America’s Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) were established in 1977 and can be found in every state in the U.S. Twelve SBDC regional offices are located throughout New Jersey. The SBDC at The College of New Jersey began serving area small business owners in 1981.

A Partnership Program with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

A variety of educational and business resources are available to counsel and train small business owners to finance, market and manage their companies. The College of New Jersey students and staff are encouraged to take advantage of SBDC services, including the periodic workshops offered at no cost to the university community. The NJSBDC network also provides opportunities for students to participate in research and get first-hand business experience under the supervision of faculty and business professionals. Learn more about the statewide NJSBDC network.

Our Team

Lilian Mauro, Regional Director, NJSBDC at TCNJLilian Mauro
Regional Director
Phone: (609) 771-2947
Español: (609) 771-2096
Fax: (609) 637-5217
Email: regionaldirector@sbdcnj.com

Lilian Mauro is the Regional Director of the New Jersey Small Business Development Center at The College of New Jersey (NJSBDC at TCNJ). Previously, Lilian had served as the center’s Assistant Regional Director since 2015. Lilian was also the County and Spanish Program Coordinator, where she connected with the regional Spanish business community, providing specialized assistance, referrals, training and resources in Spanish. The center continues to provide bilingual counseling and training services today.  

Kathy Anderson
Business Coordinator
Phone: (609) 771-2947
Fax: (609) 637-5217
Email: kathy@sbdcnj.com

Our Consultants

Reina Valenzuela - America's Small Business Development Center at The College of New Jersey Mercer CountyReina Valenzuela
Starfish*Global, LLC
Fair Lawn, NJ
(609) 437-3357
Reina@StarfishGlobal.com
StarfishGlobal.com

  • CEO of Starfish*Global, LLC, a management consulting firm for small minority-owned businesses experiencing growing pains
  • Coaches professionals and entrepreneurs on how to start, manage, and expand their presence on main street, global markets, and the worldwide web
  • Organizes and presents workshops and seminars in Spanish/English to help Latinos use technology for professional growth and business development
  • Consultora del Centro de Desarrollo para la Pequeña Empresa – NJ SBDC Business Consultant catering to Hispanic businesses in Mercer County
  • Awarded MBA in Global Management from Kean University
  • Featured entrepreneur in article by Soledad O’Brien on CNN.COM In America Blog and Latina Magazine 2011/2012
  • Board Member of Latinos in Social Media (LATISM), the largest organization of Latino professionals engaged in social media
  • Social and business entrepreneur passionate about community building online and on the ground

Shakira M. Brown - America's Small Business Development Center at The College of New Jersey Mercer CountyShakira M. Brown
SMB Strategic Media
(888) 436-0033
PRAdviser.net

Shakira is a 13 time award-winning public relations, corporate communications and branding professional with over 20 years of experience leading external and internal communications strategies for various small businesses, corporations and professional services firms. She has been featured as an expert in PRWeek, BrandWeek, Woman’s World, Working Mother, Creditcards.com, Black Enterprise, US 1 Princeton Magazines, Jersey 101.5 FM, MidJersey Business Magazine, AOL Money & Finance, Plastic Surgery, Practice Advisor, NJBIZ and Smartmoney.com among many others. Shakira is also the host of the weekly small business podcast, “Moment Masters Show” available on iTunes and Google Play. She is also a noted professional speaker on branding, social media and small business strategy.