North Central
Small Business Development Center

We help people make informed decisions and take informed action.
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What we do

We provide no-cost, confidential advisement to existing and aspiring entrepreneurs, whether they are just getting started of have been in business for generations.

Our customized advisement approach

Our case-management advisement program delivers customized one-to-one counseling that helps entrepreneurs determine the best approach to achieving their goals.

Accessibility

We can meet with clients virtually, over-the-phone, or in-person at one of our many locations.  

Upcoming Educational Experiences

February Fast Track to Small Business Training
March In-Person Training
Quickbooks Online 101: Setting Up Your Books the Right Way 
March Fast Track to Small Business Training

The Fast Track to Business Start-Up Workshop is an intensive 20 hour workshop* that is offered VIRTUALLY over a 3 day period. This workshop will be facilitated by a Certified Small Business Advisor, Debbie Wilson, and includes a variety of presenters who are all experts in different facets of small business start-up.​


Dates: Feb 17, 19, 24
Time: 9am - 4:30pm each day
Location: 128 Franklin St, Watertown NY 13601
  • Topics will include:
  • Business Plan Development
  • Legalities
  • Accounting/Bookkeeping
  • Marketing/Branding
  • Social Media
  • Financial Management
  • Business Financing Options
  • HR/Payroll
  • Commercial Real Estate

*The Fast Track workshop also meets the requirements of the NYS SEAP (Self Employment Assistance Program) through the Department of Labor. Facilitated by Certified NY SBDC Business Advisor Debbie Wilson.

NOTE:  This event is IN-PERSON.

Date:  March 4, 2026

This workshop is designed for small business owners who want to feel confident managing their day-to-day bookkeeping inside QuickBooks Online. We cover the foundations of a clean setup, how to categorize transactions correctly, how to reconcile accounts, and how to use QBO’s built-in tools to stay organized and understand their financials. The goal is to make bookkeeping simple, approachable, and something they can maintain on their own.

Five Key Takeaways

  • How to customize QuickBooks Online correctly from day one so the system works for your business.
  • How to categorize income and expenses so your reporting stays accurate and clean.
  • How to reconcile your bank and credit card accounts each month and what errors to look for.
  • How to manage invoices, customer payments, and vendor bills inside QBO.
  • How to run and read basic financial reports so you always know where your business stands.


April Pavlus is the owner of Cooper Bookkeeping, a bookkeeping firm that works with small businesses both locally and virtually. With over 14 years of experience in the financial sector, she helps business owners make sense of QuickBooks Online, clean up day-to-day bookkeeping, and understand what their numbers are actually telling them. April is a Certified Professional Bookkeeper and QuickBooks ProAdvisor who believes bookkeeping should feel practical, approachable, and empowering — not overwhelming.





The Fast Track to Business Start-Up Workshop is an intensive Hybrid 20 hour workshop* that is offered IN-PERSON or VIRTUALLY over a 3 day period. This workshop will be facilitated by a Certified Small Business Advisor, Kellie Greene, and includes a variety of presenters who are all experts in different facets of small business start-up.​

Dates: March 10, 12, 17
Time: 9am - 4:30pm each day
Location: 121 East First Street, Oswego, NY 13126

Topics will include:

  • Business Plan Development
  • Legalities
  • Accounting/Bookkeeping
  • Marketing/Branding
  • Social Media
  • Financial Management
  • Business Financing Options
  • HR/Payroll
  • Commercial Real Estate

HYBRID means that the workshop offers both in-person and virtual attendance options.

*The Fast Track workshop also meets the requirements of the NYS SEAP (Self Employment Assistance Program) through the Department of Labor. Facilitated by Certified NY SBDC Business Advisor Kellie Greene

Our Self-Paced Course Library

Introducing our library of pre-recorded webinars and previously-released educational experiences all in one convenient platform.  

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