Serving entrepreneurs and small businesses across Richland, Huron, Ashland, Crawford, Wyandot, Marion, Morrow, and Knox counties. We support entrepreneurs and new and established businesses with 500 employees or fewer.
About the Ohio SBDC at Ashland University

A no-cost, go-to resource for entrepreneurs.

Starting a business can be an exciting but complex journey, and it’s true that navigating all the requirements and considerations can be overwhelming. That’s where your local Ohio Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Ashland University comes in as a valuable, no-cost resource.
From idea to succession planning

Why Connect with Your Local SBDC?

Talking to your local SBDC can significantly simplify the process of starting a business. Their expertise can help you avoid common pitfalls, save time and money, and provide you with the knowledge and resources you need to succeed. SBDCs are a no-cost, go-to resource for entrepreneurs in your area, dedicated to helping you from the initial idea all the way through strategizing steps towards effective succession planning.
Michalina Schneider, Director of the Ohio SBDC at Ashland University
Our team

Michalina Schneider, CBA®/MBA

Director & Certified Business Advisor®
Meet Michalina Schneider, a true advocate for small businesses in Ohio! As the Director and Certified Business Advisor for the Ohio Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Ashland University, Michalina brings over two decades of invaluable experience to entrepreneurs across every industry and growth stage.
Her passion for business runs deep, rooted in a childhood spent in an entrepreneurial family that owned an import retail store. This early exposure, combined with her own ventures, gives Michalina a unique, firsthand understanding of what it takes to launch and grow a successful business.
Michalina’s education includes:
Associate degree in Business Management from North Central State College
Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a Minor in Marketing from Ashland University
Certified Business Advisor graduate certificate from the University of Toledo
Masters in Business Administration from Ashland University (2021)
And the learning never stops! Michalina and her fellow SBDC advisors are committed to continuous professional development, constantly mastering new business and marketing strategies to directly benefit their clients, as a requirement in maintaining their “Certified Business Advisor” CEU’s.
Beyond her dedication to empowering local businesses, Michalina embraces the serene beauty of rural Ohio life. When she’s not at the SBDC, you might find her unwinding with her husband and beloved canine companions, Ruby and Wulfy. She loves exploring scenic hiking trails, camping under the starry skies, nurturing her garden, or simply cherishing precious moments with her two grandchildren.
Ready to take your business to the next level? For no-cost, confidential consulting and training services, reach out to Michalina by calling 419-207-6910 or emailing.
Part-time business advisors

Other Part-Time Business Advisors Available

Doug Hartshorn, Business Advisor

Doug Hartshorn, MBA

Manufacturing Consultant
Doug Hartshorn is an Operational Excellence executive who has worked with a variety of businesses, transforming them from traditionally managed organizations to lean organizations with a culture of continuous improvement.
Doug earned his bachelor’s in production operations from Ohio University, an MBA from Capital University, and a master’s in organizational development, from Bowling Green State University. He is lean six sigma certified and has served as the Director of Continuous Improvement and Lean Leader for a variety of businesses over the past 20 years. Doug is past president of the Capital City Organization Development Network and is currently Professor of Management at Ashland University.
Nicole Derr, Strategic Business Advisor

Nicole Derr

Strategic Business Advisor
Nicole Derr is a talented strategic business advisor who partners with leaders to build resilient, long-lasting organizations that contribute positively to their communities. Nicole’s approach blends practical strategy with people-first leadership—helping teams get clear on what matters most, align around a plan, and follow through in a way that actually sticks. Improved business outcomes are the natural result.
Nicole has extensive experience supporting organizations across North Central Ohio, Northeast Ohio, and beyond, working with a wide range of industries and organizational sizes. While Nicole often works directly with executives and senior leaders, Nicole also coaches and collaborates with team members at every level—because real progress happens when the whole organization is moving in the same direction.
Nicole’s work commonly includes:
Strategic planning and leadership alignment
Board development and governance support
Strategic growth and organizational maturity
Leadership development through custom programs and coaching
Process improvement to reduce cycle time and increase consistency
Grant writing support, including large, complex federal pursuits
Clients glowingly describe Nicole as a grounded, energetic facilitator who helps teams have the conversations they’ve been avoiding—without losing momentum or trust. Nicole is known for asking the right questions, challenging unhelpful patterns with care, and guiding groups toward decisions they can commit to and execute.
Housed at Ashland University

