Ozarks Profile: Tara Horton

SMSU’s Small Business Development Center is part of a nationwide network of SBDC programs and is affiliated with and supported by SMSU’s College of Business Administration. Our local center was established in October 1982 to provide small businesses with analysis, consultation, training and valuable products to help them become part of Missouri’s thriving business sector. We are one of nine full-service centers and five satellite centers, including a satellite office at the SMSU-West Plains campus, that comprise the Missouri SBDC Network. Our Web address is www.sbdc.smsu.edu.

Specifically, what is your job?

As the training coordinator for the SMSU SBDC, I am responsible for coordinating and marketing our service outreach program in training and professional development to the small-business community. I work directly with business and industry leaders to design training and professional development programs to meet specific company needs in targeted areas.

What types of training does the SBDC offer for business owners?

Our center offers a wide variety of training seminars designed specifically with small-business owners and managers in mind. The core of our training program is our Small Business Certification Program, which we introduced two years ago. We offer two tracks, one for new businesses and one for existing businesses. Both include financial management, human resources, marketing, customer sales and service, then either a business planning or strategic planning course. These courses address questions every entrepreneur needs to answer about new and existing business ventures. In addition, we offer a course on determining the best business structure for your business, an advanced marketing course and several international trade related topics.

How are topics for training determined?

Our training topics are selected based upon state and nationwide research of small-business owners and managers, as well as from the feedback we collect on our training evaluation forms and through our one-on-one consultations with clients.

What are some of the most popular or well-attended seminars?

By far, our most popular seminars are those in our financial management series. We offer that particular series three times a year. Our center developed the curriculum for the three classes in the series, which has been adopted for use by all of the SBDCs throughout the state of Missouri. We also are in discussion with SBDCs in other states about potential licensing agreements for our course material and instructor manuals.

You also handle events; what are some that the SBDC offers?

We often cosponsor programs and events with agency partners. The topics of these programs vary widely. We are always open to new program ideas and frequently add one-time educational events to our current offerings, based on local needs and interest.

How did you arrive in this position?

I have a bachelor’s degree in radio, television and film, with an emphasis in sales and management from Oklahoma State University. Most of my prior work experience has been in media, advertising and marketing. Our center director was looking for someone with a marketing background when the decision was made to create a full-time training coordinator position. I had always been interested in the possibility of working for SMSU and in pursuing a higher degree, so it was a good fit for both parties, and I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Tell us about your family and your spare-time interests.

I’ve been married for 10 years to Rick Horton, maintenance systems/technical training coordinator for Kraft Foods in Springfield. We have a 6-year-old son, Ryan, who started kindergarten this year, and a 2-year-old daughter, Hope. So I haven’t had spare time in a while. However, I enjoy attending my children’s activities, traveling to visit family and friends, horseback riding and playing tennis.

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