Small Business

In St. Joseph, there are many ways to help small businesses. In addition to the programming and services offered with a Chamber membership, other entities have other avenues to provide small business support. Start-ups or those thinking of joining the small business world often seek advice from Northwest Missouri State University’s Small Business Development Center, which offers its services for free through the SBA. For more on the SBDC, which has an office in the Chamber, see below.

The SBDC is an advisory service that transforms small business owners into successful entrepreneurs by building their business skills acumen. The St. Joseph center is supported by NWMSU, the SBA, and the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce. Call (816) 364-4105 or e-mail lobina@nwmissouri.edu

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SBDC is for new or veteran small business owners. The St. Joseph office can help residents in the following counties: Andrew, Buchanan, Clinton, DeKalb, Holt, Nodaway, Worth, Gentry and Atchison counties. If this center is not in your area find your center here.

SBDC covers many different aspects of business development. Some of those fields include:

• Strategic Planning
• Marketing Strategies
• Financial Management
• Finding Financing
• Business Management and Improved Efficiency
• Business Start-Up

The Missouri SBDC offers a state-wide network of expertise at your disposal to address nearly any questions or needs demanded by your business. You will receive confidential, individualized advice and education to improve your business’s operations and profits.

How can I receive help without setting up a personal consultation?

The SBDC offers training throughout the year that range from one to three hours in length. Program topics include:

• Business — writing a business plan, starting a small business, understanding financial statements, monopolizing your market, taxes, financial analysis and customer service.
• Technology — introduction to QuickBooks, Web site marketing and social media like Facebook and Twitter.

• Each year the local office of the SBDC counsels between 150-200 clients
• Most services are offered at no charge
• SBDCs serve manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, service businesses, inventors, construction, agriculture and other businesses.

SizeUp

Evergy has partnered with SizeUp – an online business intelligence company – to provide a free web-based data tool for small businesses located in the Evergy service area.

The SizeUp tool provides a variety of business intelligence including:

• Local business owners can research information about their business’ performance, gather information to identify potential customers and target marketing. This will position them to be better prepared to emerge as the economy reopens.
• Aspiring entrepreneurs can perform analysis about the viability of the business they would like to open. They can test whether their assumptions are realistic and can also gather data to create an informed business plan with market research.
• Laid off workers can explore information about industries they may want to start a business and access data about businesses and consumers in the area.

Access SizeUp through Evergy’s Economic Development website. For tutorials and app, see this site.

MOBUCKS$

The Missouri State Treasurer’s Office invests in Missouri small business, agriculture and governmental entities. Through the program, the office partners with qualified-lending institutions to provide low-interest loans to help grow and expand economic opportunity across Missouri. By reducing the interest rate on certain loans, the program helps better serve Missouri-based companies. To learn more, see this website.