You oughta know
Lisa Ruckdeschel is associate state director for the Small Business & Technology Development Center, a business advisory service of the UNC System. She has been with the SBTDC since 1987. Her responsibilities include program planning and evaluation, print and web communications, major conferences and events, partnerships and alliances, advisory board support, and oversight of finance and administration. Lisa is a member of the SBTDC’s private-equity initiatives team that developed and delivers the Becoming an Investor-Ready Entrepreneur program.
Lisa earned a bachelor’s in organizational behavior and management from Brown University and an MBA from UNC Chapel Hill’s Kenan-Flagler Business School. Prior to joining the center, her experience included brand management at Procter & Gamble and Hanes Knitwear, and advertising, public relations and training for H&R Block. Lisa, who works in Raleigh, also co-founded a company that provided business-planning, financial and tax services for small firms.
What do you like best about your job?
Being part of an organization that clearly makes a difference. The SBTDC works with small to midsize businesses, and our clients significantly outperform the average North Carolina business in employment and sales growth.
What inspires you?
I’m continually inspired by our client success stories. Seeing business owners work hard to innovate, address challenges and achieve their goals is a constant source of motivation.
This week the solar eclipse also inspired me. It reminds us that we’re all part of something much bigger and have a real stake in the life and health of our planet, and, closer to home, our community.
Who should we be looking at?
As a small to midsized business advocate, I appreciate Business North Carolina maintaining a focus on the companies with fewer than 100 employees that are quietly contributing the lion’s share of North Carolina’s net new jobs. Also the new technologies being developed at our universities with the potential to significantly change older industries and create new ones.
What was your biggest challenge this week?
Like most weeks, it’s been juggling responsibilities and crossing enough items off my “to do” list.
Favorite N.C. vacation spot?
I’ve been privileged to travel fairly extensively in North Carolina, and it’s a beautiful state.
As for my favorite vacation spot, Asheville’s in the running, but I’d have to say the Outer Banks, particularly Ocracoke. I enjoy the ferry ride to get there, the relaxing atmosphere, Silver Lake, pristine beaches, gorgeous sunsets, and wonderful coffee at Ocracoke Coffee.
