Tom George joins the SC SBDC network as Winthrop Region Director
November 25, 2019
The South Carolina Small Business Development Centers (SC SBDC), the state’s premier provider of business assistance to small business owners and entrepreneurs, announced that Tom George has joined the SC SBDC as its Winthrop Region Director which covers 15 counties and comprises three area centers and multiple satellite locations. George will be located in the SC SBDC’s Rock Hill Area office.
Like all SC SBDC network professionals, George will draw upon his breadth and depth of experience to strengthen the SBDC network and enrich the quality of its services. George began his career in the newspaper industry as an account executive with experience handling multi-million dollar accounts. His government experience includes working as a Town Supervisor making payrolls and executive governing decisions. George also has experience as an entrepreneur. He started his own business calling on government and nonprofit entities working with a Colorado-based financing company. Additionally, George worked for the North Carolina Community College system as a Small Business Center Director at Stanly Community College (SCC) providing training, counseling, and resource information. George’s marketing experience includes working for five years as Dean of Marketing and Outreach at SCC overseeing all efforts in the departments of marketing, public information, community outreach, and student recruiting.
George says that the best piece of advice he can offer an aspiring business owner is to be persistent. “Starting a business is not for the faint of heart. You need to understand that failure is not the end but merely the opportunity to re-calibrate your plan or idea,” he said.
SC SBDC State Director Michele Abraham is confident in George’s ability to lead and inspire his team. “Tom’s extensive small business and leadership experience will help us further improve the services we offer our clients which, in turn, will foster economic growth in the communities comprising the Winthrop Region. His strong team spirit fits perfectly with the SC SBDC culture.”
George said that as the new Winthrop Region Director he has the following priorities: (1) develop marketing initiatives to increase awareness of the Winthrop Region’s services, (2) advance economic development within his region by working with local chambers of commerce, economic development agencies and business associations, (3) continue providing clients with high-quality tools and resources they need to succeed and (4) pursue professional development opportunities for his staff so that they may better assist clients.
When he’s not busy consulting clients, you may find George on a local battlefield. “I love reading history, especially American History. I am particularly interested in the American Revolution and the role South Carolina played.”
George says that what he enjoys most about working with clients is the opportunity to learn something new every day. “When you work with small business owners and entrepreneurs you encounter incredible people with new ideas and passion. It’s exciting to be part of the SC SDDC program that could help the next potential Steve Jobs or Jeff Bezos.”
About the South Carolina Small Business Development Centers (SC SBDC)
Twenty-one South Carolina Small Business Development Centers (SC SBDC) located throughout the state’s 46 counties offer pro bono individual, confidential business consulting. Highly-trained consultants assist both existing and startup companies providing a variety of services including business plan development, fiscal and operations management, human resources, financing options, marketing strategies and much more. In addition to conducting a variety of free or low-cost education workshops, SBDC centers refer clients to useful business resources. Specialized services include government contracting, exporting, technology commercialization, veterans’ business assistance and minority outreach. Visit SCSBDC.com to find a center and make an appointment. Follow us at facebook.com/SCSBDC and @SCSBDC.
