SMALL BUSINESS TECHNICAL SUPPORT + BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT TRAINING
Business + Banking Training Series MONTHLY/12 PER YR
Professional Business Development Training Series MONTHLY/12 PER YR
Minority Contractors + Suppliers Training Series WEEKLY FOR 18 WKS/ 2 PER YEAR
40+ Participants in OSBN Trainings in 2016
We recognize that underserved entrepreneurs have a variety of barriers to success including lack of formal business training. According to the Aspen Institute, a leading organization tracking microenterprise development, there are 20 million Americans who operate microenterprises, and at least 10 million of these entrepreneurs face disadvantages in establishing and operating their own businesses. Moreover, the majority of these nontraditional business owners do not have access to the types of resources and technical assistance that could help them successfully start and grow their businesses. OSBN invests in small business owners and entrepreneurs through continued technical support and business training services. OSBN provides technical support services to tenants and OSBN loan recipients including administrative support, training facilities, a computer lab and conference room spaces at no additional cost. OSBN also provides referrals, upon request, to low cost providers for bookkeeping, financial planning, marketing and communications services. Additionally, OSBN started the Business + Banking monthly workshop series in partnership with Wells Fargo and Barkdoll + Von Ahsen small business law firm to increase awareness about formalizing relationships with local small business bankers as well as learning about the legal aspects of forming a small business. The monthly OSBN Professional Business Development training series guides existing business owners through marketing and communications training sessions as well as Quickbooks refresher courses to ensure continued small business success. In 2016, OSBN launched the Minority Contractors + Suppliers GROW loan pool and Personal Financial Education + Business Development Training to assist Omaha’s Minority Contractors and Suppliers. Through the generous support of local foundations and a partnership with Creighton University’s Financial Hope Collaborative, OSBN has been able to offer this 12 week training free of charge to any interested minority contractor and supplier.
11