SC SBDC opens satellite office in Chapin

beth smith

The South Carolina Small Business Development Centers (SC SBDC), the state’s leading provider of assistance to small business owners and entrepreneurs, has opened a satellite office in Chapin to provide counseling services to owners of existing and potential small businesses in the region. In partnership with the Chapin Chamber of Commerce, this initiative is led by senior business consultant Beth Smith, who currently offers appointments every Tuesday and intends to increase her availability as demand increases.

Chapin Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Nancy Williamson served as the former Newberry Area SBDC Director for nine years. Her first-hand knowledge of the SBDC’s vast resources inspired Chapin’s idea for a new office – and having worked with Smith since 2010, she immediately endorsed her colleague for the job. The two knew that Lexington County would be an ideal location for the SBDC, given that the northwest side of Columbia is the region’s highest growth corridor. Additionally, the Chapin Chamber of Commerce’s proximity to the I-26 freeway provides area clients with convenient access to in-person consulting services. Chapin Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Paul Sadler is delighted to welcome Smith to the Chapin community.

“His wealth of knowledge in all types of businesses will be an asset to anyone who has a business or is considering starting a business,” he said.

Smith has worked for the SC SBDC since August 2008, helping clients secure nearly $30.5 million in financing. She managed the Spartanburg Area SBDC from 2011-2019 and, in a typical year, conducted over 1,290 counseling sessions, assisted 195 clients, and hosted workshops with over 200 attendees. Additionally, SC SBDC named Smith the 2016 South Carolina State All-Star. This award recognizes his exemplary performance, enthusiasm for representing the SBDC network, and contributions to local economic development.

Smith assists clients in international trade and is the Chairman of NASBITE International’s Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) Governance Council, which oversees all aspects of the CGBP credentialing examination. Smith is also the SC SBDC representative to the South Carolina International Trade Coalition.

“Local small businesses are the backbone of the city and making Beth Smith’s expertise available to current business owners or those considering becoming owners is a tremendous asset to our community,” said Chapin Mayor Al Koon. “We are delighted to have this service available to our citizens.”

Caroline DuBose, Chapin resident and current client, says Smith has provided exceptional support. “Beth Smith has been a keystone for me, making sure I maximize my business potential,” she said.

SC SBDC State Director Michele Abraham notes that Smith is a respected and highly productive consultant for the network. “Beth helps many business owners chart a course for success, and she has helped make SC SBDC a vital player in the state’s economic landscape,” she said.

Like all professionals in the SC SBDC network, Smith draws on the breadth and depth of his experience to advise existing businesses and start-ups. For more than four decades, she has worked with large and small companies and contributed to strategic planning, business development, distribution management, marketing, lean manufacturing and financial planning. Among a long list of grateful clients, many praise Smith for his personal approach and expertise, often crediting him as a significant factor in the success of their business.

“As a consultant, Beth’s insights and vision have proven invaluable,” said Brenda Wieland, owner of Horse of My Heart, LLC. “I was overwhelmed with the prospect of writing a business plan, but Beth took the time to get to know me so that my business reflected my experience and interests.”


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