Alisa Kirk
Area Director, The UGA Small Business Development Center at Clayton State University
Alisa Kirk is the area director of the UGA Small Business Development Center at Clayton State University, which provides business consulting and training for small business owners. Her advice for entrepreneurs has been widely published in local and regional newspapers and publications, and Kirk has delivered numerous national, state, and local presentations in her areas of expertise: sustainability, marketing with technology, and persuasive communication. The Mercer University alum with an MBA in supply chain management from Clayton State University uses her knowledge of accounting, technology and management to help local small-business owners and managers develop strategies for growth.
“Growing up in a family business gave me first-hand experience with the ups and downs of running a small business, especially a small business in a construction-related industry,” Kirk said.
The three key factors Kirk credits for her success are a true passion for one’s chosen path, bravery to endure obstacles and thankfulness for accomplishments. Motivated by her faith and her family, she had advice for other seeking to follow in her footsteps.
“I didn’t land in this career until my late 40s when I went back to school to get my MBA,” said Kirk. “I was afraid I was too old to compete but surprised myself. My advice is, never give up.”
The recipient of the 2012 Dr. William C. Flewellen Jr. Award for Consulting Excellence, and the 2009 Georgia SBDC Continuing Education Program of the Year Award, Kirk said a good SBDC consultant has to have not only the experience and education but also the heart for truly wanting to see clients succeed.
“Power has to be balanced with humility,” Kirk shared. “Most truly powerful women have moments where they wonder if they’re doing the right thing, where they feel they’re not ready. Overcoming those doubts is hard, but the struggle makes us better.”
