Current and aspiring small-business owners to get free business coaching
CONWAY — The Conductor, a public-private partnership between the University of Central Arkansas and Startup Junkie, will continue its free office hours across central-Arkansas communities in spring 2020.
The office hours consist of 30-minute, free one-onone consultations from The Conductor team, funded by the Small Business Administration’s Regional Innovation Cluster program. The Conductor hosted the first round of office hours last fall.
“Office hours are one of my favorite offerings of The Conductor,” said Tiffany Henry, rural director. “It allows us the opportunity to get to know the entrepreneurs on a personal level and to better understand how we can best serve them. I am grateful to the local chambers of commerce who have partnered with us to help support their small-business owners and community.”
The spring 2020 office hours, which will expand to include Searcy, Cabot and Heber Springs in the Three Rivers Edition coverage area, will be led by the Conductor team. Current or aspiring business owners will have the opportunity to discuss a potential business idea or their current business. Marketing, financing, seasonal customer fluctuations and business-growth strategies are among the range of topics that can be covered at these meetings for anyone who has an interest in entrepreneurship or those who own a business.
“Part of the success of the office-hours program is to provide entrepreneurs with a reliable contact who is available to help as future questions arise,” said Jeff Standridge, managing director of The Conductor. “Additionally, we have a strong network of community resources within our 12-county region, so we are able to connect entrepreneurs with the support they need to be successful.”
The Rural Growth Initiative is revitalizing communities around the state by bringing programming, events and workshops to rural areas. Overall, The Conductor will impact communities that house 19 Opportunity Zones in rural regions, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau through its Rural Growth Initiative.
“Many potential business owners need help validating their idea in order to take the next steps, or they have one pivotal problem in their business that needs to be solved,” said Grace Rains, director of operations for The Conductor. “We want to provide the resources, coaching and consulting directly to reduce those barriers so they feel
empowered to take the next step.”
To sign up for office hours through The Conductor’s program, visit www.arconductor. org/officehours. The Conductor also provides phone conversations for those unable to come to office-hour locations or times. Phone consults can be accessed at www.arconductor.org/one-on-one.