By Amanda Kuhnert
Jason Nachamie moved to Vermont from New York in the fall of 2020 to attend the University of Vermont’s Sustainable Innovation MBA (SI-MBA) program. As he reached the end of the program last spring, he knew he wanted to launch his career in Vermont. But after a brief job search, he became disillusioned with the idea of working for a large corporation and decided to pursue setting up an independent consultancy.
“There are so many businesses that need help, but don’t have the resources to put these large firms on retainer, so I was inspired to provide a more personalized approach to enabling these businesses to drive impact,” he said.
In August Nachamie made an appointment with business advisor Lauren Bass for help getting his business off the ground. He had met Bass, a fellow UVM SI-MBA program alumna, during a Zoom call earlier in the summer, where she shared with students the services available through the Vermont Small Business Development Center (VtSBDC).
Along with advice on how to register and set up his business, Nachamie also needed help with other start-up decisions and tools of the trade. “That included best practices around invoicing, setting rates, payment terms, and sourcing customers/clients,” Bass said. “He needed some assistance with strategies for customer relationship management (CRM) and how to negotiate an offer and settle on a contract for engagement.” Bass also helped Nachamie turn a graduate school project into a polished document that showcased his professional abilities, which helped land his first long-term client.
“Working with the VtSBDC gave me the confidence I needed to take control of my career goals,” Nachamie said. “My advisor felt more like a friend than a business partner, and thanks to her expert guidance, I was able to design a venture that allows me to work on projects I’m passionate about and make a positive impact in the business world.”
Bass said she’s excited to see Nachamie realize his goal of becoming his own boss. “All in all, working with the VtSBDC gave him the immediate tools and frameworks so he could make a quick transition from an out-of-state student to a permanent resident and contributor to our community,” she said.
Nachamie’s Impact Advisory helps established and start-up businesses navigate decisions around environmental, social, and governance issues, including the development and management of an effective ESG program, strategic planning, and growth strategies. For more info: linkedin.com/in/jason-nachamie-752812109.
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