Missouri Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at UMKC is Kansas City’s leading resource for growing and developing businesses.
In 2024, we had positive impact on small business in the region:
An affiliate of University of Missouri – Kansas City and a member of the Missouri Small Business Development Center, the Missouri SBDC at UMKC program is part of a nationwide network. These connections give us unique access to the information and resources you need to take your business to the next level.
The Center was founded to provide small businesses and technology venture firms in the Kansas City region with the analysis, training, and guidance they need to confidently grow and develop.
Our experienced and dedicated staff include current and former business owners, executives and coaches. Most important, they are partners in shaping the future of your business. They provide knowledge and expertise in the areas of consulting, management, finance, marketing, technology ventures, international trade, retail, accounting, strategic planning and more. They are passionate about the work they do and have a proven track record in giving sound advice for developing small businesses.
How Can we Help your business?
Jill Hathaway leads a team of small business advisors and procurement consultants promoting economic growth through entrepreneurial education in an eleven county region.
Joel Barrett brings a coaching/consulting and business entrepreneurship background to his role of contract business development consultant at the SBDC.
Mark Calhoun has been a founder, co-founder, partner or investor in a wide variety of startups primarily focused on financial technology, retail or retail technology.
Jen Spilker is the first face, voice or email you will interact with at our programs including the Missouri SBDC at UMKC, APEX Accelerator Kansas City, ScaleUP! and all other training programs.
Julie M. Edge, Ph.D., is a Senior Business Consultant specializing in technology and bioscience entrepreneurship with the Missouri Small Business Development Center (SBDC).
Rickey Leathers serves as a Senior Business Services Consultant at the Missouri Small Business Development Center, bringing over 15 years of real-world entrepreneurial experience to his role.
Bio Coming Soon!
Jason Cole, an Apex Accelerator Counselor, supports businesses in navigating the complexities of the government marketplace.
Senior Director of Entrepreneurial Education Programs and Projects – UMKC Innovation Center
Regional Director – Missouri Small Business Development Center
With an education in international economics and banking, followed by years of strong sales management roles, Jill Hathaway made the leap to entrepreneurship. Owning multiple retail shoe stores in the Kansas City area for more than 15 years, Jill served on the National Shoe Retailers Association, focusing on creating strong trade relationships with European and South American manufacturers. Her driven approach to business had led her to work with the Missouri Small Business Development Center at UMKC for the past eight years as a Senior Business Development Consultant.
Her certifications include small business strategic advising, business and financial planning, certified facilitation, transformational life coaching and succession planning. She has served on several non-profit boards and committees, including the American Heart Association, National Association of Women Business Owners, Economic Development Corporation Loan Board and currently as a GrowthWheel Product Advisor.
Jill has received great recognition, being awarded the 2019 Kansas City Influencer with the American Association of Women, 2019 Associated Industries of Missouri Educational Leadership, America’s Small Business Development Centers 2022 Missouri State Star, Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry 2023 Leadership Missouri and multiple Business Development Professional awards from the SBDC statewide network. Recently, Jill Hathaway has taken over as Regional Director for the Missouri SBDC at University of Missouri – Kansas City and Director of Entrepreneurial Education with the UMKC Innovation Center. As a connector, Jill is always looking for opportunities to meet new faces and bring her vast network together.
Sr. Business Development Consultant: Pre-Concept/Startup
With a background in coaching, consulting, and entrepreneurship, Joel Barrett serves as the Sr. Business Development Consultant at the Missouri SBDC at UMKC. A skilled business coach, instructor, and facilitator, he leads a variety of training programs and workshops designed to help startups and small business owners succeed.
As a lifelong entrepreneur, Joel has decades of experience launching and managing businesses. He currently operates Joel Speaks Out and the KC Rainbow Tour while drawing from his expertise in marketing, business development, and community organizing. His professional journey includes leadership roles in both the public and private sectors as a general manager, director of marketing, and business consultant. Known for his intuitive ability to guide entrepreneurs through their next steps, he blends practical business strategies with insights gained from his deep involvement in community organizations.
Joel holds certifications in transformational coaching, GrowthWheel, LivePlan, the Entrepreneurial Learning Initiative, and The Working Genius. He is also currently obtaining training through Google’s AI University, expanding his expertise in cutting-edge business technologies.
Passionate about community engagement, Joel actively serves on boards and task forces. He holds a Master of Liberal Studies with a focus on sustainability from Indiana University.
