the SC SBDC RESPONds TO COVID-19 T
he advent of the coronavirus in early 2020 thrust the SC SBDC to the forefront of the pandemic, compelling every member of the network to run at a full sprint to outpace the debilitating economic impact of COVID-19. SC SBDC consultants worked around the clock, serving as a cornerstone for small business owners by: Monitoring, vetting and curating COVID-related information, then delivering a distilled version to small businesses focusing on the issues most important to them; Explaining the details of EIDL/PPP and other funding relief programs and helping them submit comprehensive, compliant applications; Developing the SC SBDC’s “Operation Open Doors” toolkit, which provided clients both a chronological checklist and detailed manual walking them through the steps of safely re-opening and sustaining their businesses; Helping clients become more resilient by revising their business models and generating new revenue streams; Offering a robust series of online training webinars addressing emerging issues specifically impacting small businesses. Some of the SC SBDC’s clients flourished during this challenging time. Despite collapsing supply chains, employee shortages and service disruptions, these resilient clients remained laser-focused on overcoming obstacles, pivoting their business models and tapping into alternative revenue streams. Their inspiring stories begin on page 16.
Page 13
