Hello Sir, 
 
I am an IT professional working in Bellevue, near Seattle, USA.
Specifically, my work is related to software design, development and
testing for an e-commerce company. However, I have a strong interest
in business entrepreneurship, business and product strategy and
consulting. I am would like to use my free time to start
free-consulting with small business companies and organizations.
Specifically, I would like to address their business strategy, and
technology strategy problems (for example, a company has paper-based
business processes , would like to start using technology solutions
for their business processes - this is just one example). I am not
sure on how to make a start, how to find a list of such companies,
organizations in the Bellevue, Redmond, area in Washington state.
 
I would like Google answers to provide me with: (1) list of small
businesses in Bellevue/Redmond that would want such consulting or
services.
(2) if there is any formal process that is followed to do such free-consulting.
(3) any programs/organizations that help individuals to do such
free-consulting/volunteering for small biz./companies

---

Request for Question Clarification by darrel-ga on 04 Feb 2004 16:12 PST

Hello Gogetter-

A couple points of clarification, if you don't mind:

- What do you mean by "free-consulting"? Does this mean you'd do it at no cost?

- Finding a list of small businesses that would want consulting is
really difficult to compile. The reason is it's nearly impossible to
know whether a business would be interested, without calling them and
asking them if they'd be interested in your services, which is
something you I'm sure would prefer to do. Could you please clarify
what you mean by the list you're seeking?

- How many businesses should be in your list?

- Have you tried contacting your local Small Business Administration
about perhaps partnering with them? As long as your service is truly
free, I'm sure they'd entertain offering such a service to new
businesses? Also, have you contacted your city or county Department of
Economic Development?

Thanks,

darrel-ga

---

Clarification of Question by gogetter-ga on 04 Feb 2004 18:48 PST

1) free- consulting does mean free of cost 
2) small business administration- that's exaclty what i wanted to
know. Which organizations would help me in finding about local small
businesses, and how to help them.
3) A better list would be a organizations that partner with small
businesses, and  help them. could  u please provide with this list,
rather than list of local small companies themselves?

Hello GoGetter--

I have carefully considered your question, researched it, and have your answer.

First, the Small Business Administration in Seattle also covers
Bellevue and the surrounding area. You may contact the SBA in Seattle
at the following contact information:
Seattle, WA District Office
1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 1700
corner of Sixth and University
Seattle, WA 98101-1128
206-553-7310
Monday - Friday
8 am to 4:30 pm
Small Business Administration Business Enterprise Center   (206) 553-7320 
You may also access the SBAs web site online. The link is
http://www.sba.gov/wa/seattle/

The King County Economic Development Department offers a number of
programs in which they partner and assist small businesses. You should
contact Alice Davis with Community Capital Development at (206)
324-4330. You may read more about the small business programs within
the King County Economic Development Department online. The link is
http://www.metrokc.gov/exec/bred/ed/bfplist.htm

Bellevue Community College has a Small Business Development Center.
This center teams with small businesses to offer advice and guidance.
The phone number is (425) 564-2888

Highline Community College also offers assistance with small
businesses through its Small Business Assistance Center. You may
contact this center at (206) 878-3710 x5151
  
Another center in your area that assists small businesses is the
National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development. You may
reach them at (206) 365-7735
  
The Seattle University Entrepreneurship Center is another good place
for you to contact for potential partnership. The phone number is
(206) 296-5730
  
The Washington State Small Business Development Centers can be reached
at the following numbers:
Small Business Development Center
    (north Seattle)
   (206) 298-4402  
Small Business Development Center
    (downtown Seattle)
   (206) 553-7328  
Small Business Development Center
    (south Seattle)
   (206) 324-4330  
Small Business Development Center
    (Green River Community College in Auburn)
   (253) 333-1600  
      
The Bellevue Chamber of Commerce partners with companies of all sizes,
including start-ups. You may reach them at (425) 454-2464. You may
also visit the Chamber's website online. The link is
http://www.bellevuechamber.org/

The Redmond Chamber is another good resource. You may call them at
(425) 885-4014. You may visit the Redmond Chamber's website online.
The link is http://www.redmondchamber.org/

In addition, it appears the Bellevue Entrepreneur Center does
something very similar to what you're looking at getting involved
with. If you don't already know about them, you may visit their web
site online. The link is http://www.beconline.org/

I hope this helps. If you need further information or any
clarification, please don't hesitate to click the "clarify" button.

I'm happy to help,

darrel-ga