Members’ Corner: Candace Pruett

Name, Title, Organization

Candace Pruett, Business Consultant, Small Business Development Center

Explain your background in economic development

I work closely with entrepreneurs in Maryland who are looking to start and grow their businesses. Small businesses play a vital role to ensure the sustainability and growth within the economy. When small businesses are healthy and prosperous, the community in return benefits from an increase in jobs, increase in sales (taxpayer dollars), and long-term impacts from the economic growth. Specifically, my territory covers Anne Arundel County, so I work closely with the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation (AAEDC).

What are your key priorities within your current position?

Key priorities within my position at the Small Business Development Center include working with entrepreneurs to start and grow their businesses, marketing and outreach to the community sharing resources, and developing partnerships with key resources to help small business owners succeed to the next level.

What professional pressures keep you up at night?

As a passionate lifelong learner, I am currently a candidate for the Doctoral of Business Administration (D.B.A.) from University of Maryland University College. I am enrolled in the last class, publishing, this semester and in March I begin the dissertation writing process. This has been a challenging and insightful journey as I learn how to use evidence-based research methods as a scholarly practitioner.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with MEDA and your fellow members?

I also am an adjunct faculty professor at Anne Arundel Community College where I teach Introduction to Entrepreneurship. I have recently been nominated as a member of the Career Advisory Board at Salisbury University’s Purdue School of Business.