Mark Schmitt has a mission; his mission is to help small businesses in Cochise County achieve success. To accomplish this, he and his team help provide a variety of free, confidential services and referrals to small-business owners and entrepreneurs in Cochise County.

Bianka Tanori/Douglas Dispatch Rachel Norton, administrative assistant for the Small Business Development Center, left, and Director Mark Schmitt discuss upcoming event.

Schmitt is the Director for Cochise College’s Small Business Development Center and recently he wanted to let the whole community know that he is there to help anyone who needs help with their business to become even more successful. Schmitt assists by providing free, one on one counseling, planning assistance, marketing, accounting, strategic planning and other services.

He added, “We also have initiatives in Veterans Assistance, Clean Technology, and Government Contracting.”

“Last year we helped create 238 jobs in Cochise County, saved 67 businesses and helped 30 individual people start their own organizations. We provide special events that are open to the public so that they can come and get ideas on how to improve their organizations.”

There will be a 2011 Media Marketing Day event on March 18 from 8-4:30 in Sierra Vista. This will be the largest marketing event ever held in Cochise County. In order to RSVP one must contact 515-5478 to register. Another special event that will occur in Sierra Vista will be on March 22nd, dealing with labor laws.

At the Cochise College here in Douglas, a Douglas/Agua Prieta Trade Conference will be held on April 8, 2011. All are welcome to come to this event beginning at 8 a.m.

Schmitt has an MBA from the University of Phoenix and occasionally teaches at the Cochise College. According to Schmitt, “The businesses that realized the importance of customer service are the ones that are the most successful. You have to offer a product and service that people are ready, willing, and able to purchase.”

To speak to Mark Schmitt or anyone of the Small Business Development Center, you can call 515-5478.