UGA Small Business Development Experts To Speak Sept. 25
If you own or operate a Georgia business, you can get free confidential consulting services including helping with business plans, buying businesses and leasing space. Find out how on Sept. 25 when two experts with the University of Georgia’s Small Business Development Center speak to the Georgia Association of Business Brokers.
Area Director Jeff Patterson and Business Consultant Aysha Cooper will speak to the GABB at their Sept. 25 monthly meeting. The meeting is free and open to the public and will be held at the Atlanta Realtors Center at 5784 Lake Forrest Dr. NW, Atlanta, GA 30328. The meeting begins at 10:30 a.m., preceded at 9:45 a.m. by a free light breakfast and networking session sponsored by GABB affiliate and board member Kim Eells, Vice President and Business Development Officer of Government Guaranteed Lending for Renasant Bank.
The Small Business Development Center, a Public Service and Outreach Extension of The University of Georgia, is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). It provides tools, training and resources to help small businesses grow and succeed. Designated as one of Georgia’s top providers of small business assistance, the SBDC has 17 offices ranging from Rome to Valdosta to serve the needs of Georgia’s business community. Since 1977, the SBDC’s network of partners has helped construct a statewide ecosystem to foster the spirit, support, and success of hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs and innovators. The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center is nationally accredited by the Association of SBDCs.
Jeff Patterson, area director of UGA’s Small Business Development Center at Georgia State University.
Mr. Patterson, an area director with the Small Business Development Center at Georgia State University, has extensive financial industry experience that includes leadership roles in credit administration, commercial lending, operations management, regulatory compliance, and audit administration. His expertise includes loan proposal and business plan preparation, cash flow management, budgeting, and customer satisfaction. He also has brokerage and financial planning training. He has an MBA from Brenau University, was President and Board member of the Bank of Hiawassee, Senior Vice President at Nantahala Bank & Trust and Executive Vice President of United Community Banks. He is the past Lt. Governor and Past President of the Rotary Club, past Local Board Chair of North Georgia Technical College and past Chairman of the Board of the Habersham County Chamber of Commerce.
Aysha Cooper, Business Consultant, UGA SBDC
Ms. Cooper has 20 years of experience either working with small business owners or being a small business owner herself. Prior to joining the SBDC, Ms. Cooper was an advertising representative in the yellow page and radio industry. In 2005, after moving to Georgia, she opened her first business in Duluth, Ga., with the guidance and expertise of the SBDC. She has attended GrowSMART and been a client of the SBDC throughout the start-up and expansion phase of her adult care facility. In 2011, she was recognized by Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE) Entrepreneur of the Year and in 2017, Outstanding Woman of the Year. Aysha has been an active member of her community as a graduate of Gwinnett Neighborhood Leadership Institute, a board member for Snellville Tourism and Trade and Friends of Gwinnett County Seniors. Her interests include marketing, operations and franchising.
The GABB is an organization of experienced professionals who work with Georgia business owners to help them in the process of evaluating, marketing, financing and selling their businesses. They also work with business buyers including many individuals who have decided not to re-enter corporate America, but want to become their own bosses by purchasing and operating a Georgia business.
For more information about the GABB, contact GABB President Mike Ramatowski at 770-634-0428 or rambizgroup@bellsouth.net call Diane Loupe at 404-374-3990 or email director@gabb.org.
If you are NOT a GABB member, please fill out this form to let us know you’ll be attending the meeting.