The world of small business isn’t new to Dana Knott. Her very first job was with a family-owned outfit, a foundation that now informs her role as the Longwood SBDC’s central region director.
“They were entrepreneurs, passionate about their businesses,” said Knott.…
Ilsa Loeser first discovered the Longwood SBDC as a client enrolled in the business startup course. Today, as the founder of a successful marketing agency, she provides education and support to fellow entrepreneurs in her role as an SBDC consultant. Better yet, her agency helps other small businesses in rural Virginia to thrive.…
Hope Harris-Gayles knows Southern Virginia. Born and raised in Charlotte County, she now lives in Halifax. Her understanding of this rural region — paired with a comprehensive foundation in marketing and firsthand knowledge of what it takes to run a small family business — makes her the perfect fit for the Longwood SBDC.…
In 2004 as an undergraduate at University of Wyoming, Jacob Dolence started a web-based business to help students buy and sell textbooks.
“What stuck with me was how much I learned in putting something out there into the world,” says Dolence.…
Ask Longwood SBDC Eastern Region Director Vandy Jones why he developed an interest in helping small business owners, and you’ll get an unexpected answer.
“You might say a tornado brought me to it,” Jones says with a smile.
On the surface, Jones’ resume doesn’t read like a whirlwind career.…
In 2005, Dr. Vince Magnini joined the SBDC team as its first-ever, pro bono small business consultant from Longwood University’s faculty. Since then, his expertise in both management and marketing has made him an invaluable resource for SBDC clients as he challenges entrepreneurs to think strategically and intentionally about marketing their businesses.…
Katherine Beale understands retail — and its singular importance in the world of small business.
After starting her career in corporate America and spending the bulk of her time in financial services with companies including Mastercard, Beale began working with a community bank and found herself engaging with entrepreneurs regularly.…
Michael Duncan came to the Longwood Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for advice when he was starting his sixth business in 2005. Now an SBDC consultant, Duncan’s the one giving the advice.
Duncan started working for Longwood SBDC in 2014, initially specializing in financial projections for small businesses.…
Michael Scales, business analyst for the Longwood Small Business Development Center Western Region, knows business from the ground up. The Martinsville native owned and operated a family construction business for over 30 years.
Scales, who will base his operations in the Patrick Henry Community College (PHCC) Dalton IDEA Center located at 26 Fayette Street, Uptown Martinsville, is looking forward to building relationships with SBDC clients.…
SBDC Finance Manager Sherri Moore knows finance. Part of her job at the Farmville office is to manage the budget for SBDC offices in Danville, Martinsville, South Boston, Petersburg and Farmville.
A native of Farmville, Moore went to Longwood University where she received a degree in business with a concentration in finance.…