Start Your Business

Not every entrepreneur has a degree in business, and even if you do, bringing your idea to life while flying solo can seem like a daunting task. Luckily for Wyoming entrepreneurs, there is plenty of help available when starting a small business.

The Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network offers a huge amount of advice and assistance to help you start a business of any size in any industry. The best part — our services are always free and completely confidential thanks to support from the University of Wyoming, the Wyoming Business Council, and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

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We helped start 95 new businesses in 2020

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We helped create/save 122 jobs in 2020 (Supported 6,964 total)

Click here to read a local start-up success story

Ready to get started?

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Step 1: Team Up

You are just seconds away from completing the most important step! Fill out this form to get connected with your local advisor. This high-caliber, entrepreneurial-powerhouse of an expert will use their own small business background to work with you throughout the entire process. It’s like having a business partner who’s done it all before (and you don’t have to pay!).

Take the First Step

We’re already looking forward to your success!

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Step 2: Research Your Idea

Your advisor will get you in touch with our top-notch market researchers. We’ll dig through our extensive, up-to-date databases to provide the facts and figures you need to:

Identify and best reach your target audience
Analyze your competition
Create an effective website specific to your needs
And more!

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Step 3: Learn the Basics

While you’re waiting for that market research data, your advisor can identify which business topics you should brush up on. They’ll provide you with advice and resources to understand areas like:

Marketing
Building a Website
Social Media
Taxes
Payroll & Bookkeeping
Human Resources
Cybersecurity
International Trade
Emergency Preparedness
And more!

You should also attend an upcoming Start Your Own Business (SYOB) Workshop in your area. Your local advisor/new best friend will give you a preview of the entire start-up process (and maybe some coffee and snacks).

SEE TRAINING EVENTS

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Step 4: CREATE YOUR BUSINESS PLAN

Now that you’re all trained up and have your market research in hand, it’s time put it all together. Your advisor will help you build a solid Business Plan that will serve as a road map for your success.

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Step 5: GET FUNDED

With your completed Business Plan hot off the press, it’s now time to seek out funding opportunities. Check out these Financial Spreadsheet Templates and keep working with your advisor to learn how to:

Find and apply for the right business loan
See if you qualify for an SBA Guaranteed Loan
Pitch your idea to potential investors
Identify grant opportunities
See if you qualify for state and/or federal programs
Take advantage of crowdfunding
Find ways to self-fund your business
And more!

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Step 6: OPEN YOUR BUSINESS

This is it! Your advisor has helped you with the last few details and your dream of business ownership is now a reality. You’re ready to bring your passion to your customers and we couldn’t be happier! (Seriously, look at that smile on your advisor’s face. This is what we live for.)

But don’t worry, you haven’t heard the last of us…

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Step 7: GROW

When you’re ready to grow your business, you bet we’ll be there. Until then, if a problem ever arises, your advisor is one phone call away from backing you up. You can always stay up-to-date on entrepreneurial issues in Wyoming through our weekly Biz Tips and make sure you’re subscribed to our monthly event newsletter.

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