Dec. 16—A longtime consultant who helped more than 240 small businesses get off the ground will retire from the University of Scranton's Small Business Development Center at the end of the year.
Donna Simpson, 65, of Olyphant, has worked at the center just shy of 30 years, helping entrepreneurs — many of whom have little insight into what they're facing — navigate the complexities of starting a small business.
"People think, 'Oh, I'm going to start a business, it's what I always wanted to do,' " Simpson said.
"A lot of people think it won't be too much until we start adding it up, then it's like, whoa," she added. "Then the point becomes, where do I get financing?"
With an MBA in accounting and finance, she's helped businesses plan out a workable strategy. She was particularly passionate about helping women, who, because they often are the primary caregivers for their families, can face more challenges than men, she said.
"The biggest challenge is finding the time because even the smallest business sucks up a lot of time," Simpson said. "You still have your other duties at home ... child care and the other million things you do."
The University of Scranton SBDC provides individualized business consulting, training programs and technical assistance to existing and startup small businesses in an eight-county area.
Simpson has had an immense impact on economic development and businesses in the Scranton area, Lisa Hall Zielinski, director of the university's SBDC, said in a statement.
She's received numerous awards, including the prestigious State Star in 2004. Recipients of that honor, who are chosen by their peers, are deemed the best of the best for having demonstrated significant contributions and a commitment to helping businesses succeed.
She also received numerous other awards, including the Small Business Administration's Women in Business Champion of the Year and the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce SAGE Award: Woman of Excellence. She received the Pennsylvania SBDC Lifetime Achievement Award during her retirement luncheon.
"Over the years, Donna has had an excellent rapport with the many constituents served by our SBDC, " Zielinski said. "She has been a tremendous asset to our campus and community."
Simpson said she will miss working with local businesses but takes pride in knowing the assistance she and other staff at the center have provided have helped so many entrepreneurs succeed.
"It's pretty cool because there are plenty still standing that I drive by and I think, 'Oh my gosh, they're still going to town,'" she said.
Contact the writer: tbesecker@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9137; @tmbeseckerTT on Twitter.