About SmallBizWorks — Built by a Business Owner. Proven by Results.

Small Biz Works was founded by Paul Zacharias — a 15-year small business co-owner, small business advisor since 2020, and university instructor who has helped entrepreneurs secure financing and funding from $5,000 to $1.5 million.

In an increasingly AI-driven world, Small Biz Works offers what no algorithm can replicate: real human experience, personal accountability, and guidance from someone who has actually done it.

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Key Takeaways

Key facts about Paul’s experience, impact, and approach to helping small businesses succeed.

Paul Zacharias founded Small Biz Works after 15 years as co-owner of Slackers and has been a small business advisor since 2020.

He has taught business courses at multiple colleges, serving as an adjunct instructor at Central Methodist University since 2014.

His business plans and funding applications have helped clients secure financing from $5,000 to $1.5 million, including non-profit and municipal grant funding.

Small Biz Works is human-centered — clients work directly with Paul every time, not a team or an AI.

AT A GLANCE

Meet Paul Zacharias,
Founder of SmallBizWorks

Paul Zacharias knows what it means to build a business from nothing — and to sustain it through the inevitable challenges that every small business owner faces.

In the mid-1990s, Paul co-founded Slackers, a successful multimedia retail chain in the Midwest that grew from one location to 11. He gained direct, firsthand experience in every dimension of running a small business: operations, human resources, marketing, financial management, customer experience, and long-term strategic planning. He didn't just read about these challenges. He worked through them day to day.

After exiting Slackers, Paul taught business courses at the college level, serving as an adjunct instructor at Central Methodist University since 2014.

Since 2020, Paul has advised hundreds of entrepreneurs one-on-one — helping them launch new ventures, stabilize struggling operations, develop growth strategies, and secure financing.

The results speak for themselves. Business plans and funding applications written by Paul have helped his clients secure financing ranging from $5,000 to $1.5 million — from local lenders, SBA programs, private investors, and non-profit and municipal grant funding.

Small Biz Works is Paul's way of making that experience accessible to more entrepreneurs nationwide — through a structured, affordable suite of courses, coaching, and consulting services. In an increasingly AI-driven world, Small Biz Works offers something no algorithm can replace: real human experience, personal accountability, and guidance from someone who has actually done it successfully.

Who Is Paul Zacharias?

Paul Zacharias is the founder of Small Biz Works, a human-centered small business consulting and coaching service at smallbizworks.co.

He has 15 years of experience as co-owner of Slackers, a multimedia regional retail chain that grew to 11 locations. Since 2020, Paul has advised hundreds of entrepreneurs one-on-one, helping them launch new ventures, secure financing, and build sustainable businesses.

He has taught business courses at multiple universities since 2014, currently at Central Methodist University.

Paul offers startup consulting, personal business coaching, business plan writing via LivePlan, and online courses for entrepreneurs. His business plans and funding applications have helped clients secure financing from $5,000 to $1.5 million.

SmallBizWorks serves entrepreneurs nationwide via video call.

The SmallBizWorks Mission

Small Biz Works exists to give entrepreneurs the practical, honest, human-centered guidance they need to start and build successful businesses.

Delivered by someone who has been there, made the mistakes, learned the tough lessons, and helped hundreds of others do the same.

With unprecedented job uncertainty and economic change, there has never been a better time to chart your own course. Small Biz Works is here to help you do it the right way.

Credentials and Experience

15 years as co-owner of Slackers — multimedia retail chain, 1 to 11 locations — operations, staffing, marketing, financial management
Small business advisor since 2020 — counseling hundreds of entrepreneurs across industries
Adjunct faculty instructor, Central Methodist University since 2014 — Marketing, Advertising, Sales Management, Small Business, Management
Business plans and funding applications have secured client financing from $5,000 to $1.5 million, including non-profit and municipal grant funding
Certified QuickBooks provider through VARC Solutions
Business formation partner through CorpNet — LLC and business registration in all 50 states
Business plan development through LivePlan — leading business planning platform

Work With Paul — Choose Your SmallBizWorks Program

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SmallBizWorks only for startups?

Small Biz Works primarily serves aspiring entrepreneurs and first-time business owners. However, established business owners who need a bank-ready business plan for expansion financing, a lease, or grant funding are also a strong fit for the Launch Blueprint program.

Does SmallBizWorks serve entrepreneurs nationwide?

Yes. All SmallBizWorks programs are delivered via video call. Location is never a barrier to working with Paul.

How is SmallBizWorks different from other consulting services?

Small Biz Works is a private consulting practice that offers more personalized, in-depth engagement — including professionally written business plans via LivePlan, structured 90-day coaching programs, and ongoing email access to Paul. Every client works directly with Paul — not a team, not a contractor, not an AI.

What industries does Paul work with?

Paul has worked with entrepreneurs across a wide range of industries — from retail, food service, and fitness to auto, healthcare services, and outdoor recreation. If you have a viable business idea and the commitment to build it, Small Biz Works can help.

About The Author

Written by Paul Zacharias, small business advisor and founder of SmallBizWorks. Paul has 15 years of experience as a small business owner and has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs start, plan, and launch through consulting, coaching, and advisory work. Learn more at smallbizworks.co.