Description

Planning for the future of your business doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. 

Join The Chatham Chamber for a high-impact Lunch & Learn with seasoned business counselors with the Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC). They have helped hundreds of small- and mid-sized businesses across North Carolina take the guesswork out of growth. They will guide you through the complexities of making confident, strategic decisions that move your business forward. This session is designed to be dynamic, interactive, and thought provoking.

Topics will include:

• The Business Modeling Process
• Organizational Self-Assessment
• The Golden Threshold – Understanding the Realities of Business Growth
• SBTDC Panel Discussion with Q&A

Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or leading a growing team, this session will equip you with actionable steps to strengthen your foundation and chart a clearer path ahead. 

Lunch Provided by Hoops Pizzeria
We’re excited to welcome Hoops Pizzeria of Pittsboro, NC, as our "Power Lunch" catering sponsor for this event!

Known for combining sustainable practices with premium, locally sourced ingredients, Hoops Pizzeria crafts delicious, handcrafted pizzas that deliver on both flavor and environmental responsibility. Their solar-powered kitchen and commitment to quality make them a standout in our local food scene.

Learn more about our speakers: 

Bill Rollinson worked as a Product Manager at Google.  He spent the majority of his life in Silicon Valley  and helped create some of the first software for the Apple Macintosh in 1984 and co-founded the first online retailer on the web, Internet Shopping Network in 1994.   He’s been involved in numerous start-ups, as an operating executive, founder, investor, and board member. He received a Design degree from UCLA.  He has four grown children and currently lives in Raleigh, North Carolina with his wife, Jill. 

 Joel Harper has been with the SBTDC since September 2018.  His background has been primarily in non-profit management.  As such, due to staff limitations typical in the non-profit world, he found himself also serving as CFO, chief marketing officer, and chief event planner.  He was forced to develop proficiency in all these areas, which has translated will to his SBTDC career, counseling business owners in all these same areas.

Joel’s wife is a family therapist. They have 5 children and 6 grandchildren. He enjoys outdoor Dutch oven cooking and above ground vegetable gardening.

Patricia Breen has extensive business consulting experience and specializes in the Growth and Optimize phases. She works across multiple functional areas and has lived and consulted in urban, rural and international markets. A few specialty areas of interest include: Assessment and planning– complex strategic assessment and problem solving, long-term operational planning and systems development, and implementation strategy.

Marketing, branding and communications – as CEO of an advertising agency, developed and implemented comprehensive marketing strategies targeted to specific business goals. Extensive experience working with designers and subcontractors in a variety of mediums, including social media.

Technology and data management (CRM) – Founder and CEO of an Internet company that brought Internet services to the State of South Dakota (sold to Golden West Telecommunications) and included a marketing division specializing in web development. Managed a staff of 32 technical specialists and introduced new technologies to small businesses, government offices and organizations in 256 communities.

Group facilitation and training – extensive experience in small group facilitation and has developed programming and trained groups ranging from 10 – 530.

Executive and leadership development – ten years of executive and leadership development experience working with C-Suite executives, mid-level leadership, government officials, and high potential employees.

In addition, she has expertise in Immigration law and legal docket and CRM system management. And, is trained in trauma counseling.

Sheila Dalton is a seasoned entrepreneur and systems thinker. She brings 25+ years of hands-on experience in small business leadership—including 16 years as co-founder and owner of the beloved Neal’s Deli in Carrboro, NC.

She’s a go-to collaborator for clients and colleagues alike, with a knack for simplifying operations, streamlining systems, and helping others build sustainable businesses from the inside out. Her expertise spans financial tools, restaurant and food manufacturing operations, HR development, local food systems, and digital platforms like WordPress and QuickBooks.

Sheila is also a certified nutrition coach with a private practice rooted in behavior change and whole-body wellness.

Outside of work, she’s an avid trail runner, YA fiction fan, trained chef, and proud Carrboro local—living with her two kids, one cat, and a thriving circle of community.