When it comes to building a business in Boise, entrepreneurs often describe the city as connected, collaborative, and full of opportunity. For Zions Bank, that spirit of connection is something they take to heart. As a platinum sponsor of Boise Entrepreneur Week and a cornerstone supporter of Idaho’s business community, Zions Bank continues to show that banking can be about much more than loans. It can be about partnership.

At the heart of Zions Bank’s small business mission is its Business Resource Center, a hub designed to empower entrepreneurs at every stage. The center offers free workshops, educational events, and one-on-one business counseling covering everything from financial projections to marketing plans. What’s unique is that business owners do not have to be Zions Bank customers to access these resources. “We’re not just lenders, we’re business advisors,” says Karen Applegren, Vice President and Business and Professional Banking Relationship Manager. “Our goal is to make sure Idaho’s small businesses have access to the information and support they need to grow.”

That focus on education and empowerment has shaped the center’s programming over the years. Entrepreneurs can learn how to prepare for financing, understand business structure, or explore strategies for scaling up. It is all part of Zions Bank’s broader vision to help business owners gain confidence and build resilience.

Zions Bank’s involvement with Boise Entrepreneur Week reflects that same mission. Karen has played a key role in the event’s evolution, helping to develop its growth track, which focuses on established businesses ready to scale. This track was created to fill a gap between startup education and long-term business expansion, giving local entrepreneurs practical insights into topics such as funding growth, managing change, and sustainable scaling. Through this initiative, Zions Bank has helped ensure that Boise Entrepreneur Week serves business owners at every stage of their journey, not just those in the early phases of launching a company.

Zions Bank’s commitment also extends to direct financial support. The bank is Idaho’s #1 SBA lender, having provided 101 loans totaling $19.3 million to small businesses in 2024. Those funds help local entrepreneurs open storefronts, hire employees, and fuel innovation throughout the state.

Boise’s entrepreneurial ecosystem thrives on connection, and Karen notes that Zions Bank is deeply embedded in that network. “In Boise, you’re always one person away from the person you need to know,” she says. That sense of community runs through the city’s startup scene, where relationships often spark new ventures and lasting collaborations.

Through partnerships with organizations like Trailhead and continued engagement in Boise Entrepreneur Week, Zions Bank helps small businesses bridge the gap between ideas and execution. Whether through lending, mentorship, or education, their approach centers on people, ensuring that Idaho’s entrepreneurs have both the tools and the confidence to succeed.

That commitment continues year-round through events hosted by the Business Resource Center, such as the upcoming Marketing Fundamentals — Unfiltered webinar on Thursday, October 30, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. MDT. Entrepreneurs can register here to gain practical marketing insights designed to help small businesses reach new audiences and grow their brands.

When small businesses have the right support, they don’t just grow — they help the entire community thrive. Learn more about Zions Bank’s small business resources at zionsbank.com/business/business-resource-center.

This blog is written by Liz Raphael, a writer, actor, and producer in Boise, Idaho.