Drive down your local main street and you’ll see them—tucked between the familiar neon signs and generic feel of America’s fast food chains and big box stores are mom and pop shops and other independently owned establishments that define themselves by offering the same (if not better) professional services as the big guys, but with a friendlier, more “local” feel.
WELCOME TO THE KU SBDC
With unemployment numbers at what seems like a steady high, more people than ever before are considering opening a small business of their own or becoming self-employed. Coming to the aid of these ambitious entrepreneurs in Berks County is the Kutztown University Small Business Development Center. Not far from the University’s main campus on Kutztown Road in Kutztown (they have offices in Reading, too), the KU SBDC offers a slew of services to first-timers and established business owners alike: everything from a “nuts and bolts” workshop on the first Wednesday of every month, for individuals still in the idea stage, to assisting in the creation of an export marketing plan for an existing business considering a jump into international trade.
PERSONAL CONSULTANT, PERSONAL TOUCH
“Our mission is to help local organizations grow and prosper,” says Ernie Post, Executive Director of the KU SBDC. “We have a professional, full-time staff of consultants who are tried and true,” he continues. “And it’s those consultants—their education and experience—that can make all the difference.” In fact, all clients that come to the KU SBDC, despite their level of business development or the services they seek, are furnished with one of these personal consultants—free of charge—to guide them through a number of essential processes.
“For those still in the idea stage, we provide free confidential coaching on developing a business model [if one doesn’t already exist] and assistance with verifying a potential stream of revenue,” says Post. Once those two steps are complete, “the consultant works with the client to develop the business plan—the specifics that are unique to that client and their business [location, expenses, etc.]. But we also work extensively with established business owners, helping with things like financing, operations, strategic planning, foreign markets and so on.”
Keep in mind that the KU SBDC’s consultants are nothing like the paid consultants you can find online and in the yellow pages. “There are paid consultants out there,” contends Post; “the difference is that they write the business plan for you. The consultants that we provide help you write your own plan and provide education that will be meaningful throughout the entire process of starting and running a business.”
The KU SBDC’s main goal is to get all clients to the point where they can comfortably and knowledgably present their plan to investors. On average, clients can expect to do around 80 percent of the work, sometimes more depending on their ability.
THE JUMPSTART INCUBATOR
One of the KU SBDC’s newest and most talked about programs is called the Jumpstart Incubator. Located on the third floor of the Berks County Community Foundation LEED Platinum Green Building in downtown Reading, the Jumpstart Incubator offers its clients a “more structured” atmosphere for brainstorming—a “think tank,” if you will.
According to their official website, the Jumpstart Incubator “is a temporary home for start-up businesses in the Greater Reading Area,” providing them with the “intellectual, monetary, and leadership capital necessary for their success during their critical development period.” They even go as far as having office suites for rent, allowing their clients quick and easy access to the KU SBDC and Incubator staff.
With most of the Jumpstart Incubator’s funding coming directly from the JOBS Act (Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act), its services are not available to every client free of charge. With plans for private funding in the future that may change, but for now interested parties can register online at jumpstartberks.org.
WILL IT WORK FOR YOU?
The “small” part in starting and owning a “small business” can be deceptive—indeed, it is no small task. According to the KU SBDC, most people who start their own small business find that it requires a much larger commitment than any job they’ve had previously.
They also warn that starting a small business is not a quick fix for being laid off or for lack of employment: “Starting a business involves much more than you creating a job for yourself. Revenues may or may not come quickly. And ultimately, of course, you must have a product or service about which you feel passionately and which you can deliver," says Post.
If you end up making the decision to go for it, bear in mind that your personal finances will more than likely come into play. While the KU SBDC doesn’t offer financing of its own, they do work closely with banks and other lenders on financial projections, with many clients turning to “crowd-funding” websites like kickstarter.com for financial backing.
While 21st century technology has ushered in countless new options for those interested in the small business realm, it’s best to address questions and concerns with those who don’t have a vested interest in your business’ outcome. You’ll find that trusted source and much, much more at the KU SBDC.
For more info visit Kutztownsbdc.org.
BY JOSEPH LAWLEY | PHOTOS BY HUB WILSON PHOTOGRAPHY