Sr. Business Development Consultant: Technology/Startup/Growth
Mark Calhoun has been a founder, co-founder, partner or investor in a wide variety of startups primarily focused on financial technology, retail or retail technology. In addition he has worked as a technologist or consultant in a variety of industries including banking, insurance, reinsurance, healthcare and transportation. Mark was recently an entrepreneur in residence at nbkc bank where he worked to develop consumer banking solutions and served as an informal advisor at Fountain City Fintech accelerator. He has experience in exiting several startups as a co-founder or investor.
Mark is a graduate of NEW Venture and TECH Venture at the Missouri SBDC. He is also a previous business coaching client.
Entrepreneurial Education Program Coordinator
Jen Spilker is often the first face, voice, or email you’ll encounter when connecting with the Missouri SBDC at UMKC, APEX Accelerator, ScaleUP! Kansas City, and other affiliated training programs.
A lifelong resident of the Kansas City area, Jen brings nearly 30 years of experience working in and with small businesses. She has a strong background in administrative operations and is passionate about helping entrepreneurs find the right support and resources.
In addition to her work with SBDC and its partners, Jen is also a small business owner herself, giving her a unique perspective on the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship.
Sr. Business Development Consultant: Growth/Tech/SBIR
Julie M. Edge, Ph.D., brings 30 years of experience as a scientist, entrepreneur, and small business owner to her role as a technology and bioscience counselor with the Missouri Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Dr. Edge calls on her breadth and depth of knowledge in technology, healthcare, biotechnology, agriculture, and environmental science to support her clients as they grow their startups into scalable, sustainable, and exitable enterprises.
Dr. Edge has dedicated her career to empowering innovative startups in the technology and bioscience sectors. Her robust foundation in science coupled with her business acumen acquired through her work in banking, manufacturing, marketing technology, and service businesses enables Dr. Edge to bridge the gap between groundbreaking research and commercial success, providing clients with unparalleled insights into customer discovery, product development, and market positioning.
At the Missouri SBDC, Dr. Edge specializes in guiding technology and bioscience entrepreneurs through the complexities of launching and scaling their businesses. She offers strategic counsel and training on:
Prior to joining SBDC, Dr. Edge served as the principal of Inside Edge Solutions LLC, a boutique consulting firm. During her tenure, she successfully led initiatives that resulted in major public policy initiatives in Kansas including the creation of the Kansas Entrepreneurial Growth Act, which established the biosciences as the fourth leg of the state’s economy, funded the University of Kansas Cancer Center’s quest for National Cancer Institute designation, enabled Kansas State University to land the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, and developed the Kansas Angel Tax Credit program that continues to link accredited investors with early-stage startups.
Her deep understanding of scientific processes combined with her business acumen ensures that clients receive actionable advice that accelerates growth while maintaining scientific and technological integrity. Dr. Edge’s experience as both a scientist and an entrepreneur allows her to relate to the challenges faced by early-stage companies while providing practical solutions that drive results. She’s passionate about fostering innovation ecosystems that enable startups to thrive. Her mission is to empower entrepreneurs to turn groundbreaking ideas into transformative products and services that benefit society.
Dr. Edge is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with the International Coaching Federation, a certified facilitator of the 6 Types of Working Genius, and a certified advisor with the Value Builder System. She taps into these methods to help founders build the right team to support their mission and build valuable organizations with the potential to exit.
Sr. Business Development Consultant: Growth
Rickey Leathers serves as a Senior Business Services Consultant at the Missouri Small Business Development Center, bringing over 15 years of real-world entrepreneurial experience to his role. Having successfully launched and operated multiple businesses, he offers practical, experience-based guidance to help entrepreneurs navigate growth, strategy, and operations. Rickey is deeply committed to empowering small business owners with the tools, knowledge, and confidence they need to build sustainable and impactful enterprises.
Sr. Business Development Consultant: APEX Accelerator – Government Contracting
Bio Coming Soon!
Sr. Business Development Consultant: APEX Accelerator – Government Contracting
Jason Cole, an Apex Accelerator Counselor, supports businesses in navigating the complexities of the government marketplace. Jason has always been an advocate for small business, having owned his own business and working for Small Businesses Development Center at Wichita State University. With a background rooted in manufacturing and construction, Jason brings a wealth of experience in change management and operational efficiency. Prior to joining Apex, he played a key role in a start-up arbitrage business, implementing streamlined operations to position the company for sale.
Jason holds a Bachelor’s degree from LeTourneau University and a Master’s degree from Emporia State University. His diverse industry background and commitment to continuous improvement make him a valuable resource for businesses seeking to grow through government contracting opportunities.
Outside of work, Jason enjoys spending time with his family, experiencing the local food, sports, and live music scenes.
Your next big breakthrough is just a connection away. Reach out today and discover how SBDC can fuel your business growth.