Every business is looking for an edge to push it ahead of its competitors. The Small Business Center at Beaufort County Community College has offered a steady flow of seminars to help entrepreneurs understand the latest in recordkeeping, marketing and customer service. This fall, these participants will experience BCCC’s new edge with East Carolina University’s David Mayo.

“I am excited David will be working with us,” said Lentz Stowe, director of the Small Business Center at BCCC. “If we were talking in sports terms, I would call David a “blue chip” recruit! The term subject matter expert is not lost on David.”

Mayo will lead the core curriculum of the Small Business Center. As a faculty member teaching in the field of entrepreneurship and the Director of the Entrepreneurship Center in the Miller School of Entrepreneurship at ECU, he brings state-level expertise to local business owners.  Mayo is a graduate of NC State University with a major in marketing as well as a graduate of East Carolina University with a Master of Business Administration.

Mayo said some common mistakes for new businesses included “failure to plan, not having enough funding, and not validating a need in the market. These pitfalls can be avoided by taking time to plan for the success of the business and learn from other business owners.”

He began his professional career by managing property in the Greenville area and trading stocks professionally. After finishing the MBA program at ECU, Mayo worked as the manager of product development for a Raleigh-based startup focused on network security.

He later worked as a consultant where he helped over 400 entrepreneurs raise $30,000,000 in debt and equity financing and increase sales by nearly $40,000,000. While a consultant he also launched two new businesses, a global manufacturing company that makes products for the watersports industry and a web-based contractor placement service to connect small businesses with website and application development specialists.

Now, Mayo is looking forward to teaching at the Small Business Center. The series includes How to Write a Business Plan, Marketing and Advertising for Your Business, Financing Your Business and Recordkeeping and Taxes for Small Business. Mayo’s advice to prospective entrepreneurs?

“Seek advice from others including your local SBC, peer business owners and the Chamber of Commerce. Access markets beyond your local area by embracing technology as both a marketing tool and a delivery system.” His final suggestion is to write a business plan.

“The Core Curriculum series is a rewarding way to interact with small business owners and new entrepreneurs to help the business become more successful,” he said.  “Our local community is built on these job creators. They are making eastern NC a better place to live.”

The next class in the series is Marketing and Advertising Your Small Business on Sept. 10. Current and prospective business owners can sign up by calling 252-940-6375.