Washburn SBDC - Bringing experience & passion to helping small businesses in Northeast Kansas

Started in October 1983, the Washburn University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides small business consulting services and training seminars to northeast Kansas entrepreneurs. The Washburn SBDC regularly meets with approximately 400 clients and provides over 100 seminars annually. We are a partnership program with Washburn University,
the Kansas Small Business Development Center, Kansas Department of Commerce, and the Small Business Administration and operate as a department of the Washburn University School of Business.

These services could not be provided without the generous support of our resource partners.

Mission

Our mission is to increase the economic prosperity of northeast Kansas by helping entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses by providing professional consulting, training, and resources.

Service Area

We provide services to entrepreneurs and small businesses located in the Kansas counties of Brown, Geary, Jackson, Marshall, Nemaha, Pottawatomie, Riley, Shawnee, and Wabaunsee. 

Location

The Washburn SBDC has a main center located in Topeka, KS and an outreach center located in Manhattan, KS. The outreach center in Manhattan, KS serves clients in Geary, Pottawatomie, and Riley counties. The outreach center in Glacial Hills serves clients in Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, Jackson, Jefferson and Nemaha counties.

People

Staff	Position	Phone Number
Rick LeJuerrne	Regional Director	(785) 234-3235
Scott Taddiken	Assistant Director for Training	(785) 234-3235
John Addessi	Consultant, MACC Outreach Center	(785) 587-9917
Mary Ann Riederer	Consultant, Glacial Hills Outreach center	(785) 866-2095
Shirley Kreipe	Administrative Assistant	(785) 234-3235
Les Streit	Independent Consultant	(785) 234-3235

Experience

Washburn SBDC consultants are prior business owners who have started and grown their own businesses. They speak from experience. All consultants have worked with clients that have accessed capital to start their business and have experience helping clients write a business or marketing plan and plan their startup. Most of the consultants also teach at Washburn University in the School of Business.

Passion

Washburn University SBDC consultants are passionate about small business ideas and the entrepreneurs who take those dreams and turn them into reality.

How do I get started? Contact the Washburn University SBDC at 785-234-3235 for more information or you can register for a seminar listed on this website by following this link.