DIRECTOR

My main mission is to support local small businesses that are a critical component and major contributor to the strength of local economies. Focusing on the amazing entrepreneurs in our beloved CLE, my time is spent on supporting their successes.

For the past 15 years, I have worked in the entrepreneurial world; currently as the Director of the CSU Small Business Development Center for 8 years, and previously as an Entrepreneur Advisor, providing assistance, training and advising to local small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs. I have also created many entrepreneurial experiential learning opportunities and training for entrepreneurs, corporate and academic entities. I have developed curriculum in entrepreneurship, as well as taught business and marketing classes for ten years as an adjunct faculty member of the Business Division at Lorain County Community College.

I earned an MBA from Cleveland State University and got my start at Ernst & Young as an eLearning Consultant and Instructional Designer and new hire trainer.

In my spare time, I support the local economy by shopping and eating locally!

MARKETING ADVISOR

I am a Youngstown native and Youngstown State University alumni. During my last year of undergrad, I was an intern for the Ohio Small Business Development Center at YSU and after graduating with my undergraduate degree in business administration I was hired as a marketing consultant for that same SBDC.

Currently, I am now the marketing consultant for the Ohio Small Business Development Center at Cleveland State University and am eager to meet new clients and assist them with growing their businesses through marketing.

STUDENT & CLIENT BUSINESS ADVISOR

I am an entrepreneur who created, ran and sold Little Racquets with advising experience from start-ups to small businesses (<5 M). Successfully grew regional and national brands: Goldman Sachs 10KSB, LaunchNET-Kent State, Little Racquets, Sealy, Rubbermaid and Cystic Fibrosis. I provided and organized, innovative and persuasive entrepreneurial collaborations at Cleveland State University's Weston Ideation, Lab, LaunchNET, Kent State through venture start-ups, entrepreneurial workshops, speaker series, idea challenges and curriculum creation. Designed K-12 roadmap designed to engage high schoolers to develop entrepreneurial skills.

I served as a business advisor for Goldman Sachs 10KSB program during a 5-month cohort; led 13 small businesses through development of compelling growth plans using effective communication, critical thinking and compelling pitches. Increased new businesses by 10%.

GRADUATE ASSISTANT

I’m a graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in accounting with an MBA from CSU. I have an undergraduate degree in Engineering from Miami University in Oxford, OH and I am also interested in entering the Information Systems graduate program at CSU.

In addition to my schoolwork, I am also a graduate assistant with the Ohio Small Business Development Center at CSU. I respond to emails, voicemail, answer phone calls, and help with financial projections and business plans.

Lastly, I am an entrepreneur working on my 2nd startup. It is called BARFLi and it is a Bar Dating & Venue App. We are unique because other dating apps are designed to be used at home, and we are designed to be used at the bar or nightclub. I am the Chief Executive Officer at BARFLi.