Local Small Business Resources & SBA Offices

Launching or growing a small business in Anaheim isn’t something you have to do alone. There are numerous local resources available to help entrepreneurs succeed, and many of them are offered at no cost. They can help you with planning, financing, and expanding your business. Today, we’ll show you the main small business resources in Anaheim and Orange County.

Why Local Resources Matter for Small Businesses

Running a small business is challenging, but you don’t have to figure everything out by yourself. Using such resources can be helpful because of:

• Expert advice at little or no cost. Many local programs offer free one-on-one counseling, mentoring, and workshops in Orange City. You can get professional help with business plans, marketing, legal questions, or finances.
• Networking and community. Local chambers of commerce and business associations host networking events where you meet other entrepreneurs. Building these contacts can result in partnerships.
• Access to funding and incentives. Some organizations can connect you with loans, grants, or investors. Your local chamber may even point you to low-cost loans or grant programs during tough times.
• Local knowledge. City and county programs understand the Anaheim market. They can advise on permits, local regulations, or neighborhood-specific opportunities. 

SBA Support in Anaheim

The U.S. Small Business Administration is a federal agency helping small businesses nationwide, and it has a strong presence serving Anaheim and Orange County. The SBA doesn’t directly loan money or run your business, but it provides support through local offices and programs. 

Orange County / Inland Empire SBA District Office

Anaheim businesses fall under the SBA’s Orange County / Inland Empire District, which has its main office nearby in Santa Ana. This local SBA office is a starting point for small business owners seeking guidance. The office’s staff can help with SBA-backed funding programs, business counseling, federal contracting certifications, and disaster recovery assistance. They also connect entrepreneurs to approved lenders and community organizations that help small businesses succeed.

If you need to reach out, the Santa Ana SBA Office is the closest SBA field office for Anaheim. It serves all of Orange County and neighboring counties and operates Monday through Friday during business hours. You can call or visit to get information on SBA loan programs, such as the popular 7(a) and 504 loans, or to inquire about training events and mentorship opportunities. 

SBA Resource Partners in Orange County

In addition to its district offices, the SBA funds several resource partner organizations that offer support. In Orange County (including Anaheim), you have access to an excellent network of resource partners that can help your business:

Small Business Development Center

The Orange County Inland Empire SBDC is one of the most valuable resources for local business owners. SBDCs are a nationwide network of centers that provide no-cost business consulting and training to small businesses. The network, in particular, has multiple locations and a large team to assist entrepreneurs across Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties.

SBDC advisors can help with nearly every aspect of starting or growing a business. They offer confidential, one-on-one consulting on topics such as writing a business plan, developing a marketing strategy, managing cash flow, and securing financing. The SBDC can also connect you with lenders; in fact, their team works with a network of over 100 banks and institutions to help clients find the right loan. They will not give you a loan themselves, but they will help you become loan-ready.

To get started, you can schedule a free appointment with an SBDC business consultant through their website or by phone. Services are funded by the SBA and state and local partners, so they’re provided at no charge to you. Many Anaheim entrepreneurs use the SBDC when they need help refining a new business idea, solving a problem in an existing business, or preparing loan applications. 

SCORE Orange County

Another powerful resource partner is SCORE, which is a nonprofit organization of volunteer business mentors. SCORE has chapters nationwide, and the Orange County chapter is very active and accessible to Anaheim businesses. SCORE Orange County offers free business mentoring, workshops, and templates/tools for entrepreneurs to start or grow their business. When you contact SCORE, they will connect you with a mentor, a retired or experienced business owner/executive.

In Orange County, SCORE regularly offers seminars on topics such as marketing 101, managing business finances, and legal basics for startups. Often, these sessions are either free or cost just a nominal fee. Many are online now, so it’s convenient to attend. There’s no reason not to take advantage of it when starting or running a small business in Anaheim.

Women’s Business Center

For women entrepreneurs in Anaheim and Orange County, the Orange County Women’s Business Center is an excellent resource. This center specializes in helping women start and grow businesses, although in practice, they welcome anyone who could benefit from their services. The Orange County WBC, established in 2022 at Cal State Fullerton, provides one-on-one consulting, training programs, networking opportunities, and access to resources.

