GREAT BEND, Kan. — Great Bend Economic Development, Inc. (GBED) celebrated the Spring 2025 cohort of the CO.STARTERS Core program with a graduation and tradeshow event on Wednesday, May 7, in the Fort Zarah Room at the Great Bend Events Center. The event brought together participants’ friends and family, GBED board and committee members, local entrepreneur speakers, past program alumni, and local sponsors to recognize the accomplishments of Barton County’s newest group of entrepreneurs.
The evening began with each participant delivering their final business pitch—showcasing the skills, strategies, and confidence gained over the course of the 10-week program. Following the presentations, attendees explored the tradeshow portion of the evening, where each entrepreneur hosted a booth to introduce their products, services, or business concepts to the community.
This spring’s graduates—April Steinert, Melissa Prosser, Christina Sakcriska, Brad Fanshier, Patsy Denault, and Jonni Weesner—spent ten weeks learning from local entrepreneur speakers, experienced facilitators Regan Reif and Jeremy Elliott, and the nationally recognized CO.STARTERS curriculum.
Participants were guided through topics such as customer discovery, financial modeling, marketing strategies, and long-term growth planning.
“There is a huge disconnect between starting a business in 1990 versus starting a business in 2025,” said participant Melissa Prosser. “(CO.STARTERS Core) has been really good for me, it has given me the confidence, and given me the push forward to open myself up.”
CO.STARTERS is a cohort-based program that encourages aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs to build and test their business models in a supportive and collaborative environment. The program’s hands-on, customer-focused approach helps participants avoid common startup pitfalls and develop viable, sustainable businesses.
The next CO.STARTERS Core session begins September 3, 2025, and runs weekly for 10 weeks. The cost for the program is $300, which includes all materials and a weekly meal. Space is limited and early applications are encouraged.
For more information or to apply, visit www.gbedinc.com/costarters.
About GBED (Great Bend Economic Development):
Our goal is to sustain long-term economic health in our community and vitality through the retention, expansion, and attraction of businesses and development that enhance property values, increase personal income, and positively contribute to our citizens’ quality of life. For more information about GBED, visit www.gbedinc.com, call 620-796-2407, or email [email protected].
About CO.STARTERS
CO.STARTERS helps individuals and communities thrive through entrepreneurship by equipping them with strategy, tools, and relationships. Building on initial grassroots efforts with small business starters in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the CO.STARTERS network now has an international reach with thousands participating in its programs annually. Since 2008, CO.STARTERS has equipped more than 690 local leaders across 200+ communities, helping more than 12,000 starters move forward with their ventures. The hallmarks of the CO.STARTERS approach to entrepreneur support are investment in the individual, peer learning in a community context, and simple and relatable tools. From the beginning, CO.STARTERS has pioneered a community-based approach to economic development and has played a leading national role in increasing small business success and growing entrepreneurial ecosystems.
