Consultants

Marilyn Laverty, Director

Women's Vision Leadership Institute brings experience and solutions to small businesses. Marilyn graduated magna cum laude from the University of Denver with a degree in accounting and is also highly educated in Human Resources, Communication, Strategic Planning and Change Management. She served as vice president for the National Bank for Cooperatives, an international agri-business lender. She earned her CPA with Deloitte-Touche.

Marilyn's expertise includes:

• Accounting And Financial Reporting
• Loan Applications
• Return On Investment (ROI)
• Business Goals And Execution
• Streamlining Business Processes
• Writing A Successful Business Plan
• Buying Or Selling A Business
• Managing Employees
• Handling Conflict

Mary Fisher, Small Business Adviser and QuickBooks Coach

Mary graduated summa cum laude from Utah Valley State College (now Utah Valley University) with a B.S. in Business Management with Emphasis in Accounting.  The Accounting Department then hired her to teach accounting for the Department and QuickBooks for Community Education.  In 1997, Mary began coaching small business owners in QuickBooks and has seen most versions since then.  A trained mediator, Mary's education also includes human resources, interpersonal dynamics, change management, and property management.  Although Mary's M.B.A. from Regis University focused on health care management to develop sound business principles, Mary has worked with companies involved in property management, manufacturing, construction, retail, health care, the arts, and non-profit management.  Mary serves on boards and supports the boards of various non-profits.

Mary's expertise includes:

• Developing the Dream through Business Planning
• Increasing Profitability and Job Satisfaction
• Getting the Most Out of QuickBooks
• Cash Flow Forecasting and Analysis
• Addressing Property Management Challenges
• Handling Human Resources Issues
• Polishing Marketing Plans
• Controlling Inventory Levels
• Improving Financial Management for Non-Financial Managers
• Non-Profit Board Structure, Goal Setting, and Financial Reporting

Mariah Kornberg-DeGear, Retail Consultant

Mariah A. Kornberg graduated from Emerson College in Boston, MA with a degree in Advertising and Marketing and recieved accelerated learning certificates in holistic medicine from the Northwest College of Herbal and Aromatic Studies. She has had extensive experience and knowledge owning, operating, and growing retail establishments as well as experience in the natural products industry, product development, human resource management, business strategy and design.

Mariah's expertise includes:

• Streamlining Business Operations
• Business Growth And Expansion
• Business And Marketing Planning
• Product Development
• Management And Employee Training Programs
• Time Management
• Office/Retail Floor Layout, Set-Up And Design
• Grant Writing

Layne Nelson, Marketing Consultant

Layne earned her M.B.A. in marketing at the University of Southern California and received her Bachelor of Science in retailing at Miami University. Layne Nelson directs Extended Studies at Western State Colorado University, past director of the Gunnison Country Chamber of Commerce and previous owner of Powder Productions (vacation video business).

Layne's expertise includes:

• Retail Buyer for Department Store Chains in Southern California
• Marketing Your Small Business
• Cost Effective Ways To Market On A Budget
• Developing A Marketing Plan
• Creative Marketing
• Niche Marketing
• Customer Surveys
• Creating Marketing Materials (brochures, ads, etc.)
• Web Site Development and Content
• Newsletters
• Direct Mail  

Bette Brennan, Business Startup Specialist

Elizabeth 'Bette' Brennan, Business Assistance Specialist, is the official contact for the Small Business Hotline for start up businesses. Ms Brennan joined the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade in 1998. The Hotline provides general information to assist new businesses to get started right the first time. Bette is often the first point of contact for owners with questions about federal, state and local licensing requirements. She helps businesses navigate government application sites and provides referrals to state and federal assistance programs. She is a resource for small business training all throughout Colorado. Bette has worked as a manager for two leading successful women entrepreneurs in Staten Island, NY. Ms Brennan has also worked for nine years as Assistant Personnel Manager for Hayward Industries. A graduate of Staten Island Community College in NY, Bette's degree is in Marketing and Management.

bette.brennan@state.co.us
303-592-5920 #5

Susan Dunn, C.P.A. and Graphic Designer

From consulting for the SBDC as a college student to serving small businesses as a CPA and as a Graphic Designer, Susan enjoys helping a small business launch and grow.  She graduated with Highest Distinction in Accounting and Business Administration from The University of Kansas and earned her CPA with Arthur Andersen & Co.  

She then studied Art & Graphic Design at San Jose State University.  

Susan has designed accounting and internal control systems, taught accounting, and prepared visual marketing campaigns for a variety of small businesses.

Susan's expertise includes:

• Accounting and Financial Reporting
• Financial Analysis
• Business Formation (entities, agreements)
• Capital Budgeting
• Marketing
• Promotion
• Printing, Signage, Facade Design, and Web Design

ADDITIONAL SBDC COUNSELORS

Paul Dunford - Loan Officer, Region10, Montrose, CO

Laura Elm - Marketing And Graphic Design Consultant - Crested Butte, CO

Mary Heath - Accountant - Eckert, CO

Marv Toresen - Senior Loan Officer - Loan Applications, Cash Flow Analysis, ROI, Gunnnison, CO