WEST PLAINS, MO – National Small Business Week is May 2nd – 8th. Small businesses are the lifeblood of our community. To celebrate the vital role small business play in our region, The Ozarks Small Business Incubator (OzSBI) will host a series of free events throughout the week to give small business owners resources and perspectives to succeed and grow their businesses.
OzSBI Small Business Week Events:
May 4, 2021 5-7:30 p.m. Smart Start: Developing A Successful Business
This workshop will outline the first steps you need to take to create a successful and sustainable business, how to create a business plan and how to get a handle of business finances from the start.
About the Presenter: Ila Sloan
As the Chief Financial Officer, Ila manages OzSBI’s microloan programs, the finances of the incubator, mentors clients and teaches workshops. She moved to West Plains with her husband Mark from San Antonio, Texas, and brought with her over 25 years of banking experience. Ila most recently worked for the Bank of San Antonio as their Credit Manager where she managed the credit analyst department responsible for reviewing, monitoring and underwriting new and existing commercial loans. Ila graduated from Baker University in 2005 where she received her Bachelor of Science in Business Management.
About the Presenter: Heather W. Fisher
As the Chief Executive Officer, Heather oversees all OzSBI’s programs, recruits new clients, and mentors businesses. She is a certified Business Advisor with GrowthWheel and LaunchU. Heather moved to the West Plains in 1998 and with her husband Chrys and has two sons. She holds a Masters in Social and Economic Development from Washington University. Previously, Heather served in the Peace Corps, was the Economic Developer of Thayer and Oregon County, and owned a grant writing business.
May 5, 2021, 12-1 p.m. Digital Marketing Scorecard Webinar
In this webinar we take inventory of your digital marketing. We will review Google, Facebook and Search Engine Optimization strategies to see what areas from each platform can help your business succeed.
About the Presenter: Justin Johnson
Justin Johnson serves as VP of Client Solutions at Think Idea Studio. “I really enjoy meeting with businesses and sharing marketing techniques that help their success. I love hearing positive feedback about how we have been an asset to another business,” Johnson stated. Johnson spends his days at Think consumed with business development, client relations, project management, web services, budgeting, consulting, Google search management, and managing SEO marketing. Think Idea Studio is a boutique, full-service marketing agency based in Searcy, Arkansas. Over the past two decades, Think has served over 2,000+ businesses with enterprise-quality marketing solutions accessible to small and medium-sized companies.
May 7, 2021, 9-10 a.m. Restaurant Revitalization Fund Updates Webinar
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) became public law on March 11, 2021 and established the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF). ARPA appropriated $28.6 billion for RRF. Join America’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) – Missouri State University-West Plains and OzSBI to learn more about this program. Attendees will learn about program eligibility, calculation of funding amount, eligible use of funds, timeframe for using funds, how to apply, documentation requirements, etc. This webinar will be of particular interest to businesses where the public or patrons assemble for the primary purpose of being served food or drink.
Guest Speaker: Ram Basnet
Ram Basnet joined the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Kansas City District Office (KCDO) in 2018. Previously, Basnet worked as a Senior Financial Analyst at Cerner Corporation based out of Legends, Kansas. Prior to Cerner, Basnet served in the United States Army. Basnet also worked as a Business Risk Consultant at Deloitte & Touch LLP based out of Manhattan, New York. While at Deloitte, Basnet advised several large national banks on enterprise risk management. Basnet wears multiple hats at the SBA. As the Branch Manager in the SBA Springfield, MO Branch Office, he markets SBA Programs and Services across 28 counties in Southwest Missouri. Basnet has received dual bachelor’s degrees (Economics and Business Management) from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. He is currently an MBA student at Missouri State University. He is trilingual and is married to his wife Yashima.
All Small Business Week events are free, but pre-registration is required to attend. Please note registration deadlines listed online. To register visit: https://ozsbi.com/events or call 417-256-9724. To stay connected, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram for instant updates, reminders, and more.
