PCC Partners with USC Marshall School of Business for Entrepreneurial Studies

Pasadena, Calif., The Pasadena City College Small Business Development Center is joining forces with the USC Marshall School of Business’ Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies for a 10-week accelerator program designed to push startup companies to the next level.

AIM (Accelerate + Incubate + Mentor) – a program launched in 2012 at USC, provides entrepreneurs with the resources designed to improve the odds of success for startups.  The Greif Center offers instructions for business models including growth strategies, branding and marketing and financial strategies.

The PCC Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has partnered with the Greif Center to provide one-on-one training on managing the non-technical side of the business, the “back room” activities.  “Many samll businesses fail in the early years because the business was not properly managed in the back office.  The back office is the backbone of an organization and without back office support, it is almost impossible to run the core business effectively,” said Salvatrice Cummo, Director of the PCC SBDC.

According to Cummo, “AIM teams will have direct access to consultants – at no cost- to help guide and align them to proper resources, including funding, accounting, graphic artists and marketing experts, to name a few.  Ultimately, this partnership will foster growth and help each company reach measurable milestones.”

About Pasadena City College Small Business Development Center

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) helps small business owners succeed with low-cost training and no-cost one-on-one advertising from experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts.  The SBDC has been hosted by Pasadena City College since 2013 and assisted local business owners increase sales, obtain loans, streamline operations, utilize new technologies, expand into new markets, and position themselves for long-term growth.

About Pasadena City College

Since 1924, Pasadena City College (PCC) has provided the greater Pasadena area with an innovative learning environment that inspires student learning and success.  PCC is one of the largest community colleges in the country, serving over 30,000 students from 90 different countries.  Widely recognized as a transfer leader, PCC ranks as one of the top community colleges in the state that transfers students to nationally ranked four-year universities and colleges. Nestled in the foothills of Pasadena, home of the annual Tournament of Roses Parade and Rose Bowl football game, PCC has educated more than a million students since its founding. For more information on Pasadena City College, call 626-585-7123, or visit the College’s website at www.pasadena.edu.