Services from the WBC are also offered at no cost or very low cost. The Orange County WBC is funded by the SBA and the state, so that it can provide free support to clients. This means if you’re a female small business owner, you can get coaching and attend classes without worrying about fees. One advantage of the WBC is networking with peers and mentors who are interested in elevating women in entrepreneurship. 

Veteran and Minority Business Resources

There are also specialized resources available for veteran, minority, or otherwise disadvantaged business owners. For veterans, the SBA supports a Veterans Business Outreach Center in Southern California that offers training and mentorship specifically tailored to veterans transitioning into business ownership. 

This center offers programs like Boots to Business. While the closest VBOC office may not be right in Anaheim, the services are available to Anaheim veterans via phone or online. If you’re a veteran or military spouse in Anaheim looking to start a business, connecting with the VBOC can give you access to future success.

Local Government and Community Programs

Beyond the SBA and its partners, local government agencies and community organizations in Anaheim and Orange County offer additional resources to help small businesses succeed:

City of Anaheim Small Business Programs

The City of Anaheim wants local businesses to thrive because they contribute to the community and economy. Through its Economic Development department, the city offers information and programs tailored to businesses at various stages of development. One example is Anaheim’s Business Assistance Program, which is designed to help business owners who are opening a new location or expanding/remodeling an existing one. 

Anaheim also attempts to alleviate the cost burden on new developments through initiatives such as its Fee Deferral Program. If you’re constructing or expanding a facility, certain city fees can be deferred until the project is completed, which improves your upfront cash flow. 

One of the more helpful programs for existing small businesses is the Storefront Improvement Program. The city’s Economic Development Department periodically offers grants to local businesses to make improvements. These grants help cover the costs of upgrading old storefronts, signage, or building aesthetics. For instance, Anaheim has offered grants to businesses in certain districts to renovate aging buildings or improve curb appeal.

Additionally, Anaheim sometimes partners with organizations on special funding programs. A notable example was the Anaheim Small Business Microloan Program launched during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, the city, in partnership with the Orange County SBDC, provided microloans to help the smallest businesses (those with five or fewer employees) survive pandemic-related hardships.

California State Resources

At the state level, California also offers support to small businesses, and as an Anaheim business, you can take advantage of these resources. The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) and the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) run various programs to fuel small business growth. 

A great state resource is the California Capital Access Program (CalCAP). CalCAP helps encourage banks and lenders to make loans to small businesses that might be perceived as somewhat risky. It’s not a direct loan or grant to businesses, but rather a reserve fund mechanism that reduces a lender’s risk, making them more willing to approve your loan. If you’re unable to qualify for a traditional loan, ask your lender about programs like CalCAP or the state’s loan guarantee programs.

Also, look out for state-run training and the California Grants Portal, a website that lists state grant opportunities. By searching that portal, you can find out if any new grants fit your business.

Community Lenders and Nonprofit Funding Programs

These organizations aren’t “resources” in terms of advising, but they are resources in that they can provide affordable loans or microloans and often have educational support alongside funding. Two examples are CDC Small Business Finance and Accion Opportunity Fund.

CDC Small Business Finance is a nonprofit lender that specializes in SBA 504 loans and other financing for small businesses. They are one of the nation’s leading Certified Development Companies (CDCs), authorized to offer SBA 504 loans, which are used for major financial solutions, such as purchasing commercial real estate or heavy equipment. They’re based in California and have representatives who are familiar with the Orange County market. 

Accion Opportunity Fund also matters. This is California’s leading microfinance nonprofit organization, focused on providing smaller loans to underserved small businesses. Their mission is to advance economic well-being by helping entrepreneurs who can’t get traditional bank loans. Accion Opportunity Fund offers microloans ranging roughly from a few hundred dollars up to around $100,000, with more flexible credit requirements. 

Chambers of Commerce and Networking Organizations

In Anaheim and Orange County, chambers of commerce and similar associations support small businesses. The Anaheim Chamber of Commerce, for example, connects businesses with local leaders and officials. First and foremost, they offer networking opportunities. Chambers regularly host mixers, luncheons, and community events where you can meet other business owners and professionals in the area. 

