Entrepreneurs can get help

Entrepreneurs starting a small business can begin the process at the Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center at Kettering University, 1700 University Ave. The center is one of the university's commitments to help build a new economy in Flint.

According to Director Marsha Lyttle, the center is swamped with requests from would-be entrepreneurs interested in learning how to write a business plan, receive counseling and training and get the tools they need to jump-start their new businesses.

"They really help you, but they don't do the work for you," said entrepreneur Donna Rheaves, owner of The Family Place.

"I got the tools I needed to build my dream and Marsha always had time to talk with me. She encouraged my dream," she said. "It's a phenomenal program — especially in today's economy."

"We have 15 to 20 people sign up each week for our orientation on starting a small business. There's no age limit here. We see people of all ages, from high school students to senior citizens, who want to start their own business," she said.

In 2008, the center provided over 1,300 hours of counseling assistance to 628 businesses, assisted in the start of 21 new businesses in Genesee County and provided 669 hours of training to more than 300 people.

"Although we can't capture every bit of economic impact, we can document over $12.5 million of capital investment by our clients," Lyttle said.

Rheaves credits the late family court judge, Robert E. Weiss, in helping her develop a vision for her business, and the center for helping her make her dream a reality — a registered home for supervised visitation. Area family service organizations refer clients to her facility.

"Fifty-one percent of foster children are waiting to be reunited with their parents," Rheaves said. "Here families don't just come together — they address the cause of their separation.

"The center gave me the tools to help me do a business plan. They took me step by step through the process. You can't get that kind of help just anywhere," Rheaves said.

The center also works with organizations within the university like the Kettering Entrepreneur Society, a group that works to promote an entrepreneurial culture among students.