The business selection process identifies businesses that can benefit from working with the BEC. Over the years, the BEC has nurtured a network of referral sources that ensure it reaches the full range of historically underserved (includes minority, women-owned, or businesses in economically distressed areas) businesses. In order for the business to benefit from the student engagement, it must be of a certain size and maturity. Businesses which are primarily home-based businesses or which provide self-employment only are not likely to benefit from a team of students who will devote about 400 man hours to completing a project. Businesses which are just beginning probably don't have the resources to devote to providing information to students. Businesses must commit to weekly meetings with the student teams over the eleven week engagement which coincides with the college academic quarter.

As a general guideline, the BEC looks for businesses that have been in operation for a minimum of one year and have at least three employees. Business owners must initiate the engagement. They must show a commitment to make the best use of  resources and give indication that they are willing to change the way the business operates to take it to the next step.

They will work with a team that consists of four or five students plus an advisor. The  advisor is successfully working in business. All members of the team are committed to assisting the business achieve its goals. The student team along with its advisors works with the business for an eleven-week period. Advisors provide follow-up to ensure the business implements recommendations. On average these advisors spend 40 to 60 hours working with the businesses and their student teams.

Businesses selected for the program must commit to working with the students and advisors. They must meet with the student team, provide information, and be an active member of the team in coming up with viable solutions. Often this requires the provision of information confidential to the business to achieve these goals.

Business Selection

Businesses who wish to benefit from the resources available through the BEC are interviewed by telephone to determine if they fit the basic criteria. Businesses who qualify based on the telephone screening will be interviewed on their premises by the Small Business Development Center counselor (chansen@bcc.ctc.edu). A list of questions (see below) is used as a guideline but not all questions are used. An interview typically takes one and half to two hours to complete. The counselor then compiles a business profile and these will be reviewed by the relevant faculty at the college.

Business Owner Testimonials

Valentina Kiselev	My business had the pleasure of working with one of the student teams. We learned tremendously from the experience. We learned a different way of doing business. Market research and competitive analysis were ideas that were completely new to us as recent immigrants from Russia. The team gave us a whole new way of looking at our business. It was of great benefit to us.
Rachel Norbache	As a sole practitioner, it is difficult to find time to properly develop the important plans that will expand my practice and I was very appreciative of the help I was given by the team. Their commitment to my success is heartening. Two of the student have on their own initiative, set up internships at my firm to continue to implement the recommendations the team made. They are delightful and committed individuals.
Sharon Gao	Our pre-school received a grant from Boeing for our early learning training program, in the amount of $25,000! It is the biggest grant we have ever had. I think your program and the students presentation gave our pre-school a publicity, which helped us to get the grant.
Raghu Rankaran	Your students did an outstanding job of researching, cataloging and interviewing key buyers in the local market within a short time frame. I am very pleased with their output and appreciate their recommendations for market penetration. I would like to convey my gratitude to you and your team for an excellent job and I look forward to implementing the recommendations in my marketing campaign.

FAQs for Business Owners

What is the BEC?

On May 8, 2002 the City of Bellevue invited a group of business and community leaders to an “Idea Exchange” to listen to foreign-born citizens and women entrepreneurs describe the challenges they confront in building their businesses.  What came out of that meeting was the realization that there is no central resource for small business on the Eastside.  To meet this important need, a working committee was formed to partner in the creation of a resource clearing house for small business interest first in Bellevue and ultimately to serve the entire Eastside. 

The Bellevue Entrepreneur Center (BEC) is the result of that effort.  George Northcroft was elected President of a Board of Directors which includes representatives from the City of Bellevue, King County, Bellevue Chamber of Commerce, Port of Seattle, Community Capital Development, Bellevue Community College, University of Washington, Bothell, Eastside Commercial Bank, and KeyBank.

The organization provides guidance and support through one-on-one counseling, workshops, seminars, and expertise in licensing and permits.  Student assistance is available through programs at University of Washington at Bothell and Bellevue Community College.  BEC connects business owners to vital regional resources including Service Core of Retired Executive (SCORE), Small Business Administration (SBA), Small Business Development Center, the Northwest Entrepreneur Network, and the Women’s Business Center.

BEC is guided by a Board Directors which includes representatives from the City of Bellevue, King County, Bellevue Chamber of Commerce, Port of Seattle, Community Capital Development, Bellevue Community College, University of Washington, Bothell, Eastside Commercial Bank, and KeyBank.

The estimated value provided by the BEC is summarized in its 2004 annual statement which follows: