Small-Business Advocate Exists

I would like to correct some inaccurate information in “5 Proposed State Bills Have Consequences for Small Business” [May 6].

First, the California Small Business Advocate is very much alive and well. As director of the Office of Small Business for the California Trade and Commerce Agency, I have served as the advocate since late 1996.

At that time, I created the Advocacy Unit within the Office of Small Business with a staff responsible for tracking legislation important to small-business owners and handling a wide range of requests for assistance from small-business owners.

We respond to written, telephonic and Internet requests on how to start a business, finance a business, identify the necessary permits and licenses, incorporate a business, check name availability for a new business, as well as how to find resources to market an invention and information on home-based businesses, to name just a few of the topics covered.

More than 80 calls each week from individuals seeking information are referred to appropriate resources by our trained staff; 10 to 20 letters each week are responded to with brochures, information and technical assistance; and more than 140 callers each week access our small-business help line for recorded information on a variety of small-business issues.

In addition, our small-business Web site (https://www.commerce.ca.gov /business/small) receives about 2,700 hits a month; our very popular License Handbook button receives about 4,400 hits a month.

We also respond to an average of 15 to 20 requests each month from small businesses that have accessed our newest Web site, the Small Business Wizard, an interactive self-help business advisor available on our Web site.

Users find answers to their most pressing questions, which are researched by experienced staff members who e-mail the responses to the customers.

These responses, in addition to answering the questions presented, may also provide referrals to other sources of assistance throughout the state. The “BizWiz” has received close to 1,000 hits each month since its inception in September. Based on user comments, we believe this is an invaluable resource for small businesses in California.

Finally, we have concentrated a significant portion of our advocacy efforts on assisting small businesses to resolve problems encountered with state agencies. As a neutral mediator with agency-level clout, we have been quite successful in resolving various problems in favor of the small-business person.

DENISE M. AREND

Director

Office of Small Business

California

Small Business Advocate