Inside the Small Business Develop...

Inside the Small Business Development Center

Happy Buyer, Happy Seller with Shaun Thornton by Shaun Thornton
S1 · E4
Mar 9, 2026
33:19

Episode notes

In this episode of Happy Buyer, Happy Seller, Shaun Thornton sits down with Jill Kaufman to explore the role of the Small Business Development Center and how it helps entrepreneurs build stronger, more resilient companies. With decades of experience supporting business owners, Jill shares how the SBDC provides guidance, resources, and strategic insight that many entrepreneurs never realize are available to them.

Shaun and Jill discuss the importance of advisory support for small businesses, the value of experienced business advisors, and how advisory boards can help owners make better strategic decisions. They also explore common growth challenges, the types of support the SBDC offers, and why having access to experienced guidance can significantly improve a company’s chances of long-term success.

This episode is for entrepreneurs, business owners, and prospective buyers who want to better understand the support systems available to help small businesses grow, adapt, and succeed.

📌Connect or follow Shaun Thornton

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaunthorntonbusinessbroker/

👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShaunThorntonBusinessBroker/

👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappyBuyerHappySellerPodcast

00:00 Introduction to the Episode

01:25 Meet Jill Kaufman

03:10 What the Small Business Development Center Does

05:40 How the SBDC Supports Entrepreneurs

08:15 Why Many Small Businesses Struggle to Grow

10:45 The Role of Business Advisors

13:30 How Advisory Boards Help Business Owners

16:40 Real Examples of SBDC Support

19:30 Preparing a Business for Growth

22:10 Common Challenges Entrepreneurs Face

25:00 Resources Every Business Owner Should Know

28:00 How to Work With the SBDC

30:40 Final Advice for Small Business Owners

32:30 Closing Thoughts

👍 If you found this conversation helpful, follow the podcast and share the episode with a business owner or entrepreneur who could benefit from these insights.

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Keywords

Small Business Development Center
small business advisory services