Help Us Examine the State of Small Business in Mississippi
The Mississippi Small Business Development Center (Mississippi SBDC) is proud to announce an exciting new partnership with Economic Impact Catalyst—an independent technology and research firm—to conduct a comprehensive research study on the state of small and large businesses in Mississippi. This timely study will provide crucial data-driven insights into the current landscape, pressing challenges, and growth opportunities for entrepreneurs and business owners across the state. The findings will directly inform the Mississippi SBDC’s strategies and initiatives to better serve the Mississippi business community in the years ahead.
Supporting Research Efforts
To gather essential perspectives, the Mississippi SBDC is distributing a confidential survey to small and large businesses with the support of the state’s network of economic support organizations (ESOs). ESOs’ participation is instrumental to the success and impact of this research. By sharing the survey with their membership, ESOs help ensure the study accurately captures the real needs of Mississippi businesses.
Promote the Study
Share details about the purpose, scope, and timeline of the study on your website, social media, newsletters, and other communications to encourage business members to participate.
Distribute Surveys
Forward links to surveys and participant recruitment info in your regular newsletters, emails, and other contacts with your full membership and networks.
Recruit Participants
Leverage your relationships and reach within the business community to help recruit a diverse range of interview participants that represent different industries, geographies, demographics, and business sizes.
Provide Thought Leadership
Offer insights informed by your experience engaging with businesses to ensure the study explores the most relevant issues and topics facing your members and the communities you serve.
Collaborate on Initiatives
Use the findings and recommendations from the study as a jumping off point to shape collaborative programs and initiatives between your organization and the SBDC that provide expanded resources and support.
Spread the Word
Keep your membership and networks updated on the study’s progress, timeline, and results through regular communications as the project advances.
Mississippi SBDC’s Commitment to Data-Driven Business Support
This study and partnership exemplify the Mississippi SBDC’s commitment to data-driven support for entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes. We look forward to sharing the findings with our partners as we continue working together to uplift Mississippi businesses. If you are a business owner in the state of Mississippi, we’d love to learn more about your journey.
FAQs
We know you likely have questions about the details of this important study. Below we have addressed some frequently asked questions to provide more information on what to expect.
What is the purpose of this study?
The study aims to develop an in-depth understanding of the current landscape, pressing challenges, and growth opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs across Mississippi. The findings will directly inform SBDC initiatives to better serve the state’s business community.
Who is conducting the study?
The study is a partnership between the Mississippi SBDC and Economic Impact Catalyst, an independent technology and research firm.
What topics will the study cover?
The research will gather data on issues like access to capital, hiring challenges, supply chain disruptions, broadband internet needs, and more for Mississippi small businesses.
How will the findings be used?
The SBDC will use study insights to shape training programs, advisory services, outreach initiatives, and other resources aimed at strengthening Mississippi’s small business ecosystem.
Where can I access tools to distribute the survey?
Please use the materials provided the survey toolkit. For questions, please reach out to info@eicatalyst.com.
Who is the Mississippi SBDC?
Founded in 1981, the Mississippi SBDC Network, provides business services via 15 centers and sites strategically located throughout the state and successfully links the state’s higher education system with community outreach to aid in the development and education of the state’s entrepreneurs and small business community. Our mission is to foster Mississippi’s entrepreneurial ecosystem; providing businesses expertise and resources that drive success. Core services include one-on-one counseling, training events, business services, and funding assistance.
Who is Economic Impact Catalyst?
Economic Impact Catalyst creates best-in-class, technology-enabled solutions to support entrepreneurship-led economic development. We work in more than 100 markets in the United States to help entrepreneurs from underrepresented communities build wealth, autonomy, and improve outcomes for their communities. In addition to access to the Startup Space platform, we provide meaningful data and surveys to help our clients understand their impact and drive policy. Learn more about our solutions, our mission, and our clients on our website.