Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to our most frequently asked questions below. If you have other questions please email us or call (417) 255-5374.
Yes, we can help! New clients must first complete the SBA 641 Form. We cannot consult with anyone until this form has been received. After we receive the SBA 641 Form, clients are eligible to schedule an appointment.
Contact the Missouri Small Business Development Center at Missouri State University - West Plains to schedule an appointment by phone at (417) 255-7966. You can also schedule meetings online.
You are not required to bring anything to your appointment. Initial meetings are usually spent getting to understand where you are in your business and what challenges or opportunities are on your mind. We will introduce you to our services and develop a plan for moving forward. For a more productive meeting, it is helpful if you can complete the Client Online Assessment.
For existing businesses, it is also helpful to provide a one-page executive summary and a copy of your most recent financial statements. Additionally, if you have a business plan that you would like to have reviewed, please submit the document at least one week in advance to allow time for proper feedback.
The Missouri SBDC will never charge a fee for private consulting or coaching services but we do charge a nominal fee for business training and specialized services.
The Missouri SBDC is supported by federal and state programs to provide confidential one-on-one business consulting. Please note that while our professional business consulting services are available at no cost to eligible small businesses, appointments are required in advance. The SBDC is obliged to account for the clients we serve, the services we provide, and the client outcomes resulting from our assistance. The continuation of our grant funding is dependent upon the economic impact of our clients. Accordingly, we respectfully require all clients seeking one-on-one appointments to comply with our office protocol. We are responsible and accountable for our time spent.
Our SBDC service area in the West Plains office covers clients in the seven-counties of Douglas, Howell, Oregon, Ozark, Shannon, Texas and Wright. However, we are allowed to work with clients in any contiguous Arkansas county. We recommend you work with the SBDC office nearest you; we are the closest SBDC office for many people who live in Northern Arkansas.