Innovate SOMO and Missouri SBDC at Missouri Southern State University Launch Early-Stage Business Boot Camp

Start the new year right by building the skills you need to turn your business idea into reality! Starting a business is more than just a big idea — it requires the right skills, resources, and guidance to truly succeed. This is a specialty of the Missouri Small Business Development Center (SBDC) hosted at Missouri Southern State University.

Thanks to grant funding through the Southern Missouri Innovation Network (Innovate SOMO), partners within the network are now offering the Early-Stage Business Boot Camp throughout the state — all at no cost to participates.

Registration is now open for residents of the Joplin area to participate in the eight-workshop series set for January 16, 2025, to February 27, 2025. Participants will join a peer network of small business owners and learn from successful entrepreneurs.

Participants will join a peer network of small business owners and learn from successful entrepreneurs.

In the program, participants learn foundational knowledge and skills about starting and growing a business, including topics like:

• Market research and analysis
• Protecting your business and intellectual property
• Financial management and projections
• Marketing channels and researching customer segments
• Building, compensating, and managing your team
• Accessing capital

“What sets our program apart is our proactive, hands-on approach. We don’t just cover essential business topics; we actively help participants build valuable connections with local resources. Our program encourages entrepreneurs to apply what they learn right away by developing their business plans and financial projections in real-time, so they leave each session with concrete progress toward their goals,” said Katie Kelly, Director of the Missouri SBDC at MSSU.

Past participants in this program through Innovate SOMO have shared feedback, including, “What I learned through this boot camp is an incredible investment into my business’ future as anything I could imagine,” and “Being a part of this boot camp has truly changed my life in so many ways.”

Individuals eager to join and discover more about this workshop series can sign up here. Seating is limited to 15 participants. Questions regarding this workshop can be directed to sbdc@mssu.edu or by phone at 417.625.3128.