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Navigating today's economic waters may seem daunting for small business owners trying to grow their company or entrepreneurs wanting to introduce a new idea into the market. One solution for small business owners to consider is networking with the Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation and to cultivate a valuable resource in northwest Missouri.
The non-profit organization serves the six county region of Andrew, Atchison, Gentry, Holt, Nodaway and Worth counties. In reaching out to the NWMEF, entrepreneurs receive a one-on-one, business coaching session with the group's facilitator — Annette Weeks, of Savannah — free of charge.
Weeks, a trained facilitator and former business co-owner of the Jesse James Antique Mall in St. Joseph, helps different organizations meet their various goals.
"We can talk about marketing, we can talk about financial management, we can talk about fine-tuning their product and what they offer," Weeks said.
"People who own a business, people who are wanting to own a business, they don't know necessarily who to go to. And so that's why we want to create this support system for them. We want to help them to be able to flourish, to be able to grow their business."
The NWMEF also works in conjunction with other entities such as a local chamber of commerce to help businesses, she said.
To date, more than 60 entrepreneurs have been assisted with facilitation since the group's inception in 2006.
Because of NWMEF’s non-profit status, the organization relies on individual donations and grants to fund their operations. They're also hosting a fundraiser to further help with the costs of the organization. The Spirit of Brownville Riverboat Cruise and Dinner will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday in Brownville, Neb. The ride will feature a presentation of "Natalie Needs a Nightie". Admission is $40. Seats are still available.
A board governs the NWMEF, which Bank Midwest - Maryville Branch Vice President James Jacoby is chair. He said they've seen a lot of good from the group's work with the community and encourages individuals to contact Weeks to help their businesses grow.
"I feel like it has been a positive process for the northwest Missouri area," Jacoby said. "Give Annette a call. Annette does not make the contacts herself. We wait for folks to contact her. And we let the individual's passion drive the process."
An individual can become a stabilizing and valuable force in a community, says Weeks. Working with NWMEF’s goals to help small businesses grow will only in return be an asset to communities, she said. “That’s why we want to help them,” Weeks said.
Navigating today's economic waters may seem daunting for small business owners trying to grow their company or entrepreneurs wanting to introduce a new idea into the market. One solution for small business owners to consider is networking with the Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation and to cultivate a valuable resource in northwest Missouri.
The non-profit organization serves the six county region of Andrew, Atchison, Gentry, Holt, Nodaway and Worth counties. In reaching out to the NWMEF, entrepreneurs receive a one-on-one, business coaching session with the group's facilitator — Annette Weeks, of Savannah — free of charge.
Weeks, a trained facilitator and former business co-owner of the Jesse James Antique Mall in St. Joseph, helps different organizations meet their various goals.
"We can talk about marketing, we can talk about financial management, we can talk about fine-tuning their product and what they offer," Weeks said.
"People who own a business, people who are wanting to own a business, they don't know necessarily who to go to. And so that's why we want to create this support system for them. We want to help them to be able to flourish, to be able to grow their business."
The NWMEF also works in conjunction with other entities such as a local chamber of commerce to help businesses, she said.
To date, more than 60 entrepreneurs have been assisted with facilitation since the group's inception in 2006.
Because of NWMEF’s non-profit status, the organization relies on individual donations and grants to fund their operations. They're also hosting a fundraiser to further help with the costs of the organization. The Spirit of Brownville Riverboat Cruise and Dinner will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday in Brownville, Neb. The ride will feature a presentation of "Natalie Needs a Nightie". Admission is $40. Seats are still available.
A board governs the NWMEF, which Bank Midwest - Maryville Branch Vice President James Jacoby is chair. He said they've seen a lot of good from the group's work with the community and encourages individuals to contact Weeks to help their businesses grow.
"I feel like it has been a positive process for the northwest Missouri area," Jacoby said. "Give Annette a call. Annette does not make the contacts herself. We wait for folks to contact her. And we let the individual's passion drive the process."
An individual can become a stabilizing and valuable force in a community, says Weeks. Working with NWMEF’s goals to help small businesses grow will only in return be an asset to communities, she said. “That’s why we want to help them,” Weeks said.
