Are You an Ohio Entrepreneur?

I was president of a small business incubator in Cincinnati from 2003-2008. Our incubator was focused on support for businesses owned by women and people of color. One source of support is the Ohio Department of Development (ODD). Within ODD, there is the Entrepreneurship and Small Business Division which provides assistance to business owners and entrepreneurs in order to encourage both the creation and the expansion of small businesses throughout the State of Ohio.

The flagship program in the Entrepreneurship and Small Business Division is the Small Business Development Centers (SBDC). The Ohio SBDC program is considered the gateway for small business owners and entrepreneurs to access supportive services. The SBDCs are staffed with highly trained business advisors who offer FREE counseling and low or no cost training to help with specific business needs. The 36 centers across Ohio are in your local communities to guide you to the right resources and services to help your business grow and succeed.

I worked closely over those five years with the SBDC that served Hamilton County. These SBDCs are located in all 50 states. Take a moment to find the one that is local to you ... and give them a call!

I plan to share other aspects of the Ohio Department of Development over the coming weeks for those villagers living in this part of the world.

I also encourage all women who own a business to consider attending the Ohio Women's Conference on May 20, 2009. You can learn more about it on CollectiveX, Facebook or LinkedIn Network.