Turning small business dreams into reality

Matthew Day

Staff

January 5, 2026

STEVENS POINT – Inside Nelson Hall on the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) campus, entrepreneurs and small business owners across North Central Wisconsin can access expert business guidance – no tuition necessary. 

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC), located at 1209 Fremont St., is powered by a five-member team, all hired within the past year – including Administrative Assistant Ashley Gates.

All five, Gates said, bring fresh energy and new perspectives to the SBDC’s already vast resources and regional network.

“We’re all very new, and all of us are very heavy on building relationships within our communities and our economic development corporations that we work with,” she said. “We’re going to take care of you the best we can, every time you come and see us. Every interaction you have with the SBDC, we want to be overwhelmingly positive.” 

Gates said the center is readily equipped to help clients start, grow, finance, market, protect and improve for-profit businesses based in Adams, Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Oneida, Portage, Vilas, Waupaca and Wood counties. 

The SBDC at UWSP, she said, is one of 14 such centers throughout the state. 

According to wisconsinsbdc.org, this is a nationally accredited network, “supporting entrepreneurs and business owners through no-cost, confidential consulting and business education,” and is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration.  

Gates said the network is also part of the Universities of Wisconsin’s Office of Business and Entrepreneurship (OBE) – “where our centers are typically located.” 

“You’ll come to campus to meet with us, but you do not have to be a student or have any affiliation with the university at all [to utilize the center],” she said. 

Despite the SBDC’s big-league associations, Gates said the center’s purpose is often misunderstood within the business community – or worse – unknown. 

“The biggest thing I recommend to people who have never heard of the SBDC – or are just sort of tossing the idea around, not sure if it’s worth their time – is when you meet with us, the only thing you’re going to spend is your time,” she said. 

Support for every stage 

From potential entrepreneurs considering new ventures, to established owners looking to expand or solidify their small businesses, Gates said the UWSP SBDC staff is eager to meet with clients at all stages of operation. 

She said the center is frequently contacted by individuals seeking a wide range of support for their start-ups.

“If it’s an idea that’s just in your head or [written] on a napkin, we can help you with figuring out viability for the business, whether the market is already fully saturated in that area/sector, etc.,” she said. “We’re also able to help you prepare to go to a bank to ask for a loan.”

Gates said the SBDC staff knows how taking on the unknowns of entrepreneurship “can be really daunting and can turn a lot of entrepreneurs away from following their dreams of owning a business.” 

Countless start-ups, she said, have been strengthened by the center’s free support.

On the flip side, Gates said business owners who didn’t use the SBDC often wish they had.

“[Entrepreneurs often tell me], ‘Man, I really wish I knew about this when I was starting out – I was struggling through everything, trying to figure out the scale I wanted to get to, what kind of business model I wanted… I wish I had known [about] you guys,’” she said. 

Nonetheless, Gates said the SBDC and its resources are just as valuable for well-established small businesses. 

“If you send a note, I’m the one who gets it,” she said. “I will get you connected [and] take care of everything. I tell them about the different things we can offer.” 

Though Gates said the center does not accept walk-in clients, its consultants do have plenty of availability for appointments. 

“If you are brand new to the SBDC, never met with anyone before, you’ll fill out what’s called an electronic request for consulting – or ERFC,” she said.  

In the ERFC, Gates said clients provide basic information on who they are and where they’re located, as well as an explanation of their business goals/history.  

“Are you [already] in business, [or] is this an idea?” she said, summarizing the ERFC’s questions. “Is this something you’ve been doing for 40 years, and you just need a little revamp, a little bit of help? A lot changes in 40 years, and we can help with a lot of different things.” 

In addition to the SBDC’s no-cost consulting, Gates said the center also offers low-to-no-cost training, covering topics like accounting, management, hiring and customer relations.  

Per the center’s brochure, the UWSP SBDC’s programs include: 

• Entrepreneurial Training Program (ETP) – a nine-week course which “consists of guest speakers, coaching and instruction designed to help develop a plan for a thriving, profitable business.” 
• Capital Readiness Program (CRP) – a curriculum tailored to women entrepreneurs which “includes modules on building financial acumen; an in-depth study of business finances (including personalized assessments); special interest topics for women (communication skills, gender bias issues); business mentorship based on participant need; and concludes with a company pitch event to lenders and investors specially chosen to best meet the circumstances of each cohort.” 

By operating “under the broader umbrella” of the OBE, Gates said there’s virtually no limit to the type of business the SBDC’s staff can assist. 

