Local graduates of the first Jump Start entrepreneurial training course joined together for commencement exercises and a celebration at the Lannom Center on Tuesday, Aug. 26. The program was a joint effort by the Small Business Center at Dyersburg State Community College, the Dyersburg-Dyer County Chamber of Commerce and the Southeast Innovation Center at Southeast Missouri State University. The 18 graduates of the program earned 36 hours of training and a chance to compete for $3,500 in seed capital for their business ventures through a Delta Regional Authority grant. From left, seated, President/CEO of Dyersburg-Dyer County Chamber of Commerce Allen Hester, CEO of Missouri Research Corporation at Southeast Missouri State University Dennis Roedemeier, Dyersburg State Community President Dr. Karen Bowyer, DSCC Small Business Development Center Director Dr. Jamie Frakes; second row, Jump Start graduates Chelsea Greer, George Moody, Chasity Doss, Laura Mann, Debra Mitchell, Cynthia Carwhile; third row, Laura Davis, Krystal Higdon, Sherry McElrath, Joyce Smith, Kathi Clements; back row, Veronica Johnson, Ron Coffman, Michelle Coffman, Joe Robinson, James William Warren, Vince Haymon and Bentley Quertermous. [Click to enlarge]

The six-week program, titled Jump Start, was offered through a partnership with the Small Business Center at Dyersburg State Community College, the Dyersburg-Dyer County Chamber of Commerce and the Southeast Innovation Center at Southeast Missouri State University.

Leaders from DSCC, the Chamber, SEMO and organizations throughout the community joined together at the Lannom Center on Tuesday, Aug. 26 for graduation services and a celebration of the successful program.

DSCC President Dr. Karen Bowyer and Small Business Development Center Director Dr. Jamie Frakes received a plaque of recognition from Gina Harper of the Southeast Innovation Center at Southeast Missouri State University at the Jump Start commencement. [Click to enlarge]

"We couldn't have pulled this off without everyone," said DSCC Small Business Development Center Director Dr. Jamie Frakes, who recognized each community leader who participated in offering the program at the graduation. "This is a great example of putting together a great partnership of people who have good ideas and want to take it to the next level."

At the commencement, graduates were given encouragement and advice from several of the educational, community and business leaders involved in bringing the program to the area.

"(In this economy,) it is harder to come by all the resources you need to begin a small business," DSCC President Dr. Karen Bowyer told graduates of the program. "Remember, Dyersburg State's here, (as well as) The Tennessee Technology Center in Newbern, the University of Memphis ... We are a resource for you at Dyersburg State. It has been great to work with SEMO. Keep learning and it will pay off."

"This is one of the best small-business things we've done," said Dyersburg-Dyer County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Alan Hester. "I want you to know how much I appreciate each one of you for sticking with it. You should congratulate yourselves and pat yourselves on the back. I applaud all of you."

"The things you've been learning in this program really do make a difference," said Don Crews, vice chair of business development for the Chamber of Commerce and president of First South Bank in Dyersburg. "You may not think they do, but they do. The things you are learning right now really make a difference to someone like me (when we talk about financing your business.) If you have a well-thought-out business plan, you are helping yourself to be well prepared. That is something I see in my line of work every day."

An entrepreneur himself, CEO of Missouri Research Corporation at Southeast Missouri State University Dennis Roedemeier had a special message for the graduates.

"I started my first series of sales in this town," said Roedemeier. "One thing that is very important, that I wish people would have told me: with all the people helping you, there is no excuse for not calling people when you need help. Why do I say this? When speaking of (new) entrepreneurs, (you will hear that) 80 percent of these will not make it. I'm here to tell you tonight that 95 percent of our people make it. You are a part of that group. I am very proud of you. You will make it. Stay with it, don't ever, ever give up."

Director of the Small Business Development Center at DSCC, Frakes also served as training facilitator for the six-week course. Curriculum provided budding entrepreneurs with 36 hours of training designed to assist them in building business plans and strategies.

"The participants received some intense training in the classroom," said Frakes in a recent press release, "and were (also) required to complete outside homework in addition to their in-class activities."

With instructional materials provided by from Kauffman Foundation's Fast-Trac program, Jump Start participants learned the importance of business planning, marketing plan preparation, and establishing key assumptions for managing their business enterprises.

Graduates of the program who completed a business plan and submit it to the Southeast Innovation Center by Sept. 3 will have the opportunity to compete for seed capital for their business ventures through a Delta Regional Authority grant. The most viable business plans could receive up to $3,500 to be used in the start-up or expansion of their small business.

"I think the Jump Start program is the best program we've ever offered small businesses," said President and CEO of the Dyersburg-Dyer County Chamber of Commerce Alan Hester in the press release. "I am pleased with the number of graduates that completed the program. This is something I want us to continue offering to the business community."

Graduates of the Jump Start Class program include Laura Mann, Krystal Higdon, George Moody, Debra Mitchell, Sharon McElrath, Joyce Smith, Bentley Quertermous, William Warren, Kathi Clements, Cynthia Carwhile, Chelsea Greer, Vince Haymon, Joe Robinson, Chasity Doss, Laura Davis, Ron Coffman, Michelle Coffman and Veronica Johnson.

Those interested in more information about the Jump Start program may contact Frakes at 286-3201.