5Q: Edward Huttenhower

 / PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO
/ PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

1 What’s your take on the small-business market in Rhode Island?

As in many other states, there is a strong core of people who are interested in starting or growing their small businesses. Small-business owners are passionate about their businesses and their customers. While there are a number of pros and cons related to a business startup, it is critical for these individuals to fully evaluate their business ideas. In order to have the best possible chance for success, it is important for these small businesses to take advantage of the various resources available to them for assistance.

2 How does it compare to some of the other markets you’ve been in, such as Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Maine?

While there are a number of differences, there are also many similarities. For example, like Rhode Island, both Pennsylvania and West Virginia were significantly impacted by the recession in 2008. Many key industries had a long, slow road to recovery, which may still be continuing. One thing that is important to note is that good business ideas that have strong plans are able to become reality even through challenging economic times.

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3 Are you launching any new initiatives at the RISBDC?

We are looking at ways to expand outreach to key locations across the state. One of the first areas is to make the services of RISBDC easily accessible to all prospective and existing small-business owners. This includes outreach to underserved populations. Additionally, we will be establishing an advisory board to be better able to stay in touch with the needs of the Rhode Island small-business sector.

4 Do you have any immediate and/or long-term goals?

While the RISBDC has a strong, core staff in place, in the short term, it is important to bring the staffing of the [center] up to the proper levels to increase outreach. Another short-term goal is to increase the visibility of the RISBDC with various constituencies. For the long term, everyone at the center is committed to making it the “go to” place for high-quality, small-business assistance.

5 Why should small-business owners consider the center as a resource?

Nationally, [small-business development centers] have been a source for unbiased recommendations and advice for over 35 years, and studies have shown that businesses that utilize such services have a greater chance of succeeding compared to those that don’t. •

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