Would-be inventors, for example, who are seeking patenting, development and marketing, she said, are supported via connection to the Center for Technology Commercialization – which, per its website (wisconsinctc.org), is “Wisconsin’s no-cost resource to guide you through the complex and exciting journey of bringing your technology from idea to market.” 

“Then there’s also the Food Finance Institute, or FFI, if you have anything pertaining to food,” she said. “They would be able to help as well, and we have really great relationships with them, so we try to work together as much as we can.” 

Funding – whether a matter of raising capital or applying for grants or loans – Gates said, is a common hurdle for businesses at any stage, and another issue the SBDC is adept at helping small businesses overcome. 

“Financing is a very, very hot topic we hear a lot about,” she said. “Finding brick-and-mortar locations is something else we try to help folks with. And if we don’t have any ideas, we try to refer them to other resources within the community, or we’ll do research ourselves.” 

Even though the UWSP SBDC is focused on helping for-profit businesses within its regional footprint, Gates said she’s always willing to provide direction to nonprofits, as well as Wisconsin-based entrepreneurs outside the North Central region. 

“[People] are going to be taken care of if they come here, whether it’s something we really can help with or not,” she said. “We want to make sure we are helping with as much as we can, and even if we can’t help, we try to connect them with resources that can.” 

Small businesses, significant success 

In her relatively short time with the SBDC, Gates said three clients have experienced exceptional success thanks to their work with the center:

• Brenna Osborne of Antigo, owner of Be-YOU-tiful by Bren photography studio 
• Carrie Van Ornum of Weyauwega, owner of Rock Road Company Sales 
• Carlie and Dakota Conley of Crandon, owners of Conley’s Custom Wood Creations 

A graduate of the center’s ETP, Osborne said she “can’t recommend this class enough.” 

“There’s space for every walk of business here – and that’s the true beauty of this program,” she said. “When you’re in this environment, everything just clicks.” 

By working with the SBDC, Gates said Osborne developed a solid foundation for Be-YOU-tiful by Bren. 

“We helped her get her start and get her foothold in her photography community,” she said.

Helping Osborne establish a strong presence and build recognition in the industry, Gates said, were key to Be-YOU-tiful by Bren’s growth.

Gates said the success of Rock Road Company Sales – “an inventor of sorts; they created this machine that helps in the building and construction process” – exemplifies the range of businesses the SBDC can support. 

Thirdly, the Conleys – per the SBDC’s website – sought support from the center when they endeavored to turn their side hustle of creating handmade gifts into an official business. 

“Andi [Gretzinger] at the SBDC helped me understand the numbers and the bigger picture of where I wanted to be as a business,” Carlie said. “She encouraged me to stick to it when I felt like it was just too hard. Now, having a business plan makes a big difference; I am no longer a side hustle. It is a solid reminder that I am a real business.” 

Gates said the center’s entire staff finds such stories heartening – noting “it’s wonderful to know you’re making such a big difference in local communities.” 

“We joke that we never stop working, because we talk about our jobs all the time, even when we’re not at work, always with excitement in our voices,” she said. 

Regional impact 

Countless businesses – including her own – Gates said, have reaped the benefits of the SBDC.

She said she currently meets with the center’s northwest consultant. 

“Getting to meet with her, I tell her, ‘Pretend like you don’t know me – pretend like I am a client and this is my first time doing anything… Just talk to me like you would to them,’” she said. “She’s been incredibly reassuring, saying, ‘Hey, you have a great idea. I’ll help you do some market research, etc. Here’s the homework I want you to do, and we’ll meet back when you’re ready.’” 

Feedback from former clients, Gates said, has been “overwhelmingly” positive.

“People are incredibly excited and very, very grateful for what we’re able to offer,” she said.

Though the SBDC cannot advise clients on legal or complex tax-related matters, she said clients are consistently impressed by the flexibility (in-person or virtual appointments are available), scope and, perhaps above all, lack of cost for consultation. 

“We understand it’s really tough to start a business,” she said. “It’s also really expensive, and we don’t want to add to that. We want to help you.” 

Gates said working with the UWSP SBDC is especially rewarding due to the counties it serves – “every single one of them is rural.” 

“In some areas, your only options are small businesses,” she said. “But small businesses, really and truly, are the backbone of the economy. Without small businesses, nothing else is going to work.” 

Gates said she looks forward to this sincerity – shared by the entire SBDC staff – being broadcast throughout the region’s business community, and inspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners to explore what the center offers. 

“We even put ‘Making Your Business Dreams a Reality, Together’ on our brochure, because that is what our center aims to do,” she said. “We want you to feel supported and like we’re in this together.” 

Visit wisconsinsbdc.org or uwsp.edu for more information.