PROVIDENCE – As of Wednesday, local entrepreneurs and small business owners now have another online tool in their pocket to help launch their business and manage its growth.
Funded by the Rhode Island Foundation through a partnership with the Center for Women & Enterprise, R.I. Commerce Corp. and the Rhode Island Small Business Development Center, among others, RIBizBuilder.com is an online directory that will help local businesses and entrepreneurs find low- and no-cost support services in Rhode Island.
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“Starting and running a business is no easy task. Small business owners are among the most resilient, hard-working, determined and creative people I know. But even they can’t do it alone all the time,” said Jessica David, the foundation’s executive vice president for strategy and community investments.
Launched Wednesday at a public announcement in Central Falls’ Dexter Plaza, the site lists dozens of local organizations offering services specifically geared to incubation and growth of Rhode Island-based firms including help with borrowing, marketing, understanding local regulations and taxes, and finding employees.
“Whether you are an established business, or a startup, or if you just have an idea, the point of RIBizBuilder.com is to quickly connect you with the people and entities that can help you with whatever you need, so you can move on, quickly,” said David.
Upon first visit, users are asked to answer four questions about the stage of their business, the type of assistance they desire, their industry and any special circumstances. The site will then contact the necessary service providers on the user’s behalf.
In prepared remarks, Central Falls Mayor James A. Diossa said launching RIBizBuilder.com has “made Rhode Island more business friendly.”
The city, he added, is home to long-term businesses as well as startups and that, “it is essential now, more than ever, that they have one central location where they can obtain all of the information and support that businesses in the past had not been privy to.”
After the announcement, Diossa led RIBizBuilder.com partners on a tour of small businesses in the Dexter Street commercial district.
In addition, the foundation is planning a series of “main street strolls” and informational sessions in Cranston, Pawtucket, Providence, Warren and Woonsocket to introduce business owners and entrepreneurs to RIBizBuilder.com face-to-face.
Emily Gowdey-Backus is a staff writer for PBN. You can follow her on Twitter @FlashGowdey or contact her via email, gowdey-backus@pbn.com.
