William & Mary's Business School collaborates with Hampton Roads Small Business Development Center to offer free consulting to businesses affected by COVID-19
The Raymond A. Mason School of Business at William & Mary and the Hampton Roads Small Business Development Center (HRSBDC) have formed a partnership to provide consulting services to small business owners in the Hampton Roads area through a newly-formed, student-led organization offering free consulting. The CrimDell Small Business Network (CrimDell SBN) provides business students at William & Mary the opportunity to serve as SBDC Business Analysts, working in pairs to help small business owners navigate the effects of COVID-19.
Each client will be offered 10 free hours of counseling, which includes screening, research, and the development of a work plan for their business. The Hampton Roads Small Business Development Center will provide general oversight and support, while the CrimDell SBN will directly manage all student business analysts and provide additional resources, as needed.
Student Business Analysts began working with business owners in late of May 2020, focusing specifically on COVID-19 relief. The organizations plan to continue to partner and deliver assistance to businesses across the region until at least August 2021.
Key representatives in this joint venture include James Carroll, the Executive Director at HRSBDC, Brett Alpert, Associate Dean and Executive Director of the Graduate Career Management Center at William & Mary’s Business School, and W&M MBA Alumnus, Executive Director of StartWheel, and experienced SBDC counselor, Tim Ryan. The CrimDell Managing Directors, Cara Simpson (MBA Class of 2021) and Vicki Harrington (MBA Class of 2021), and Associate Managing Director, Jack Spencer (BBA Class of 2021), will oversee and manage the program.
Businesses interested in accessing CrimDell’s free COVID-19 consulting services can contact Managing Directors Cara Simpson or Vicki Harrington at CrimDellSBN@gmail.com.
