Counseling, other services always free!
BAYBORO – Off to a fast start, Katie Shorter joins a statewide network of over 58 small business center directors, each of which is stationed at the local community college. One of Shorter’s many roles is to provide free, confidential, one-on-one business counseling services for Pamlico County’s small businesses.
The SBC’s free support includes entrepreneurial assessment, training, business plan development, employee/staff training and retention, and marketing assistance. Staff training/retention, improving operational efficiencies, and client information management are just a few of Shorter’s areas of focus.
Shorter moved to eastern North Carolina for the first time in 1996, when her husband was assigned to MCAS Cherry Point. After receiving her MBA from ECU, Shorter moved overseas to the UK. After eight moves over the next 18 years – two of which brought her back again to eastern NC – she and her family settled back in their New Bern home when her husband retired. Along the way, Katie received her second graduate degree in Counseling.
After living in five different states and three countries (including managing businesses in Montana, rural Somerset in the United Kingdom, and New Bern), Katie brings with her a diverse skill set and unique perspective. These assets, combined with her love and knowledge of eastern North Carolina, make her an ideal advocate for Pamlico County’s economic landscape, especially the small business community.
“I am looking forward to continuing to reach out to Pamlico County’s small businesses and potential entrepreneurs to learn what they need from the Small Business Center,” said Shorter.
Free entrepreneur courses will be announced soon for next year, and courses will be developed specific to the needs of Pamlico County’s business owners. Please feel free to stop by the Bayboro Center extension of Pamlico Community College’s campus at 710 Main Street in Bayboro. Katie can be reached at kshorter@pamlicocc.edu.
