By MATT PIKE

The Missouri Small Business Development Center officially re opened in St. Joseph earlier this year on the campus of Missouri Western State University.

After closing in March of last year, after being operated from Northwest Missouri State University, the Small Business Administration granted a contract to MoWest to launch the center, which opened in January.

Entrepreneur Advisor Shelbie Wigington says since the center has returned there has been a very good response from business owners

“A lot of people call and just ask simple questions that they weren’t able to before or just find resources around town,” Wigington says on the KFEQmunnity show. “Just call and say hey I got this letter in the mail and says I need this, this, and this, I might not know the answer, but I can get them to the resources they need.”

Wigington says the center helps owners answer many questions, some of the most common that are asked being about financing

“A lot of people come in asking where to get funding from,” Wigington explains. “We educate entrepreneurs on the process, assist them with navigating that process, and then help them understand the best options for their particular situation, everyone’s situation is different, some people have really good credit, some people have no collateral, others vice versa, there are resources to help them improve their credit, financing, and we bring them in to get their full picture before so we can understand exactly what they need.”

Wigington meets with business owners new and old to help guide them on what they need to help them succeed, with a unique perspective after helping start her own family business, Big Daddy and Sons Family Barbecue.

Wigington says having helped in that venture helps her give owners tips on not just what they should do, but maybe some things she wishes they hadn’t done along the way in starting the food truck

“I can remember like getting an LLC and then 60 days later getting an EIN and then 90 days later saying oh crap we don’t even have a Missouri sales tax later, so a lot of it was just like, just come see me because you really don’t know all you need and I can help you make sure you have it all in line,” Wigington says.

The Small Business Development Center is free to utilize for those looking to open a business, or those who already own a business. You can contact the center to arrange an appointment.

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.