Garry James is head of a new minority outreach program at the S.C. Small Business Development Centers, housed at the University of South Carolina’s Moore School of Business. James talks about the new initiative:
Tell us about the Small Business Development Centers.
The South Carolina Small Business Development Centers (SC SBDC) have been in existence for more than 30 years. Our mission is to advance economic development in our state by helping existing businesses expand, which helps with job creation, capital formation and an increase in revenue for businesses throughout the state.
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We also help entrepreneurs who want to start businesses to develop strong infrastructures. This is accomplished by assisting our clients with business plan development, marketing, record keeping, financial loan packaging and general management principles. We encourage people with ideas for a new business to attend one of our regular workshops on entrepreneurship to see if their idea is strong enough to warrant making an appointment with one of our business consultants.
The S.C. SBDC’s strength lies within the experience and expertise of each of our consultants who provide one-on-one consultation free of charge. Our consultants have both national and international experience in the business arena
Currently, we have 17 offices throughout South Carolina with four of our major universities serving as host campuses. They are University of South Carolina, South Carolina State University, Winthrop University and Clemson University.
Why is there a need for the Minority Outreach Program and what should minorities do to take full advantage?
More minorities need to be aware of opportunities that exist to conduct successful business ventures. Our history reflects that African-Americans and other members of the minority community have an entrepreneurial spirit and have conducted successful businesses for many years. However, many have not flourished because of a lack of awareness and the ability to access available resources that could strengthen their existing businesses or that could help them develop a new business venture. As a result, many have not achieved the level of success that they once dreamed about, while others have simply given up on their entrepreneurial aspirations.
There is a strong desire among minorities to expand their current businesses. I’m approached daily by those who want to become business owners and simply need guidance.
By bringing the expertise of our consultants … to this demographic it can only bolster our economy by saving existing jobs, creating new employment opportunities and improving our economy. Our state has a very high minority population. It is imperative from an economic perspective that we make a concerted effort to include everyone in developing small businesses. Small business is the foundation of our country.
Tell us about your background and your vision.
I’m a native of Sumter and have lived in South Carolina for most of my life. Having been employed in government for 17 years, working as CEO of a small business for 8 years and serving on the board of directors of several successful small businesses here in the Midlands, I’ve had the chance to gain valuable experience in small business development. My education at Winthrop University, Columbia International University and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary prepared me to work with both secular and faith-based communities.
Understanding that the faith-community has always been the major hub within our minority communities, my vision for the … program is to work with denominational leaders, local churches and community-based groups statewide to help their members understand and access the resources that exist…. As we increase our efforts to provide consultation for entrepreneurs … our economy will be positively impacted as existing business are strengthened, new businesses launch and more jobs are created.
For more information: SCSBDC.com or Facebook.com/SCSBDC.
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