Deb is passionate about helping small businesses be successful. In addition to producing and hosting the "Back to Business" radio show, she produces small business tips that are heard daily on radio stations through out the northeast and contributes small businesss advice columns to a variety of media outlets nationwide. She has appeared on TV and radio programs from Maine to Spain to offer business advice and insight.
Deb was named the 2007 "Small Business Journalist of the Year" by the US Small Business Administration for Maine and New England and was the 1999 recipient of the SBA award for "Small Business Financial Services Advocate of the Year".
Deb coaches and trains individuals, organizations and corporations to develop successful business practices and serves as the Director of the Target Technology Incubator at the University of Maine. Working with early stage technology companies to grow successful tech-based businesses.
Prior to her current position, she was a Business Development Specialist for the Eastern Maine Development Corporation in Bangor, Maine where she managed the SBA Microloan Program and the Eastern Maine Incubator Without Walls Program, providing business management assistance to more than 300 small businesses. This program received a national award from the Kauffman Foundation as a successful model for rural entrepreneurship.
Deb has provided direct technical assistance, training, loans and other assistance to small businesses. In addition, she has assisted other organizations across the country and Canada with designing their business development and incubation programs. She is often invited to speak to business groups, and national and international audiences about successful small business development practices in rural areas.
Enterpreneur stuff:
Deb has been a lifelong entrepreneur... starting as a kid by "playing store" with the neighborhood kids! She was 26 when she purchased an Inn in Bar Harbor, Maine ... that she succssfully operated for 5 years...then acquired and operated a tour boat company. She has dabbled in a consulting business, manufacturing business, home party business and ebay sales... just to name a few!
"What planet is she from?" stuff:
Deb is originally from Berkeley California, but spent much of her upbringing in central Pennsylvania...returning to California to attend college, earning a B.A. from the University of the Pacific in communications, public relations and broadcasting. Maine has been her summer home since she was 6 years old... and her permanent year-round home since 1986.
Deb resides in Bangor, Maine with her extensive PEZ collection.
Deb has provided direct technical assistance, training, loans and other assistance to small businesses. In addition, she has assisted other organizations across the country and Canada with designing their business development and incubation programs. She is often invited to speak to business groups, and national and international audiences about successful small business development practices in rural areas.
Enterpreneur stuff:
Deb has been a lifelong entrepreneur... starting as a kid by "playing store" with the neighborhood kids! She was 26 when she purchased an Inn in Bar Harbor, Maine ... that she succssfully operated for 5 years...then acquired and operated a tour boat company. She has dabbled in a consulting business, manufacturing business, home party business and ebay sales... just to name a few!
"What planet is she from?" stuff:
Deb is originally from Berkeley California, but spent much of her upbringing in central Pennsylvania...returning to California to attend college, earning a B.A. from the University of the Pacific in communications, public relations and broadcasting. Maine has been her summer home since she was 6 years old... and her permanent year-round home since 1986.
Deb resides in Bangor, Maine with her extensive PEZ collection.
