COMPANY DESCRIPTION
Established in 1997, the Regional Center for Entrepreneurial Facilitation (RCEF), formerly known as Riverbend Center for Entrepreneurial Facilitation is a 501 C-3, non-profit entrepreneur and business development organization. We provide one-on-one free and confidential business consulting, training, and mentorship to individuals (pre-venture), start-ups, and established businesses. Our client portfolio ranges from individuals with an idea to several million dollar corporations of 50+ employees from all industries. We have access to a large network of resources to connect clients with the right people at the right time in the facilitation process. We also actively engage in many other entrepreneurial focused projects and events to support and bring value to the community.
Some of the consulting services we offer include needs, goals, and business assessments, business plan writing/development, feasibility studies, sales and marketing plans, market research, start-up and expansion assistance, financial analysis, strategic planning, and professional management advice. Our professional consulting services are 100% confidential and offered to clients at no charge, thanks to our funding partners, Blue Earth County and the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).
About 60% of our clients are individuals that have a concept (pre-venture), who do not know where or how to start a business. Our Business Facilitators conduct a needs assessment and develop a roadmap to success with the client. Throughout this process the client receives homework during each consultation and it is up to the client to schedule another appointment. This ensures our facilitators that the individual has the initiative and tenacity to potentially run a business. We help these individuals take their viable concept, develop a plan, and walk them down the path to success.
The remaining 40% of our clientele consists of start-up and existing businesses. We also work with businesses that are in the early stages of operating. Most of the time these are businesses who may be struggling to cash-flow, having issues with sales and marketing, increasing foot traffic, or having issues with margins, to name a few. We identify and prioritize their needs; from there we realign or develop new tactics and strategies to guide the client in reaching their goals. Some business owners need very specific professional help; this is where we rely on our diverse network of professionals to assist the client.
In addition to working with start-up businesses, we work with established businesses. These types of clients come to us seeking guidance in expanding their business to take it to the next echelon. Some of the professional guidance our clients seek from us in this area include moving to a new facility, launching a new product line, protecting intellectual property, funding packaging, and much more. At this stage, in conjunction with other specialized professionals we help clients develop thorough feasibility assessments of their expansion ideas. After completing this process, our clients have a factual based idea of the viability.
REGIONAL CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL FACILITATION (RCEF) BROCHURE
MISSION
“We strive to enhance the economic self-sufficiency of individuals and communities in which they live.”
CORE VALUES
Integrity – we demonstrate the highest level of ethics and honesty in all we do.
Innovation – we stay on the cutting edge of industry trends to pass to our clients.
Excellence – we ensure quality in every aspect of our work.
GOALS
Our fundamental goals are to start, stabilize, and expand businesses and create a welcoming environment for innovation and economic development.
OUTCOMES
The outcomes of our services are:
- New businesses started
- Capital acquisition
- Job creation
- Increased tax revenues
- Increased sales of clients
- Cultivation of business leaders.
