Running a small business means wearing a lot of hats. Owner. Salesperson. Hiring manager. Bookkeeper. Strategist. Problem-solver.
But business owners do not have to navigate every challenge alone. Across Missouri, no-cost resources are available to help entrepreneurs make informed decisions, strengthen their businesses and find the funding and expertise they need to move forward.
Connect with the right resources
For entrepreneurs who are starting, growing or looking for capital, the Show-Me Network helps connect Missouri small business owners with the resources available in their communities.
Established by Missouri State University’s efactory and codefi, and powered by community and regional partners, the network brings together business support organizations that can help entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of building a business.
That includes no-cost technical assistance in areas such as law and accounting, as well as guidance on business planning, financing and other needs that can arise along the way.
For entrepreneurs seeking funding, knowing where to look — and how to prepare — can make a difference. The Show-Me Network helps business owners identify relevant resources and make connections with organizations that can help them take the next step.
The goal is simple: Make it easier for Missouri entrepreneurs to find the right help at the right time. Visit showmenetwork.org to explore training or to schedule a meeting.
End the year with a little expert help
For established businesses, the end of the year can bring a long list of questions.
Are the numbers where they need to be? What should be prioritized before the calendar turns? Is the business prepared for the year ahead? Are there opportunities or challenges that deserve a closer look?
The Missouri SBDC at Missouri State offers no-cost, confidential business counseling to help answer those questions. Experienced business consultants can help owners better understand the fundamentals of running a business, work through challenges and identify resources that can help them move forward.
Sometimes, the most valuable next step is simply knowing what questions to ask — and who can help answer them. Schedule a meeting at missouristate.edu/sbdc
Invest in the people behind the business
As business owners look toward a new year, they also can consider an investment that pays dividends across the organization: professional development.
The efactory offers a full calendar of one-day professional development courses each academic semester, led by experienced professionals who bring practical, real-world expertise to the classroom.
Topics cover the skills that business leaders and their teams use every day, including negotiation, leadership, supervision, conflict management, communication and building a stronger workplace culture.
Professional development does not have to mean taking employees away for days at a time or committing to a lengthy program. A focused course can provide a fresh perspective, a new tool or a practical strategy that can be put to work immediately.
Whether a business owner needs help finding funding, wants an expert perspective on a year-end challenge or is looking for ways to strengthen a team, support is available.
Missouri’s small businesses are an important part of the state’s economy and communities. Connecting those businesses with the people, expertise and resources they need is one way organizations across the state can help them keep growing.
By Nicki Donnelson
