Get to know Patricia Hood, Director, Crater Small Business Development Center

Tell us about yourself & why you love your work!

I am the director of the Crater Small Business Development Center of Longwood University. I have been providing counseling and training to small businesses for over 15 years (before coming to Petersburg, I served as the director of the Financial Education Center for Women Entrepreneurs in Northern Virginia). 

I love working with clients and assisting them with management and marketing strategies that they have not used before. It’s so rewarding to see their businesses grow or branch out in new directions after using these strategies. 

I always encourage folks to not take “no” personally and to never be afraid to ask for help. There are many diverse resources available in this community and so many people that are willing to assist. 

How is your work having an impact and what’s next?

The Crater SBDC provides numerous programs in the community as they relate to entrepreneurship. Starting and operating a small business can be a rewarding endeavor but many run into overwhelming obstacles. Our offices serve as a strong community resource providing one-on-one counseling, workshops, and seminars to assist entrepreneurs in overcoming those challenges. 

I am excited to share that our Virginia SBDC Network now offers a wider variety of expert assistance for small- and medium-sized businesses. From training programs and workshops to one-on-one counseling to customized programs, we offer the expertise to help businesses start or expand their operations.