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.
Meet our new Director Katie Fields
Katie is a graduate from Missouri Southern State University where she holds both a BSBA in Marketing, Management and Human Resources and a MS in Human Resources. Fields worked as a Business Consultant for the Missouri SBDC at MSSU from January 2020 to July 2022. Her primary role during this time was working with clients and as acting Coordinator of Trainings for the Center.
From there she went to work for the City of Carthage as their Tourism Director. Fields was responsible for the creation of Experience Carthage, MO, the Tourism Department for the City of Carthage. Her responsibilities in this role included oversight of the Marketing Match Grant as the Jasper County DMO, and to elevate the City of Carthage’s brand awareness in the travel and leisure space.
Additionally, Fields was the Executive Director of the Aspire Scholarship Program, a local non-profit in Jasper and Newton Counties that promotes single parents to go to college, from May 2019 to December 2022. Fields has also taught as an adjunct instructor for Missouri Southern State University in the areas of Marketing and Human Resources Management.
She provides business counseling in in the areas of retail management, marketing, social media marketing, website development, e-commerce, human resources, general management practices, financial projections, business plan assistance, new business start-up assistance.
Starting a Small Business: The First Steps
Thursday, August 10, 2023 | 4:00 to 5:15 pm 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 learn the steps in licensing and registering their business with federal, state and local agencies. Finally, participants will learn the basics of understanding the importance of cash flow projections and various funding alternatives.
To learn more about this free, virtual webinar, click here.
Building Credit
Wednesday, August 16, 2023 | 10:00 to 11:15 am CDT | Free, virtual event
Your personal credit score DOES matter! The relationship between personal and business credit reporting. Learn how to establish and maintain strong personal and business credit histories. Recognize when and why business credit history may become a big factor in accessing financing.
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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