E37: How Harbor BusinessSource Center Is Creating Local Jobs w/ Derek Kissinger

In today's episode I sit down with Derek Kissinger to hear how the Harbor BusinessSource Center is creating jobs for our local economy. Ashely Rios, a previous podcast guest and local business owner, joins us also to share her personal experience working with the Business Source Center to open her business Fit Culture Pilates.  Derek oversees the BusinessSource center in San Pedro and this center offers services available to all LA City residents and business owners at no cost. They do their best to tailor their services to the needs of the business owners but their main focus is growth through helping a business owner or entrepreneur access capital. Between the two BusinessSource centers currently in operation (Harbor-Watts and Hollywood) they are on track for roughly $11,000,000 -$12,000,000 in loans funded to their clients in the past year.   Derek Kissinger graduated with a BA in Psychology and Business from the University of Minnesota and went on to earn and MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Derek worked as a Business Consultant for MCS for 3 years and enjoys helping small business owners realize their growth potential. In 2016 Derek became the Program Manager for the MCS BusinessSource Network and in 2018 he was promoted to Economic Development Program Director.  Derek’s focus is to help businesses in need of tools and resources achieve profitability and growth. Through access to capital, managed growth opportunities and targeted new markets, these companies are carefully prepared to become profitable and undergo healthy, sustainable growth, with the ultimate goal of long-term job creation.  LINKS:  https://harborbusinesssource.com/ Fit Culture Pilates  https://www.fitculturepilates.com/ Fit Culture Pilates Opening Party June 15 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.  1426 West 25th Street San Pedro, CA 90732 SPONSOR:  https://www.cryptospaceus.com/