Diversity Business Resource Center

Diversity Business Resource Center is my one-stop website where I can stay informed about helpful events, links and articles. I am especially pleased with the DBRC Government Contracting Portal which functions as a centralized venue for working with all levels of government. Among the many benefits that I enjoy as a client are hosted forums; information-rich tutorials and industry-specific seminars. I also value the direct exposure to a large community of businesspeople and a built-in network of profesional contacts. Kenneth W. Elliott Partner, The Elliott Group

DeConstruction King Inc. is located in the City of Pittsburgh,PA. With out the help of the Diversity Business Resource Center, our company would have never been organized. One being that we did not have the financial resources to obtain the education that is much need to make informed decision. We were mentiored one-on-one.And exposed to the Business community, on a level that would not have been possible were it not for this wonderful organizition. Personally I must say that Ms. Christina Jumba is a caring and wonderful person. She stays in contact and keeps us abreast of activities that continues to help us grow.Once you become apart of this wonderful network, you are always apart, it almost like having an extended family. No question is too crazy or stupid, for an answer and guidence in the right direction. We were able to write our Business Plan, set-up our Corporation, introducted to continuning Education, and the list goes on. Without the Diversity Center we would have been lost. I often recommend this great resource to others seeking to start businesses. In these very hard and difficult times and when you are counting pennies and even when you don't have pennies to count, it is a wonderful feeling to know you have support. I have received so much, and I am gratiful, to this great Resource and can never Thank them enough for their unselfish dedication.

I am with a woman owned business and the resource center has helped me in so many ways. I like their networking sessions and the training seminars they offer. I recommend it to all the woman owned businesses I come across. Donna Americom Inc.

DBRC has been delivering on its mission to assist minority and women owned businesses in innovative ways ever since its inception. This center has been creative in identifying and delivering targeted classes to its clients. DBRC has also provided specific legal, accounting and financing related services to the various clients. KORYAK has benefited as a client both from the classes and the services offered by DBRC.

DBRC helped TASI from the 1st visit. In a very cold winter day early 2008, Mrs. Beverly Herndon (TASI's marketing coordinator) and I visited Christina Jumba of Pittsburgh DBRC at her office. The question in our mind was where to start to look for government contracts. Neither of us had any prior experience in government contracting for local governments, despite my technical experience with federal contracts. Christina sat down with us and listened to our questions and requests and we registered with BDRC. It seemed that she came up with a relavent new suggestion every 10 min in the conversation and she pulled out the contact information and the program/contract information immediately following every one of her suggestion. A couple hours later, we left her office with newly found confidence. We were grateful for all the information we received from DBRC. However, sorting all the information, we found out that there were more things we needed to know but knew very little, such as liability, insurance, interlectural property, subcontractors and loans, etc. Again, I started to wonder what to do next. Surprisingly, as if the DBRC sensed the needs of small and start up businesses, it started to send out seminar announcements and all the seminars were free of charge. I went to most of the seminars and the information that I learned from the seminars were either what I was wondering about, such as subcontractors, or, what I would need soon, such as financing the business. In addition to the seminars themselves, the psycological impact on small business owners is positive. The up hill battle of building a business is no longer a lonely daily battle. ALthough I do not know all the answers to my questions but I know that I know where I could go to find the answers. It's a confidence builder that the resources are within reach. In addition to the visit and seminars, TASI also attended the network events by DBRC and met the other business people. At one of the events, I found a potential business collaberator and we actually developed a proposal together on energy savings. We are now working in the area of energy saving product development and engineering services with a lot better market understanding. However, we are still looking forward to turn to DBRC for the resources to solve our new questions, such as business collaberation that is very important for small businesses as most of small businesses can not handle every facet of a project and need to work with each other to fulfill customer requirements. We wish DBRC continue to grow and be the resources for the thirsty and sometimes lonely small business owners. DBRC's resources are the necessary nutrients for our business growth. Susan Chang TASI 724-2887467

Net PAC International has been a client of the DBRC for over a year. Once we became a client, we set-up a one-on-one appointment with the director Christina, who set aside time to show us all the resources at their offices and share a plethora of literature for other local. state and government agencies with which we could introduce our business products and services. Christina has is a very helpful and knowledgeable resource for small businesses. She takes time to get involved with a number of private companies and public organizations to represent the voice of underserved, small businesses. She has provided our business with referrals for business opportunities. Without the DBRC, Net PAC would not have known about the many opportunities available. It is a valuable resource for companies that can not afford to hire consultants to provide the same guidance, resources, and referrals.

I have been a client of the Diversity Business Resource Center for a little over 1 year. The benefits of their services has far exceeded my expectations. As the owner of a small painting services company with limited resources, I am faced with crucial decisions that will greatly impact my day to day operations and ultimately my ability to grow my business. Through the DBRC I was able to attend business classes and training that have been extremely informative and have sharpened my skills to make those every day crucial decisions. In addition, the DBRC sponsors many networking events that helps local small businesses connect with each other and with larger government and private entities. The Executive Director, Christina Jumba, does an outstanding job, not only by providing relevant and reliable information, but, by doing so in an enthusiastic and positive manner. The DBRC has been instrumental in providing opportunities that I would not have had otherwise. I am thankful for their services and am glad to know they are there if I need them.

The Diversity Business Resource Center (DBRC) has been and continues to be an invaluable resource to me. As a small, minority and woman-owned business, I have seen many barriers that make starting, sustaining or growing a business very difficult. DBRC has offered many resources to me and other local entrepreneurs which I believe are not available through any other organization. I met the DBRC Director, Christina Jumba, by chance at an event we both attended (approximately 4.5 yrs.ago). Christina explained the minority certification process to me and urged me to pursue it. Most importantly, she explained why certification could have a positive impact on my bottom line. She was right! My business, Vital Signs, has experienced rapid growth and is thriving. The Native American/Woman Owned certification that I obtained, played a significant role in that growth. Further, I have been able to act on networking and educational events that DBRC consistently offers to it's clients. Most small businesses (I am no exception), have a "shoestring" budget and do not have additional funds to afford educational classes that might ensure the success of their business. Utilizing DBRC without charge, may be the only resource that many entrepreneurs can afford to access. I appreciate the opportunities that the Diversity Business Resource Center has afforded me. I appreciate what I have been able to learn and apply to my business thanks to DBRC. Christina Jumba offers a personal and consultative approach to each of DBRC's clients. I see the relationship that I have established with her/DBRC as a working partnership. It is refreshing to have an advocate really listen to my needs, requests or concerns and then act on them in an effort to help me and my business. The Diversity Business Resource Center is an organization that every minority or woman entrepreneur should utilize at every stage of their entrepreneurial journey!!

The Diversity Business Resource Center has provided invaluable direction and feedback for my company. The DBRC brought in professionals and business instructors to: help us design a business plan, teach us how to market our businesses, provide affordable legal services, create and identify business opportunities, organize networking events to meet and learn from other businesses, serve as mentors and sounding boards. The DBRC also challenged us/prepared us to take our businesses to the next level. The DBRC is an invaluable resource that I whole heartedly recommend to any new business, expanding business or reorganizing business.

The Diversity Business Resource Center has been extremely helpful to my woman owned landscaping and construction company. DBRC has been an awesome resource when I needed assistance with running my business. Whenever I have ran into issues that they could not directly assist me with, they have connected me to the people who could help me to resolve the issue. I have received assistance with getting my WBE and DBE certification. DBRC is an invaluable resource when navigating this process. The staff at DBRC is always willing to help and respond quickly with answers to questions.