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

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 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:

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.

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.