Frequently Asked Questions
- Is there any cost for SBDC counseling services?
- Is it confidential?
- What are the office hours?
- Can I come by and see an analyst during those hours?
- I can't make it during those hours, what should I do?
- If you are a Small Business Administration program will you be making the loan decision?
- Will you help direct me to a lender?
- I just have a few questions will you answer them over the phone?
- Will you answer questions via e-mail?
- I live in a county outside Seminole, will you work with me?
- What is this incubator I keep hearing about?
- What are the National Grant Conferences?
Is there any cost for SBDC counseling services?
No
Yes, the analysts must sign an ethics clause
every year pledging privacy.
The SBDC is open from 8am-5pm, Monday through Friday.
Can I come by and see an analyst during those hours?
No, you need to call and set up an appointment in
advance. The SBDC is not set up to handle pop in clients.
I can't make it during those hours, what should I do?
Call the SBDC and speak with the staff.
If you are a Small Business Administration program will you be making the loan decision?
No, we have no lending funds or powers. We simply
assist in the preparation of loan applications to local lenders.
Will you help direct me to a lender?
Yes, we do not recommend any one lender but instead
direct clients toward a group of potential funding sources.
I just have a few questions will you answer them over the phone?
No, we can not provide telephone consultation to
clients who have not provided us with a signed request for counseling
form.
Will you answer questions via e-mail?
No, again we must have a signed request for
counseling form on hand to work with a client. After that is received we
work with clients through a variety of mediums.
I live in a county outside Seminole, will you work with me?
We have a limited number of clients from
surrounding Florida counties and other states. We first direct you
toward the nearest program but will work with you if you so desire.
What is this incubator I keep hearing about?
Our office is located at the Seminole Technology Business
Incubation Center. The STBIC houses technology based start up businesses
with a range of fee and non fee based services. Visit their Web site at http://www.seminoleinc.com.
What are the National Grant Conferences?
Has anyone heard of National Grant Conferences? They say that for a fee of $600, they will find a grant for your business. Is this legitimate?
The following are comments from SBDC Counselors Regarding Matthew Lesko and the
National Grant Conferences
5-8-01
Yes, I'm familiar with them ... they've come through the Louisville area and other places in Kentucky several times. All I can say is "Caveat Emptor" for those who pay the $600+ dollars. Those who pay get a list of places to go for help (like the SBDC network), which they can get for free by just contacting us first. I have talked to 3 people recently who paid the $600 and got very little for their money. Needless to say, they were not happy with the NGC people.
Michael Ashcraft, Director - Greater Louisville SBDC
5-9-01
We attended their presentation in Rome, NY last Friday night, May 4th (2001). It cost $10 for that privilege (dubious as it was). Their fee for services is about $799 initially, and then $25 month forever if you choose. THEY ARE SLICK. We left after two hours. In that time a man named Wilson mentioned one program and a few facts. All the rest was fill. He spoke for an hour and a half before he reached the point of why we were there: to buy a membership to the National Grants Conference. He made is clear up front that it is against the law to guarantee funding to a client. He also emphasized that it is important to have a consultant. About an hour and a half into the presentation he started discussing using grant writers, attorneys and the NGC. According to him grant writers are too expensive, attorneys are important, but also expensive, but the NGC is your best bet, and he is a member. Thus far Sharon has had one client who attended the meeting, but wasn't convinced enough to pay the membership fee. They did profess to a have booklet with fifteen hundred programs, a massive database library, and a counselor assigned to you.
Sam Russo - Sharon St. John, SBDC SUNYIT Utica Rome
5-9-01
One of our consultants attended this seminar last year "undercover". For the entire meeting, all that is said in 10,000 ways or more is that there is money out there, people aren't telling you about it and all you have to do is buy their book. The price on the book, by the way, is never the same amount - I have-seen it go for $800. From what we can see, there is no more information in that book than there is in the Matthew Lesko, Free Money Book - and that book is "only" $39.95! We actually bought a copy of the Lesko book for our library so our clients can save themselves that money.
Unfortunately, most people call us about the NGC (National Grants Conference) after they have already lost their money and can't reach anyone to get it refunded. The problem with labeling this legally as a scam is that the people are getting the book, which they pay for willingly. However, again, when they go to return it, they can't reach anyone.
The problem with the NGC book and the Lesko book is that so little of it is applicable to your state, your county and your business. Do the math (I have actually done this in front of potential clients with a calculator). Ideally, if all things were created equal:
The Lesko book is 1100 pages, 1100 divided by 50 states = 22 pages per state, 22 divided by the number of counties (in PA is 67) = .32 pages/county, .32 divided by 3 (equally divided between business, education and housing money) = .11 pages/business in your county of your state. You can further divide by the number of possible businesses and you can see the futility of this. In addition, very little of the information is actually grants, but instead loans and "business assistance" I hope this helps shed some light on the National Grants Conference.
Cori Fischer - Gannon University SBDC
5-9-01
I whole-heartedly agree. This National Grants Conference (NCG) group/scam is a real burr under my saddle. They recently held their conferences/seminars in the Chicago area, and we are now suffering the aftermath (as people start contacting our center to get their grants). I guess we are the "experts" that NGC refers the duped individuals to. We contacted the IL Attorney General's office and others regarding this outfit and found that NCG has been under investigation in several states. Obviously, NCG is very careful with the wording, promises, etc. so they operate just within the boundaries of the law, but we may be able to put a stop to them. Per the Attorney General's Office of Consumer Fraud, action can be taken only if complaints are received. So, we can advise our clients or call-ins that subscribed to this outfit to file a complaint with their respective state's attorney general office (consumer fraud division). Document or report what promises were made, how well the NCG delivered, problems with getting refunds, etc. The more information supplied (and the more people that complain), the more we will help stop this type of outfit from taking advantage of the public.
David K Gay, Manager - SBDC -College of DuPage
5/11/01
They have been to our town twice. They charge $10 at the door. Since we knew we would be getting a lot of calls, last year we attended. We were so angry at what we heard. They walk a very fine line on what they say being "legal". They never stopped for questions, and never even stopped for a break. After about 3+ hours the sales pitch started - and man was it heavy. For a special price that day you could join their network for a bargain price of $700 (usually $1,000). They accepted M/C, Visa, and had payment terms available.
One of our clients paid the money and received the material. I looked at it before they returned it (within the 3 day grace period). It looks as if they have downloaded a lot of information from the web - and copied it. The information even listed our SBDC, with the phone number hand-written in. They really promote the use of local SBDC's and SCORE groups.
We contacted our Better Business Bureau and warned them when the "show" was coming to town the second year. They directed any calls they received to us. This is nothing but a scam and it was very sad to see people throwing away $700 of hard earned money.
Jeannie Hilbers, Director, Midwestern State University SBDC
1/03/01
The Idaho Small Business Development Center has a packet of information that it gives to people who come looking for grants and free money. One piece is a copy of an article that appeared in our newsletter a year and a half ago.
The National Grants Conference, based in Rochester (click on Buffalo) New York, hit Idaho in October. In spite of the information we and the SBA gave them, people still paid $1,049 to get all the secret information about free money, and then called us to complain about our withholding information.
I'm not quite sure what to do about Matthew Lesko and others like him who appear on late night TV. I haven't been able to find any published reports. We will continue to provide what scam- busting information we can gather and hope it "takes" with some of the people.
Marguerite Mason, Director, Research & Training Idaho Small Business Development Center
