Joshua Jacobs
- Business Development Manager
- Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO)
School Information
School: California Polytechnic State University
College Major: Business
Years at College Works: 2008 to 2010
Career Information
Working For: Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO)
Title: Business Development Manager
Industry: non-profit
Brief Description of Duties / Responsibilities:
Hybrid ~Responsible for day-to-day management of satellite office needs. ~Responsible for business development staff training, professional development, goal-setting, caseload management, and implementing procedural and policy changes. ~Strategic planning for satellite office funding, outreach, and service delivery for MESO Vancouver, WA County, Gresham, and Clackamas offices. ~Finding and developing partnerships with other community-based organizations, municipalities, funding sources, and service providers to strengthen referral networks, advocate for needed change, and improve service offerings. ~Setup and operation of MESO tabling booth for multiple events every month, such as business fairs, access to capital, and networking events. ~Instrumental in developing POS inventory tracking system for MESO Makers Market. ~Instrumental in backend development for transition to Salesforce CRM platform. ~Developed staff training curriculum and organizational procedures for CRM use at MESO. ~Developed business development staff training modules, in the absence of an existing training platform. ~Developed, organized, promoted, and produced an ongoing bimonthly small business networking event series called “Stronger Together.” Steadily increased attendance rates at events by 30% or more each time. ~Leading a team that consistently meets or exceeds grant goals for contracts in all satellite locations, in terms of clients served. ~Developed and taught multiple educational workshop presentations, including time management, crafting company culture, SEO and content marketing, business plan writing, and grant writing. ~Provided exceptional training and assistance to MESO clients in the areas of website development, SEO, social media marketing, cash flow and breakeven analysis, retail space management, inventory tracking, POS system management, employee handbook development, hiring/firing, direct and indirect marketing, sales skills, branding, and business plan writing.
What Has Been Your Proudest Accomplishment Post-CWP?Having a successful career I am proud of.
College Works Career Impact
In one sentence, what has CW meant to you?
College Works Painting has been the best learning experience of my professional life.
How did your CW experience impact your career? Immediately after graduation? Now?
College Works Painting connected me to my first and most recent employer. Provides me with skills I use every day.
What do you want to tell your clients about what it meant to work with them and how it has helped you get to where you are today?
Thank you all for taking the chance on a college kid to take care of something as precious as your home. It was a pleasure to work with all of you and I appreciate you very much.
What was the greatest lesson you learned from your CW experience?
How to manage my time and my stress effectively.
How have the friendships and networks you built during CW affected you?
The networks I built in College Works Painting have grown to impact me daily through job offers, business relationships, and even connections becoming friends.
If you had to come up with a one line slogan for CW, what would it be?
Where students come to master their skills, become a leader, and build their future; all by painting houses.
Advice
What advice do you have for potential CW participants? Current CW participants?
Be confident and be yourself.
What’s your best advice for someone interested in entering your career field?
CWP gives you the insight into your own interests to let you know what area of business you like, and will build skills that are literally applicable to every type of job.
What’s your favorite memory from CW?
Being named National District Manager of the year in 2009.
Last words of wisdom?
College Works Painting is only the beginning of a life filled with accomplishment and success!