My husband and I moved here in April of 2006 for his job. I
spent the first summer here overseeing some projects on our house. When I began
looking for work I ended up being connected with BizWorks. I met Bill Girvin
the Executive Director at the time. We talked and I gave him a resume in hopes
that someone might take a look. Well he did and he hired me. I spent three years at BizWorks before
leaving to run the Legal Information Network for Cancer for two years. But I guess BizWorks had gotten into my blood
because I came back right as Bill was leaving to take another job. I became the interim director then the
Executive Director in 2011.
It has been such a wonderful experience here working every
day with amazing people who have great big dreams. It has always amazed me that
I get to help them with those great big dreams- what a job! We have grown a lot
in the last four years and added new programming. After many years of being a
program under the Jefferson Davis Association (the nonprofit that started BW)
we received our own nonprofit status in 2011 along with a new board of
directors. Our board is a wonderful crew
of small business owners and beyond.
Most of them volunteer their time as mentors as well.
My husband and I have been planning almost since we moved
here for his retirement. We purchased a house in Florida several years ago and
are almost ready to make the move. When
the Executive Director job advertisement went out to the public we received a
lot of calls and emails asking where I was.
Well for now I am still here!
But over the next two months my goal is to transition out and bring on a
new Director.
So I am on my way to sunny Florida to The Villages where I
plan to play a lot of golf and start my own business of jewelry design. I have enjoyed meeting each and every one of
you and appreciate all those who support BizWorks and our cause. We are THE ONLY true incubator in Richmond
area and Chesterfield County. We hope to
continue to grow under new leadership. I wish my successor a wonderful ride,
like the one I have had here.
Helping people with their great big dreams- what a job!
Suzanne Cormier
Executive Director
BizWorks (Small Business Incubator)
Follow Suzanne Cormier on Facebook and
Twitter @BizWorksCenter
