State Fair Community College has hired Kelly Asbury as the new director of the Small Business & Technology Development Center (SBTDC) that operates through the college’s LearningForce department. SFCC is the only Missouri community college to have an SBTDC.
Asbury is a Sedalia resident and an experienced small business owner and service manager. For nearly three years she worked as general manager of a Hardee’s restaurant where she supervised more than 20 employees. Asbury also owned and managed a salon and spa and home improvement business for a total of 10 years.
In May 2014, Asbury earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Central Methodist University, and in 2001 she graduated from SFCC with an Associate of Arts degree. Asbury also has licenses in health/life and property/casualty insurance and cosmetology.
“I’m excited to build relationships with people in the communities we serve who want to start or grow their businesses,” said Asbury. I’m very proud to be a part of the professional and dedicated LearningForce team. We want to create the best economic environment we can to strengthen everyone’s future.”
The SBTDC is part of Missouri’s network of centers and made possible by a funding partnership through the federal Small Business Administration (SBA), the University of Missouri Extension and SFCC.
Amy Jackson, executive director of The LearningForce, said there are major benefits to having the center on SFCC’s campus.
“Small businesses are what drive our economy as evidenced by the fact 95 percent of all businesses in Missouri are small businesses,” said Jackson. “The SBTDC provides support to SFCC students, entrepreneurs and small business owners with no-cost confidential counseling, low-cost training, and connection to SBA low-cost funding, government contracting, exporting, assistance with writing business or marketing plans, and more.
“Since opening in August 2016, the SBTDC has served more than 60 entrepreneurs and small businesses and provided 16 training events for 235 participants.”
The SBTDC is located on SFCC’s Sedalia campus in Fielding Technical Center, Room 255. For more information, call (660) 530-5822 or email Asbury at kasbury1@sfccmo.edu.
SFCC’s The LearningForce oversees noncredit continuing education courses for business and industry, professional development and personal enrichment for adults and children. To view the current course schedule and to enroll, go to sfccmo.edu/the-learning-force, call (660) 530-5822 or email thelearningforce@sfccmo.edu.
