ASBTDC creates startup team to assist entrepreneurs

The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center (ASBTDC), based at UA Little Rock, has created a Startup Team to help new entrepreneurs bring business ideas to life.

The Startup Team, which began this fall, specializes in assisting clients who have never been in business or had to learn about business before, including entrepreneurs who are turning a hobby into a business or creating a new business from scratch.

“Our demand for information and resources for startup businesses has increased significantly over the past 18 months,” said Wendy Orvis, ASBTDC startup specialist and Startup Team leader. “We formed the Startup Team to help meet this demand.”

ASBTDC provides no-cost confidential business consulting and other resources to current and prospective entrepreneurs.

Since Sept. 1, the Startup Team has processed 292 incoming requests and consulted with 172 clients. Managing many of these new clients are ASBTDC employees and UA Little Rock business graduate student Elizabeth Henry and undergraduate student Josiah Johnson.

“Elizabeth Henry and Josiah Johnson listen to our startup entrepreneurs’ needs and help them create a plan to meet those needs,” Orvis said. “They have worked with clients on business plans, financial projections, marketing, and strategic planning. They have also worked with clients who weren’t ready to move forward yet and provided resources and training to encourage their success.”

The Startup Team helps clients develop business ideas and create business plans. They also advise prospective business owners about startup steps such as registering a business, getting a business license, applying market research, developing a budget, marketing, seeking funding, and more.

Visit readystartgrow.org to learn more about ASBTDC’s services for new entrepreneurs.