Program Could Bring Hands-on Consulting to Local Small Businesses

Entrepreneurs poised for growth now have an opportunity to access critical business advice they otherwise might not be able to afford. Behind the effort are two Fox Valley business specialists for start-ups: the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Waubonsee Community College and the Fox Valley Entrepreneurship Center (FVEC). Companies in the second stage of their business lifecycle are invited to fill out an application by visiting www.fvec.org. The program is funded through a grant from the U.S. SBA Small Business Jobs Act.

The program is specially designed to create jobs and sustain long-term growth for companies ready to go to the next level. Here’s how it works. An FVEC panel will review submissions followed by a brief interview. Those companies making the cut will then be invited to pitch their business needs and growth opportunities. The first round of companies selected will receive hands-on assistance and consulting services to strengthen their businesses in areas such as technology, financing, marketing, strategic business planning and human resources.

As an example, a typical company that is past the start-up stage oftentimes requires help anticipating technology needs, determining a compensation plan for hiring, formalizing HR policies due to increased hiring, or setting up strategic marketing plans. Companies chosen to participate in the program will receive help in areas such as these as well as others that owners don’t know how to address, or are being held back by lack of funds or access to resources.

“The goal of collaboration between the Waubonsee Small Business Development Center and the Fox Valley Entrepreneurship Center is to be the ultimate dot connector,” said Harriet Parker, SBDC’s manager. “We are working hard to create a network of resources that supports growing entrepreneurial businesses in meaningful ways. The SBDC at Waubonsee has been a resource in the Fox Valley area for many years. This project allows us to take our services to another level by helping businesses poised to make an economic impact in the region and by giving them the resources they need to grow but can’t afford,” says Parker.

Waubonsee Community College has four campus locations covering part of four counties (Kendall, Kane, DeKalb, and LaSalle). Services may be offered both on-site at business locations, or at any of the Waubonsee campus locations. For more information about applying for consulting services, contact Harriet Parker at (630) 906-4143.

Information provided by Waubonsee Community College.