Deborah Harris found herself at a crossroads when her husband, the founder of Pioneer Machine & Technologies in Madison Heights, passed away suddenly in 2019. Determined to continue his legacy, Deborah stepped into the world of precision and custom machining. “I had no experience in this industry,” she admits, “Actually, I had never even stepped foot in this business.”

The challenges were immediate. She connected with the Michigan SBDC at an event designed to support small businesses, where she met Business Consultant Meri Dembrow. Meri recognized Deborah’s determination and immediately got to work. “With Deborah, we did a financial analysis,” Meri explains, “We looked at her historic income statements and set some goals for the future.” As Deborah formulated more specific questions, Meri connected her with the right resources, including bankers to address financial questions.

“The Michigan SBDC has helped me a whole lot,” Deborah says with gratitude, “I think without them I wouldn’t be as far as I am.” Meri echoes this sentiment, defining success in her role as empowering clients “to go from where they are now to somewhere that’s better in the future.”

The impact goes beyond financials. Deborah’s confidence in running the machine shop has soared. “The Michigan SBDC helped us to develop and to network and to be able to face some of the challenges that small businesses have,” she says. “Thank you for all the support,” she concludes, “It’s been very rewarding. I feel more confident and excited every day about working in the business.”

Deborah’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and the Michigan SBDC’s dedication to helping small businesses thrive.