Small Business Development Center
hosted by Santa Monica College
3400 Airport Avenue, Suite 76, Santa Monica, CA 90405

Michelle King holds an MBA in Finance, and a BS in Accounting. She has a diverse business background with experience in commercial lending, non-profit management, public accounting, and instructor of accounting and finance. As the owner of a consulting and coaching company she is able to personally relate to the challenges of owning and operating a business.

PJ Abode, a freelance web designer and consultant, currently an instructor for mulitmedia software at Santa Monica College's Academy of Entertainment & Technology, he has also taught at Los Angeles Valley College and ITT Technical Institute in Torrance, as well as workshops in Photoshop, Illustrator and Dreamweaver for the apparel industry in Los Angeles.

Sarah has over 8 years experience in starting and operating various small businesses in China and United States. Sarah’s latest business is in manufacturing of various general merchandises in China and exporting to various countries throughout the world. Sarah has an extensive understanding of import, export, manufacturing, logistics, wholesale, and customer service in a cultural diverse market. As a business counselor at Santa Monica College SBDC, Sarah provides counseling in import, export, manufacturing, logistics, and international trade.

Sam Guo has lived and worked in three different continents—Asia, Europe, and North America with more than 20 years of experience in the fields of international trade, international business and international marketing in multicultural environments. In recent years, he has focused his consulting work on the China market and has done research and teaching in this area. At present, he teaches courses on China’s economy and international marketing to MBA students at UC Berkeley and Pepperdine University. He is fluent in Mandarin and Cantonese with working knowledge of French and Japanese.

Robert Klepa is a California licensed attorney with 18 years experience in business law. He currently teaches legal classes for UCLA Extension, tutors business owners through the Small Business Development Center of Santa Monica, works for the U.S. District Court and acts as a volunteer Mediator, Arbitrator and Judge Pro Tem for the Los Angeles County Courts.

Lisa Laney attended Cal state Northridge and University of Phoenix. She brings 20 years of small business experience. Her area of expertise is in Finance with emphasis in Accounts Payable, Account Receivable and Credit and Collection.

Monica Rayes, UCLA Alumni with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and over five years of pharmaceutical sales experience has a proven track record of sales results, and is considered a national top performer in her industry. Her expertise in sales makes her a leader in various marketplaces, and she has applied her talents to work with the SBDC in Santa Monica College as well as run her own consulting company in Los Angeles. She is a multifaceted individual, speaking four languages, including Spanish, French and Arabic.

Coming Soon...

With over 30 years experience as a banker and small business owner, Ron brings a wealth of practicality to the table. Now an independent small business consultant, he was a commercial banker, SBA loan officer and public relations officer with two major banks. He also operated a small construction sub-contracting company for 10 years. A published author, he has the expertise to communicate complex ideas in a meaningful and logical manner. With formal education in business administration and organizational behavior he brings a unique perspective to the management of a small business. Ron is available to assist SBDC Clients with preparation of their business plan, counseling on general business practices and problem solving as well as presenting workshops such as the Business Planning sessions.

Trevor Shickman comes to the SBDC from within the SMC family where he has served as an associate faculty member since 1999. Trevor is a loan officer with Advisors Lending Group where he specializes in real estate finance and a consultant with Wide Angle Group, a business marketing and management firm in West Los Angeles. In addition, Trevor has also worked as a computer consultant assisting companies with choosing and implementing office technology. Trevor holds a Bachelor in Business Administration form Loyola Marymount University and a Master of Science in History, Technology and Society from the Georgia Institute of Technology.