The Missouri Small Business Development Center (SBDC) hosted at Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) will be holding several trainings throughout this month. Sign up for one today!
Please know that the SBDC office hours align with MSSU’s hours. Currently, summer hours are being observed, which means the office is open from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Thursday and closed on Fridays. SBDC staff work by appointment.
Announcement: Lisa Robinson is Retiring!
Join us in congratulating Lisa Robinson, Director of the Missouri SBDC at MSSU and Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship on her retirement, effective July 31, 2023!
Lisa has served the Missouri SBDC at MSSU for 30 years with the last 12 years serving as Director. Lisa’s passion for serving the community and helping business owners and entrepreneurs in southwest Missouri did not go unnoticed. In her 30 years, she has assisted thousands of small businesses in southwest Missouri. Her tenure as Director begin the day following the Joplin tornado, May 23, 2011. She was integral in the Business Recovery Center, which had a key impact on rebuilding the business community in Joplin. She has earned countless awards from MSSU and the Missouri SBDC, including the honor of being named the Missouri State Star for America’s SBDC for her work and leadership in disaster recovery.
Through her 30 years, she has also impacted students’ lives as an instructor in Accounting, Entrepreneurship, and International Business. She has served on multiple boards in the community as well as on campus at MSSU. Her dedication to serving the southwest Missouri community is unmatched and she will be missed by her colleagues and clients.
Lisa has accepted a position with the University of Missouri Extension as a Field Specialist in Regional Economic Development (RED). Her first day in this new position is August 1.
Please join the Missouri SBDC and MSSU community as they celebrate her retirement on July 31, 2023 with a come-and-go event from 2:00 to 4:00 pm on the first floor of the Plaster School of Business in MSSU, suite 107.
Starting a Small Business: The First Steps
Tuesday, July 11, 2023 | 10:30 to 11:45 am CDT | Free, virtual event
This workshop teaches participants essential concepts to consider before starting a small business. Participants will learn about the importance of discovering their target market and gain an appreciation of understanding their customers.
Participants will also learn about the steps in licensing and registering their business with federal, state, and local agencies. The basics of understanding cash flow projections and various funding alternatives will also be covered, as well as their importance.
To learn more about this free, virtual webinar, click here.
Customer Discovery – Unlocking the Mystery for Success
Wednesday, August 30 |4:00 to 5:30 pm CDT | Free, in-person event | Participants will automatically be enrolled in the second and third sessions
This interactive workshop is the first in a three-session, hands-on series for business owners, managers, and organizations who are ready to serve their markets more effectively.
Each week you will dig into details of your business/organization to identify what you can do to take control of the success of your entity. During this session, participants will:
- Develop a Business Model Canvas and Value Proposition to differentiate their business/organization.
- Discover product/service needs by determining customer problems and the solutions that participants can provide.
- Test product/service ideas through customer interviews to determine viability.
- Receive individual feedback to enhance and sharpen ideas.
- Learn about federal grants and other funding opportunities.
Session Two of this series will be offered on Wednesday, September 13 and Session Three will be held on September 27.
The event will be held in the Cornell Auditorium inside the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center at MSSU. Register here.
Using Workplace Wellness to Retain Employees
Thursday, September 28 | 7:30 to 9:30 am CDT | Free, virtual and in-person event
Hiring and onboarding employees grows ever more difficult and costly. Companies that focus on retention efforts through a lens of Workplace Wellness can increase retention and the productivity of employees they serve. Please join us as we tackle the vital topics covered in Using Workplace Wellness to Retain Employees. Participants will:
- Discuss the importance of supporting employees in whole-person wellness (health, safety, meaning, connection, achievement, growth, resiliency, etc.).
- Review the Wellness Wheel
- Increase employee interest in workplace wellness programs by using a needs and interest survey.
- Use incentives to drive wellness programs.
- Demonstrate easy wins by implementing the CALM Campaign and Walking Groups in the Workplace.
If attending the event in-person, participants will go to the Freeman Health System’s Business Center Conference Rooms at 3220 McClelland Blvd. and enter on the back side of the building. A light breakfast will be served.
For those attending virtually, register here.
Looking for Business Assistance?
Are you ready to grow your existing business? Do you need technical assistance with management, marketing, finance, or accounting?
Check out the services available from the Missouri SBDC network! We exist to provide assistance and training for your small business.
Register today to become a Missouri SBDC client at now cost!
Looking for something different?
Webinars are being offered by all Missouri SBDC centers located across the state. Check out our events page to find more training that fits your business needs.
Visit the Missouri SBDC website, sbdc.missouri.edu, for more about their centers and training offerings.
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