MEET THE PEOPLE WHO CAN HELP YOUR BUSINESS Alabama Small Business Development Center at the University of South Alabama Mel Washington, regional director University of South Alabama, Alpha Hall East 555 University Blvd. N, Rooms 307 & 308, Mobile 251.460.6004 | southalabama.edu/sbdc The Alabama Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the University of South Alabama provides small business counseling, loan packaging assistance, international trade and procurement technical assistance for businesses including companies wanting to do business with the government.
Mel Washington is the regional director of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the University of South Alabama (USA), where he provides one-on-one confidential counseling to entrepreneurs and small business owners in six counties in south Alabama. After receiving his eduation in Washington, D.C., and New York City and pursuing a career in the corporate sector, he moved back to Mobile in 2011. He knew he wanted to work with entrepreneurs and small businesses in the area, and in 2013, he started with the SBDC, which provides expert assistance, tools, training and education. “We offer these services at no charge to the small business owner and are one of 10 centers in the Alabama Small Business Development Center Network, all under the direction of our lead center at The University of Alabama,” Washington said. Washington’s greatest joys are helping individuals start and/or grow their businesses; knowing he is making a difference in their lives; and having a positive impact on the local economy. “Over the past eight years, I have worked closely with resource partners to strengthen and develop the local entrepreneur ecosystem into one of the best in the nation,” he said. When he talks with clients, he says his advice is usually that starting and growing a business is hard work that requires dedication, commitment, persistence, flexibility, capital and knowing what you don’t know.
26 AUGUST 2021
