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Small Business Development Center

Thousands of Georgians have achieved the dream of owning a business and make a positive impact on the local economy. At Clayton State, we can help take you further to ensure your business stays solid.

The UGA Small Business Development Center at Clayton State University provides economic development assistance for small businesses with no-cost consulting services and low cost educational programs.

Our experienced business consultants are available to help clients develop and update business plans, identify sources of capital, set up record keeping systems and analyze financial records, conduct specialized research, create marketing strategies, and conduct operational and financial diagnostic assessments, and more.

Our mission is to enhance the economic well-being of Georgians by providing a wide range of educational services for small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs.

The UGA SBDC is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and is a Public Service and Outreach Unit of The University of Georgia.

We offer a number of courses to learn the basics of business and entrepreneurship. Check out a full list of the most recent offerings.

UGA Small Business Development Center at
Clayton State University Staff

Scott Nye Headshot


Scott Nye, SBDC Area Director
(e:) ScottNye@clayton.edu

Scott Nye is the Area Director of the UGA SBDC at Clayton State University.  Scott brings over 30 years of experience in program management, contract management, strategic planning, and operations improvement to serve and promote our SBDC clients. 

 

Prior to joining the SBDC, Scott served 10 years as the Chief Operating Officer of a pediatric therapy clinic in the Metro Atlanta Area and was responsible for its start-up, development, and operational effectiveness.  He also has extensive experience in the federal contracting environment, having served as a Program Manager, Contracts Manager, and Contracts Administrator with multiple firms, as well as a U.S. Air Force Contracting Officer.  Additionally, having served as an adjunct faculty member and training facilitator, Scott has delivered education and training coursework across the globe.

Education

Masters of Business Administration,
Union University

Bachelors of Arts (Public Administration),
Drake University

 

Experience
  • Kids That Can, Chief Operating Officer
  •  The Stoneacre Group, President
  •  Booz Allen Hamilton, Contracts/Program Manager
  •  EnSafe Inc., Contracts Manager
  • Raytheon, Senior Contracts Administrator
  • U.S. Air Force, Contracting Officer

Richard Headshot SBDC

Dr. Richard Schnitker, Ed.D., SBCD Business Consultant
(e:) RichardSchnitker@clayton.edu

Prior to joining the University of Georgia SBDC, Richard Schnitker served in the United States Army, Military Police Corps, retiring after 24+ years of service as a Command Sergeants Major. Since retiring in 2005, he worked for numerous security contracts both commercial and government as a program manager. Richard also served with World Associates in Aqaba Jordon, teaching business concepts and service hospitality under USAID at Aqaba University – which supported the local hotels and business owners. Richard also worked as the Executive Director / CEO for a 501(3) (c) organization.

Richard utilizes his vast experiences in the military, contracting and business owner to promote the UGA SBDC.

Education

Bachelor of Business Administration,
Faulkner University

Master of Arts in Leadership,
Luther Rice College and Seminary

Doctorate of Education, Leadership and Management, Capella University

Graduate of the U.S. Army Command Sergeants Major Academy, Class 51

Experience
  • Franchise Business Owner – Business and Sales Coaching (The Growth Coach)
  • Contract Business Consultant (Guidepoint)
  • Government and Commercial Contracting (Security)
  • Non-Profit Organizations
  • Certified Behavioral Consultant, (DiSC)
  • Adjunct Professor – Business and Entrepreneurship
  • United States Army

Chealsea SBDC Headshot

Chelsea Howell, SBDC Program Coordinator
(e): ChelseaHowell@clayton.edu

Chelsea Howell assists the SBDC at Clayton State University as the Program Coordinator. She acts as the main point of contact for the Area Director and Business Consultant and connects small business owners and entrepreneurs with startup and development resources. With six years of experience as a peer educator in nutrition education with the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, she is skilled in supporting community efforts in continuing education and sharing local resources. She holds a BA in Liberal Arts with a focus in Philosophy and Political Science. 

UGA Small Business Development Center at Clayton State University Business Consultation

Our consultants can help you: For answers to your management questions, contact our business consultants for professional individualized consultation. Confidentiality is guaranteed. Our consultants have earned advanced degrees in business or management and have extensive practical experience.

For Existing Businesses

  • Business valuation (for discussion purposes only)
  • Access to market research resources
  • Business plan assistance
  • Income and cash flow projections
  • Loan proposal preparation
  • Accounting and financial management assistance
  • Cash flow analysis and ratio comparison
  • QuickBooks assistance
  • Strategic Planning
  • Research on local, state and federal regulatory requirements
  • Record keeping systems and data management assistance
  • Marketing assistance
  • Human resource planning
  • Succession planning
  • Business continuity planning
  • Social media marketing
  • Business health check-up

For Startups

  • Understanding Credit Requirements and lending expectations
  • Access to market research resources
  • Market feasibility analysis
  • Break-even and financial feasibility analysis
  • Income and cash flow projection assistance
  • Loan proposal preparation
  • Understanding business entity structuring
  • Research on local, state, and federal regulatory requirements
  • Record keeping systems and data management assistance
  • Marketing assistance
  • Human resource planning

For a complete list of  class dates, times and prices, please visit: https://www.georgiasbdc.org/morrow-office/.  You may register online, call (678) 466-5100 or email us at morrow@georgiasbdc.org.

sbdc logo

Where to find us

The UGA Small Business Development Center at Clayton State University is located in the College of Business building. Free parking is available in the University Center gated parking lot.

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Contact us

Visit by appointment only

Phone: (678) 466-5100