I work in multiple roles including the development and execution of programs, events, and conferences; spearheading government and private grants to promote DBEs, microenterprise, small business and entrepreneurship (urban to rural), and international trade; expanding access to capital; dissemination and coordination of disaster recovery education, resources and tools; fostering multi-stakeholder partnerships; and working on behalf of DBEs statewide as well as in the southeastern U.S. and internationally. BERO serves as a voice for and advocate of economic inclusion for disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs) statewide, and is tasked to analyze, disseminate and promote best practices and access to capital for DBEs to service providers as well as report on the status of DBEs across the state. In addition, BERO reports on behalf of DBEs to the Governor and General Assembly. Note: For the purposes of BERO, DBE refers to businesses owned by women, minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities, and those who are underserved and underrepresented. Visit tn.gov/ecd/bero and tnsmartstart.com.

As BERO Specialist I provided and/or arranged for technical and managerial assistance; access to capital; private and public procurement as well as certifications; licensing requirements, etc. to entrepreneurs and small, rural, minority- and women-owned businesses in middle Tennessee. I also served as an information resource providing limited market research and building availability for new, existing and relocating small businesses.This position further entailed coordination and planning of local, regional and statewide events, workshops, business counseling, forums, seminars and other educational opportunities for entrepreneurs and small business working with local, regional, state and federal organizations for such programs as Tennessee Business Matchmaking (2006-2008) and Global Entrepreneurship Week (2007-2010) activities.