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Success Story: Pacific Beach Surf Shop

PB Surf Shop is the oldest surf shop in San Diego, offering surf lessons and camps, rentals, and retail. The business operates right on the PB boardwalk. When the pandemic hit, the shop was closed for two months and the surf instruction side for three months; when they reopened the beaches were closed. Owner Randy Strunk shares his story about reaching out to the SBDC for help.

“The customer service,” he says. “From the very first contact I felt important.” His first contact gave a concise sentence deeply felt: We’re going to be able to help you. “It went so well.” Strunk’s bank turned him down twice for a Paycheck Protection Program loan. “I couldn’t get though to a person. When I got through to you guys, the phone picked up, my emails were returned promptly.” And he shares how he knew it wasn’t just him, the SBDC here was helping a lot of businesses.

“This should be the go-to place.” He continues how this is where a small business like himself can get the help he doesn’t have without an office staff, secretary, bookkeeper, someone with technical skills, and the like. “I’m a surfer and I’m good at running that shop.” His advisor coached him through the technical side of things, from applications and websites to e-commerce as well as circling back often, taking the time to call and talk through not just loans but also this crisis, overall suggestions and feedback. “You always made yourself available. I’ve not experienced that anywhere.”

Check out pbsurfshop.com to learn more about this landmark business!