From a dream to a reality

CELINA - Starting a new business can be daunting, but local organizations are available to help entrepreneurs make their dreams a reality.

The Business Enterprise Center at Wright State University-Lake Campus has been a resource for area entrepreneurs, young and old, since 1985. Carol Jones, program manager, says the BEC employs a "four prong attack" on business issues and offers services like training, classes and counseling.

Free business counseling, funded by donations, is offered to anyone from the area, which stretches from Shelby County to Van Wert and from Fort Recovery to Wapakoneta. When a new client calls, Jones quickly troubleshoots their needs and transfers them to a counselor whom she feels could best help them. Each counselor owns or has owned their own business in the past, so they have plenty of insight on every part of the process, Jones said.

One vital service helps new businesses get up and running, making sure owners are "bank ready" when they go to apply for loans. While the BEC counselors no longer writes business plans for clients, they offer an extensive questionnaire that can be used to help clients write their own. Counselors consult on monitoring cash flow and outlining business plans, and businesses can continue to use the free services as they grow and their needs change.

For instance, an entrepreneur may start a business based on a certain skill or product they can offer, but if they are successful and their business grows, in a matter of years they may be handling more of the business management than dealing with customers on the frontline.

"Then all of a sudden they have to know about (human resources), they have to know about financial projections, they have to know about strategic planning, all of that kind of stuff that comes in to bear with trying to keep a business stable and at least some kind of regulated growth." Jones said. "Plus the taxes, all the financial stuff, all the accounting, so we can help with a lot of those things."

Helping clients understand critical business functions can reduce the time they spend with an accountant or other financial professional, thus cutting costs. Some clients have gone from seeing accountants once a month to every six months or even once a year, Jones pointed out.

"I do always tell people, we won't take the place of an accountant and we won't take the place of a lawyer, but we can help minimize those costs," she said.

The BEC also offers non-credit open enrollment courses on critical business topics like using Excel and Quickbooks. Classes are usually three hours a night, and a student must complete 15 hours of total training to pass.

Young entrepreneurs looking for an organization mixing education with entertainment may also consider joining the Southwestern Auglaize County Young Professionals Network. The group has a Facebook page with updates on upcoming events and gatherings.

"We just want to connect young professionals not only in southwestern Auglaize county but all across western Ohio," group organizer Alex Seitz said. "Connecting for networking, business, best practices, idea sharing, socializing, community involvement and giving back."

The group has held several social nights at Moeller's Brew Barn, and is mulling entertaining outings such as a Cincinnati Reds game.

Most importantly, though, Seitz wants attendees to get something valuable out of the group.

Recently, Shelly Busse of the Auglaize Mercer Business Education Alliance spoke during a Lunch and Learn, teaching attendees how to better manage their personal brand. Seitz says the group is looking into other subjects that range from personal finance management to healthy eating and fitness.

Members come from Darke, Shelby, Auglaize and Mercer counties, and several young business owners along with other young professionals hope to use the group to advance their professional careers.

"We also have two (members) that have started White Star Detailing, and they are just starting out. They want to know how we can start a business in this area, how they can be successful long term, and we want to give them those opportunities to not only learn from these informational sessions but to meet with everybody else and just kind of connect," Seitz said.