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BEST U Partnership

BEST U Partnership. Supporting Entrepreneurs via Collaborative Networks The Wisconsin Business Incubation Association November 4, 2005. Acknowledgements. BEST U is made possible thanks to our collaborative Partners: Menominee County / Menominee Indian Tribe of WI. Menominee Business Center

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BEST U Partnership

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  1. BEST U Partnership Supporting Entrepreneurs via Collaborative Networks The Wisconsin Business Incubation Association November 4, 2005

  2. Acknowledgements BEST U is made possible thanks to our collaborative Partners: • Menominee County / Menominee Indian Tribe of WI. • Menominee Business Center • Stockbridge-Munsee Business Development • The City of Shawano and Shawano County • Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, (NWTC) • UW-Extension of Shawano & Menominee Counties • The Small Business Development Center, (SBDC) • Shawano County Economic Progress, Inc., (SCEPI) • The Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce • Shawano Area Business & Economics Education, (SABEE) • Cooperative Educational Service Agency #8, (CESA 8) • BEST U Resource Partners

  3. BEST U – Who We Serve BEST U supports these specific beneficiary segments: • Business start-up prospects. • Existing businesses needing resources to expand. • Low income households. • Dislocated workers. • Youth. • Farm families. • BEST U Resource Partners.

  4. The Network & the Opportunity BEST U developed and works to expand a Resource Network to counsel clients and help them navigate through a planned, preparation and skills development process: • Marketing campaigns & workshops have created awareness and trial/use of BEST U resources among Prospects. • Prospects are participating in BEST U workshops and educational classes and utilizing other business development resources. • Participants in BEST U are being referred, as appropriate based on need, to other services offered by BEST U Resource Partners.

  5. The BEST U Network - Scope The BEST U Network has 6 broad resource categories: • Local Economic & Community Development orgs. • Local, Regional & State Financial/Technical assistance orgs. • Business Education Agencies including schools. • Private Sector Partners. • Local & Tribal government offices providing technical & business support resources. • Workforce & Job Development orgs. The BEST U Network is currently comprised of nearly 100 Partners with approximately 200 points of individual contact.

  6. BEST U Objectives • Generate awareness and use of BEST U products and services among 250 existing businesses, entrepreneurs and small business start-ups by the end of Year 3. • Help 100 businesses develop strategic business plans by the end of Year 3. • Support 50 new business start-up and existing business expansions by the end of Year 3.

  7. BEST U Activities & Resources We’ve produced many programs that are being used to build awareness and use of BEST U resources: • Table stand brochures carriers. • Resource Partner Network & Directory. • Ongoing press release & radio campaigns. • Promotional flyers, (at MBC, Chamber & other outlets). • BEST U “Business Builder” newsletter. • “Start Your Own Business” workshop, (spring & fall). • NxLevel “Business Plan Basics” classes, (spring & fall). • Educational scholarship & “Business Plan Competition” programs.

  8. BEST U Activities & Resources, (cont.) We’re developing new programs in 2006 that will enable us to improve services to BEST U clients: • Trade show booth & related materials. • Expand the Resource Partner network & directory. • Planning development for an entrepreneurial development lending pool. • Promotional & educational “outreach” campaigns. • Planning and development of an Incubator facility.

  9. Thanks to BEST U and the Network… • We’re introducing entrepreneurs to sound research, analysis and business development planning Processes. • We’re providing clients with the means to expand existing businesses. • We’re helping clients start new businesses. • We’re equipping clients with the skills they need to succeed and grow.

  10. Outcomes: Workshop & NxLevel Classes • Counseling sessions to date: 48 individual sessions. * • Workshop attendance, (3 events): 101 prospects. • NxLevel classes, (2 events): 30 prospects. • Completed business plans: 3 plans; 12 in progress. • New start ups to date: 1 new business. • Business expansions to date: 3 expansions. * From 109 total referrals through SCEPI, the Menominee Business Center, (MBC), Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce, the Green Bay Small Business Development Center, (SBDC) and BEST U Resource Partners.

  11. Summary • BEST U is a regional economic development Partnership. • Support job creation & business start ups/expansions. • Collaborate & have a greater impact than working alone. • Create an environment of Entrepreneurial Support. • Create a network of Resource Partners. • Outreach campaigns to build awareness of resources. • Assist our Partners in their Entrepreneurial support efforts.

  12. The BEST U Partnership Supporting Entrepreneurs via Collaborative Networks The Wisconsin Business Incubation Association November 4, 2005

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