Small Business: Many resources available to small businesses

The business community is accustomed to the big boys getting all the attention. When a new business comes to town, or an existing one expands, with plans to employ hundreds of people and make a huge capital investment, there's generally a lot of fanfare, as there should be. For obvious reasons, such projects are a big deal for Springfield. But we shouldn't forget that the foundation of our economy is built on small businesses.

In fact, 88 percent of all the businesses in Springfield are quite small (20 or fewer employees), and most are locally owned and operated. It's rather amazing that entrepreneurs are so prevalent, considering the pitfalls involved in owning and operating a small business.

To paraphrase Dorothy of Oz, "Oh my businesses come and go so quickly here." Not just here though but everywhere. Statistically, two out of three new businesses will close within the first five years.

Yet for those who envision a dream fulfilled, the freedom of being one's own boss, and the possibility of unlimited opportunity, it's worth the risk. Fortunately, those risks can be minimized if owners recognize their weaknesses and take the initiative to tap into ready resources that can help ensure their success.

Most small businesses fail because of money issues (start-up capital and cash flow problems), poor planning for success and expansion and lack of management skills. Small business owners should be familiar with the various sources of help available in Springfield that can guide them through dealing with these, and other, difficult issues. Most offer low-cost or free services. All you have to do is make the call. Here are some of the options:

Counselors to America's Small Business. A group of volunteer counselors, mostly retired businessmen and business women, who have operated and/or owned one or more businesses. SCORE evaluates your needs and assigns the counselor that can best assist you. Call 864-7670 or go online at www. score.org.

Business Administration. This federal group assists small business owners in obtaining financing. It also offers individual consultation sessions on the first Thursday of every month (excluding July, August, and September) at The Library Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The local number is 864-7670 or you can find more online at www.sba.gov.

Business Development Center. Offered through Southwest Missouri State University, the center presents a variety of affordable business management courses and offers participants further consultation services and research assistance in all aspects of small business management. Call 836-5685 or visit the center's Web site at www.sbdc.smsu.edu.

of Missouri Extension. This statewide entity provides assistance and counseling for small business owners with emphasis on new business start-ups, preparing business plans, financing sources, feasibility studies, market research, cash flow projections and assistance on computer systems. For more information call the Greene County office at 862-9285 or visit their Web site at http://extension. missouri.edu/greene.

Technical Community College offers training and consultation customized to the specific needs and requests of businesses. Programs range from updating technical skills to team building, basic supervision, and leadership development. The main number is 895-7184 and its Web site is at www.otc.cc.mo.us/business.

University, Breech Center. The Breech Center provides individual counseling and advice to existing and prospective small business owners. The Small Business Institute provides management counseling utilizing teams of qualified college students under expert faculty guidance. For more information call 873-7243.

Area Chamber of Commerce. The Springfield chamber provides assistance in developing or expanding businesses, including extensive demographic information, local start-up process, access to research tools such as business periodicals, Dun & Bradstreet Marketplace and Internet access.

It also provides referrals to other assistance programs and networking and promotional opportunities for member businesses. For more information call 862-5567 or surf to www. springfieldchamber. com.

(Sonja Chasteen is the business assistance manager for the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce.)