SBDC PRESENTS “STARTING YOUR BUSINESS IN ILLINOIS” AT CHAMBER OFFICE

Illinois SBDC for the Metro East

618-650-2929

6 Hairpin Dr. Alumni Hall Room 2126, Campus, Edwardsville, IL

https://www.siue.edu/business/sbdc/

The Illinois Small Business Development Center [SBDC] for the Metro East held a presentation in the Centralia Chamber of Commerce conference room Wednesday, aimed at putting future small business owners on the right path.

According to speaker, Matt Zuercher with the Illinois SBDC, the two-hour presentation titled ‘Starting Your Small Business in Illinois’ is the organizations entry level presentation and covers things to pay attention to when starting a business, how to look for financing, and how to prepare oneself for marketing and planning.

Zuercher said he gives this presentation, as well as another on applying for grants, on a monthly basis.

“The real benefit for me is getting to know what people out in the real world are trying to do and trying to get started,” said Zuercher, who has been with SBDC for roughly two years, “For the people that attend, it really gives them a great picture of what they’re going to be in for. I try to personalize it and let them know what they will need to pay attention to [when starting their business.]”

Zuercher said he has seen more than a few success stories as a result of the presentations, and that more in-depth, one-on-one meetings can be held at the SBDC of the Metro East’s center location at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville.

“Not all of [the potential businesses\ become full-fledged business, but I’ve got a handful that I have helped found and support over the last two years. And I continue to support them and work with them and help them continue to grow,” explained Zuercher. “[The presentations] often lead to more people coming to our center for our advising services. There, I can really get detailed with them and talk with them about their business and how to structure it and how to find financing and prepare for insurance.”

“Being a federally funded organization, all of our services are one hundred percent no cost and everything we discuss is completely confidential, Zuercher continued. “There’s no limit to how much we meet – how frequently or infrequently.”

Zuercher said his presentations will be held virtually from December through February.

Those interested in attending a presentation may do so by visiting the SBDC website https://www.siue.edu/business/sbdc/ or by contacting the SBDC center at SIU-E.