Wawókiye Business Institute (WBI)

The Wawókiye Business Institute is an award-winning program of small business facilitation and success coaching focused on the needs of our clients. The majority of the WBI clients are first generation entrepreneurs, working to overcome enormous socio-economic obstacles.

The Wawókiye Business Institute creates a nurturing environment for community businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs by providing trained business success coaches. The coaches work in the community helping each business and potential entrepreneur to remove barriers and enable them to achieve their dreams and goals.

Wawókiye is the Lakota concept of generosity, helping without expecting rewards or payment. Wawókiye Business Institute feels that one component of a strong nation is a strong sovereign economy.

WBI was developed by Lakota Funds in association with Oglala Lakota College and the Pine Ridge Area Chamber of Commerce. After eighteen years in business Lakota Funds has had many successes and has gained a keener understanding of how to help our Lakota people to develop entrepreneurial know-how. The WBI is designed to provide client-centered, hands-on coaching uniquely tailored to the needs and circumstances of our entrepreneurs on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

WBI is a Free, technical assistance program utilizing Success Coaches in delivering a client-centered approach to small business entrepreneurs. Backed by a network of businesses and potential entrepreneurs in the pursuit of a private sector economy for the Pine Ridge Reservation. Besides coaching new business ventures from the beginning, WBI also assists businesses that want to strengthen and/ or regain their viability within their communities, WBI also assist private businesses who are struggling for various reasons. Existing businesses that are contemplating expansion can also find assistance through WBI and its network of resources.

WBI believes this long term technical assistance approach will have a positive impact on the repayment ability of businesses which creates many more qualified funding opportunities for the small business person.