A successful entrepreneur, Connie Sparks assists SBDC clients with business plans, business financing, business startup, general business, management and SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) assessments.An SBDC Business Advisor since 2006, Connie is a Certified Personal and Professional Development Coach. In 2000, she founded Wade Institute, which helps companies grow by creating revenue-generating ideas, obtaining financing, and improving process and project management.Connie is author of The Entrepreneur’s Guide for Starting a Business and Where’s the Money: Big Dollars to Do Big Business Like the Big Boys. In 2009, she received the Small Business Administration’s Home-Based Business Champion Award.“I love giving back to the business community, because I know what it’s like to start a business and not know where to turn to for help,” says Connie. “Being able to share what I know now and didn’t know then gives me great pleasure.”Active in the business community, Connie is a member of the National Association for Executive Women, The Professional Woman Network, American Business Women Association and Toastmasters International, among others.Connie has degrees in Business Management and Human Resources from College of the Canyons, and is completing a degree in Organizational Management at University of La Verne.