The Anaheim Chamber runs monthly networking lunches (“Leads Lunch”) and after-hours mixers that focus on helping small businesses make new connections. Attending these events can raise your business’s profile in the community – people get to know you and what you do. 

Chambers also provide business education. They might organize seminars on small business topics or invite guest speakers to share expertise. For instance, a chamber might have a “Business Plan Boot Camp” or a panel on digital marketing trends for local businesses. These events are either free for members or low-cost, and they’re held locally (or virtually), making them convenient. 

Chambers offer advocacy and credibility. By being part of the chamber, your concerns can be collectively voiced, such as those related to local regulations, taxes, or community issues affecting commerce. And consumers do take note; being a chamber member can boost your reputation. Consumers have a higher opinion of businesses that are chamber members. It signals that you’re established and involved in the community. Some chambers even offer member-to-member discounts or partnerships, as well as access to affordable health plans.

Apart from the Anaheim Chamber, there are other groups like the Orange County Business Council (OCBC), which is a regional association that includes many local companies and focuses on economic development issues. Engaging with OCBC can connect you to county-wide initiatives and information. There are also city-specific chambers in neighboring cities, as well as industry-specific associations. As a small business owner, you don’t have to join every group out there, but it’s wise to research which ones fit you.

If you belong to a specific demographic or industry, you may find additional networking groups of interest. For example, Orange County has a Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, an Asian Business Association, and various tech startup groups, among others. These can offer targeted networking and resources. The Orange County Hispanic Chamber has programs to support Latino-owned businesses and often works with SCORE and the SBDC on bilingual workshops. Meanwhile, tech entrepreneurs might connect through OC Startups or local incubator programs.

How to Get Started?

Now, you should understand how to put these resources into action for your business:

1. Identify your needs. Begin by assessing what your business needs most at this time. Are you looking for financing? Do you need help writing a business plan or marketing strategy? Are you seeking general mentorship or industry contacts? Pinpointing the areas where you need support will help you choose which resource to approach first. 

2. Reach out and register. Don’t hesitate – make contact with the organizations that fit your needs. You can typically contact the SBDC or WBC through their website or by phone to schedule a free consulting appointment. For SCORE, you can request a mentor through the SCORE website. For the SBA district office, you can call or email them with questions; they may refer you to a specific specialist on their staff. For local city resources or chambers, visit their websites.

3. Attend workshops and lessons. Make it a point to attend a few local business workshops or networking events. You’ll gain knowledge and meet people who can become advisors, customers, or friends. For instance, the Orange County SBDC regularly hosts webinars and in-person workshops – check their events page for an upcoming topic that interests you. SCORE’s free webinars are also a goldmine of information on a wide range of topics, including SEO, marketing, and financial management. When attending these events, please introduce yourself, ask questions, and consider connecting with the speaker or other attendees afterwards.

4. Leverage multiple resources. The beauty of having so many resources is that you don’t have to limit yourself to just one. You can, for example, get a SCORE mentor and work with an SBDC consultant concurrently. One might assist you with high-level strategy, while the other focuses on specific tasks, such as refining financial projections. You can attend WBC training sessions while also participating in Chamber of Commerce mixers for networking opportunities. As long as you can manage your time, there’s no conflict in using all available help.

5. Prepare and be active. When you engage with any advisor or program, come prepared to make the most of it. For a meeting with an SBDC advisor, bring your current financial statements or a draft of your business plan so they have something concrete to discuss. If you’re meeting a SCORE mentor, be ready to talk openly about your challenges. This shows professionalism and will speed up the process. Also, ask questions! 

6. Stay connected. After receiving advice or attending an event, be sure to follow up. Implement the tips you received, and then, a few weeks later, circle back to let your mentor or advisor know how it went. They love to hear about your progress, and if something didn’t work out, they can suggest adjustments. Additionally, consider subscribing to newsletters or following the social media accounts of these organizations. This way, you’ll stay informed about any new programs, grants, or events.

Conclusion

Anaheim and Orange County offer a wealth of resources for small businesses, more than many entrepreneurs realize. Running a small business will always have its challenges, but you should never feel like you’re alone. Utilize free mentoring, attend that workshop, or reach out to that city official who’s offering assistance. By using these resources, you arm yourself with knowledge, connections, and opportunities for your business.