Small Business Technical Assistance

North Shore CDC’s Small Business Technical Assistance Program provides free one-on-one consulting and technical assistance services, with a focus on immigrant-, women- and minority-owned businesses. We offer technical assistance on marketing, financial analysis, customer analysis, digitization, funding resources, time management, and much more. These services also include industry-specific workshops, trainings, and focus groups.

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If you are interested in turning your e-commerce business into a brick and mortar space, there is an opportunity to test it out short-term at our Pop Up Shop located at 104 Lafayette Street in Salem.

For more information or to take your business to the next level, contact Nikki Schafer, Economic Development Coordinator, at nikki@northshorecdc.org.

A special thanks to our funders: Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation, Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, the City of Salem, Wells Fargo, and M&T Bank.

WHAT WE OFFER

POP-UP SHOP

The Pop-Up Shop, located at 104 Lafayette Street in Salem and in close proximity to North Shore CDC offices, was created to help e-commerce businesses and start-ups to test out a physical retail space by providing a free, short-term lease. Through this partnership, small businesses receive support from the entire small business team on marketing, product placement, financial management, technology, and more.

North Shore CDC’s Pop-Up Shop is currently taking small business and start-up applications for 2024. Please contact Nikki Schafer at nikki@northshorecdc.org for more information.

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

The Small Business team provides one-on-one consultation to entrepreneurs, small businesses, and start-ups and caters our support to your business on branding/marketing, financial management, applying for government assistance, and related topics.

To become a program partner or learn more, contact Nikki Schafer at nikki@northshorecdc.org.

ADDITIONAL SERVICES

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR THE POP-UP SHOP
  • Tax Identification Number
  • Located on or service the North Shore
  • Commit to job creation of retaining current jobs to promote economic development for the community.
  • Commit to working with NSCDC for 5 TA Hours and attend 1 SBTA workshop
HOW IT WORKS
  • Attend an information session
  • Introduction to SBTA program
  • Intake
  • Needs Assessment
  • Connect with Team Member for One-on-One Consultation
  • Develop business goals
  • Weekly Check-ins
AVAILABLE SERVICES
  • One-on-One Consultation
  • Business + Services Planning
  • Marketing Support + Planning
  • Technology Assessment
  • Financial Analysis
  • Customer Analysis
  • E-commerce to Physical Space Assessment
  • Testing the feasibility of a new business or direction
  • Assistance with applying for loans, grants, special financial assistance programs
  • Small Business Spotlight
  • Industry Specific Workshops, Focus Groups + Community Outreach
  • Resources for Employees