Ashland University Collaborations

Being housed at Ashland University affords SBDC clients in this area unique opportunities to utilize some of the University’s research resources, and to work with students as either SBDC interns or in a classroom setting as a business project.
For example, every Fall, Dr. Daniel Sullivan teaches “Special Topics in Entrepreneurship” to junior and senior undergraduates at AU. In this class, teams of two students are assigned to work with a local business and help with various business initiatives and tactics. Businesses appreciate the fresh perspective that the business students bring to the projects, and often get valuable ideas and inspiration from these young, bright students. Most projects are geared around developing marketing tactics, but are not limited to this—it depends on matching the needs of the business to the skills and experience of the students. To be considered for the next Fall semester’s “Special Topics in Entrepreneurship” class project, please reach out to your local SBDC representative, Michalina Schneider.
Interns are another integral part of the SBDC services offered. The SBDC at AU typically works with one to two interns per year. Throughout the semester-long internship, the interns are tasked with various business projects that benefit local businesses, including but not limited to market research, AI research, marketing planning, social media research and planning, operational planning, data analyses, and strategic business planning. All interns have walked away from this internship with valuable, real-world experience in entrepreneurship that they appreciate, while the business owners also get help completing strategic tasks and research.
Interns

Recent SBDC Interns

Sergio Ruiz de Chavez, SBDC Intern

Sergio Ruiz de Chavez

SBDC Intern · Spring 2025 & Spring 2026
My name is Sergio Ruiz de Chavez and I am currently a senior at AU, pursuing a major in Business Management and a minor in Management Information Systems (M.I.S.). I am also a member of the Varsity Men’s Soccer team, where I was honored with Academic All-Conference this past season.
As an SBDC Intern, I have gained invaluable experience and significantly grown my business knowledge, thanks to the mentorship of Michalina Schneider. Her work ethic is unlike anything I have ever seen; she approaches every task with 100% effort, completes work efficiently, and maintains a positive attitude toward everyone. Working with her has made my internship both educational and genuinely enjoyable.
Through this internship, I have had the opportunity to assist individuals with a wide range of goals and ideas. Navigating these differences has enhanced my versatility and strengthened my interpersonal skills. I have also gained insight into what it takes not just to start a business, but to ensure its long-term success.
As the owner of my own snack business back home, I have been able to apply these lessons directly, and my goal is to continue growing that company and eventually expand it further. I am also exploring the possibility of starting additional small businesses in the future.
Overall, this SBDC internship has been crucial in developing my understanding of the business world, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of a community that invests so much in the growth of its interns.
Salma Ahmadzai, SBDC Intern

Salma Ahmadzai

SBDC Intern · Summer & Fall 2025
My name is Salma Ahmadzai, and I am currently pursuing my MBA at Ashland University, specializing in Business Analytics, with an expected graduation in Fall 2026. Alongside my studies, I am deeply passionate about entrepreneurship and innovation. I recently participated in the SDGs Design, Innovation & Entrepreneurship Workshop, and I am currently developing my own business plan, which I hope to launch after graduation.
Working as an intern with the Ashland SBDC is an incredible opportunity for me to gain practical experience. By meeting with clients and reviewing their business plans, I am learning how small businesses are built and supported, while applying what I learn in my MBA program to real-world situations.
My long-term career goal is to become a Business Analyst and eventually run my own business that empowers women—especially those from my home country—by helping them build confidence and achieve financial independence through their skills. I am passionate about creating opportunities that uplift women and hope to expand this mission globally in the future.
Robin Falk, SBDC Intern

Robin Falk

SBDC Intern · Fall 2025
I’m a graduate student at Ashland University working toward my Master’s in Business Analytics. During my internship with the Small Business Development Center, I enjoyed helping small businesses use data and AI tools to grow and make better decisions. I’m originally from Sweden and came to the U.S. to study and compete on Ashland’s swim team. Outside of school and work, I like swimming, and recently started golfing. After graduation, I hope to work in business analytics or finance, combining data insights with strategy to support smart growth.
Out and about

Active in our community.

SBDC team members at the Ashland Chamber of Commerce awards ceremony
Ashland Chamber of Commerce award finalist
An SBDC advisor presenting an HR workshop to local business owners
HR workshop at the Ashland COC Safety Council
The SBDC booth at the Ashland Business Expo
Ashland Business Expo
Join our team

Want to help Ohio businesses grow?

Think you have what it takes to shape the next generation of Ohio entrepreneurs? We’re always looking for exceptional advisors who bring real-world expertise, strategic insight, and a genuine commitment to empowering small businesses. If you’re ready to join a team that’s redefining what’s possible for local enterprises, we want to hear from you.
We actively recruit top talent from Ohio’s leading universities and technical institutes, seeking advisors who combine academic excellence with hands-on business experience. Our ideal candidates bring specialized expertise in areas like strategic planning, financial analysis, marketing, operations, and industry-specific knowledge — combined with the ability to translate complex concepts into actionable guidance for entrepreneurs at every stage.
If you’re a graduate or professional from an Ohio institution with a passion for small business development, consider joining our mission to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem across North Central Ohio.
Get in touch

Ready to get started and grow your business? Let’s talk.

If you’re interested in inviting the SBDC to help you with your entrepreneurial journey, please register for our no-cost business advising services, and someone will reach out to you soon. Want quick tips and workshop updates? Follow us on Facebook.
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