Consultant Profile: Kevin Weir

Area Center: Charleston Title: Technology Commercialization Specialist Start Date: June 8, 2022

QUESTION: What was your career track prior to joining the SC SBDC? ANSWER: Advanced materials and international business development across industrial markets with Shell Chemical, Dow Chemical Company and Milliken & Company. Business consultancy owner and director of product and service innovation.

QUESTION: What motivated you to become an SC SBDC consultant? ANSWER: Ability to leverage business and product development expertise and apply it to innovators, entrepreneurs and early-stage start-up companies.

QUESTION: What is the best piece of advice you would offer an aspiring business owner? ANSWER: Move beyond the product or service idea. Spend more time thinking about your differentiation, how to protect your idea or business, how you will monetize your idea and what your long-term goals are.

QUESTION: What area of interest/expertise do you offer your clients? ANSWER: Strategic thinking. Materials science. IP strategy. Funding opportunities. Business planning.

QUESTION: Since becoming an SC SBDC consultant, what is your greatest accomplishment? ANSWER: Connecting with new companies and impacting their strategic and economic decisions.

QUESTION: Why is the SC SBDC an important resource for business owners in South Carolina? ANSWER: This free resource is delivered by a team of dedicated, experienced professionals, who have a single goal to help small businesses grow successfully and thereby contribute to the state’s economic and social strength.

QUESTION: What is your favorite part about working for the SC SBDC? ANSWER: Client interaction and collaborating with the SBDC team and our partner organizations.

QUESTION: What quote/saying/maxim expresses your philosophy toward work and/or life? ANSWER: Give back all that you have learned and acquired to help others grow.

QUESTION: What is the greatest challenge you’ve encountered while working as a consultant? How did you overcome it? ANSWER: Resources and time management. The need is so large, it is difficult to give all clients everything they need!

QUESTION: Describe your approach to counseling. ANSWER: To be open, approachable, trustworthy and to listen intently to the clients' needs.

QUESTION: What keeps you busy when you're not at work? What is your hobby and/or passion? ANSWER: Hiking, swimming, cycling, fishing and gardening...anything outdoors.

QUESTION: Is there anything else you would like to say about yourself? ANSWER: I am here to help! If I don’t have the answer, I will find someone who does!