Clients may request or may be asked to complete further counseling or instruction on areas where they lack expertise i.e. record keeping and financial management.

SPICE utilizes business-planning tools such as the Service Corp of Retired Executives (SCORE) business templates to assist in discussions with clients.  SPICE staff is particularly adept at walking clients through the steps required to complete their business plan and open their micro-enterprise. 

Clients may be referred to other business development organizations such as the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Ohio University for market research assistance or to the Appalachian Center for Economic Networks (ACEnet) for specifics on food production or farmers markets.  SPICE believes on-going direction and encouragement and INVOLVEMENT improves the business chances of success.

SPICE Service Area

SPICE’s is located is southern Perry County and our target service area is Perry County.  To be eligible for a SPICE micro-loan you must be a resident of Perry County or the business must be located in Perry County.

Technical Assistance and training classes are open to individuals or microenterprises in central and southeast Ohio.

To get started, print a copy of our Technical Assistance Form.  Fill it out and return it by mail, or give us a call a 740-394-2200.

The SPICE Microenterprise Assistance Program provides:

1. 1)One-on-one counseling which enables participants to decide if a microenterprise is suitable and desirable for them and, if so, the steps required to get started.
   

2. 2)Referrals to other appropriate organizations and resources.
   

3. 3)Mentoring.
   

Each individual request for assistance is evaluated and a training and technical assistance plan developed that helps ensure a successful microenterprise.

SPICE provides individualized counseling by phone, in the SPICE office, or at a designated business site.  Counseling is conducted by the Microenterprise Assistance Program (MAP) Manager, the Southern Perry Business Center (SPBC) Manager, SPICE staff, board, class instructors, and by outside experts.  Counseling involves client assessment, advice, training, and encouragement. 

The MAP Manager helps clients with their business plans and specific components of those plans including discussions on business location, pricing, marketing, competition, projections, organizational structure, etc.  

The SPBC Manager will provide guidance and technical assistance to help clients with the graphic design portions of their marketing plans.  He will assist them with the design and development of logos, product labels and branding, and marketing materials such as business cards, brochures, and advertisements for print and internet outlets.

SPICE offers one-on-one individualized guidance, technical assistance, business & marketing planning and referrals to business development resource persons and organizations.

In accordance with Federal Law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy,this institution is prohibited from discrimination on the basis of race, color, natural origin, sex, age, or disability.  Not all prohibited basis apply to all programs).  To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA,Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 independence Avenue, S.W.,Washington D.C. 20250-9410, or Call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).