Washington State Small Business Development Center
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Harte, Jan

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Address: 12000 NE 95th St, Ste 504
City: Vancouver
State: WA
Zip Code: 98682
Telephone: (360) 260-6372
Fax: (360) 260-6369
Email: jharte@vancouver.wsu.edu
Web site:   http://www.wsbdc.org
   
About Jan Harte  
Janet Harte is a small business management specialist serving existing for-profit business owners and late stage start-ups in Clark and Skamania Counties. With her help, clients in Southwest Washington gain skills and knowledge in strategic business planning, market analysis, operations, and financial management.

Harte has been a small business advisor and Center Director through the Washington State University SBDC network for 18 years. During Harte’s tenure, she has worked in-depth with over 1500 clients; some of whom have invested over $23.5 million in Southwest Washington.

Harte is a former owner of a business consulting and training business and was a branch manager for a non-bank lender. She has a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Portland and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Management degree from Portland State University. She is certified as a Business Advisor by the Washington State University Small Business Development Center. Harte is the recipient of the 2009 and 1998 State SBDC Star Performer award for best advisor of the year; 2009 Ron Battles Excellence Award for exceptional service to clients, and the National Association of SBDCs 1998 Star Performer award for one of ten best advisors in the nation.

Ms. Harte provides confidential business management advice and technical management skill development, access to specialized technical resources, and problem identification and resolution. Over half of SBDC clients are existing business owners who want to improve business operations and gain management skills. Other clients are new businesses, pre-launch start-ups, or acquisitions requesting business plan guidance.

Clients who gain the most from SBDC services are serious about business success, want to learn best business practices and build management skills, and are willing to make changes.

With SBDC help, clients in Clark and Skamania Counties have completed business plans, produced financial proposals, analyzed markets and developed marketing plans, improved business operations, and located resources. This has helped them launch or acquire businesses, expand operations, improve sales, improve operations, improve profitability, and implement exit strategies.

Meetings are by appointment. Email is best: jharte@vancouver.wsu.edu. Visit the local blog at http://vancouversbdc.blogspot.com/

Areas of Specialization:
Areas of specialization include hiring, motivating, training, evaluating, and administering employees; developing business plans and loan proposals; analyzing financial statements to improve profitability; performing and interpreting market research; and bringing a new product to market.

Client Success Stories:
"Our projections are keeping us on track to meet our goals. I believe that Jan Harte gave me the tools, posed the questions needed, and opened my eyes to different scenarios in opening and operating a business." Kristina McLeskey, Beastie Boutique; Vancouver, WA

"The partnerships with [our distributor], our manufacturers, Jan Harte of the SBDC and Washington State University have all been very important to our success. Building good business relationships can make all the difference in the success of your business." Tammy Ramadan, Artistic Home and Garden; Camas, WA

"The SBDC and Jan Harte have been a tremendous help to us in starting the clinic. The expert advice surely helped avert several missteps we may have taken without their guidance!" Steve McCarthy, Washougal Sport and Spine; Washougal, WA

"Jan Harte and the SBDC helped us stay on track and focus on all the details necessary for successful implementation of our plan." Drew Lindsell, Anchor Point Counseling Center; Battle Ground, WA