Baker Interviewed about Center for Economic Development in The Free Lance-Star

As head of UMW’s Small Business Development Center, Brian Baker helps entrepreneurs bring their businesses to fruition and contributes to the economic wellbeing of the Fredericksburg region. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.
Brian Baker, executive director of UMW’s Center for Economic Development and Small Business Development Center, was interviewed for an article in The Free Lance-Star on how he and his team are helping local businesses navigate the pandemic.
The University of Mary Washington Center for Economic Development has taken the pulse of area businesses suffering from the impact of COVID-19 and pivoted to provide help.
It’s creating free, 30-minute online classes and brief podcasts on topics that are causing owners the most pain at a time when many are having to shut their doors, and providing consultation online in keeping with new social distancing requirements.
“We haven’t had this kind of challenge since [Hurricane] Isabel, and all the processes have changed,” said Brian Baker, the center’s executive director for economic development.
He said his office, which includes the UMW Small Business Center, has been getting four times as many calls as normal. He and his staff decided to survey businesses in Planning Districts 16, 17 and 18 to see how prepared they were and what problems they were facing. Read more.
Susan Ball Completes Certification Series
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.
Eagle StartUp Finalists
The UMW Entrepreneurs Club, EagleWorks, and the University of Mary Washington Small Business Development Center joined together to encourage startups among members of the University of Mary Washington student community in a program called the Eagle Startup Challenge. The finalists are Anthony Seippel, Patrick Byrne and Chrophe Perdu (team), Seamus Hooban and Andy Leonard (team), and Daniel Shapiro. They will give pitch-style presentations and announce the winners on April 24, 2013.
The UMW Entrepreneurs Club is a partnership with the University of Mary Washington Office of Entrepreneurship and Business Development in suite 400 in the Eagle Village Executive Offices.Visit the web page at http://economicdevelopment.umw.edu/umw-entrepreneur-club/ for the latest updates.
UMW-SBDC Helps Veterans with their Business Ambitions
Susan Ball, the early venture specialist for the University of Mary Washington Small Business Development Center (UMWSBDC), provides Boots to Business training for transitioning members of the Marines at the Quantico Marine Corps Base. Boots to Business is a program instituted by the SBA to provide an overview of business ownership to service members. Those preparing to transition out of the service are eligible to attend a Boots to Business workshop and learn more about the steps to take to determine whether entrepreneurship is a good option for them. For more information, contact the UMW-SBDC at 540-654-1383 or email sbdc@umw.edu .
Eagle StartUp Challenge
The UMW Entrepreneurs Club, EagleWorks, and the University of Mary Washington Small Business Development Center present…
Eagle StartUp Challenge
“Growing the World Through New Business Creation”
Draft Your Business Concept
Craft Your Pitch
Network with Other Entrepreneurs
Earn a Business Assistance Package
The goal of this competition is to encourage startups among the members of the University of Mary Washington student community.
Business Concept Deadline: April 4, 2013
Finalist Announcement: April 11, 2013
Oral Presentations and Awards Ceremony – April 24, 2013
For more information, please contact ced@umw.edu