Mrs. Karen Rankin-Magee serves as the President of Self Employment Specialists; a business consulting and entrepreneur training firm. She has been credited with assisting businesses in achieving success by identifying the pragmatic solutions to their specific needs. Mrs. Rankin-Magee believes in developing strategies that work with the individual business owners’ personal leadership style and corporate culture. She enjoys working with all sizes of businesses and embraces the variety of industries.
Mrs. Rankin-Magee is an admired public speaker, delivering presentations for Colleges, Chambers of Commerce, business and government organizations on such topics as strategic planning, business plans, cash flow management, success strategies, and capitalizing on changes in the economy. She consults with Economic Development Agencies, Enterprise Zones and Redevelopment Agencies to provide training programs and business resources to spur local and regional economic growth. Self Employment Specialists is certified with the State of Florida as a Minority, Women & Service-Disabled Veteran company.
Mrs. Rankin-Magee previously held the position of Assistant Director of the Small Business Development Center at State College of Florida where she was instrumental in increasing the economic impact of the SBDC in Manatee and Sarasota Counties. She has opened and closed two retail clothing stores, bought and sold a retail jewelry store, was President of Magee Sign Service until it was sold and has worked in sales and management in the green industry. She was named Small Business of the Year by the Manatee Chamber of Commerce in 1998. Her diverse background in manufacturing, service, retail and distribution gives her the ability to pinpoint strategic opportunities for existing businesses and start-ups.
Mrs. Rankin-Magee graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Central Florida in 1989. Mrs. Rankin-Magee went on getting not only her certification as a Business Analyst, but also a Certified Business Technical Assistance Consultant. She is licensed as a Specialty Electrical Contractor and was previously a member of an SBA Loan Approval Committee for many years.
Previous Leadership and Community Roles
Mrs. Rankin-Magee is an admired public speaker, delivering presentations for Colleges, Chambers of Commerce, business and government organizations on such topics as strategic planning, business plans, cash flow management, success strategies, and capitalizing on changes in the economy. She consults with Economic Development Agencies, Enterprise Zones and Redevelopment Agencies to provide training programs and business resources to spur local and regional economic growth. Self Employment Specialists is certified with the State of Florida as a Minority, Women & Service-Disabled Veteran company.
Mrs. Rankin-Magee previously held the position of Assistant Director of the Small Business Development Center at State College of Florida where she was instrumental in increasing the economic impact of the SBDC in Manatee and Sarasota Counties. She has opened and closed two retail clothing stores, bought and sold a retail jewelry store, was President of Magee Sign Service until it was sold and has worked in sales and management in the green industry. She was named Small Business of the Year by the Manatee Chamber of Commerce in 1998. Her diverse background in manufacturing, service, retail and distribution gives her the ability to pinpoint strategic opportunities for existing businesses and start-ups.
Mrs. Rankin-Magee graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Central Florida in 1989. Mrs. Rankin-Magee went on getting not only her certification as a Business Analyst, but also a Certified Business Technical Assistance Consultant. She is licensed as a Specialty Electrical Contractor and was previously a member of an SBA Loan Approval Committee for many years.
Previous Leadership and Community Roles
|
Board of Governors
Board of Advisors Private Sector Representative Ex Officio Member Chair, Small Business Council Entrepreneur Committee Board of Directors Strategic Planning Committee |
Guest Appearances
|
It's Your Business
Bradenton Herald City Life Sandra Washington Show The Black Almanac FAU Focus Group on Self-Employment Services Expert Witness
|
Produced by Manatee Chamber, aired on METV.
Multiple human-interest stories, including Magee Sign Service, family business issues, and Jake's Downtown. Produced by the City of Sarasota, aired on Channel 19. Produced by Sandra Washington, aired on Channel 189. Produced by Dr. Ed James, aired on Channel 7. Produced by Ghari Shirley, Doctoral Student & Graduate Research Assistant |
|
Self-Employment Consultant
Self-Employment Consultant Self-Employment Consultant Self-Employment Consultant |
Case No. 11-3215CVR, State of Florida
Division of Administrative Hearings Case No. 14-6149CVR, State of Florida Division of Administrative Hearings Case No. 16-6347CVR, State of Florida Division of Administrative Hearings Case No. 18-2063CVR, State of Florida Division of Administrative Hearings |
Teaching and Training Experience
|
Florida Vocational Rehabilitation Division Creative Workforce Solutions Berry Plastics BizAbility™, Entrepreneur Training Program (formerly Journey to Success™) Journey to Success™, Entrepreneur Training Program Small Business Development Center Manatee Community College Presenter |
Area level and Unit level regarding Florida's Vocational Rehabilitation self-employment program, policies, procedures, and best practices. Unicorn Children's Foundation. Considerations in participation through Vocational Rehabilitation self-employment program. Customized training in the areas of leadership, Train the Trainer, customer service and soft skills. Retained by SunCoast Workforce in partnership with North Sarasota Redevelopment Office with funding from Comerica Bank, SunTrust Bank, Chase Foundation, and the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota. Retained by Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council in partnership with Stuart, Florida NAACP with funding providing by Comerica Bank and the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council. 3-month Entrepreneur Training session using material developed by Karen Rankin-Magee. Business Start Up, Marketing, and Financing co-director at University of South Florida. Corporate and Community Development Leadership, Customer Service, Various Soft Skills, Microsoft Office. International Sign Association trade show panel discussion on working with national sign companies. |