WSU KSBDC News Updates
KSBDC will present at the Kansas Regional Independent Inventors Conference.
The event will be held at the National Center for Aviation Training Thursday, April 18-Saturday, April 20.
Representatives from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will be in Wichita to provide independent inventors and small business owners with valuable information on protecting their intellectual property (IP) through patents and trademarks.
For more information about topics, speakers, and agenda, view http://www.uspto.gov/inventors/events/KANSAS_main.jsp
KSBDC will present at the SBA/AARP Mentor Month Event in Wichita, April 17
The free workshop features three accomplished entrepreneurs - Patty Koehler, President of J R Custom Metal Products, Inc., Solomon Tafesse, CEO of Best Value Services, Inc., and Jeff Clark, Owner of Jeff’s Lawn Service of Hutchinson, who will share their stories and lessons learned.
Also, Craig Morris of the United States Patent and Trademark Office will discuss how trademarks, copyrights, patents, domain names, and business name registrations all differ.
Wednesday, April 17, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
WSU Marcus Welcome Center Auditorium
Registration: 1-866-448-3619, extension 71366.
Wichita Metro Chamber and WSU KSBDC offer
Business Crisis Managment Webinar
The Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce will offer a webinar on Business Crisis Management from 8:30-9:30 AM on Friday, February 22 in conjunction with the WSU KSBDC.
This webinar is free for Chamber members. Register on the Chamber website at http://www.wichitakansas.org or call (316)265-7771.
All businesses need a crisis management plan, and this webinar will increase your awareness of issues to address. How long can your company afford to be out of business? Natural disasters and operational crises can bring your business to an abrupt halt. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, an estimated 40% of businesses don’t reopen after a disaster. Of those that do reopen, 25% fail within one year.
What types of crises should you be prepared to deal with as a small business owner? What recovery plans should you have in place? And where can you locate some simple, yet effective resources you can use to get your business prepared?
Business Crisis Management will be presented by Lisa Roberts, Marketing and Product Manager for the Kansas Small Business Development Center.
New Home for Cowley College KSBDC
Cowley College Webb-Brown Academic Center hosts the CC KSBDC
The Cowley College KSBDC recently moved offices to the Cowley College main campus in Arkansas City. Cowley First graciously provided space at Strother Field until the move was possible. The new contact information is:
Jason D Cole, Consultant
Cowley College Outreach Center
Kansas Small Business Development Center
302 S 3rd Street
Arkansas City, KS 67005
Webb-Brown Academic Center, Room 106A
(620) 441-6523
FAX: (620) 441-5593
jason.cole@wichita.edu
http://www.cowley.edu/ksbdc
WSU KSBDC hires Jason Cole for Cowley College KSBDC Outreach Center
Please join us in welcoming Jason Cole to the WSU KSBDC staff. He will serve as Consultant for the Cowley College KSBDC Outreach Center.
Prior to his new position, Jason served as Adjunct Instructor with the Business & Industry Training branch of Cowley College. In 2010, he launched Centaur Solution to help business owners, CEOs, Sales Executives and HR professionals identify and solve employee issues. Jason holds a Master of Science degree in Business Education from Emporia State University.
Jason may be reached at 620-402-6440 or jason.cole@wichita.edu.
.jpg)
2012 Kansas Business Matchmaker
Where business and opportunity meet!
Tuesday, August 14, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Wichita State University Metropolitan Complex
5015 East 29th Street North, Wichita, KS 67260
Registration is $35.oo, which includes a boxed lunch.
For more information or to register for the event, go to: www.KansasBizMatch.com
If you are a small business owner or a prime contractor looking for a small business subcontractor, this event is for you! Save the date for an exciting day featuring a keynote address by Wichita-native Phil Ruffin of The Ruffin Companies, business matchmaking, an industry panel on advanced manufacturing, and breakout sessions on topics as diverse as:
• Government contracting
• IRS tax incentives for small businesses
• Business finance options
• International business opportunities (i.e., exporting)
• Innovation and diversification success stories
Export to Mexico
Could you successfully export to Mexico? How can you find out? The Kansas Mexico Office Managing Partner, Jose Jimenez, will be available at the WSU KSBDC Office in Wichita on Monday, June 11. Jose can help you:
- Conduct competitor and price analysis
- Identify distributors, partners, joint ventures and buyers
- Perform local market research
- Research local rules, regulations and certification requirements
- Schedule business itineraries for Kansas executives when visiting these regions
To take advantage of this assistance, call the WSU KSBDC at 316-978-3193.
