A hat trick is defined as three successes of the same kind, especially consecutive ones within a limited period. Here in Kalamazoo, when the WMed Innovation Center, the Michigan Small Business Development Center (SBDC), and the SCORE Kalamazoo chapter collaborate on a project, it can be viewed as an entrepreneurial hat trick—three successful entrepreneurial support organizations working together to offer one great program. In this case, the program is SCALE Kalamazoo.
SCALE Kalamazoo is a boot-camp designed to help entrepreneurs look at the big picture and work on their businesses, not just in their businesses. Through this program, they strengthen their ability to make critical decisions and equip themselves with the knowledge and skills needed to improve the performance of their businesses. The primary objectives are to enable them to effectively evaluate and improve their:
- Overall business strategy and vision for the future.
- Ability to maintain a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
- Readiness for growth and profitability potential.
- Focus and alignment of all aspects of the business.
SCALE Kalamazoo provides opportunities to network and learn from peers as well as from facilitators and business mentors. This program is suited for businesses that have been in business for over 1 year, have at least one part-time employee, and generate over $100,000 in annual revenue. SCALE Kalamazoo will be offered twice in 2022 — once in the spring and once in the summer. Information and the application are available at https://wmich.edu/smallbusiness.
This no cost 11-week program is provided to those accepted into the program due to funding provided by the City of Kalamazoo. Participants in the program will need to have their business located within the City of Kalamazoo.
SCORE is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs succeed. They provide FREE mentoring to new and established small businesses in Southwest Michigan.
The Michigan Small Business Development Center provides consulting, business education, market research, and technology commercialization to new and existing businesses throughout Michigan’s 83 counties.