Seithia MartinSeithia Martin traded a career in property management for a more personal form of management — event planning. This September she opened Event Décor Galore in Petersburg.

“I’m a people person,” Martin says. “I love to decorate and design with colors and flowers.”

Martin’s first stop in planning her business was the Crater Small Business Development Center (SBDC) of Longwood University where she met with Crater SBDC Director Ellen Templeton.

“Ellen is wonderful,” Martin says. “She helped me with a business plan and how to figure my start up costs. She showed me how to build a great foundation.”

Martin found the SBDC Entrepreneur Planning Guide especially helpful.

“This booklet helps you understand the ‘whys’ of what you need to do,” she adds. “This helps you write your vision and also puts it into perspective.”

“SBDC is a true blessing,” Martin concludes. “Good information makes all the difference in the world.”