VIRTUAL COUNSELING 

Just ask 'Melissa', our new virtual associate, your question now, or review the list of Frequently Asked Questions for virtual help 24/7.  If you do not get the information you need, please email your question(s) directly to us, and receive a response (by email or telephone) within one business day. 

KOSBE provides confidential face-to-face counseling services that are specific to the needs of the small business owners or entrepreneur. For example, KOSBE can provide direction on the formation, management, financing, strategic planning (business plan), and/or operation of a small business enterprise.  The majority of counseling is done by KOSBE's Executive Director, but qualified and specially-trained KOSBE volunteers (Peer Counselors) also provide counseling on an as-needed basis.  Grantors, lenders, and venture capitalists usually require funded companies to retain a long-term business advisor.  Long-term counseling takes place when a client receives five or more hours of contact time per entrepreneur or small business during the year.

PEER COUNSELING

The KOSBE Peer Counseling Team consists of select members of the KOSBE Council who are also local small business owners that have a proven track record of success in small business enterprise, general business, or related areas such as banking, insurance, human resources, marketing, management, accounting, finance, sales, operations, etc.

Typically, a counseling session lasts for one hour initially.  To make an appointment with one of our Peer Counselors, click the apppropriate link in the right sidebar. 

2008 PEER COUNSELING TEAM

Contact a Counselor    

Mr. Ken Frohlich, Peer Counseling Team Chair
Management & Operations
GTS Refreshment Services

Mr. Billy Addington
Food/Beverage Sales & Purchasing
Sysco Knoxville

Mr. Russell W. Adkins
Attorney at Law
Wilson Worley Moore Gamble & Stout PC

Mr. Andy Bonner
CPA
Dent K. Burk Associates PC

Mr. Ashok Gala
Quality Assurance
Eastman Chemical Company

Mr. C. Blair Jones, JD
Risk Management
Nash & Powers Insurance

Mr. Matt Lay
Information Systems & Technology
Intellithought

Mr. Scott Mason
Wholesale, Manufacturing & Distribution
Mason Distributors

Mr. Roland Patterson
Certified Small Business Advisor
Patterson Diversified Business Solutions

Ms. Lesa Phillips
Graphic Design & Marketing    
Sterling Graphics               

Mr. W. Roger Smith
Operations & Production
Domtar   

BY TELEPHONE


In addition to traditional in-person counseling, KOSBE offers counseling by telephone to clients who require more schedule flexibility. Telephone counseling typically lasts only 15 minutes initially, but depends on the topic.

NON-LOCAL REGIONAL SMALL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE SPECIALISTS

The Business Enterprise Resource Office (BERO), in its mission to expand procurement opportunities for small, minority and women owned businesses that wish to do business with the State of Tennessee, also works in close partnership with KOSBE. Mr. Ronald Wade, representing the State of Tennessee Economic Community Development and BERO, is available by-appointment-only on a monthly basis. Anyone interested in meeting with Mr. Wade privately can schedule an appointment by calling KOSBE at (423) 392-8811.

The Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP) is sponsored, and brought to you, by the University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services and the US Department of Defense, Defense Logistics Agency. This national program provides specialized and professional assistance to individuals and businesses seeking to learn about contracting and subcontracting opportunities with Department of Defense (DOD), all other federal agencies, state and local governments and prime contractors. Specific assistance and more is provided in the following areas:

• Market Research
• Identifying Business Codes (NAICS, SICS, FSC & PSC)
• Registering in all appropriate databases & web sites (CCR, ORCA, DIBBS…etc.)
• Matching a firm's products or services with what is being purchased by government agencies (Bid Match)
• Interpretation of solicitations
• Proposal review
• Obtaining specifications
• Locating Federal Acquisition Regulations (FARS,DFARS & CFRS)
• Process Management Skills
• General Services Administration (GSA) Schedules
• and Much More…

If you have any questions related to the PTAP, please do not hesistate to contact KOSBE at (423) 392-8811, or directly contact Mr. Paul Middlebrooks, Marketing Consultant and Procurement Counselor at PTAP.

   The Small Business Programs Office (SBPO) serves as the advocate and point of contact for small businesses and educational institutions, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Educational Institutions (MEIs), seeking contracting opportunities to link them to science and technology programs at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

---

KOSBE is a Proud Strategic Resource Partner

 

Ph (423) 392-8811 | Fx (423) 392-8839 | 151 E Main St | Kingsport, TN 37660
Contact Us | Office located inside Kingsport Chamber of Commerce
Looking for Our New Virtual Associate, Melissa?  Click Here!