Kansas SBDC

Advising | Consulting | Training

  • Currently in business?
    • Become a SBDC client
    • SBDC Training Events
    • Kansas SBDC Marketing
    • Kansas SBDC Financial Analysis
    • Kansas SBDC Strategic Planning
    • Kansas SBDC Succession Transition Exit Planning
    • Kansas SBDC Cybersecurity
    • Kansas SBDC Exporting and Global Trade
    • Kansas SBDC Technology Commercialization
  • Starting a business?
    • SBDC Training Events
    • Become a SBDC client
    • Kansas SBDC Business Planning
    • Kansas SBDC Market Research
    • Kansas SBDC Technology Commercialization
  • Interested in training?
    • SBDC Training Events
    • Cyber Security Training for Employees
    • Become a SBDC client
  • Need specific resources?
    • Kansas SBDC locations
      • Kansas SBDC Cyber Security Center for Small Business map
    • Kansas SBDC Cybersecurity
    • Kansas SBDC Technology Commercialization
    • Kansas Business Center
    • Kansas Secretary of State
    • Kansas Department of Revenue
    • Kansas Department of Labor
  • February 18, 2019
Home Archives for help with business plan

Kansas SBDC March 8, 2018 Leave a Comment

Wabaunsee County Signal – Enterprise

Wabaunsee signal kansas sbdc small business award

One of the events that small rural communities look forward to each week is when they get their local paper.

When residents of Wabaunsee County, Kansas read the local news, they have Lori L. Daniel – Editor, Owner, Publisher – of the Wabaunsee County Signal-Enterprise to thank.

Lori Daniel first began working at the Wabaunsee County’s Signal-Enterprise weekly newspaper in the late 1970’s during her junior and senior years in high school. At that time, the paper had been printing for more than 100 years in northeastern Kansas.

Apparently, during her time at the Signal-Enterprise Lori found some ‘ink in her veins.’

After high school graduation, Lori continued in the newspaper business spending the next 36 years working for the agriculture newspaper Grass & Grain published by Ag Press. At Ag Press she learned and mastered all the skills of printing and publishing including typesetting copy, building ads and even branching out into advertising sales, final page layout, and design. Lori maintained publishing software for billing, ad pricing, accounting, mailing lists – learning all aspects of the newspaper business.

In 2014 she found her way back to The Wabaunsee County Signal-Enterprise and worked two days each week for then owner Ervan Stuewe. Lori developed her skills as a graphic artist as well as a nice account list of commercial customers.

Over the next year of work at The Signal-Enterprise Lori became interested in doing more at the paper – she wanted to be the owner.

In early 2016 Lori met with Kansas SBDC at Washburn University (WU) advisor Les Streit and Tracy Henry, Director of Wabaunsee Economic Development. Lori already had a local bank interested in helping with the financing but needed additional funding to purchase the business. Working with the SBDC she pulled together a solid business plan to secure financing.

“Les Streit explained various options, offered support and encouragement. He also talked with me realistically about the printing and publishing business – especially newspapers,” shared Lori. “I believe he was making sure I knew what I was getting into. Then he helped me put together a business plan, complete with charts and future income projections. I believe all this made the difference in my obtaining my e-community loan. I was looking into tapping my retirement fund. I didn’t think I had any other option until I met with Les.”

Together with Lori’s own equity contribution, a commercial bank loan and a Wabaunsee County E-Community loan, the financing package was finalized and Lori became the new owner of The Wabaunsee County Signal-Enterprise in June 2016.

When we talked with Les Streit, Kansas SBDC at WU advisor, he attributes the successful purchase and transition of this business to Lori’s tenacity and the cohesive effort from all the financing partners as they worked together to assist in the asset purchase of the business. “The Kansas SBDC at Washburn was very honored and pleased to work with such a talented business entrepreneur and her funding partners,” said Les.

To date this 134-year-old paper continues to publish weekly in the county seat of Wabaunsee County in Alma, Kansas, population 792. In addition to Lori, the Signal-Enterprise employs two part-time staffers, two part-time reporters, and two contributing roving photographers.

More about Wabaunsee County Signal-Enterprise

Website: Wabaunsee County Signal-Enterprise

Kansas SBDC Advisor

Les Streit, WU

How Kansas SBDC helped Wabaunsee County Signal-Enterprise

Cash Flow Projections
Business Plan
Marketing Plan
Business Transition

Filed Under: Business Planning, financial analysis, marketing, success stories, succession transition exit planning Tagged With: alma kansas businesses, help for my business near washburn university, help with business plan, marketing help for my business, sbdc, signal enterprise, wabaunsee county businesses, Wabaunsee County Signal Enterprise, Wabaunsee newspaper

Search

About Us

2017 Kansas SBDC State Impact
3,019 jobs created/retained
$75.2m new business sales
$110.9m new business capital

As the leading provider of assistance to Kansas #smallbiz, the Kansas SBDC proves year after year that we are 100% focused on helping our clients reach their goals.

The Kansas Small Business Development Center (Kansas SBDC) is part of America’s Small Business Development Center Network, the most comprehensive small business assistance network in the United States.

Our purpose is to help existing and aspiring Kansas business owners achieve their goals in a complex local, regional, and global marketplace. At the Kansas SBDC, we work to understand your business and its opportunities by forging relationships with your team that facilitate trust, cooperation, and ultimately meet your definition of success.

Our team of advisors is here to make sure your business has what it needs to be successful. Whether you are trying to strengthen an existing business, pull together a succession plan, or even start a new business, the SBDC is here to provide advice, resources, and support for you and your company.

Let’s get started.

Kansas SBDC, SBA, Kansas Dept of Commerce logos and ASBDC accreditation seal

Policies

Privacy policy

Notice of non-discrimination and other policies

Contact Us

Greg Panichello, Kansas SBDC state director
800 SW Jackson St Ste 900
Topeka KS 66612
785-296-6514
panichello@ksbdc.net

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons License
Kansas SBDC by Kansas SBDC is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at https://www.kansassbdc.net.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at https://www.kansassbdc.net.

Quick Links

Business Planning
Cybersecurity
Exporting and Global Trade
Financial Analysis
Market Research
Marketing
Strategic Planning
Succession Transition and Exit Planning
Technology Commercialization

Recent Posts

  • RIIC Innovation Conference in Kansas
  • Kansas SBDC 2018 State Star [press release]
  • Encountering Innovation
  • Cyber Security Training for Employees
  • Fixed, Growth, and Entrepreneurial Mindsets

Copyright © 2019 · Streamline Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in