Consultant Profile: Paul Featheringill  

Area Center: Charleston

Title: Region Director and Business Consultant

Start Date: October 5, 2020 QUESTION: What was your career track prior to joining the SC SBDC?ANSWER: I have over 15 years of experience in the economic development and small business lending field.  Most recently I spent five years as a loan officer with the City of Columbia Office of Business Opportunities and four years as a loan officer with the Charleston LDC, a local Community Development Fiance Institution (CDFI).

QUESTION: What motivated you to become an SC SBDC consultant? ANSWER:  Through my experience as a small business lender I have been fortunate to work with SBDC consultants a number of times to help clients prepare business plans and get ready to apply for financing.  I have always been  very impressed  by the knowledge, skills and experience that SBDC consultants offer clients and I have seen first-hand the way it benefited the business owners that worked with them.  It was a tremendous opportunity for me to become a part of the great team at SBDC to help grow and support the small business community in South Carolina.

QUESTION: What is the best piece of advice you would offer an aspiring business owner? ANSWER: The most valuable thing you can do is spend time planning for your business before you start and get an experienced consultant from SBDC to help you.  It is crucial that you properly plan and set up your business structure, financials, and management correctly from the beginning to help your business be successful.   

QUESTION: What area of interest/expertise do you offer your clients? ANSWER: My primary areas of expertise are in business financing and lending, preparing business financial projections, loan packaging and referral to lending resources.

QUESTION: Since becoming an SC SBDC consultant, what is your greatest accomplishment? ANSWER: Coming on board during a pandemic has created a unique set of challenges but has also been a tremendous opportunity to help clients in desperate need of assistance to navigate the various relief programs available and provide training and resources to help them sustain their businesses.

QUESTION: Why is the SC SBDC an important resource for business owners in South Carolina? ANSWER: Most people decide they want to start a business because they have a passion for something but there are so many other areas they need to understand and plan for such as financials, organization, management and marketing to help their businesses be successful.  SBDC consultants are a crucial resource in helping people gain knowledge and plan to help grow and sustain their businesses.

QUESTION: What is your favorite part about working for the SC SBDC? ANSWER: Working with the clients to help them achieve their dream of growing a successful business and working with the fantastic team of experts at SBDC.