By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
Running a small business can be difficult at any time.
But the coronavirus pandemic raised unique difficulties for business owners.
Missouri Western State University Center for Entrepreneurship Director Annette Weeks says some business owners, worn down by the pandemic, want out.
“It was very challenging for all entrepreneurs, let alone those that have been in it for quite a while and to have that extra energy to think about, how do I get my clients back? How do I be proactive in all of this? They survived and congratulations for them doing that, but now we want to make sure they have an exit strategy. What’s the plan?”
Weeks, on the KFEQ Hotline, outlines a series of webinars the Center for Entrepreneurship is hosting next month in partnership with the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce. Those considering selling their business and those hoping to start a business could both benefit from the webinars she says.
In fact, Weeks says the webinars are likely needed now more than ever.
“Coming out of the pandemic now even, more so than other times, people are kind of exhausted sometimes from their business and they’re ready to transfer it on,” Weeks tells Hotline host Barry Birr. “As a community, as a region, we want to help these businesses transfer to new ownership, because they’re so important for our economy.”
The first webinar will be offered June 1st on business succession planning. Financial and legal advice will be offered during other seminars in June.
Weeks says the coronavirus pandemic has not dampened enthusiasm for many to begin their own business.
“I’ve had people approach me and say, I wouldn’t think anybody would want to start a business after having gone through the pandemic,” Weeks says. “And I say actually we’ve had many people coming in right now, because through this COVID-19 happening, they’ve decided if they’ve had a dream, now’s the time to do it.”
The series of webinars is entitled, “Business SUCCESSion” by the Center. Each webinar runs from 11:30am to 1pm.
Weeks will conduct the first webinar on June 1st, “Business Succession Planning.”
“Business Valuation, Tax Consequences, Preparing Your Financial Documents,” will be taught by Matt Robertson on June 8th.
On the 15th, Ken Siemens teaches “Ways to Legally Structure a Transition.”
A workshop on buying a business will be held on June 22nd.
Click here for more information on the webinars.