Frequently Asked Questions
Consultants at the KSBDC are well versed in startup issues. Connecting with your regional KSBDC office is one of the smartest first steps you can take in starting your business.
Additionally, contact your local KSBDC to inquire about assistance and training provided in your area. Visit our Become a KSBDC Client section to sign up as a KSBDC client.
The KSBDC Resources section of this site provides numerous links to resources about starting and maintaining your business.
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Our experience shows that grant money is rarely made available to for-profit ventures for purposes of obtaining capital. Only under special circumstances where technology is involved do grant opportunities exist for private for-profit businesses. There are several websites to search for available grant monies. Please see our Resources page for a list of sites to search.
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The KSBDC provides no cost one-to-one consulting. Business counseling is offered in financial management, accounting, marketing, human resources, operations, information technology, and many other areas. Workshop topics include exploring entrepreneurship, writing a business plan, marketing your business, introduction to QuickBooks, marketing on the internet, strategic planning, and many others.
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Yes, our KSBDC consultants have extensive professional knowledge and expertise in many areas of business operations such as marketing, management, operations, expansion, cash flow analysis, inventory control, strategic planning, and pricing your product. If your business meets the size standards of the SBA, you will be able to access the free and confidential business consulting offered by the KSBDC. If your issue is outside of the scope of your KSBDC consultants competencies, they will tap into a large network of business experts across the country to assist your company.
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The KSBDC does not provide loan or grant money. The KSBDC will assist you in developing your business plan and financial projections, and identifying potential sources of capital. The planning work the KSBDC can help you with is instrumental in obtaining capital. Additionally, KSBDC consultants are well versed in various sources of capital.
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The KSBDC does not provide legal services but will provide you with a list of various legal providers in your area for specific legal services. In addition we provide you with information about the primary forms of business (sole proprietorship, a partnership, a limited liability company and either a C-corporation or Subchapter S-corporation.
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A KSBDC consultant will be able to assist you in getting started with questions you need to ask your accountant/bookkeeper, what forms you need and the business regulations you need to know about. The KSBDC will also provide a list of accounting firms and/or bookkeepers in your area that can address your needs.
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This depends on your ability to commit the time and energy toward the writing of your business plan. There are never guarantees as to whether or not the lending institution will provide you a loan. A business plan is a vital tool for anyone desiring to start a business or expand an existing business. Your KSBDC consultant will be able to provide more insight into the number of meetings they would suggest based on your current and individual situation.
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Business licensing varies by the type of business you are forming and the location of your business. To start this process, check with the following organizations:
Your KSBDC consultant can also guide you through the process of registering your business.
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The first step is to check your Name Availability to see if it is already taken. Another intelligent step is to check the US Trademark Registry to see if the name has already been registered by another company. Your name will automatically be registered with the state if you file corporation or LCC documents with the Kansas Secretary of State.
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You can apply for your Kansas Tax ID from the
Kansas Department of Revenue. To access Kansas business registration information, including tax information
click here.
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A business plan simply takes the ideas relating to the desired future of the business and commits them to paper in an organized format. A business plan is a great way to be proactive about designing a business that will provide you with the rewards you seek from it. A business plan is almost always necessary to access capital. A plan is also a great idea even if you do not need to access capital; startup businesses can use them to be more deliberate and organized in launching their companies and existing firms can be more strategic in their management approach. Consultants with the KSBDC are very well trained in helping clients write business plans. Working with your KSBDC consultant is an excellent step.
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The KSBDC is a network of service centers located throughout Kansas. There are 8 regional centers and 10 outreach centers in the KSBDC network. To locate the KSBDC office nearest you,
please click here or visit our Contact Us page.
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We would suggest scheduling an appointment to meet with a KSBDC consultant. Additionally, if you are a new KSBDC client, there are some application forms which need to be completed. To learn about how to become a KSBDC client,
click here.
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The KSBDC network partners with many players in the economic development world in Kansas, including Chambers of Commerce, economic development professionals, and lending institutions. In addition, the KSBDC partners with governments, including federal, state, and local. Additionally, each KSBDC center is hosted by an educational institution. The goal of the KSBDC is to work with all players interested in seeing entrepreneurship flourish in our communities; because of this, we seek and excel through many important partnerships.
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