Small Business Center

Our Small Business Center supports the development of new businesses and the growth of existing businesses by being a community-based provider of counseling, training, and resource information.

Welcome to the Small Business Center (SBC) at Richmond Community College, your partner in entrepreneurship and business success! We are located in the Robinette Building in downtown Rockingham, which is where the SBC Director’s office and the SBC Resource Center are located. As we serve entrepreneurs and small business owners in Richmond County and Scotland County, we meet with our clients in Rockingham and Laurinburg.

We are dedicated to supporting the development of new businesses and fostering the growth of existing ones. As a proud member of the NC Community College System (NCCCS) and Small Business Center Network (SBCN), our services are offered at no cost to the local community and include:

Business Counseling

We offer free, confidential business counseling to prospective, new, and existing business owners in Richmond County and Scotland County to help you clarify goals, identify immediate needs, and understand options and next steps. In these one-on-one sessions, we can help you explore your business idea, guide you through the startup process, assist you in finding solutions to your challenging business questions, and provide the direction and feedback you need to help your business get off the ground and succeed!

Click the button below to Request Free Business Counseling. Once your request is received, we will reach out to schedule your first counseling session.

Request Free Business Counseling

Business Education

Our free classes and workshops are practical, beginner-friendly, and focused on real-world business needs. These year-round training events are designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs prepare for business ownership and help existing business owners sharpen their focus and skills. Most of our classes are offered virtually for your convenience, but we occasionally offer in-person events.

Register for Free Small Business Classes

Small Business Certificate Program

Although anyone anywhere can take our free business classes, entrepreneurs who reside in or have a business in Richmond County or Scotland County can earn our Small Business Startup Certificate by attending all seven of our core business classes and receiving at least one hour of counseling at the SBC at Richmond Community College.

You don’t have to take all classes in the same semester, but you must attend the entire class for credit. Classes will be offered 3x per year. Only classes taken through the SBC at Richmond CC and marked at CORE will count towards the certificate.

Please note that this is a non-curriculum certificate program and does not contribute to any Richmond Community College degree, diploma, or certification. However, it does equip you with knowledge, resources, and confidence you need to successfully start and operate your small business.

Our Core Classes

How to Start a Business
Financing Your Small Business
How to Write a Business Plan
How to Find Your Customers
Basics of Bookkeeping
Your Small Business Taxes
Marketing Your Business

Register for CORE Busines Classes

Resource Center

Our Small Business Resource Center, located in the Robinette Building in Rockingham, is stocked with a library of professional resources that will help boost your business knowledge. This library includes printed and multimedia material. There is also an internet accessible computer workstation. Visit us today and take advantage of these resources just waiting to be tapped at no charge.

The Resource Center is open Monday-Thursday 9 am to 4 pm and Friday 9 am to 1 pm when the college is open. You can reserve time in the Resource Center in advance to ensure the space is available by clicking the button below.

Book Time in the Resource Center

Location

The Small Business Center is located in the Robinette Building at 121 S. Lee Street in Rockingham, NC., but we also meet with our Scotland County clients in Laurinburg, NC.