MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
As Kansas continues to see steady growth in local entrepreneurship, one regional expert says small businesses remain the backbone of the state’s economy—and deserve both community support and strategic planning to thrive.
Brandy Willett, Regional Director for the Kansas Small Business Development Center (KSBDC) at Wichita State University, joined the KWBW Morning Show this week to talk about the resources her office provides and the trends she’s seeing among local business owners. With a background in organizational communication and marketing, Willett said her passion lies in helping everyday Kansans launch and grow successful ventures.
“Jobs are created in small businesses,” Willett said. “People create their own wealth by opening their own businesses. I just wanted to help do that.”
The Wichita State KSBDC serves 12 counties and offers what Willett calls “simple but essential” services for entrepreneurs at any stage. “We train, we advise, and we connect,” she said.
The center hosts roughly 150 trainings per year—most of them virtual—and provides no-cost, one-on-one advising. That guidance covers everything from start-up planning and accounting to marketing, artificial intelligence, buying or selling a business, and long-term operational strategy. Staff also help business owners find funding opportunities and build networks of support.
Willett meets monthly at the Hutchinson Public Library for intake sessions, helping new entrepreneurs understand where they are in their business journey and what resources they’ll need next. “Never too small to ask, and never too early to talk to us,” she said.
While many assumed pandemic-era startups were at high risk of failure, Willett said the opposite has often proven true.
“A lot of the small businesses that started during COVID are successful,” she noted. “People started small during COVID—and that makes you more successful.” She added that a notable number of KSBDC clients are hitting the five-year milestone this year, the benchmark at which businesses are generally considered stable.
Willett pushed back on the idea that the economy relies primarily on large corporations.
“Big business doesn’t create jobs—they shift them,” she said, pointing to the example of Boeing’s departure from Wichita. “Small shops start local, stay local, and keep money in the community.”
With holiday shopping underway, Willett encouraged Kansans to prioritize local stores. “If you want to make a real, lasting impact on your community, shop small this holiday season,” she said. “Your business matters to those owners—it can make the difference in their success.”
One of the most common challenges for new businesses, Willett said, is growing too quickly.
“That’s a good problem to have, but it’s still a problem,” she cautioned. “Growing too fast can kill a business just as easily as not having customers.”
The KSBDC frequently helps owners plan for the highs and lows of business before they become overwhelming. She advises new restaurants, shops, and startups to expect an early burst of attention followed by a natural drop-off.
“We build that into our three-year projection models. Business isn’t steady—our goal is to help owners prepare for that.”
For anyone considering launching a business in 2025 or 2026, Willett was clear: “Do your market research and run your numbers. Don’t waste your time on something that doesn’t have the potential to be successful.”
The Wichita State KSBDC website offers appointment scheduling, training information, and resource materials. Willett also encouraged local entrepreneurs to reach out through StartUp Hutch, noting that Startup Hutch’s Graham Lang is “a wonderful asset.”
For details on upcoming trainings or to schedule an advising session, visit the Kansas Small Business Development Center at Wichita State University online.
Willett expressed her appreciation to the Hutchinson community and encouraged entrepreneurs to reach out early—and often—for support.
“We’re here for the long run,” she said. “You don’t have to do this alone.”