Congratulations to Ms. Carole Butkus, WBC Director, as Washington State Women-In-Business of the Year

Release Date: April 1, 2010               Media Contact: Carol Andersen (206) 553-7315
Release Number: SDOPR-10-16      Internet Address: www.sba.gov/wa

Carole Ann Butkus

Director, Washington Business Center, Seattle Named Washington State Women-In-Business Champion of the Year

Celebration honoring winners on April 8th, Marion Oliver McCaw Hall, Seattle Center

SEATTLE – The U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2010 Women-in-Business Champion boosts the prospects of the fastest-growing segment of entrepreneurs. “Women entrepreneurs start businesses at twice the national average, so by providing access to counseling, training and financial resources, Carole Butkus tears down barriers commonly faced by this vital group. She knows what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur,” said Calvin Goings Regional Administrator. Carole has worked for early-stage technology companies and a medical practice. She has an MBA from Washington State University. With her husband Pete, she owns two small businesses. She is actively engaged in Belltown Records, an independent record label; and takes an administrative role in the company run primarily by her husband, Butkus Consulting.

Butkus directs the Washington Business Center (WBC) hosted by Community Capital Development (CCD) in Seattle. She and her team are responsible for delivering sensitive and appropriate business assistance and training to clients to support the development of low-income, women-owned and minority business enterprises. To expand outreach, Butkus promotes entrepreneurship at local Chambers of Commerce, business and trade association events, and with government representatives. She lends her insights to suggest solutions to a problem that plagues small businesses and their employees, she recently was appointed to the Washington State Insurance Commissioner's Health Care Reform Realization Committee.

The Washington Business Center is one of three SBA Women’s Business Centers (WBCs) located in Washington State. Women comprise over 60 percent of its client base. Last year, the Center counseled over 400 clients and trained over 3,000 people directly or with the help of resource partners. Through Community Capital Development, WBC clients received loans for over $900,000 with nearly a half million dollars going to woman-owned companies in 2009.

“The WBC has just begun its 12th year of service to women entrepreneurs. Carole proceeds with infectious energy, determination and conviction,” says Nancy Porzio, SBA Seattle District Director. She personally seeks out ways to expand services to businesses in King County, by doing one-on-one counseling in her clients’ offices or in coffee shops. It is commonplace to catch Butkus working long days in order to complete commitments to women's organizations or small business groups. In 2008, Carole implemented a new seven-week training curriculum called "Launch and Grow Your Business.” Since its inception, 163 small business owners - about seventy percent of whom were women - have completed this training. The WBC also offers "Brown Bag" lunch-and-learn seminars free of charge. They are scheduled "ad hoc" when interesting speakers or topics present themselves but occur almost monthly with attendance ranging from 15 to 50 people. Last year the WBC added a computer lab to its toolkit, courtesy of a grant from the Washington State Microenterprise Association.

When the SBA approached the WBC requesting that it partner with the Redmond WorkSource to provide entrepreneurial training to unemployed persons who are looking at starting microenterprises as a form of self employment, Butkus made it happen. WorkSource workshops commenced in 2008 and by January 2009, they had to be moved to a larger classroom and offered twice monthly to meet increased demand.

Butkus has initiated two Business Strategic Growth Teams. The Rainier team consists of all woman-owned businesses and meets in Seattle. The Cascade team consists of over 60% women and meets in a King County eastside suburb. Hand-selected business owners from noncompeting industries operate under non-disclosure agreements due to the sharing of proprietary information at team meetings. The team members serve as an advisory board to each other. Each meeting includes time for training on business-related topics that have included using social media in business; cash flow projections and financial statements; SWOT analysis (business evaluation and matching strengths with opportunities); business valuation; and pricing of products and services.

With commitment and passion, Butkus dedicates her days to advocating on behalf of women in business, going beyond the realm of her professional responsibilities. When it comes to volunteer outreach and marketing efforts, the word “No” is not is her vocabulary. If an organization asks her to speak about women in business, she is there. She will put together a presentation on short notice, working late into the evening or getting up early to make it happen. Butkus maintains open contacts with the Washington State Congressional Delegation and they keep her informed on the pending initiatives affecting women in business. She participates in community outreach activities to ensure that women in business are supported and recognized for their contributions. On a personal level, she works tirelessly to create fair and equal opportunities for women to access counseling, training and capital. This is why she is named 2010 SBA Washington State Women-in-Business Champion.