In recognition of National Small Business Week, Charleston County Council declared the week of June 17 Charleston County Small Business Week. County Council Chairman Teddie E. Pryor, Sr. presented the proclamation to Karan J. Sorenson, President of Sorensen Strategies, along with a certificate of appreciation for the series of free technology and business development seminars she has conducted for Charleston County’s Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Program.
"We wanted to express our gratitude for Ms. Sorensen's willingness to mentor and develop small businesses for the County's SBE Program," said SBE Program Manager Susan Hogan. Sorensen Strategies is a strategic management consulting firm specializing in technology solutions, profitable growth and operational excellence for corporate and institutional clients. As an entrepreneur, and also in her previous career as Vice President and Chief Information Officer of a Fortune 500 corporation, Sorensen developed and presented specialized technical training sessions.
Also during the June 18 Council meeting, Charleston County Procurement Director Barrett Tolbert and SBE Program Manager Susan Hogan presented 2013 Charleston County Small Business of the Year recognition to two County-certified SBEs:
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Landscape Pavers, LLCÂ was recognized as a long-term certified SBE doing significant business with Charleston County Government over the five years of the SBE Program.
"One of our main strengths is our diversity of licensure – to do everything from the ground down: grading, paving, concrete, storm drainage, water and sewer and marine construction," said Arthur Schirmer. "With the downturn in business that nearly everyone has experienced over the past four years, we were forced to make several tough business decisions, which included equipment and payroll reductions. We are happy to say that work has picked up once again, and we have been able to hire new employees and upgrade construction equipment."
Corporate Cycle Consulting, LLCÂ was recognized as a newly-certified SBE that is looking to leverage the new certification to win contracts in the future.
Owner Sonja Ogletree-Satani serves as president and CEO of the firm that she founded a year ago, and holds the Lean Six-Sigma Black Belt certification.
"It is a minority, woman and disabled-veteran owned business, and is certified in each of those areas," said Ogletree-Satani. "I founded the company to help individuals and businesses improve their processes and operations, and reach their desired strategic goals."Â
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