CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Business Coach Shannon Mitchell is being honored as West Virginia’s 2019 State Star, announced Debra Martin, state director for the West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC).

Mitchell will join a constellation of SBDC State Star honorees from each state who will be recognized during the 39th Annual America’s SBDC Conference, Sept. 3-6, 2019, in Long Beach, California.

The criteria for State Stars include being an exemplary performer, making a significant contribution to their state or SBDC program, and showing a strong commitment to small business.

“Shannon brings real-world experience and understanding to her position as a trusted adviser to small-business owners,” said Martin. “She has extensive knowledge of several industries, including food service, construction, government contracting, and insurance. She has owned and operated startups and existing businesses with revenues from $200,000 to $10 million a year. This broad experience has equipped her to support small-business owners in all phases of the business life cycle. Shannon specializes in assisting existing business owners, helping them to improve profitability, cash flow, operational efficiency and ultimately, to grow their businesses.”

Mitchell received her bachelor’s degree from the College of William & Mary. In private industry, she held management and principle positions with responsibilities that include finances, marketing, project management/estimating and human resources. Mitchell has earned an Historic Real Estate Finance Professional certification, a West Virginia contractor license and Social Media Marketing for Small Businesses certification.

She joined WV SBDC in January 2017. Her WV SBDC center works with businesses in Nicholas, Webster, Fayette, Raleigh, Greenbrier and Pocahontas counties.

Mitchell is part of the WV SBDC statewide network of business coaches. The coaches are skilled individuals with professional certifications who provide confidential one-on-one consulting for small businesses interested in opening, improving or expanding in the Mountain State.

Since 1983, the WV SBDC has remained the premier resource for small business creation and expansion in the Mountain State. As a key economic driver, the WV SBDC offers a variety of services to entrepreneurs and small businesses to increase their profitability and customer base, enabling continued growth and prosperity for West Virginia’s diversifying economy.