About 99.2% of Idaho businesses fall under the category of a small business, according to the Small Business Administration.  

Businesses are deemed small if they have fewer than 500 employees. Statistics show that 10,350 small businesses opened between March 2023 and March 2024. During that same period, 9,419 establishments closed its doors.  

In North Idaho, those numbers are felt firsthand as downtown corridors are lined up with local small businesses.  

The question for those eager to start their own business lingers: What keeps some businesses open while others are ceasing operations?  

Mentorship has been a hot topic in recent years, with Forbes reporting that 97.6% of Fortune 500 companies utilize mentoring programs to provide support and guidance. 

North Idaho Small Business Development Center has taken on a similar role to help small businesses in North Idaho through its free business coaching program. With a mission to accelerate small businesses through coaching, training and resources, the center aims to help stimulate the local and regional economy.  

“In rural and small market communities, the majority of businesses are small businesses," senior NISBDC coach Deborah Dickerson said. “They are a significant part of the community’s social fabric, employing locals and keeping the money earned within the community.” 

The center receives funding through the Small Business Administration, the Idaho Department of Commerce and through their host institution, North Idaho College, allowing it to offer free resources and help entrepreneurs looking for extra assistance in their business endeavors.  

Most notably, SBDC offers one-on-one coaching with their industry expert business coaches, most of which have owned one or more small businesses, according to Dickerson. Confidential coaching is available to both existing and start-up business owners, offering insight into business plans, capital sourcing, product pricing, product relations, marketing and more. Dickerson said that most businesses fail due to a lack of cash flow and that they don’t seek external assistance.   

“Most businesses fail due to being inadequately funded,” Dickerson said. “We are here for [small businesses in the area], to help them have a solid foundation for their business so they can be successful.” 

Coaching, according to the company, provides an outsider’s perspective of a business, allowing them to see things that may not have been noticed by the business owner. SBDC also considers its coaches a great resource for entrepreneurs needing an accountability partner through business assistance. 

With the resources to help proprietors in their business journey, SBDC measures business success based on sales increase, employees retained, jobs created and finances invested or received, Dickerson said. 

Outside of its coaching platform, SBDC provides trainings and workshops set to offer resourceful information to aspiring or existing business owners.  

“SBDC conducts a wide variety of business seminars on subjects including accessing capital, business planning, e-commerce and web marketing, human resource management, expansion and growth capital, legal and business issues,” according to SBDC officials on its site. 

On the calendar in January, SBDC has classes on marketing strategy for profit, managing business financials, steps to grow your business online, and a panel discussion on funding your business. 

At a global level, America’s SBDC represents 63 networks and nearly 1,000 centers which aim to assist and empower small businesses through customized advice and trainings. A partner program for the Small Business Association. Each center is hosted by universities, colleges, state economic development agencies, and private sector organizations.