Mitchell Named Director of USM Small Business Development Center
Thu,
03/16/2023 – 10:17am | By: Bailey Harris
The Mississippi Smaller Business Development Middle (SBDC) not long ago introduced the marketing
of Rita Mitchell to director of The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) SBDC Centre.
Mitchell has been a precious member of the SBDC team given that 2015, serving as a Small business
Counselor and providing modest company steerage and know-how to the greater Hattiesburg
neighborhood. In her new position, she will be responsible for overseeing USM SBDC functions
and guaranteeing the heart proceeds to offer significant-high quality counseling and assets
to little companies in the course of the USM SBDC footprint.
“I am honored, fired up, and energized to be trusted with this new position. USM, the increased
Pine Belt space, and the encompassing counties are famous motorists of dynamic innovation
and vibrant entrepreneurship options,” stated Mitchell. “We are focused to having
our services, methods, and imagineering to the following degree as we program, start, and
develop even much more practical, sustainable smaller companies for our communities to aid
and love.”
The USM SBDC center has experienced great development due to the fact its start. In 2022, the
heart served 978 shoppers and recorded 48 organization begins, up 440% and 140% respectively
considering that the center’s 1st full 12 months of procedure in 2016.
“We are delighted to have Rita Mitchell onboard as the new SBDC director at USM. Rita
has had these types of a favourable effects in the Pine Belt place and we can not wait around to see what
she does in her new function,” said Sharon Nichols, Mississippi SBDC Point out Director. “The
SBDC and business enterprise communities of South Mississippi are so privileged to have entry
to her knowledge and passion for smaller organization.
Mitchell is an independent consultant for retail specialty shops and independent
tiny organizations, all outside Mississippi. She is also the operator of Rita and the Fashionistas,
a trend and retail training, publication, and public presentation group.
“Rita brings a lot of characteristics to her position that are tricky to match. She is extremely
educated and has a spirit and attitude of encouragement and positivity,” mentioned
Bret Becton, Dean of the USM College or university of Company and Economic Development. “She also performs incredibly tough for clients and revels in their results. She is 1 of
the most focused, tough-performing people today I have been affiliated with in my profession and
I am satisfied that Rita will be taking on this pretty crucial function.”
Apart from becoming the ghost-writer for a number of publications, Mitchell is a 50-in addition-yr
retailer and adviser to “fine suppliers almost everywhere.” Her partner is the Pine Belt’s retail
consulting legend, the late Milton Waldoff.
Mississippi SBDC delivers absolutely free, confidential one-on-1 small business counseling and methods to possible
and current little business enterprise proprietors in the course of the state of Mississippi.