This feature is a question-and-answer session with a new Blount County Chamber member. So here we go with our seventh installment visiting Alan Baker, Managing Principal at Crown Point Consultants, which is here to serve small business and government contractors while helping them sustain and growth revenues and profits.
 
Describe what you do. For small businesses we do business plans and pro forma financial statements, connections to capital, growth and organizational management, sales and marketing, SOPs, succession planning, etc. For government contractors we handle proposal management, technical writing, networking and teaming.
 
How did you get started in this business?

I set out in 2002 to apply career skills from the international process and environmental industries. I have 35 years of international business development, plant/process management and technology commercialization experience that I wanted to use to help others.

 
Who is your mentor or biggest supporter that has guided you through your career? I have two actually. Paul Keran from Australia taught me to make decisions based on facts not “feelings.” Lowell Smith helped me transition from the “real world” to being an independent consultant.
 
Describe your customers. Early stage small businesses, regional manufacturers and government contractors serving the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, Department of State and Department of Homeland Security
 
Name three things you wish you knew when you started or began working at the business. 1) How to balance work between the two major sectors served 2) Impact and timing of federal-level politics on agency funding 3) Inherent “feast or famine” nature of sole proprietor work
 
What do you enjoy about running or working at the business? 1) Independence: living by my own decisions 2) The variety of assignments and constant intellectual and learning challenges
 

Previous Profiles:
Shelby Avery, Avery Wealth Management
Kate Schriver, Schriver’s
Elizabeth Ross, ECS Central, PLLC
Tony Saddy, Get Fit Maryville
Renee Taylor, CBI
Christy Simmers, Christy’s Creative Cafe