Aug 30, 2023 3:41 pm

Pierce College Puyallup is proud to be the home of a new office for the Small Business Development Center (SBDC). The Washington SBDC is a network of more than 40 expert business advisors across the state working to help entrepreneurs and small business owners start, grow or buy/sell a business.

“We are thrilled to partner with Pierce College and expand services to small business owners across Pierce County,” said Sheryl McGrath, state director of the Washington SBDC. “Pierce College’s commitment to economic development and serving underrepresented community groups aligns well with the mission of the SBDC and our collaboration is already making a difference.”

This is not the first partnership between Pierce College and the Washington SBDC. In the fall of 2022, they cosponsored a 16-week business development program for more than two dozen BIPOC business owners. The Business Collaborative project – created and implemented by NEXT consulting – featured four group training sessions, more than a dozen individual advising hours and a hand-off to SBDC advisors, including Jamieson, for further assistance.

Liz Jamieson, the SBDC certified business advisor with more than 20 years of experience, opened her office on the Pierce College Puyallup campus earlier this year. She provides one-on-one, confidential advising to small business owners at any stage of development.

While Jamieson’s background is in ecommerce and online marketing, she has been assisting small business owners and entrepreneurs with a variety of projects for over 20 years, such as: loan applications, lead generation, social media marketing, cashflow management, marketing plans, business formation, online sales, HR issues and other business challenges.

Jamieson said she is thrilled to have her office on the Pierce College Puyallup campus. “The energy here is palpable,” Jamieson said. “I love stealth listening in to classes and I look forward to getting to know the campus community.” Jamieson – who joined SBDC in 2020 – helped more than 125 small business owners in 2022 alone. Her assistance helped business owners access more than $2.5 million in capital, save or create 172 jobs and start 12 different businesses.

To set up an appointment with Jamieson, email washington@wsbdc.org, visit the Washington SBDC website or call 833-492-7232.