CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Mary Hott and Will Miller, business coaches with the West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC), have completed graduate-level coursework to receive a professional Certified Business Advisor (CBA) certificate.
“The CBA program is designed specifically for professionals who advise owners of small businesses,” said WV SBDC Director Debra Martin. “The certification says you have proven you have the knowledge, skills and capabilities to advise entrepreneurs effectively. The CBA presents added assurance to our clients and funding partners that our business coaches perform with a high degree of professional competence.”
Hott and Miller’s CBA certifications were earned through the accredited Kent State University.
The CBA program’s three primary courses are marketing, accounting/finance and human resources. Each course covers multiple sessions, such as strategic planning, pricing, breakeven analysis, finance sources, employee recruiting and performance management.
WV SBDC Business Coach Mary Hott
Mary is a native of Morgan County in West Virginia’s eastern panhandle but spent over 20 years in Boston’s high-tech business community, first as a software engineer then transitioning into product management and marketing. She returned home to West Virginia in 2006 and ran the non-profit Morgan Arts Council for six years as its executive director.
Prior to joining the WV SBDC in 2015, she was the business development director for Mountain View Solar, also located in Morgan County.
Mary holds an M.S. in Information Systems from the Northeastern University Graduate School of Engineering in Boston, a B.A. from the New School for Social Research in New York City, and a marketing certification from Harvard University Extension School.
WV SBDC Business Coach Will Miller
As an SBDC coach, Will Miller is passionate about helping others grow their businesses. Throughout his career, he has worked with small businesses in sales and marketing.
He grew up in West Virginia and received a bachelor’s degree in marketing and an MBA in international business from West Virginia University. Will is also a certified Travel Marketing Professional with the Southeast Tourism Society.
The WV SBDC helps businesses to start, improve and grow. The statewide network of business coaches provides guidance in areas such as planning, marketing, finance, management, innovation, technology and cybersecurity. WV SBDC offers these services to the state’s small businesses at no charge.
WV SBDC has remained the premier resource for small business creation and expansion in the Mountain State for more than 35 years. As a key economic driver, the WV SBDC offers a variety of services to entrepreneurs and small businesses to increase their profitability and customer base, enabling continued growth and prosperity for West Virginia’s diversifying economy.
Related social media hashtags: #wvsbdc #CBAbusiness
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