By Andy Furman
NKyTribune staff writer
April Coffee says she was quiet, real quiet – almost shy – when she attended Scott High School. Really? If so, she fooled the Covington Rotary Club, as she had them mesmerized on every word during her noontime presentation recently at the Radisson Hotel.
“I’m a Business Coach,” she told the group. “I work with people with an idea. People who may not know what to do. Perhaps those with an existing business that may be struggling.”
Those are big words coming from one who rarely opened her mouth not too long ago.
Coffee serves – the woman, not the drink – as a Business Coach with the Kentucky Small Business Development Center in Covington, where she provides no-cost, one-on-one coaching to aspiring entrepreneurs and established small business owners throughout Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties.
“I work with clients on business planning, financing, growth strategies, operations, and navigating the challenges of starting and scaling a business,” she told the Northern Kentucky Tribune.
And why not – she has the experience after 23 years in banking – specializing in branch growth, profitability, staff development, relationship management, and helping individuals and businesses achieve their financial goals.
“My background,” she continued, “allows me to help business owners better understand financing options, prepare for capital opportunities, and build a sustainable business.”
In fact, she said this year alone SBDC supported over $6 million in financing for businesses in the Northern Kentucky area.
“We’re here,” she says, “to help with your struggle.”
She also serves as President of Latonia Uptown, is a Board Member of the Latonia Business Association, a member of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, participating in the Covington Business Council, and formerly served on the Finance Committee of the Catalytic Fund.
She also partners with the Kenton County Public Library to provide educational workshops that equip entrepreneurs and small business owners with the tools and knowledge needed for success.
Did we mention, she even had time to serve as a Past President of the Covington Rotary Club.
“Rotary’s commitment to Service Above Self aligns closely with my professional mission of helping individuals, businesses, communities grow stronger through education, collaboration, and opportunity.”
Ah, education — how could we forget.
“What I’d really like to see – and achieve,” she says, “is having representatives from local groups and organizations working as one.”
Coffee claims trades are where the money is for those just starting their work careers.
“Not everyone is set out for traditional schooling,” she said. “So, one must find the right network.”
And, she believes in looking for the needs of individuals.
“Our organization awarded two scholarships this year – one traditional and one nontraditional,” she said.
Both went to students from Holmes High School.
“We had applicants from Holy Cross High School and Scott as well,” she said. “We talk to students, finding out what they want to do, and offer scholarships as well as support.”
What Coffee is proposing is a group scholarship – where local service and support groups come together and make scholarship opportunities more uniform.
The results – How are we helping our area students?
“The vision,” Coffee says, “is first have the groups buy into the idea, and then as a community and community leaders ask the same question – How are we going to work with our students?”
For April Coffee it’s really quite simple.
“Change for me” she says, “is problem, solving.”
And she was hardly quiet about that.