Arkansas Business Navigator Podcast
Arkansas Business Navigator Podcast
Free Self-Guided Education Platforms, Arkansas Business Navigator Events Around the State
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
Welcome to 2023 as we kickoff a new season talking about the tools that will help you complete some of your entrepreneurial New Year resolutions and business goals. Our primary focus will be free self-guided education platforms that you have access to through the SBA and resource partner organizations. On top of that, we are going to cover events happening around the spokes this month and answer a question or two about the navigator program.
***Show Notes***
Online Learning Platforms
Events
Small Business interest meeting Monroe and surrounding counties
Arkansas Business Navigator Spokes
Arkansas Human Development Corporation
Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce
Central Arkansas Library System (Rock It! Lab)
East Arkansas Enterprise Community
Phoenix Youth & Family Services
Additional Links
1
00:00:00,090 --> 00:00:03,540
Hey and welcome to the Arkansas Business Navigator podcast it’s Kam,
2
00:00:03,900 --> 00:00:07,860
and we're kicking off the New Year talking about the tools that will help you
3
00:00:07,860 --> 00:00:12,419
complete some of your entrepreneurial New Year's resolutions and business goals.
4
00:00:12,420 --> 00:00:14,370
With the first episode of 2023,
5
00:00:14,700 --> 00:00:24,029
our primary focus will be free self-guided education platforms that you have access to through the SBA and resource partner organizations.
6
00:00:24,030 --> 00:00:32,100
On top of that, we're going to cover events happening around the spokes this month and answer a question or two about the Navigator program.
7
00:00:32,110 --> 00:00:43,800
Running a small business is multifaceted and complex.
8
00:00:44,190 --> 00:00:50,070
You need to be able to be a great leader of people, a manager of money and a problem solver.
9
00:00:50,130 --> 00:00:52,770
And you need to do those things at a high level.
10
00:00:52,830 --> 00:01:00,120
Everyone has innate talent and gifts that are naturally ingrained in them, but not everyone is good at everything.
11
00:01:00,150 --> 00:01:07,060
Additionally, people can always learn more about their specific business and industry with each new year.
12
00:01:07,080 --> 00:01:09,810
There are new things happening and developing.
13
00:01:09,900 --> 00:01:19,950
Some business owners come from fertile ground with mentorship, financial resources or knowledge capital that make the tough journey a little easier.
14
00:01:20,070 --> 00:01:25,110
And some business owners come from barren ground with just a talent or skill and a dream.
15
00:01:25,140 --> 00:01:31,080
This is why the business education program I'm about to mention exists, including the Arkansas Business Navigator.
16
00:01:31,680 --> 00:01:39,420
Let's identify what part of your CEO you need to strengthen for your businesses to be the best they can be.
17
00:01:39,570 --> 00:01:43,380
How valuable would it be to know what you do now,
18
00:01:43,470 --> 00:01:47,970
Two years ago? What about ten years ago? Or be made aware of
19
00:01:48,120 --> 00:01:52,560
some unbeknownst oversight with your business before to harm you.
20
00:01:52,920 --> 00:01:54,900
Some things you can't put a price on.
21
00:01:55,030 --> 00:02:04,980
And these reputable services are free and convenient on SBA dot gov learning platforms is one of six tabs at the top of their website.
22
00:02:05,250 --> 00:02:09,000
Once you click on the link, there are four options to choose from,
23
00:02:09,000 --> 00:02:14,430
two of which are online learning content, and the other two are development programs.
24
00:02:14,640 --> 00:02:21,360
The two online learning center platforms are the SBA Learning Center and Ascent for Women.
25
00:02:21,420 --> 00:02:30,870
The Learning Center consists of six courses plan, launch, manage, market, grow and SBA Mentor Protege Program Tutorial.
26
00:02:30,960 --> 00:02:38,310
This program is objective, driven and consists of short videos, typically less than a minute.
27
00:02:38,370 --> 00:02:40,360
But some could be a little bit longer.
28
00:02:40,380 --> 00:02:49,320
Each course has two to four topics that allow you to complete numerous objectives that you can start or stop at your leisure and when they need it.
29
00:02:49,620 --> 00:02:57,540
Ascent consist of twelve different journeys that you can explore and challenges the way you think about your business.
30
00:02:57,630 --> 00:03:04,530
The nine journeys are disaster and economic recovery, strategic marketing, your people, your business,
31
00:03:04,530 --> 00:03:11,490
financial strategy, access to capital, government contracting, managing sales, growing globally.
32
00:03:11,640 --> 00:03:15,720
Opportunity and innovation and opportunity assessment.
33
00:03:15,780 --> 00:03:21,840
It is super relevant content and equips you for the business world we live in today.
34
00:03:22,080 --> 00:03:30,120
Plus, this platform provides you with access to fireside chats with experts, discussion guides for you,
35
00:03:30,270 --> 00:03:37,770
your partners and your team, and exercises and tools that force you to apply what you are learning in real life.
