Women in business group seeking Moniteau County rep

A resource to help people from a low-income or struggling background to succeed as entrepreneurs is available to Moniteau County residents.

The Central Missouri Community Action's Women's Business Center has been in place since June 2016, serving eight Mid-Missouri counties.

However, the advisory board has been without a Moniteau County representative for nearly a year.

Director Jaime Freidrichs, along with other county representatives from the board, met recently with the Moniteau County Commission; members of the California Area Chamber of Commerce; and Mike Kelly, director of the Moniteau Regional Economic Development council.

"We feel to know how to help in Moniteau County and be a complement to what MRED is doing, we need someone (from the county) to help," Freidrichs said.

A Moniteau County representative would help develop effective ideas to serve the community as well as be a point of contact for those seeking services from the business center.

The advisory board meets monthly, alternating between CMCA's Columbia office and a member county, which would require a time commitment from someone traveling from Moniteau County, Freidrichs said.

The geography and the time present a challenge for finding a representative, she said. However, conference calls are an option and perfect attendance is not required.

What is required is someone passionate about women's entrepreneurship, she said.

Other members of the advisory board are women business owners, public office holders and those in supporting fields such as finance.

"The common thread for what we're doing is what impacts we can make to help women be successful," Freidrichs said.

The Central Missouri Women's Business Center is the third such program, funded by grants from the U.S. Small Business Administration, in Missouri, with the others serving metro areas.

The local program opened its third location in Jefferson City - the original in Columbia and a second in Fulton - this month.

The center's services are not limited by income or gender, Freidrichs clarified.

"We'll work with anyone interested in starting a business or helping them to grow an existing business to become more successful," she said. "There's a focus on women, but we're open to all."

The community action organization is equipped to work especially with people who have barriers or income limitations keeping them from entrepreneurship, Freidrichs said.

The business center provides coaching, training, networking and other classes.

Freidrichs said she hopes with the new Jefferson City location, Moniteau County will be better served.

"The end goal is creating more businesses and more jobs," Freidrichs said. "A better local economy means more opportunity for all."

Call 573-777-5235, email [email protected] or visit mowbc.org for more information.