Abel Perez Named Kansas Minority Small Business Champion of the Year
Please join us in congratulating Abel Perez, who was named 2012 Kansas Minority Small Business Champion of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Abel made championing and contributing to the Hispanic business community and to the larger community a priority in his life for more than two decades. He is a founder and former Executive Director of the Wichita Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Thanks to Abel’s strong leadership, the WHCC emerged as a positive force for minority small business and the Wichita community, offering business education, job fairs, health fairs, networking opportunities, scholarships, and other benefits.
Abel generously donates his time to the community, and he is well respected as a civic leader. The Governor appointed Abel to serve on the Kansas Hispanic and Latino American Affairs Commission. He served on boards for Wichita Indo-Chinese Center, Kansas Elks Center for the Handicapped, American Red Cross, Senior Service Employment Program, Kansas Rehabilitation Services Projects and Industries, Boys and Girls Clubs of South Central Kansas, and several other organizations.
Abel was nominated for the award by the WSU KSBDC.
KSBDC Services Available to Veterans
The KSBDC offers special services to Veterans to help them apply for the Service-Disabled
Veteran-Owned Small Business designation (SDVOSB). and to help them verify their Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) and SDVOSB status with the Center for Veterans Enterprise (CVE).
This internet radio episode features the Kansas Small Business Development Center and it's efforts in helping Service-Disabled and Veteran-Owned Small Businesses.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/gallantfew/2011/12/07/gallantfews-the-new-american-veteran
Small Business Saturday
The 2nd annual Small Business Saturday® is a day dedicated to supporting small businesses
on one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year. On November 26, shop small at your favorite local stores and help fuel the economy.
If you are a business owner, take advantage of the tools available to help your business get new customers and have a great Small Business Saturday.
Kansas Business Matchmaker
The WSU KSBDC partnered on a successful Kansas Business Matchmaker Event in October.
Wayne Bell, U.S. Small Business Administration District Director
Patricia Brown-Dixon, U. S. Small Business Administration Region VII Administrator
Congressman Mike Pompeo
matched buyers and sellers discuss opportunities
The Cowley College KSBDC will co-sponsor
Agri-Smart: Extra Ways to Make It Pay
Barns at Timber Creek, Winfield
Call 620-221-9951 to register
Wednesday, October 5
* enjoy dinner and networking
* hear from Marci Penner with the Kansas Sampler Foundation
Thursday, October 6
* learn from workshops on liability, insurance, marketing, funding, and more
* hear panel discussions featuring successful agri-business owners
* participate in work sessions to develop ideas
* connect with resources to help you develop your agri-business venture
Friday, October 7
* tour four agri-business operations and learn from their experience
The WSU KSBDC will co-sponsor the Kansas Business Matchmaker Event on Wednesday,October 19 at the WSU Metropolitan Complex.
Visit our KSBDC Booth #410 at EXPOsure
Free Business to Business Tradeshow
featuring over 150 exhibitors
10:00-5:00 on Thursday, September 22 at Century II Expo Hall
The WSU KSBDC will exhibit at the "Export Now: New Markets New Jobs for Kansas" conference from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 2 at the Hyatt Regency in Wichita.
This conference is designed to connect Kansas businesses with the resources needed to assist them in starting to export or in expanding their export program. For details about the conference, an agenda, and registration information, click Export Now.
WSU KSBDC Consultant Ken Elliott comments on the potential impact of a govermnent shutdown on small business in this segment on KSN.
KSN News April 7 Segment
Goverment shutdown would affect Wichita's small businesses, military families
The Wichita State University Kansas Small Business Development Center was named the 2010 Region VII Small Business Development Center Excellence & Innovation Award winner.
The award honors a Small Business Development Center for excellence in providing value to small businesses and advancing program delivery and management through innovation.
