Not every business owner thinks of themselves as someone who would go back to “school.” For a lot of people, that chapter feels closed or unnecessary. But what’s happening at the Small Business Development Center (SBDC)(mccneb.edu/SBDC) at Metropolitan Community College is quietly changing that perception.

Located in the Ashton Building at Millwork Commons (1106 N. 12th St.), the SBDC offers free consulting and workshops that are open to the public. That alone makes it more approachable.

There’s no pressure, no big barrier to entry, just an open door for people who want to figure things out, ask questions or take the next step in their business.

“When you’re at Millwork Commons, it doesn’t feel like college in the traditional sense,” said Dr. Marla Ashe, executive director of the MCC SBDC. “Many business owners never imagine being ‘students’ again, but the SBDC turns these same owners into students to grow their business and learn skills they never imagined helping their business in the way they do.”

That’s really the difference. This isn’t about sitting through lectures that may or may not apply to your life. It’s about learning things you can actually use… right away. The kind of skills that show up in how you run your business the next day, not someday.

The 10-week FastTrac Entrepreneurship and Business Development course takes that a step further. Offered on weekends and evenings, participants leave with a business plan and a roadmap for growth. And at the end, there’s a Business Pitch Competition where one participant walks away with seed money to grow or start their business.

There’s also a bigger intention behind all of this.

“When I was the dean of business, I asked how do I make this curriculum relevant to the community in a way that surpasses the walls of a classroom,” Ashe said.

You can feel that in how the SBDC operates. It’s designed to be practical, giving individuals a way in that actually makes sense for where they are today.

The MCC SBDC is also accredited through the Small Business Administration (SBA), and works alongside the Nebraska SBDC at UNO, while still maintaining its own focus and independence on serving its students and local business community.

“Many people say you can’t be everything to everyone all the time,” Ashe said. “But the SBDC tries to be that—for business owners, entrepreneurs, and students alike.”

If you’ve been trying to figure things out on your own, this is one of those resources that’s worth knowing about. The next FastTrac course begins June 13.

To learn more or register, visit mccneb.edu/SBDC, call (531) MCC-7233, or email businessdevelopment@mccneb.edu.