Blog

September 12, 2009

Hitchcock to present “Finding the Funding & Financing” at THE Conference

Christina Hitchcock of MetroAction will present “Finding the Funding and Financing” during THE Conference, a one-day intensive series of workshops, seminars and networking events from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at the Woodlands Inn and Resort, Wilkes-Barre.

“This presentation will take the mystery out of financing your business despite today’s difficult economy. In addition to learning about the various types of financing available for businesses, you will learn how small business loans work, what documents and information are required, and review the requirements to qualify for small business financing,” said Hitchcock.  “We will also discuss small business grants, what lenders look for, and how you can improve your chances of qualifying for a small business loan.”

Hitchcock is Business Development Administrator with MetroAction, where she has been helping small businesses for nearly 10 years. During this time, she has counseled and helped hundreds of start-up and growing small businesses. In addition, she is responsible for underwriting small business loans through MetroAction’s MicroLoan program and helping entrepreneurs with a larger-than-local market obtain venture capital. Christina has directly helped more than 100 businesses obtain over $2 million in financing. She is a certified instructor for the Core Four entrepreneurship training program and is an instructor for MetroAction’s Small Business Institute. Christina has also developed entrepreneur training programs on business financing and financial management, marketing and grant writing.

In addition to her work for MetroAction, Christina was a Grants Specialist for The Blue Ribbon Foundation of Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania. At the Foundation, she provided in-depth grant reviews and technical assistance to non-profit organizations throughout 13 counties in NEPA. Christina comes from a long line of entrepreneurs. Prior to joining MetroAction, Christina owned and operated two small businesses in the Scranton area – a small manufacturing business and a chain of retail stores. She has learned many entrepreneurial lessons first-hand and offers this insight to the businesses she works with. Christina received a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Science and Information Systems from The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA.

She serves on the Board of Directors for First Friday Scranton, the advisory board for the United Way of Lackawanna County’s Success by Six program and on the screening committee for the Mid Atlantic Angel Group’s venture capital fund. She is also a volunteer business counselor for the Service Corps of Retired Executives and is a graduate of Leadership Lackawanna. Christina resides in Throop with her husband Jim and son Joseph.

Cost to attend is $79 for members of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber, $99 for not-yet chamber members and $49 for students and nonprofit organizations.  To register or for more information, visit http://www.the-conference.biz.