WSU KSBDC Regional Center Staff
Ken Elliott, Donald Cain III (Cowley College Outreach Center), Dave Mace, Alan Badgley
Lisa Totten, Marcia Stevens, Karen Loyd
Linda Sutton, WSU North Central Kansas Outreach Center Consultant
_______________________________________________________________________________
Congratulations to Bill Ramsey, president of The Bill Guy Technology Solutions, for being named the Kansas Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Read more in the Wichita Business Journal article:
http://www.bizjournals.com/wichita/news/2011/03/23/the-bill-guys-ramsey-to-compete-for.html
The Kansas Small Business Development Center honored 15 businesses at a March ceremony in Topeka. Winners include two outstanding businesses from the WSU KSBDC Region.
KSBDC 2010 Existing Business of the Year
Heath Balderston, Roberta Feist, Troy Lott, Todd Schwartz
Intake Studio
KSBDC 2010 Emerging Business of the Year
John and Amber Klassen
Thiessen-Elise Salon
Exit Planning for the Family Business
The WSU KSBDC will host Exit Planning for the Family Business: Navigating Opportunities and Risks in Uncertain Times in two locations this spring.
11:30 AM - 4:00 PM on Wednesday, April 6
Terradyne Country Club Hereford House in Andover
11:30 AM - 4:00 PM on Wednesday, May 11
Montana Mike's Steakhouse in Winfield
This workshop will explain proven strategies for success from the distinct vantage points of a business appraiser, business intermediary, business tax attorney and family business psychologist.
Click here to view the Exit Planning for the Family Business brochure and to register.
The WSU KSBDC was featured in a segment on KWCH Channel 12, "Is this the time to start a small business?"
Veterans invited to attend Operation Veterans: Start Up and Grow Conferences
The Kansas Small Business Development Center (KSBDC) will host three half-day conferences in October designed to meet the needs of veteran entrepreneurs. KSBDC is participating in a multi-state effort to provide opportunities to veterans who are interested in starting a business or who need assistance in growing their business. The conferences will take place from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM on October 5 in Wichita, October 19 in Manhattan and October 28th in Kansas City.
Click here to REGISTER for the Wichita Conference.
Field to Fork Recipe to Reality
Small Food Manufacturing Conference
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM on Tuesday, November 9
at the Sedgwick County Extension Education Center in Wichita
The $30 registration fee includes breakfast and lunch.
For additional information and to register: http://fieldtofork.eventbrite.com or (316) 660-0100.
Sessions include:
- Food Manufacturing Rules & Regulations with David Arvelo, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- What You Need to Know about Food Manufacturing with Fadi Aramouni, Kansas State University
- Distributing and Marketing Your Food Product with Jared McGinley, Butler Community College
- Food Trends that Will Shape Your Business with David Mace, KSBDC
- The Basics of Starting Your Own Food Business with Ken Elliott, KSBDC
- Writing an Effective Business Plan with Donald Cain III, KSBDC
- Food Entrepreneur Panel Discussion facilitated by Marci Penner, Kansas Sampler Foundation
An exhibition area will feature several area resources that support food manufacturing.
This program is sponsored by the Butler Community College KSBDC, a partnership program with Emporia State University and Wichita State University.
WSU KSBDC on CNN
KSBDC Butler Community College Outreach Center Consultant David Mace provided an interview to CNN on April 20. The segment features WSU KSBDC client, Cannonball Engineering. View the video at http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2010/04/20/foreman.bua.ks.farm.biz.cnn?hpt=Sbin
Customized Strategic Planning Process
What will it take for your business to succeed during the next few years?
Do you need to add additional target markets to your marketing strategy? Do you need to change your pricing? Should you add staff? Are you positioned for the future? Do all of your staff members understand your business goals and direction? A strategic planning process can help you sharpen your focus and help you take action now to increase your profit.
We will customize a strategic planning process for you and your staff. View our Customized Training web page for details, and call us at 316-978-3193 for a free assessment of your needs and pricing information.
Follow Us on Twitter!
Get short, timely messages from WSU KSBDC by following us on Twitter.