Become an Advised Business

WHY JOIN

Advance your business to the next level.  Join a select community of other growth-oriented, socially-responsible small businesses who enjoy the benefits of a powerful suite of integrated offerings and access to a statewide network of seasoned volunteer business advisors, industry experts, and peer small business owners. 

Companies who participate in Business Advance report that their businesses are more stable and better positioned for growth as a result of their involvement. 

BENEFITS

• Strategic Perspective — spend less time working "in" your business and more time working "on" your business
• Seasoned Advisors — get invaluable business advice from experienced volunteer executives who are in the peak of their careers
• Access to a Powerful Network — plug directly into Pacific Community Ventures' extensive network of fellow entrepreneurs, advisors, and partner organizations
• Practical, Relevant Advice — get problem-solving approaches, tools, best practices, and strategic perspective that you can use immediately
• Demonstrated Business Results — realize the full potential of your business

ELIGIBILITY

Business Advising is available to growing, high-potential, labor-intensive businesses that create good quality jobs for a range of individuals from California's low-moderate income communities. Advised businesses must meet the following general requirements:

• Located in or near a low/moderate income (LMI) community in the San Francisco Bay Area*  and/or employ a significant percentage of employees from LMI communities
• An operating history of at least 6 months
• $250,000-$20 million in annual sales
• 3-100 employees (full time and part time)
• Viable business model and demonstrated desire and capacity for growth
• Willingness to accept outside professional advice
• Commitment to make the time required to prepare for any Business ADVANCE offering that the company elects to participate in (example: preparation for a Strategy Roundtable)
• Agreement to participate in an annual evaluation (phone interviews, surveys, etc.) whose purpose is to monitor and improve the delivery and impact of the Business ADVANCE program

• Opportunity to present at one Strategy Roundtable each year
• Up to five Advisor Consultations lasting from 1-2 hours in duration each, conducted by phone, e-mail, and/or in person. Additional consultations are possible for an additional fee
• Invitations to Member-only network events
• Free attendance to Educational Workshops for up to three employees of the company
  
• Professional referral service
• Listing on PCV's website

We invite companies who fit our eligibility requirements to apply to become Advisees by submitting an application:

Become an Advised Company

NEXT STEPS

1. Site visit and interview — Upon receipt of your application, a member of PCV's Business Advising program staff will contact you to set up a site visit and interview.  We use this site visit to gain a better understanding of your business and employment practices as well as your business needs and interests and how they will best be addressed through the Business Advance program.

2. Admission committee review — Following the on-site interview, your company will be reviewed for admission to Business Advising by a small team composed of PCV Staff, volunteer advisors, and other small business owners. 

3. Notification — If your company is a good fit for Business Advising, you will be notified and welcomed into the program.  If not, we are always eager to provide referrals to other resources.  Non-member companies are also always welcome to attend Educational Workshops for a per-event fee.

We accept companies on a rolling basis and generally are able to respond to applications with a decision within 3 weeks of application.
 

Questions? Please contact Kendra Ott, Program Manager of Business Advising, at kott@pcvmail.org.