Bussiness
How Topeka business concierge center will connect entrepreneurs to opportunities
Topeka Santa Fe No. 3463 locomotive has sat for decades outdoors.
Santa Fe No. 3463 has sat by the Stormont Vail Events Center for decades. Volunteers with a new non-profit now hope to change that.
A new resource hub is available for Shawnee County entrepreneurs.
In partnership with Kansas State University, GO Topeka opened the Topeka/Shawnee County Business Concierge Office in downtown Topeka at 715 S. Kansas Ave.
The new resource hub is expected to support business owners and entrepreneurs at every stage of their business journeys by offering support to budding startups and established enterprises. Entrepreneurs will have access to a range of resources, including hands-on support, expert guidance and insights on navigating the complexities of launching and scaling a business.
The hub also has support from NetWork Kansas, Omni Circle Group, Washburn University School of Business and the Washburn Small Business Development Center (SBDC).
“This type of collaborative engagement with community partners is the mission of a next-generation land-grant university like Kansas State University put into action,” said Jessica Gnad, K-State 105 director.
How will the business concierge space operate?
The Business Concierge Office will work closely with such organizations as Washburn SBDC, Omni Circle and NetWork Kansas to bring together expertise from across the region.
It will also be regularly staffed by interns from the Washburn School of Business. These collaborations aim to create an inclusive and accessible support system for entrepreneurs looking to innovate and grow, positioning Topeka as a leader in business sustainability, said a GTP news release.
“The K-State 105 initiative is focused on economic growth for all 105 Kansas counties. We’re so excited to collaborate with GO Topeka and other community partners to support the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Shawnee County through the new Business Concierge Office,” said Gnad.
Stephanie Moran, senior vice president of innovation for GO Topeka, said GO Topeka is the urban pilot partner for K-State 105.
“As part of their 105 program, that is the initiative to drive economic development in all 105 counties in Kansas,” Moran said. “And so Go Topeka is the urban pilot partner in that program. And with that we’re looking at ways to drive entrepreneurship, innovation, support small businesses.”
Those who are interested can visit the hub during its regular business hours, which are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
‘One stop shop’ for business owners
Moran said the organization understands that it can be difficult for entrepreneurs and small businesses to find all those resources that they need to get going, start up their businesses or continue to grow their businesses.
“So, this is that one-stop shop where they can walk into that office and say: ‘You know what? I’ve got an idea. I’m not sure where to start, where do I go?’ And the team there in that office can help direct them to the appropriate resources,” she said. “It could be someone who’s an existing business and just needs help identifying who do they need to talk to if they’re looking to grow their business.”
Business owners and entrepreneurs won’t need to have a membership with the Greater Topeka Partnership to use the hub as it is welcome to all.
Gracen Worthington, a senior business management entrepreneurship and innovation student at Washburn University, said she gets to work in the center and that helps in another way.
“I think one of the biggest things that is so great about GO Topeka is all of the networking,” Worthington said. “So, not only do I get to work with great people, but also just get to know all of the different people that work with the Greater Topeka Partnership and having the connection for anything you can think of.”
Keishera Lately is the business reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. She can be reached at klately@cjonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @Lately_KT.
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