NEWBERRY — Barbara Miller has been hired as a business consultant by the USC Region of the South Carolina Small Business Development Center (S.C. SBDC) network.
She will provide resources to entrepreneurs who would like to start a new business or expand an existing business in the Newberry community.
“I look forward to sharing my many years of business experience with potential and experienced business owners in the Newberry community,” said Miller. “The SBDC can help an entrepreneur with many challenges at any stage of the business life cycle.”
Miller completed her undergraduate education at Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor, Michigan and at Berkshire Community College in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. She earned her MBA in 1990 at the University of South Carolina.
A resident of South Carolina since 1975, Miller moved to Newberry in 1992.
She spent 30 years in banking, including Retail Banking, Systems and Operations, Commercial Loans, Retail Loan and IRA records management and compliance, Large-Scale Project Management and Mergers and Acquisitions Team leadership.
Her entrepreneur experience includes opening and operating a Bed & Breakfast Inn in Newberry for 16 years. She also served on the statewide S.C. Bed & Breakfast Association Board.
In addition to the restoration of the B&B home, Miller rehabilitated a 100+ year-old commercial property on Main Street in Newberry. The building houses two retail spaces and a loft apartment. She has also served on the Board of the Newberry Downtown Development Association.
“Barbara’s vast business experience and community contacts will benefit the small business owners she will be consulting with,” said Darrell Jones, USC SBDC regional director. “Her banking and entrepreneurial experience will contribute to our organization tremendously.”
In 2018, the S.C. SBDC has helped over 5,000 entrepreneurs create and retain more than 996 jobs; start 188 new business ventures; create $56 million in capital formation; and secure more than $62.4 million in government contracts.
For more information about starting a small business or expanding an existing business, contact the Newberry SBDC at 803.321.5689 or [email protected].