Small Business Assistance

Daney at his register

ABCDC is a lead agency for the Community Business Network, represented with a full-time Small Business Development Manager on staff. Now in its fifth year, CBN is an effective collaboration of nine Boston area Community Development Corporations assisting small businesses.

CBN staff can offer a wide range of business development services and collaborate with a variety of professional organizations to existing and start-up entrepreneurs. We specialize in helping businesses with a personalized service tailored to your needs.

Types of Technical Assistance Available

Ivan and Mafalda outside their store, Pizza Ring

Loan application packaging including business plan and financial statement preparation

Sale or acquisition of business

Referrals to other organization offering small business assistance

Market research and assistance

Accounting and financial assistance

Personal credit counseling

Other issues as needed

Access to Capital

The CBN can help you secure needed financing either from a private bank, or from a variety of non-traditional loan programs. If you are a start-up or young business or have had problems with your credit history, we will help you address credit issues and access unique financing programs. Over the last five years, our member CDCs have helped over 120 small businesses to secure loans totaling $6 million.

Workshops and Roundtable Discussions

For many entrepreneurs, especially those starting out, the best place to begin is to take a business development class. There are several excellent classes taught by CBN partners, and we can help shape the topics to best suit your needs. CBN works with their training partners to sponsor several workshops and short training on specific topics at convenient locations in Allston and Brighton. Some typical examples include: Quickbooks training sessions, Marketing Your Business Successfully, and Legal Aspects of Business.