The City of Pleasanton Economic Development Division (EDD) offers business assistance services to support companies in achieving long-term success in Pleasanton. The department provides and promotes programs and resources to help business owners establish and grow, from the application and approval processes to launching and eventually expanding. Recently EDD launched a new program to support local companies.

In collaboration with the East Bay Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce, EDD created the Business Assistance Series. The new series offers business owners and executives with access to valuable resources through in-person appointments with trained advisors. The advisors can provide guidance and insight on various topics, including business planning, financial assistance, marketing, and more. The series of private sessions with these experts began in April and will occur monthly through September 2025.

“Through our important partnerships with the East Bay Small Business Development Center and the Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce, we’re bringing valuable, hands-on expertise directly to our local businesses,” says Lisa Adamos, Economic Development Manager. “These in-person advising sessions are a key part of our commitment to supporting a vibrant, resilient business community in Pleasanton. Whether businesses are launching a new venture or navigating growth, our goal is to provide the tools and expert guidance local businesses need to thrive.”

Sneha Lundia, Peter Lou, and Sandra Markus are the three East Bay SBDC advisors participating. Lundia, Founder and CEO of Step2Growth, will be available in the May and August sessions. Lundia’s professional biography notes her as “a results-driven professional with a diverse background encompassing leadership, marketing, mentoring, and consulting. She demonstrated success in driving business growth, optimizing marketing initiatives, and providing valuable insights to organizations. She is adept at leveraging technical and analytical skills to deliver innovative solutions and has strong communication and collaboration abilities, combined with a passion for technology and entrepreneurship.”

Peter Lou, who will offer his business expertise in June and July, is a banking professional with more than 25 years of experience working for Ernst & Young Management Consulting; Wells Fargo Bank as a Vice President and Director involved in Business Banking, Corporate Banking, Corporate Treasury, Private Banking, and Treasury Management; and Union Bank in Corporate Credit Policy and Portfolio Management and Commercial Real Estate CRE Lending Group. Lou teaches classes in Business Finance, Bank Management, Business Fundamentals, Business Risk Management, and more. A recipient of a UCLA Instructor Excellence Award in 2023, Lou has been recognized by Stanford University as a Distinguished Adjunct Professor, according to the East Bay Small Business Development Center.

“Sandy Markus has been in entrepreneurial environments her whole professional career in corporate divisions, venture capital funded startups, and launched her own small business,” according to her East Bay SBDC profile. “She has been a lead SBDC Advisor and Trainer for startup businesses for six years. Sandy brings a unique understanding and experience in and with start-ups, marketing, and business development in the service, retail, wholesale, software-as-a-service, education, and nonprofit sectors.” Markus will offer her expertise in September.

Each no-cost, one-on-one, in-person advising session is 30 minutes long. The sessions will be held on the first Thursday of each month between 10 am and noon at the Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce office. The remaining Business Assistance Series sessions are scheduled for May 1, June 5, July 3, August 7, and September 4, 2025.

For more information about the Business Assistance Series, please visit www.cityofpleasantonca.gov/our-government/economic-development/business-resources.

If you have questions or would like to be added to the waitlist, please email ebinfo@eastbaysbdc.org.

To register directly to meet an advisor, please visit www.calendly.com/ebinfo/east-bay-sbdc-1-1-consulting-service-in-pleasanton?month=2025-05.