Recently I was honored to be invited to the 30th Anniversary celebration of the Wisconsin Small Business Development Network in conjunction with the Wisconsin Entrepreneurial Network. This was a great event to celebrate the service and support that the Small Business Development centers provide for startups and entrepreneurs across Wisconsin.
Three years ago I applied for and was accepted into the Entrepreneurial Training Program at UW Madison. A large part of my success can be attributed to my involvement with the Small Business Development Center. The process allowed me to work with professionals to strategize, research and write my business plan. I recommend the SBDC to anyone interested in starting a business.
In 2009 the Small Business Development Center here in Madison, Wisconsin counseled 628 clients interested in learning about starting or strengthening local companies. Of those 628, 22% are in-business now and 13% are start ups. Statewide, the SBDC Network counseled 4,952 entrepreneurs. Overall this effort leads to over $22 million in capital infusion.
I plan to get more involved with the SBDC Network to help others who have a dream, who are inspired, who know that the idea that stokes their desire to provide a better product, a better service, a better way, find the right resources, counsel and support that is required to successfully launch a new business or strengthen an existing small company.
To get involved with the UW Small Business Development Center Network click http://sbdc.wisc.edu.