SBDC at Wright State goes international, picks up award-winner

(L-R) Kim Woodbury, Earl Gregorich and now Kathy Marshalek comprise the award-winning SBDC team at Wright State University,

Yoba Frozen Yogurt is becoming a favorite for holiday shoppers at The Greene this season.

But did you know that if it weren’t for the help of representatives from the SBDC at Wright State University, you might never have tasted the sweet treat?

The Small Business Development Center at the Raj Soin College of Business played an integral part in helping Yoba’s owner put together a business plan to launch the store. Now, with the help of the SBDC, he’s poised to open another.

The SBDC at Wright State recently merged with the state’s top International Trade Assistance Center (ITAC) for 2011. Access to award-winning business expertise is free.

“This resource is here and it’s pre-paid,” says SBDC business advisor Earl Gregorich. “They paid for it with their tax dollars.”

This free service just got an international upgrade.

“By bringing ITAC in, it will enhance the operation of the SBDC and it directly addresses part of our mission at the business school, to strengthen our ability to enhance economic development in the Dayton area,” said Berkwood Farmer, dean of the Raj Soin College of Business.

It’s really a double boon for the college, which has made a habit out of aggressively pairing students with local businesses for the benefit of both.

“We’re going to be able to reach companies that otherwise we would probably never have access to because she’s here,” said Gregorich.

“She” is Kathy Marshalek, an award-winning matchmaker for Dayton region businesses and foreign markets.

“The local businesses now have access to an export center that will help them determine where in the world are their best markets and help entering and selling into those markets,” said Marshalek. “The students will be able to work with these exporters through internships and educational opportunities.”

Marshalek is an expert at determining if a foreign market is a good fit for a specific business. Marshalek not only does the research to find the best fit, but also for the best first impression.

“She’ll do research studies about that market and help them prepare for the business side of approaching that country, but also the cultural side of the approach too,” said Gregorich.

Businesses involved with international trade are not on every street corner. Many don’t even think about the possibilities of pushing into markets overseas.

“With Kathy, she can help with a company that may have the potential but its leaders maybe think it’s all just too complicated to attempt,” said Gregorich.

In many ways ITAC’s job is to make the international connection simple.

Simply put, the SBDC at Wright State just made things a whole lot easier for area business owners to find profitable solutions with just one phone call.

“Through the use of resources on campus and the oversight of SBDC and ITAC, the outside business community now can get a leg up that they would not otherwise have had,” said Gregorich.