About
BAEC
The Bay Area Entrepreneur Center or BAEC is funded by the San Mateo County Community College District. As a business accelerator and innovative resource center, we work towards providing aspiring entrepreneurs the information and support they need to grow their current business or business ideas.
We provide business management guidance, technical and targeted business assistance, networking opportunities, one-on-one consulting, business workshops, and facilities.
HISTORY
The Bay Area Entrepreneur Center was established in 2014 by Skyline College, a sister college of the San Mateo County Community College District. With support from the SMCCCD Board of Trustees, under the leadership of Chancellor Ron Galatolo, and the late Dean Richard Soyombo of Skyline’s Global Learning Programs and Services, the Center opened in Downtown San Bruno in 2014.
During his 17 years of service at Skyline College, Richard was instrumental in developing a variety of programs including the Hospitality and Tourism Management Program, Energy System, Technology Management Program, African Diaspora Program, Freight Forwarding and Logistics Program, Youth Entrepreneurship Program, Links Liberian Girls Mentorship Program, and the Bay Area Entrepreneur Center of Skyline College. Richard had two decades of experience in international business development, both in public and private sectors. As a strategic planning and positioning specialist, he possessed a solid background in successful international growth market solutions, localization of plants and personnel, distributor network development and multiculturalism. The San Mateo County Community College District would like to acknowledge the long service in public policy work for our dear friend, Richard F.A. Soyombo.
The Center will always remember and appreciate the fine work that Richard did, in order for our success.
You're Here for A Reason. Let's Grow Your Business. Intelligently.
Chances are, you're here to find the right way to grow your business. We can help.
THE BAEC TEAM
Pcyeta Stroud
Pcyeta Stroud is the Director at BAEC. Pcyeta comes to BAEC with over five years of economic and workforce development experience with an emphasis on cultivating entrepreneurship. She became the Program Coordinator for the Youth Entrepreneurship Program, mentoring youth in the development of their businesses. She founded the Student Business Plan Competition and co-founded the Student Internship Job Shadow Program at BAEC.
Terri Wade
Terri Wade is a marketing consultant for BAEC and instructor for the Base11 STEM Entrepreneur Accelerator Training Program that started in Fall 2016. Terri received her Bachelor’s degree in Business from UC Riverside and an MBA with a concentration in Marketing from Notre Dame de Namur University. She has a passion for entrepreneurship and is excited to share her passion to those interested in starting a business.
Linda Truong
Linda Truong is an Office Assistant II for BAEC. She is the main point of contact for the Center, handling the day-to-day operations, scheduling, contracts, clients, and invoicing. Linda received her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from San Francisco State University. She has years of work experience in accounting and customer service. She is excited to learn from entrepreneurs and interact with partners, students, businesses and community members!
ADVISORY BOARD
Isaac Reed
Isaac Reed is the President of BAEC’s Advisory Board. He is currently Owner of Reed Fine Wines, a private wine label and winery based in San Francisco, California. He’s also the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of AppChassis, a company that provides technological solutions and content services relating to mobile app distribution and publishing. Along with his list of accomplishments, he is starting a Capital Fund Company.
Terri Wade
Terri is the Instructor of the Base11 STEM Entrepreneur Accelerator Program. She is also a Business and Marketing Consultant with the Bay Area Entrepreneur Center.
Robert Shoffner
Robert Shoffner is the Director of San Mateo SBDC. He has leadership expertise and is responsibility for strategy, team development, people, sales, service, marketing, credit quality, retail/commercial integration, training and financial management. He is also an Adjunct Professor at the College of San Mateo in Business, Management and Marketing.
Christine Roumbanis
Christine Roumbanis is the Dean of Business Division at Skyline College. Christine previously worked as a Business Professor at Skyline College since 1997.
Tammy Robinson
Tammy Robinson is the Dean of Global Learning Programs & Services at Skyline College. She has worked in the community college system for over two decades. She truly believes that decisions should not only be data driven, but also by societal needs.
Soledad McCarthy
Soledad McCarthy is a Business Instructor who has taught at Skyline College for over 10 years.
Andrea Vizenor
Andrea Vizenor is the Director of Career & Workforce Program at Skyline College. Ms.Vizenor provides academic leadership, direction, and support to the Career and Technical Education Program and the Executive Leadership for Skyline College.
Kristine Pinon
Kristine Pinon is the Executive Director and Benefits Specialist with LegalShield. She is a serious networker and loves to meet other entrepreneurs small business owners to make some positive connections. Let's connect, share and succeed.
Steve Bacon
Steve Bacon Entrepreneur Steve Bacon is a self-development “info-preneur” who believes that we all are born to win but programmed to lose.
Chadwick Burnaw
Chadwick Burnaw is the owner of Champagne Wishes TV. Champagne Wishes TV is an educational platform for aspiring entrepreneurs. Chad has spent the majority of his career in sales, customer relations, investor relations and product development. His future plans are focused on Venture Capital and Product Development for tech startups involved in serving multiple continents.
Deep SenGupta
Deep SenGupta is the CEO of DSG Global, LLC. DSG Global is a boutique firm specializing in international business strategy and international trade compliance. In addition to their comprehensive International Trade compliance portfolio, DSG GLOBAL also offers advisory and market-access services for firms in the US-Asia corridor.
Susan Barnes
Susan Barnes is an innovative and experienced economic development and public policy professional with more than 20 years of experience in communities such as Palo Alto, San Jose, Redwood City and Hayward. She has extensive and demonstrated experience in workforce development, economic development strategy and action plan development and formation and implementation of business improvement districts and other economic development tools.
Brian Heit
Brian Heit is the CEO and Attorney of Heit Law Group, based in Los Angeles. He founded Heit Law Group, P.C. so that he could positively impact the lives of the people in the community and serve with the flexibility necessary to get the results clients deserve. The firm is dedicated to its clients and providing personalized plans of action for them.
Bernadette McBurnie
Bernadette McBurnie went from a corporate career, to a stay-at-home mom, to running an international business from home. After fifteen years of working in IT, and three years of working in the Banking sector, she decided to put her career on hold to raise her family. Currently, she’s a consultant, speaker, and entrepreneur.
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