Q&A: Todd Rausch with the Small Business Development Center

This story is from Startup Sioux City web site. Find more stories on entrepreneurship, innovation and local resources for Siouxland startups.

Q: For those who don’t know, tell us about the Small Business Development Center and its mission.

Established in 1981, the Iowa Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) provide free, confidential, customized business advice in all 99 Iowa counties to businesses with 500 employees or less. We also present affordable workshops that teach practical skills and techniques, conduct research, provide comprehensive information services, and offer access to subject matter experts in a variety of fields. Our program is a public-private partnership that leverages the resources of government, higher education, and the business community to assist Iowa’s businesses to grow and be successful. Each regional center encourages unique local efforts, region to region and community to community, to meet small business needs throughout the state.

Q: What interested you in your new role and what do you hope to achieve in the first year?

Helping people succeed in business is a passion of mine. I feel the entrepreneurial spirit is a huge part of our American heritage. I hope to encourage it everywhere I go with everyone I meet. I also hope to help several people get started in business or expand their business to the next level.

Q: What are the biggest challenges right now for small businesses and how is your organization helping business owners overcome them?

The biggest challenges right now are the same that have always been there; that is risk and uncertainty. My position exists to help identify the risks involved and develop plans to minimize them. I am also here to help develop plans to deal with the uncertainties of business. To me the best time to go into business is always now. Our personal future does not have to be ruled by our surrounding circumstances. My Grandfather started a trucking company in the middle of the Depression and was successful. It can be done by anyone willing to work hard and do what it takes.

Q: What can we as a community do to better foster a foundation for startups and new business development in the region?

It is really about education. All of our area is very supportive of small business. We are working with Western Iowa Tech Community College, the communities, all of the economic developers, the Chambers, and SCORE on an ongoing basis for that. In September there will be two entrepreneur conferences. One in Cherokee and the other in Denison. These will be very educational along with the opportunity to speak to people one on one about anything pertaining to small business. The SBDC also is offering 16 Smart Start classes in the region during the next 9 months. This is a 2-hour class that addresses the challenges faced by a new startup.

Q: How are small businesses, innovative thinking and serial entrepreneurship changing the business climate in Iowa and across the nation?

Small business is the driving force of our economy. The real innovations are coming from small businesses. Their creativity is what will drive change for the foreseeable future. Serial entrepreneurship is leading the way in those areas as men and women venture out into new fields after starting a successful business. It can become a way of life. This of course is my hope for everyone who feels that they can do it also.

Todd Rausch is executive Director of the Small Business Development Center, located on the WITCC campus.