UMW Center for Economic Development

05/23/2024

Farewell to our Intern Christelle Tetteh

Christelle Tetteh recently graduated from University of Mary Washington with her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. During her senior year, she was the Front Desk receptionist and Research Assistant Intern at UMW Center for Economic Development. During her time at the Center, Christelle provided a great support to clients by assisting and guiding them with our services and resources. She was able to assist clients with IBISWorld Industry Reports, research, and analytics. She also assisted clients in developing social media marketing strategies for their businesses. One of Christelle's major contributions was to assist with communications: she created an online flipbook highlighting the Center's work in 2023, she helped with our event calendars, and also assisted with online event posting and marketing. Christelle is well recognized by our clients for her work ethics and great personality. She interned from September 2023 until May 2024. We asked her to reflect on the time interning at UMW Center for Economic Development.

What were your goals going into this opportunity?
My goals coming into this experience were to
1)Learn people skills needed to succeed in the corporate world
2)Time management
3)Learn entrepreneurial skills
4)Gain insight into how the small business world functioned

Can you share some highlights from your time at UMW CED?
My most memorable highlights were having the opportunity to work with some UMW SBDC clients. I had the amazing opportunity to work with Johnnie Lloyd, founder of Johnnie Lloyd and Associates, LLC and from her I gained invaluable advice on how the mindset is the key to succeeding in life. I also learnt how to make flipbooks via Designrr and learned how to use Mailchimp.
I also had the opportunity of working with Dorrette Stevenson who was just starting her LLC, Village Life Gate Coaching and from her I was able to see the process of how she was starting up her company, from setting up her website and social media. From this experience I learned how to make a website through Wix.

What are the main takeaways from interning with UMW CED?
1) Honed my research and analytical skills from my experience working with Johnnie Lloyd
2) Improved my time management to efficiently multitask various projects.
3) Learnt from how important it is to network and keep contacts close as you never know now one person can change your life.

We wish Christelle a great career path in her new journey. Please join us to thank her for her input into the center and to congratulate her career of success.

04/30/2024

The University of Mary Washington Small Business Development Center (UMW SBDC) is hiring two part-time consultants to work in the Fredericksburg office. The consultants will help clients start and grow small businesses. Applicants should have experience owning or managing a small business and be comfortable meeting with clients in-person and virtually.
https://jobs.umw.edu/jobs/early-venture-business-consultant-umw-virginia-united-states?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2RULoAGejqcp69K5iONi6DhuLO1j7nsf5V5Cw8AD1_ZjrrhTe5ykOuDd4_aem_ARCVr8pJtgYs9iq2dFgy8KCeSUO3dIdS9Hm4WEOR41cUYqoshSI9KaQzPhfwCZXTx_8Bk4XbowiSCNB3ujIWeCQh

Title: Early Venture Business Consultant VP Area: Provost - UMW Department: Small Business Development Ctr Campus Location: Main Campus Advertised Range: $31.10/hour Job Summary/Basic Functions The chief objectives of the position are to provide confidential consulting and research to SBDC clients i...

02/20/2024

https://economicdevelopment.umw.edu/blog/2024/02/15/social-media-marketing-platforms-to-use-in-2024/

Keeping up with social media marketing trends can be a challenge for business owners. Most business owners wear many hats and find it hard to make time for marketing, much less keep on top of the changes in the way their customers get information. We turned to Social Media Examiner’s Industry R....

12/19/2023

Congratulations to Johnnie Lloyd for receiving the 2023 Meta R. Braymer Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award. The award was presented at the UMW Center for Economic Development holiday luncheon last week. . The award is presented to a female entrepreneur in honor of dedication to success over challenge, the sharing of time and talent, and the building of a better community.

Ms. Lloyd was cited for her contributions to the UMW Small Business Development Center, the local and regional business communities, and efforts to improve the lives of people around the world. Ms. Lloyd has supported the UMW SBDC as a speaker on financial management and credit improvement and as a CARES Act SME. During Covid, she assisted local business owners in managing their books and applying for EIDL loans and PPP grants.

The University of Mary Washington Center for Economic Development congratulates Johnnie Lloyd on her achievements and thanks her for her contributions to local businesses.

12/16/2023

Congratulations to Leigh Anne Van Doren founder of Fredericksburg Advance online news. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held by the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce for the Fredericksburg Advance at the UMW Center for Economic Development. Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger and Fredericksburg City Mayor spoke attended and spoke at the ceremony to celebrate the importance of a free press.

08/10/2023

Congratulations to the Virginia SBDC winners of the 40 under 40!

Congratulations to the Virginia winners of the ASBDC 40 under 40 winners including our very own Angela Kelley. We are proud of the hard work these young professionals provide to their small business community.

Charles “Tee” Rowe, America’s SBDC President & CEO said "It is with great pleasure and admiration that we announce these exceptional young professionals who have shown remarkable potential and passion to serve the SBDC network and their clients. Their dedication, hard work, and innovative mindset inspire not only their peers but also aspiring young professionals across the nation."

The winners will be celebrated at a reception during the 44th Annual America’s SBDC Conference on Thursday, September 5, at the Ga***rd Opryland Resort in Nashville, Tennessee.

05/09/2023

Do you know a UMW or Germanna student that is interested in entrepreneurship? We are currently accepting applications to StartupUMW for the Fall 2023 semester. Apply online at https://economicdevelopment.umw.edu/home/programs/student-entrepreneurship/

03/31/2023

The UMW CED is gearing up for its annual student business pitch competition. Find out more about this annual event and how to become a sponsor and/or RSVP to watch the student pitches at www.umw.edu/eagleinnovation

12/13/2022

UMW SBDC created a new page to let local business owners know about their upcoming classes, share business related blogs, and local business news. Like and follow their page to stay in the know.

Have you checked out our new page? Like and follow the UMW SBDC for information about upcoming classes, business blogs, and local business news.

10/19/2022

We are thrilled to support Better4You, a delicious and nutritious new juice company as they open their doors to the community at their new storefront on Frederick St downtown. Read their story here.

small business story startup better4you juices