By Corliss Udoema, Director,
Sanford Business Suites
Sanford Business Suites at the Wicker is now open to serve the residents of Sanford and surrounding communities. The business center is the first of its kind in the Sanford area.
SBS is a place where small businesses can lease professional office space that includes secretarial support, business counseling, training and the use of a conference facility as well as a state-of-the-art computer lab.
It is not a business school, but Sanford Business Suites will provide business training to small-business owners. It is not an office complex yet tastefully furnished office suites are available for lease starting at $250.00 per month. Conveniently located at the award winning W.B. Wicker Business Campus, SBS offers established businesses as well as aspiring entrepreneurs a unique opportunity to learn, earn and grown in a nurturing and supportive professional environment. There is no need for the business owner to be concerned about a copy or fax machine. It is all included in the lease. Similarly, high-speed internet is included as well as a general office receptionist to meet and greet their clients.
Corliss Udoema, SBS’s director has over 26 years of government contracting experience as well as numerous years experience as a small business owner. Ms. Udoema’s business and contracting experience is international and domestic. Ms. Udoema retired as a Contracting Officer with the Navy in January 2006. On a mission to enlighten fellow North Carolinians in various aspects of contracting, Ms. Udoema says that she is committed to assist entrepreneurs in maximizing both their potential and their profits. A woman filled with enthusiasm and passion in helping others, Ms. Udoema has won two congressional awards for her work in increasing small business opportunities to North Carolina contractors.
The challenges facing a small business owner are numerous. In addition to capital business, owners have to rent a facility, acquire all the equipment and services necessary to function. This does not include marketing, advertising and staff to answer the phone and receive visitors. During the renovation of the W. B. Wicker School, Brick Capital Community Development Corporation included a plan to house a business center along with a day care center, a computer lab and a dental clinic, which is operated by Central Carolina Community College.
In addition to the business support program, plans are well underway to launch a business intern program for the youth of Lee County. A general planning meeting scheduled to take place at the business center early next week. A parallel intern program is also being developed for individuals who are seeking the opportunity to enhance their job skills. City leaders, academic administrators and businesses are coming together for the specific purpose of helping create a viable program that will enable students to gain practical business experience and develop business skills.
Several spaces have been leased and there are daily inquires regarding the center. A competitive field of business owners will seek out the resources at SBS to gain a leg up on other entrepreneurs.
Sanford Business Suites (SBS) is a non-profit small business service program established with a mission to give new and existing businesses the training and tools that they need to become successful. SBS offers assistance to established small businesses by providing affordable furnished office spaces that include business and administrative support, workshops, conference facilities and business consulting. Specialized business consulting, bookkeeping, marketing and legal services are available at discount rates. Additionally the Center provides its tenants with the opportunity to "network" with other businesses and agencies such as the Small Business Administration and the North Carolina Military Business Center. Contact: Corliss Udoema, Director, Sanford Business Suites, 900 S. Vance Street, Sanford, NC 27330, (919) 777-2727, Fax (919) 777-0784.
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