Support for Entrepreneurs
TCRE provides limited individual assistance to business
owners as time permits. Some services are free, but some are fee-based depending on the
individual or group providing the assistance and the type of
assistance requested.
Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs can submit short questions using the Comment Form and responses will be returned by email as soon as possible. If you have several questions that require more lengthy explanations or would like to discuss your business challenges with a representative...please complete and submit a Business Profile. This will provide TCRE an overview of your business idea, your stage of development or operation, your information or resource needs, and contact information. Submitting a profile will
open communication and create a working relationship with TCRE. If you are searching for funding, you likely will need to prepare a detailed written business plan and will probably be referred to a consultant as this is a very specialized activity.
TCRE is not aware of any government grants for individuals to start businesses. There are loan guarantee programs, low interest loan programs and other forms of financing. The key is meeting the requirements and positioning your company to access the appropriate programs.
Curriculum
The following curriculum contain numerous resources that likely will address many of your concerns and questions. All courses are available free online. Access the online versions link in the right panel above.
Developing Entrepreneur Ready Communities
This is a self‐directed course designed for community economic development
leaders. Participants will explore entrepreneurship as an economic
development strategy and of developing support systems for
entrepreneurs in communities. Many of the issues and topics covered
will provide background for communities seeking to become certified
under the TCRE Entrepreneur Ready Community Certification Program (click here for details) (online under Economic Development)
Building Your Entrepreneurial Venture from the Ground Up
This is a self‐directed course designed for individuals interested in
developing a business. Lessons provide an overview of business ideas
identification, of start up business models development, of value
proposition and competitive advantage identification, and of other
start up issues. Participants will investigate the entrepreneur
development process, focusing on elements of business planning as they
progress through lessons. This course provides the basic topics that
entrepreneurs with emerging companies should be able to translate
directly to their specific business ideas. It is a good review for
entrepreneurs with existing businesses prior to tackling the course for
companies with growth potential. (online under Economic Development)
Taking Your Entrepreneurial Venture to the Next Level
This is a self‐directed course designed for entrepreneurs facing the
challenges of business growth, business planning for growth,
capitalizing growth, cash flow management, dealing with contingencies
and developing harvest strategies. (online under Economic Development)
Developing Diversified and Value-Added Agribusinesses (This curriculum was made possible by a grant from the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center)
This is a self‐directed course designed for community economic development leaders. Participants will gain insight into:
- Diversified and Value-Added agribusiness planning and startup issues
- Challenges to Diversified and Value-Added agribusiness growth.