HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Last summer, the Chamber and Buhler Mayor Daniel Friesen approached the city about starting a new entrepreneurial program to help small business startups in the city.
Now, the city and Reno County are teaming up with the Quest Center to hire what will be called an "Entrepreneur Navigator" to lead the program.
Serving as the chief connector and guide for entrepreneurs, the Quest Center’s new Entrepreneur Navigator will be the first call for any community member wanting to start or buy a business. The job description calls for a magnetic, high-energy leader who will create a vibrant start-up community and champion entrepreneurial activity, according to a news release from the Quest Center.
The navigator position is a critical factor in creating a startup friendly ecosystem, according to Debra Teufel, president and CEO of the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce.
“When people have ideas for businesses or new products, we want to ensure they have easy access to the tools and resources they need and feel supported along the way,” Teufel said. “The navigator can smooth the process through making connections between entrepreneurs and mentors, lenders, city/county planning and code enforcement, and resource providers.”
The idea for the Entrepreneur Navigator was born from months of work by the Reno County Entrepreneurship Task Force, consisting of 19 organizations across Reno County. According to the task force’s research, entrepreneurs aren’t clear what resources are available and they want more assistance.
“The Quest Center’s current model is outdated and it hasn’t had enough staff to foster the kind of entrepreneurial ecosystem our community needs,” Daniel Friesen, president of the Quest Center board of directors, said. “This new position will be a gamechanger by putting more economic development focus towards supporting community entrepreneurs who have a vested interest in Reno County’s success.”
Friesen said the ideal candidate will not only be a charismatic connector and strategic thinker, but also well-versed in technology and tactics for creating a highly-connected community.