Emporia Main Street Helps Entrepreneurs Grow Their Businesses

If you want to start a company in 2026, visit Emporia Main Street to get the tools you need to build your business plan, apply for loans, and network with potential customers and vendors. Emporia Main Street works with entrepreneurs at all levels of development, from residents forming their ideas to current business owners looking to grow.

“We pride ourselves on meeting entrepreneurs where they are,” says Casey Woods, Director of Emporia Main Street. “We are a one-stop shop for small business resources and information.”

Woods adds that Emporia, Kansas, has a diverse group of small businesses and has always been an entrepreneurial community. Emporia Main Street recognizes the excitement and enthusiasm of local entrepreneurs and helps them find the right tools to succeed.  

Emporia Main Street Offers a Wide Range of Resources

Every business is unique, and each entrepreneur has a different background and skillset. While some business owners may need help understanding the permitting process and navigating local laws, others may require assistance developing marketing strategies or securing financing. Emporia Main Street listens to each business owner and shares resources to help them reach their goals.  

Along with resource sharing, Emporia Main Street serves as a hub for ideation and business development. A few services it provides include: 

• Onsight Business Incubator: This mixed-use space at 729 Commercial Street offers reduced rent to help entrepreneurs develop their concepts and grow their customer base.
• Onsight Fabrication Lab: Entrepreneurs can develop and test prototypes before producing them for the market. 
• Start Your Own Business Class: This class has been taught for 17 years and has helped start or expand more than 100 businesses in the area. It’s a great way to learn the ropes and turn an idea into a viable business model. 
• E-tech Startups: A five-week course for anyone who has a tech startup idea. The course is developed through the Center on Rural Innovation (CORI).

Emporia Main Street also offers networking, marketing, and learning opportunities throughout the year. Whether you are just starting or have been an entrepreneur for decades, you can continue learning from this organization. 

Entrepreneurs Can Bring Their Ideas to Emporia Main Street

Woods says that entrepreneurs can visit Emporia Main Street at any stage of development, even if their businesses are still in the research and development phases. The organization can connect entrepreneurs with market research that provides insights into their target market, while also guiding them through each part of the business creation process.

While entrepreneurs are welcome to drop in, Woods encourages potential business owners to make an appointment or at least alert his team about their business goals beforehand.

“It helps if we have advance notice to know what to talk about,” he explains. “This way, you can access the best possible tools and start on the right foot.”

Emporia Main Street recognizes that many entrepreneurs currently have full-time jobs, which is why the organization is available to meet with people during the evening and on weekends. 

Emporia Main Street Offers Objective Advice

The team at Emporia Main Street does not let their individual preferences dictate whether they think a business is viable. Instead, they work to provide clear insights and opportunities for entrepreneurs of all backgrounds to learn.

“If someone wants to open a business, I won’t tell them it’s a bad idea just because it doesn’t conform to my specific preferences as a consumer,” says Woods. “It’s important for entrepreneurs to have actual support, not advice from questionable sources.”

Woods walks entrepreneurs through a series of questions to help them think through their business model. These range from technical questions about target customers to learning about the support system and risk factors facing the business owner. Many people who meet with him leave with homework to keep developing their plans and evaluating each aspect of their operations.    

“I often tell entrepreneurs not to eat the whole elephant at once,” he says. “It’s better to approach each step individually to avoid getting overwhelmed or burned out.” 

Entrepreneurs Create a Diverse Economy in Emporia

Business development and entrepreneurship are important for the future of Emporia. New companies create opportunities for the local workforce while diversifying the economy. Woods says that most companies in Downtown Emporia only have a handful of employees, but together, the small business workforce comprises more than 2,000 residents. These companies create white and blue-collar jobs, selling products, services, and technology.

“Small businesses are the foundation of the community,” says Woods. “They create civic pride and give Emporia an identity. Many entrepreneurs also run for local office because of their strong problem-solving skills and dedication to residents who support them as customers.”  

A strong entrepreneurial ecosystem can also support tourism to Emporia as people travel from other parts of Kansas (and even out of state) to enjoy unique experiences, eat delicious meals, and visit fun shops.   

Residents Can Immerse Themselves in the Business Community

There are several ways to support entrepreneurship in Emporia. The easiest way is to shop small and make a concentrated effort to buy from local businesses. Companies can also join Emporia Main Street, a membership-based organization. Emporia Main Street offers multiple opportunities to volunteer and contribute to its efforts, whether you prefer to donate money, resources, or time. Businesses, organizations, and community members throughout the area (not just downtown) are part of Emporia Main Street and routinely utilize Main Street resources.

The Emporia Regional Development Association (RDA) also supports small businesses by sharing information and resources with entrepreneurs.  

Emporia is a strong community because of its small businesses. If you are considering joining them in 2026, meet with Emporia Main Street and turn your dream of becoming an entrepreneur into a reality.