Insider’s Corner Q&A: Judith Collins, Business Advisor
IW: What challenge do you and the North Texas Small Business Development Center Network and/or the Dallas Small Business Development Center face right now?
JC: Our biggest challenge is marketing our SBDC services. There are lots of small businesses that would benefit from our counseling services but they simply don’t know that our organization exists to provide no cost quality services to entrepreneurs. Organizations face awareness problems all the time therefore, we have stepped up our outreach efforts to new and established businesses in the Dallas and surrounding areas.
IW: How does IBISWorld help you overcome this challenge?
JC: IBISWorld world has been a tremendous resource to our outreach effort because it adds value for the client and is now a central part of our service offerings to entrepreneurs. We provide in-depth market research that helps existing businesses identify markets into which to expand or find other niche markets. IBISWorld market research is also effective in providing insight and thinking through start-up models.
IW: What do you foresee happening in your industry within the next year?
JC: The post-recession and slow-growth economy will continue to be a challenge. But through our outreach efforts, we hope to help small business owners become better informed, conscientious, and strategic decision makers using market research. As a result, we foresee strongly positioned businesses effective at maneuvering the ups and downs of any economy. We also foresee small businesses growing in importance in the American consciousness which is instrumental in the sustained growth of the economy.
IW: Tell us something interesting about yourself:
JC: I was born in Jamaica, which depicts the culture of small businesses, as is the case with any emerging market’s economy. I came from a family of entrepreneurs (my father, uncles, aunts own their own businesses), I have an understanding and passion for the heart of entrepreneurs, whether starting out or expanding an existing business – which connects me with what I do!
Judith Collins is a Business Advisor for the North Texas Small Business Development Center Network and the Dallas Small Business Development Center, where she counsels, coaches and consults for small start-up and existing businesses in the Dallas, Texas area.
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