Cochise Newsroom

In Cochise County, where many residents may leave in search of bigger opportunities elsewhere, a growing number of entrepreneurs are choosing to stay, invest and build their own businesses.

 

The Small Business Development Center's (SBDC) DreamBuilder program provides residents with tools, confidence and support to launch businesses that serve the community and strengthen the local economy. From food trucks and restaurants to childcare services, healthcare businesses and transportation companies, participants in the program are turning ideas into action.

 

The first DreamBuilder cohorts brought together aspiring entrepreneurs, creating a space where residents could test ideas, ask questions and begin building a roadmap for their future.

 

Kim Ryan, the SBDC's DreamBuilder facilitator, joined us for a question-and-answer interview:

 

What is the DreamBuilder program?
DreamBuilder is a free program that teaches entrepreneurship through a mix of in-person training, networking, and an online course with a built-in business plan tool. Freeport-McMoRan created it in partnership with the Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University, and it has reached more than 216,000 participants across 183 countries since its launch.

 

Who can participate?
So far, the program has served 30 students across two cohorts, all from Cochise County. These participants are exploring a wide range of business ideas, including restaurants, food trucks, transportation services, elder and child care, healthcare and aesthetics, art-based ventures, and more.

 

How did the experience help the participants?

Participants reported a range of outcomes, from increased confidence in pitching their ideas and a clearer sense of their business vision and mission to taking concrete steps such as forming business entities, registering trade names, or even pivoting to new business models that better fit their goals.

 

Why should others consider joining?
Anyone interested in starting a business but unsure where to begin can benefit from this program. It guides participants through the startup process, helps them define their unique value in the marketplace, and builds their understanding of financing and capital preparation.

 

"People joined because they had a business idea and wanted to vet it before launching," Ryan said. "Others wanted tactical support with formalizing business plans and seeking startup capital."

 

Another participant pointed to the balance between structured coursework and personal guidance. "The entire course, the modules and then the weekly two-hour sessions were helpful," the participant said. "The one-on-one meetings with Kim were also very valuable."

 

"Anyone who wants to start a business but doesn't know where to start should join the program," Ryan said.

 

The Cochise College SBDC regularly offers workshops, training and one-on-one advising to support small business growth and economic development across Cochise County. 
 
To learn more about the DreamBuilder program, call (520) 515-5445, email ryank@cochise.edu or visit cochise.edu/sbdc.