Small businesses & entrepreneurs now have more resources with the opening of a new center.

“It’s a contribution to the school and the community,” said Annette Weeks, Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship in the Craig School of Business at Missouri Western State University.

The Center for Entrepreneurship  celebrated its opening at Missouri Western with a ribbon cutting ceremony held Wednesday by the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce.

“Help the community by helping business,” said Week. “We know that small businesses are the backbone of our community and we want to be able to help them.”

The Center trains, mentors and supports area business owners and entrepreneurs at no cost.  It has been operating for around three months already and Weeks said more than 40 individuals have already been assisted.

“If anyone is dreaming of having their own business and not sure where to start, or need help with a business plan or need help with funding we can help walk them through all of that,” said Weeks. “If you own an existing business and would help strengthen it or grow it we can help with that as well.”

Weeks is A northwest Missouri native with years of practical experience as a business owner and facilitator of entrepreneurs, Weeks spent the last seven years as the enterprise facilitator for Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation, a nonprofit organization that offers free business coaching for clients wishing to start a business or those who need help with an existing business.

“We are helping students as well as faculty members or their families who want to start small business as well,” said Weeks. “We’ve had several students already come in with business ideas.”

For more information about the Center for Entrepreneurship, call Weeks at 816-271-4283 or email [email protected].