Caleb Keling ’24

“This has been a goal of mine for quite some time now, junior year in high school to be specific. I want to thank my family…everyone involved with the Craig School of Business and Missouri Western. Not only for giving me the opportunity to own a business, but also giving me the skills to own that business.”

Katie ’16 and Geovanny ’16 Parra

“The applied business ownership course took all of our theory and textbook-based classes and helped us to apply them toward real life business ownership.”

Allie ’11 & Matt ’08 & Cooper Canaday

“I am very thankful to Steven Craig and the CSB faculty and staff for their dedication to such a great program. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity doesn’t come along every day! I couldn’t be happier with my decision to be a part of it!”

Become a Business Owner

Who is eligible?

MWSU seniors with a business or entrepreneurship major or minor
Minimum GPA 2.5
MWSU alumni with a business or entrepreneurship major or minor or significant business experience

What is the process?

Candidates enroll in the Applied Business Ownership class, MGT 417, offered every spring at MWSU, and write a business plan for a company.
Candidates present their business plans in a preliminary competition held toward the end of the semester. A panel of judges identifies the finalists who can revise their plans before presenting them in the final competition.
By the end of the semester, franchise opportunities to be awarded are identified.

What happens after the competition?

Winners attend franchise training
Financial documents with the lender are signed, as are documents with the Craig School of Business and MWSU
Owners open their stores!!
CSB provides continued support for store owners

Franchise Opportunities

We’re all over the nation! View our map

Pam Klaus

Director
Center for Franchise Development
Popplewell 211
816-262-9769