A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff
Small Business Development Center Director Susan Ball
Susan Ball, director of the Small Business Development Center, recently shared her background at October’s UMW Coffee Talk, a monthly educational/networking opportunity from the Women’s Leadership Colloquium. Ball’s 17 years of work for small businesses was highlighted for Fredericksburg Economic Development. Read more.
Deb Foley of Taste Oil Vinegar Spice speaks with Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger during Wednesday’s recognition of Small Business Development Center Day at the University of Mary Washington.
U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger visited the University of Mary Washington’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Eagle Village on the Fredericksburg Campus on Wednesday, March 15 – SBDC Day!
The annual celebration commemorates the impact America’s small business development centers have on the success of small businesses.
Spanberger was joined by U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Isabella Guzman and Virginia SBDC State Director Jody Keenan, along with several Fredericksburg-area small business owners, who met at UMW’s Eagle Village SBDC, where their enterprises first began to take root.
UMW SBDC Executive Director Brian Baker and Director Susan Ball attended, as did Fredericksburg Economic Development and Tourism Director Bill Freehling.
The discussion centered around the successes and challenges faced by the businesses since they were launched and the notion that help is still available.
Adrian Silversmith from Sprelly talks with UMW Small Business Development Center’s Susan Ball during yesterday’s SBDC Day event.
Area small business owners who attended yesterday’s event included:
Participants in yesterday’s SBDC Day event, including U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, pose for a group photo.
The University of Mary Washington Small Business Development Center (UMWSBDC) is participating in the two-day Boots to Business program at Quantico Marine Corp Base. The Boots to Business program introduces Marines to entrepreneurship and is targeted to Marines preparing to transition out of military service. Those Marines are eligible to attend a Boots to Business workshop and learn more about the steps to take to determine whether business ownership is a good option for them. Susan Ball, Early Venture Specialist with the UMWSBDC, teaches the program to Marines at Quantico. Attendees are encouraged to work with the UMWSBDC to fully develop their business plan.
The University of Mary Washington Small Business Development Center’s Early Venture Specialist, Susan Ball, recently completed the SBDCGlobal Consultant Certification Series. This program prepares SBDC consultants to assist clients with international trade activities. SBDCGlobal is a powerful online trade platform that will link clients of the U.S., Mexican and Columbian Small Business Development Center networks for international trade opportunities.