The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Small Business
Development Centers (SBDCs) have been instrumental in shaping the success of
Coleman-Anderson, LLC, a certified woman- and minority-owned management
consulting firm headquartered in Hanover, Maryland.
My SBDC journey began in 2017 at Howard University in
Washington, D.C., where I met counselor Necola Shaw. At that time, I was still
working for the U.S. House of Representatives and had not yet launched my
business. Meeting Ms. Shaw introduced me to the SBA’s mission of equipping and
empowering aspiring entrepreneurs, and it gave me my first real insight into
how the SBDC helps people navigate the complexities of starting and growing a
business. That early exposure helped me see entrepreneurship as an attainable
path and provided the foundation of knowledge and confidence I needed to
eventually launch Coleman-Anderson in 2019 and formally establish operations in
Maryland in 2021.
In 2022, with the guidance of Dr. Candace Pruett at the
Maryland SBDC in Anne Arundel County, I navigated government contracting
certifications, developed my operating structure, and built the foundation for
growth. Today, I continue that journey with counselor Antonio Nestor Gavidia,
who is helping me prepare for international expansion. I am also deeply
grateful for the leadership of Ms. Lora Brown, Executive Director of the
Maryland SBDC Network, whose vision and commitment ensured I was able to
connect with the right resources and counselors at every step.
SBA programs like the SBDC, WOSB/EDWOSB certifications, and
other federally funded small business programs like the APEX Accelerators are
not handouts — they are essential investments that equip small businesses like
mine with the tools to compete, scale, and create impact.
Posted: 12/23/2025