From the Desk of Kelly Brozyna
State Director and Chief Executive Officer of America’s SBDC New Jersey
I’m glad to join the NJSBDC network Senior Leadership Team as State Director and Chief Executive Officer and relocate from Colorado, where I directed the Colorado Small Business Development Centers for many years. I’m looking forward to engaging with NJSBDC’s regional centers and directors, partners, collaborators, host institutions, and of course the NJSDBC staff members who make the engine go every day throughout the year.
So many small businesses and entrepreneurs suffered major setbacks due to the onslaught of the pandemic (COVID-19) over the past several months. Our offices were flooded with inquiries, questions, and urgent pleas for assistance and our regional offices, business advisors across the state have been working around the clock to facilitate and respond to the high volume of “HELP” calls. These small business owners included returning SBDC clients and new businesses never seen before. We helped them all to receive answers, apply for disaster assistance loans, including PPP as well as grants and other financing at the state level. They received financing and funding as a result of our efforts and have been able to retain employees and navigate through these rough waters.
As we move ahead in these challenging times into small business recovery and future resiliency, the New Jersey Small Business Development Centers – also known as America’s SBDC New Jersey – will play a critical role in guiding and providing comprehensive assistance for small businesses in all 21 counties. That assistance will not only focus on the typical operational aspects, but, also all the key strategies and tools to cope with the challenges of the pandemic, including health and safety guidelines for business re-opening, re-tooling business operations, and ensuring that the companies are going in the right direction with re-invention and solid decisions based on cash flow and other factors.
The NJSBDC Team cares and we’re here to assist the thousands of small businesses and entrepreneurs who need our help.
