Are you a Longwood SBDC client? Then chances are you’ve met SBDC Operations Manager Jennifer Baldwin.

At SBDC since 2010, Baldwin greets clients at the front desk in the Farmville office. In between she attends to countless other details.

“I manage inventory and take care of ordering supplies for all five offices,” Baldwin said. “I put client information into our data base — I’m just the behind-the-scenes person.”

That scene, Baldwin admits, often includes clients.

“Within our training aspect we do a variety of workshops— setting up, doing registrations, meeting and greeting clients when they come in. It’s a lot of fun.”

A recent social media workshop attracted people from Petersburg, South Boston and Charlottesville.

“I enjoy meeting people from different areas,” Baldwin said. “There’s always something different going on in this office.”

The start up class, Baldwin noted, is especially helpful to would-be entrepreneurs.

“It really opens the clients’ eyes,” she said. “I encourage people to come to this class. It answers all the questions clients might have; it’s really a make-or-break type of thing.”

Baldwin finds her work at SBDC rewarding.

“It’s nice to see people succeed, to see them achieve their goals,” she said.

Her advice to would-be business owners is — do your homework!

“So many people put the cart before the horse,” she said. “You need to be prepared — come see us first!”

Jennifer Baldwin

Operations Manager – Longwood SBDC

Telephone: 434.395.2086
[email protected]