After years of homebrewing beer, Torrey Lattin dreamed of making a living brewing beer full-time. In 2012, Torrey and his wife Stacy Ward Lattin visited Colorado and were impressed by the microbreweries and taprooms there. While Wichita did have two brewery/restaurants back then, the city did not have a beer-focused taproom. An establishment that serves handcrafted beer in a friendly place where people can connect. “A place with a coffee shop vibe, but with beer,” said Stacy.

Instead of Torrey taking his beer making skills to work at a brewery somewhere else, Stacy and Torrey decided to bring the small taproom vibe home to Wichita. 

SBA Is Seeking National Small Business Week Award Nominations!

We are proud to announce that the Wichita District Office is ready to accept nominations for the 2023 Small Business Week Awards, including the annual Small Business Person of the Year and the Small Business Exporter of the Year awards.

Visit the SBA’s dedicated website at www.sba.gov/nsbw to download forms, criteria, and guidelines for submitting a nomination. Self-nominations are welcomed. Questions? Contact Michael Aumack at 316-269-6275 for more details.

Learn More Here

Announces Streamlined Support for Local Infrastructure Contractors with Improved Surety Bond Process

Improvements are expected to increase and speed access to opportunities related to Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

SBA announced changes today to streamline the submission of Work-in-Process (WIP) information small businesses provide when receiving bonding support through the Surety Bond Guarantee (SBG) Prior Approval Program. Surety bonding is required for any business to bid on most major construction projects. The SBA Surety Bond Guarantee program backs surety bonds for small businesses wishing to submit qualified bids in partnership with surety companies and their agents, allowing them to offer bonds and bonding capacity to small businesses that might not qualify otherwise.

Learn More HERE

Kansas Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Virtual and In-Person Training Events:

09/07/22 (12 p.m.) – Startup and Start Right

09/21/22 (12 p.m.) –Creating a Marketing Plan

09/22/22 (12 p.m.) – Lending 101

09/27/22 (9 a.m.) – QuickBooks Online – The Basics

09/27/22 (1 p.m.) – QuickBooks Online – The Details

10/05/22 (12 p.m.) – Startup and Start Right

SCORE: America’s Small Business Mentors

09/08/22 (1:00 p.m.) – HUBZone Certification Process and Program Updates

09/08/22 (5:30 p.m.) – Essentials of a Business Plan

09/14/22 (12:00 p.m.) – The Power Behind MS 365 Office Suite

09/15/22 (12:00 p.m.) – Live Q&A – Expert Solutions and Advice for Hispanic-Owned Businesses

10/15/22 (10:00 a.m.) – Business Branding 

Kansas PTAC (Procurement Technical Assistance Center) is ready to help your business secure government contracts!

09/14/22 (9:00 a.m.) – Competing for Government Contracts: Basic Training Webinar

09/15/22 (12:00 p.m.) – Top 21 Legal Mistakes in Government Contracting 

09/21/22 (9:00 a.m.) –  How To Stand Out In A Competitive Market With A Capability Statement

10/05/22 (9:00 a.m.) – Competing for Government Contracts: Basic Training Webinar

U.S. International Trade Administration

How To Export Video Series: How to Export Videos (trade.gov)

Each year, U.S. companies export well over $2 Trillion of goods and services. If you want your business to get in on the action, it’s important to figure out the best way to expand to new markets.

The U.S. Commercial Service has developed this comprehensive video collection that will help your small business become better equipped to enter the exciting exporting world.

SBA 2022 Small Business Profile Reports for Each State

SBA just released the 2022 Small Business Profiles for every state. The reports contain snapshots on small business statistics, lending, and export activity from the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Click HERE to see the 2022 Small Business Profile for Kansas.