The SBDC Provides Entrepreneurs with Support through the Start in West Central Wisconsin Initiative

Start in West Central Wisconsin is a pilot initiative designed to support entrepreneurs and build businesses in the Momentum West region. Stakeholders and organizations from throughout the region have come together to offer comprehensive no-cost support aimed at helping entrepreneurs to start a business and helping existing business owners to grow and expand. One of these partners is the Small Business Development Center (SBDC). We spoke with Katherine Fossler, SPHR, from the SBDC at UW River Falls and Luke Kempen, Director of the SBDC at UW-Eau Claire to gain a better understanding of how this initiative can help to provide tangible results for the business community and region. 

Q: Why is the Start in West Central Wisconsin initiative necessary? 

Kempen: This initiative is designed to help connect small business owners and startups with the resources they need to help them network with resources that will benefit them.

Fossler: Start in West Central Wisconsin will increase awareness. We are making it easier for entrepreneurs to find the appropriate resources, something that will save them time and frustration. Plus, it exposes them to information and services they may not have known about. Helpful resources are NOT helpful if no one knows about them.

Q: What successes do you hope will come out of the initiative?

Fossler: We often work with clients that want to expand within the region and are unfamiliar with the support available in that geographic location. This tool solves that problem for us by connecting entrepreneurs with localized support and by increasing the reach of service providers.  With services going virtual during the pandemic, most organizations can service region wide, and this wonderful tool allows us to expand our reach across the region to help more business owners.  

Q: What role does the SBDC play in “Start in West Central Wisconsin”? 

Fossler: The SBDC is very supportive of this progressive initiative and shares information with partners and clients frequently.  We have begun entering  our classes into the calendar. When speaking with clients, we also use the tool as a way to search for resources that clients need and we do not provide.  It is very user friendly!

Kempen: The Small Business Development Center is listed as a resource that small businesses can utilize in the region for no-cost consulting to help them start and grow their business. The SBDC at UW Eau Claire specifically focuses on providing one-on-one technical consulting services in financial and marketing areas.  A significant amount of our work involves assisting with preparing financial projections and budgets, and helping clients get financing and other investments to start or grow their business.  On the marketing side, a significant focus for the Center is assisting clients with marketing planning , social media and other marketing aspects.

Q: Will Start in West Central Wisconsin change your work in any way, or simply bring more attention to it?  

Fossler: It has already changed the way we look for resources outside our core service offerings.  When a client needs something in an area we do not serve, or expertise we do not have in house we go to the Start In West Central WI site for solutions.  The site has also brought more attention and attendees to several of our virtual class offerings which has expanded our reach. 

Kempen: It will hopefully develop more awareness in the region of the services the SBDC at UW Eau Claire can provide  to local entrepreneurs.

Q: There are a lot of partners offering free support on the Start in West Central Wisconsin website. Where should entrepreneurs start when there are so many options? 

Fossler: It's wonderful to have so many choices!  I recommend starting where they feel most comfortable, and do not be hesitant to 'interview' the organizations offering support before committing. Entrepreneurs can also work with several organizations at the same time.  We have many clients that work with the SBDC and a private consultant or a SCORE volunteer all at the same time.  There is no one size fits all. I tell entrepreneurs not to be afraid to progress to new resources as their needs change and business grows. It’s a natural progression. 

Q: What do you want entrepreneurs to know about the SBDC?  

Fossler: The SBDC is a national organization, funded in part by the SBA out of Washington DC.  In Wisconsin, the SBDC works in partnership with UW-System, which allows us to work closely in partnership with our Universities. Each of our SBDC offices works with entrepreneurs and businesses at no-cost.

Kempen: The Small Business Development Center at UW-Eau Claire helps entrepreneurs who are looking to start or grow their existing business.  The SBDC offers no-cost, confidential consulting, technical assistance and education across many areas with a major focus on one-on one  consulting with financial and marketing needs.   The SBDC at UW Eau Claire directly serves Barron, Chippewa, Clark, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pepin, Rusk and Taylor counties and works with our other network partners throughout Western Wisconsin and the region as needed. 

Our state website is https://wisconsinsbdc.org/.

Access Start in West Central Wisconsin here.