36
00:03:37,950 --> 00:03:45,929
Natalie Madeira Cofield, made these statements when speaking of this program access the digital online
37
00:03:45,930 --> 00:03:50,640
training platforms remain critical to support women entrepreneurs with the recovery and knowledge share.
38
00:03:50,850 --> 00:03:58,589
Over the last year, nearly thirty thousand women entrepreneurs have leveraged the ascent platform for its online education.
39
00:03:58,590 --> 00:04:05,549
As women remain the fastest growing entrepreneurial segment in the nation and complementing our in-person centers,
40
00:04:05,550 --> 00:04:11,290
Ascent helps SBA reach more women where they are and when they need it.
41
00:04:11,850 --> 00:04:19,830
I couldn't say it better myself. Oftentimes, we as people have access to all the information that we need, but for some reason we don't use it.
42
00:04:19,860 --> 00:04:23,010
It's quite puzzling and disappointing in some situations.
43
00:04:23,250 --> 00:04:27,450
Like the old adage says, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make them drink.
44
00:04:27,540 --> 00:04:32,130
These courses are a great opportunity for you to grow and strengthen your businesses.
45
00:04:32,280 --> 00:04:40,170
I hope you're able to take advantage of.
Next.
46
00:04:40,200 --> 00:04:45,030
We have events that are taking place over the last half of January.
47
00:04:45,150 --> 00:04:50,310
They are as follows We have the small business interest meeting in Monroe and surrounding counties.
48
00:04:50,340 --> 00:04:58,500
Do you need help growing or expanding your business? Is your business looking for financial assistance but you do not know what your options are?
49
00:04:58,530 --> 00:05:05,819
Is your inner entrepreneur in need of some guidance? Join us at the Brinkley County Chamber of Commerce for a special meeting featuring
50
00:05:05,820 --> 00:05:10,290
Arkansas Small Business Technology Development Center's newest program,
51
00:05:10,290 --> 00:05:11,820
Arkansas Business Navigator.
52
00:05:11,880 --> 00:05:19,320
And let's talk about it in partnership with the Monroe and Phillips County Extension Service, Brinkley Chamber of Commerce,
53
00:05:19,350 --> 00:05:25,110
Arkansas Procurement and Technical Assistance Center, East Arkansas Enterprise Community and the SBA.
54
00:05:25,140 --> 00:05:30,270
We're bringing this event to you. For any questions or registration assistance, contact me.
55
00:05:30,270 --> 00:05:34,840
Kamelle Gomez. 5016712158.
56
00:05:34,890 --> 00:05:41,240
Or kgomez@uada.edu
57
00:05:43,650 --> 00:05:51,330
Here's a question. I get a lot around the state. Where do I start looking for financial services for my business?
58
00:05:51,690 --> 00:05:54,780
Wherever you do, your regular banking services is where you need to start.
59
00:05:55,080 --> 00:06:02,940
You'll be looking at starting a serious relationship with the institution otherwise, and that process takes a while to be complete.
60
00:06:03,210 --> 00:06:14,100
Most people overthink their initial stages in seeking financial services and to start a new relationship with a banking institution.
61
00:06:14,200 --> 00:06:19,710
While you can receive basic services, you know, could waste a bit of your time.
62
00:06:19,980 --> 00:06:27,630
Most banks are going to have options for business checking, credit cards, and even business loans.
63
00:06:27,720 --> 00:06:30,870
So that's 100% where you should start out.
64
00:06:32,880 --> 00:06:38,610
Thanks for listening to the podcast. Consider subscribing to get notified when new episodes drop.
65
00:06:38,730 --> 00:06:47,730
If you found the information useful, we'd really appreciate it if you could leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.
66
00:06:47,790 --> 00:06:52,860
If you want to ask a question and have it answered on the show, go to.
67
00:06:53,160 --> 00:07:04,260
uaex.uada.edu/abn-podcast and complete the form. The
68
00:07:04,440 --> 00:07:09,930
Arkansas Business Navigator podcast is produced by Brandon L Mathews and Kam Gomez.
69
00:07:10,110 --> 00:07:13,380
Our music was created by Music Unlimited from Pixabay.
70
00:07:13,390 --> 00:07:21,060
The Arkansas Business Navigator is a program of the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center,
71
00:07:21,390 --> 00:07:30,930
hosted by University of Arkansas at Little Rock and is funded in part through a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration.
72
00:07:31,350 --> 00:07:41,370
All options and conclusions and or recommendations expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.
73
00:07:41,700 --> 00:07:47,130
Special thanks to our partners at the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center,
74
00:07:47,520 --> 00:07:53,550
University of Arkansas, Little Rock and University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
75
00:07:53,820 --> 00:08:00,120
Cooperative Extension Service. To learn more about the Arkansas Business Navigator or how to access free,
76
00:08:00,120 --> 00:08:07,140
confidential business consulting and resources, go to arbusinessnavigator.com
