Helping business owners find entrepreneurial success is Cachet Prescott’s passion. As the new director of Business Development for the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce, the Bridgeport, Conn., native is excited to help current, and future business owners achieve success.

Prior to moving to Valdosta last year with her family, Prescott worked with the Small Business Development Center in Alamogordo, N.M. She has extensive experience in human resources, management and leadership, workplace motivation, operation and strategic planning, marketing and branding, and career transition. 

Prescott joined the world of small business ownership in 2011, when she opened Virtual Cachet, providing human resources administrative support to small business owners. In 2013, she began offering career development, marketing, and branding assistance.  Her personalized service includes résumé writing, LinkedIn profile development, career coaching, and professional development training.

“My past experiences have truly helped me understand the plight of the business owner and what they might be going through, said Prescott, a certified career coach and human resource professional. “It has provided me with valuable research, workshop development and facilitation, and small business training.”

Prescott says she enjoys solving problems and helping people find the answer to numerous issues facing business owners. Each day she helps people navigate through a variety of issues facing current and potential business owners. The questions and assistance range from how to obtain a business license or permit to large more complex projects including writing a business plan. 

“When they call the Chamber it is not just a matter of getting them a name and phone number to contact,” said Prescott. “It is about getting them the information. As a business owner you do not have time to play detective and stay on the phone, this is how I can help.”

Prescott also oversees the Chamber’s SEEDS Business Resource Center, which provides free assistance to start-up businesses as well as existing and expanding companies in Lowndes County and regional partnering counties.

Established to help local entrepreneurs start and maintain businesses, the SEEDS Business Resource Center offers market research analysis, assistance with writing a business plan, website development, and marketing and branding guidance. 

“The market research assistance is very valuable,” said Prescott, who is president of the Greater Valdosta Chapter of SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management). “As someone who has been on the other side of the table as a business owner, I know it is hard to get an idea of whom you are trying to reach and your target audience. It helps if you can narrow down to a specific audience. It also helps you with your marketing dollars because you are targeting the people you need to instead of a disjointed marketing effort that goes out to everyone.”

Prescott is proud of the individualized attention she and other Chamber staff provide to existing business and start-up companies. 

“When a person comes to the Chamber office I want them to feel like they have all the information that they need. I do not just refer them to a website or give them a phone number and send them on their way,” said Prescott. “My job is to find that information for them and give a contact number just in case.”

Prescott said there are many resources available through the Chamber to help existing businesses grow, and new ventures begin. 

In addition to the SEEDS Business Center, the Chamber offers Business University, which provides workshops and seminars covering a myriad of topics focused on the needs of small businesses.

Prescott encourages anyone who is considering opening a small business to enter the annual Southwest Georgia Bank Business Plan Competition. 

“This program is a great way for one small business owner [each year] to potentially, win $10,000 in start-up funds to help jumpstart their business,” said Prescott. “In addition to a number of other in-kind gifts from the amazing angel sponsors who are involved." 

The SEEDS Business Resource Center, located in the Chamber office at 416 North Ashley Street, Valdosta, is open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Resources and professional business consultations are provided free of charge to Chamber members and non-members. For more information, call 229-247-8100 or visit the website at www.SEEDSBusinessResourceCenter.com.