Mentors: BUSINESS PROCESSES
Summary of Qualifications Chris Zobel is a sales and management professional with extensive experience in small and large businesses. He has worked with Fortune 500 and Mom and Pop businesses throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Chris has a degree in Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. After a successful career of over 30 years in the private sector, working with Miller Brewing Company, Arrow International, Yuengling and others, he accepted an Economic Development position with the US Small Business Administration assisting businesses in Delaware and later in Virginia. In 2014, he was relocated to Hampton Roads to concentrate on the very important small business community here. During his tenure with the SBA he interacted with small business owners from all cultural backgrounds. He was actively involved with assisting businesses with SWAM, HUBZone, 8a and Veteran certifications. An additional duty that Chris held was the District International Trade Office (DITO). As DITO, he held Export training events and met one on one with businesses to educate them on the specifics involved with establishing International Trade. He was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and served for 5 years in the US Navy during the Vietnam Era. Chris and his wife Susan live in Norfolk and enjoy life in Hampton Roads. Want to meet with this Lead Mentor? Schedule an...
Summary of Qualifications Todd Waldo is an engineer, artist, and community advocate. With a BSEE from North Carolina State University, he has a career in systems development, maintenance and operations. Todd Waldo is the Enterprise Engineering Manager at Royall & Company. He is responsible for the development, maintenance and operations of all systems to support clients’ needs and requirements. He graduated from North Carolina State University (BSEE) and the Interactive Marketing Institute at VCU. His recent focus has been on operations ensuring quality and performance for users and clients as well as resolving issues with products and data. He is also making investments in other colleagues as a mentor and adviser to increase diversity, inclusion, mission awareness and engagement. All of this carries over in his service to the Richmond community with his work for various non profits. He serves on the Board of Directors for Better Housing Coalition, the President of the Board of the Robinson Theater Community Arts Center, board member for Church Hill Activities and Tutoring (CHAT) and the Church Hill Academy. He also serves Church Hill through the Church Hill Central Civic Association. He leads development and execution of annual special events like TEDxRVA and the Hill Topper 5k. His goal is to partner with leadership adding value for client and employee management, applying his expertise in operations, technology and data, while supporting mission and values. Want to meet with this mentor? Talk with your Lead...
Summary of Qualifications Sondra Epley is the Office Manager and a Certified Business Mentor for Richmond SCORE, which provides mentoring and workshops for small startup and established business clients. For the past seven years, she has also taught primarily graduate students online for a small, private college just outside of Minneapolis. Sondra Epley works for Richmond SCORE, which provides mentoring and workshops for small business clients. As Office Manager, Sondra covers the logistic needs of nearly 50 chapter members and serves as a matchmaker, pairing more than 620 clients each year with mentors equipped to guide them. As a Certified Business Mentor herself, Sondra is partial to startups and “fixer uppers.” Since April 2010, Sondra has also served as an online instructor for a small, private college just outside of Minneapolis. She teaches graduate student courses in community development, nonprofit management as part of an MBA degree program, and academic writing for evaluation and research. A quick study herself, Sondra achieved a financial turnaround for a store that was eight months away from the chopping block, despite having no significant background in retail. The experience reinforced her belief not to wait for a better day, but to create it. This belief enables her to supply nimble advice to clients wondering which business to pursue, what to look out for, and how to say what they want to say when promoting it or training others to do the same. Want to meet with this mentor? Talk with your Lead...
Summary of Qualifications Shantell is an accomplished serial entrepreneur, business strategist, nonprofit expert, and author with an impressive business portfolio that includes ventures in healthcare, the nonprofit sector, consulting, media, and cultural arts. As a Master Business Strategist Shantell specializes in equipping entrepreneurs with the tools and strategies to build amazing brands, realize financial goals, and dominate in the market. A true student of organizational development Shantell has matched extensive education and training with over 17 years of experience as a coach and consultant to create methods that help businesses launch, grow, and maximize their profit. Always keeping community engagement and outreach at the forefront of her entrepreneurial endeavors, Shantell founded and currently serves as the Executive Director of Dress for Success® Central Virginia, a Richmond, VA based affiliate of the international nonprofit organization that empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Under her leadership, Dress for Success has served over 1500 women in the metro area in less than 5 years. In addition to leading Dress for Success Central Virginia, Shantell is the co-Founder and CEO of SheEmpowers™ International, a professional women’s network offering programs designed to transform women leaders, empower women to grow their businesses, pursue greater entrepreneurial ventures, and become more active in philanthropy. She is also the Principal Consultant of Nonprofitability, a boutique consulting firm specializing in emerging nonprofits and faith based organizations. Shantell currently sits on the Board of Directors for Children Incorporated where she is the Vice Chairperson and serves a fellow to...
Summary of Qualifications Leslie is a C.P.A. who has specialized in working with small businesses for over 20 years. She provides a wide range of small business financial and accounting services ranging from business set up and income tax preparation to financial and profitability analysis. With a focus of working with small businesses in the Richmond area, Leslie works in the areas of tax return preparation, tax strategies, financial statement preparation, business set up, and financial analysis. She has an accounting degree from JMU and an MBA with a concentration in Marketing from VCU. She is a C.P.A. and a QuickBooks Online Certified ProAdvisor. Over the years Leslie has worked with various industries and business structures. Her clients come from the manufacturing, retail, and service industries. She works with S-corporations, C-Corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and sole proprietor entities. Leslie has a relationship based approach to working with small businesses. She works with businesses in all phases of business development from the initial start-up stage to mature businesses looking at growth and strategic planning. She believes knowing the client and establishing a relationship enables greater success for the small business. In her spare time Leslie enjoys spending time on the James River boating, kayaking, and hiking with her family and Chocolate Labrador Retrievers. Want to meet with this mentor? Schedule an...
