant recognition for his contributions to higher education—Dr. John Thomas, dean of the Zapara School of Business at La Sierra University was honored with a Charles Elliott Weniger Society medallion for his commitment to education, service and the pursuit of excellence. He received this award during a ceremony in Loma Linda. Well done, Dr. Thomas! Read more here: https://bit.ly/4e4F3AF
(Photo: Dr. Larry Geraty, left, President Emeritus of La Sierra University, presents the Weniger medallion to Dr. Thomas)

Address

271 N. Sycamore Street
Santa Ana, CA
92701

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 4pm
Tuesday	8am - 4pm
Wednesday	8am - 4pm
Thursday	8am - 4pm
Friday	8am - 4pm

Telephone

+17145711900

Website

http://sbfdoc.org/

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