From Idea to Action. From Growth to Sustainability.
Small business ownership is a journey, and having the right map makes all the difference. The Catalyst Series is a collaborative development program designed to provide clear, practical pathways for entrepreneurs.
This isn't a lecture—it’s a working session. You’ll leave with actionable tools to build a focused marketing strategy and a sales approach that centers on value rather than price.
Roy Madsen: SCORE Mentor with extensive expertise in small business financing.
Roy is a financial, operational, and strategic management professional with over 40 years of experience. He has counselled executives, managers and leaders on how they need to plan, strategize, and focus their activities and operations to enable their business and organization to succeed. He has been a CFO, an organizational leader in strategic management, and in business improvement. He has also counseled multiple small businesses, non-profits, and religious organizations.
As an entrepreneur, Roy established a successful home improvement/ construction company and a small professional accounting (taxation) firm.
Roy has an MBA from GWU in Finance; a MS in Taxation from American University; and has completed graduate work in accounting at the University of Virginia. He is a certified Lean Six Sigma Master Blackbelt and a Certified Public Accountant in Virginia.
Melissa Jeffries: Chesapeake Bank, sharing community-first financial insights and strategies.
Melissa Jeffries is a graduate of Christopher Newport University, where she earned a degree in Business Administration. A resident of the Virginia Peninsula since 1987, she relocated to Williamsburg in 1998 following her marriage to her husband, John.
For nearly three decades, Melissa and John have proudly called Williamsburg home, where they raised their three sons, Aiden, Trevor, and Evan. From 2005 to 2010, Melissa owned and operated Jumping Joey's, a successful local business that provided her with valuable entrepreneurial experience and strong ties to the community.
Over the past 12 years, Melissa has built a career in commercial banking, serving businesses throughout the Williamsburg and Virginia Peninsula markets. She is passionate about helping organizations achieve their strategic goals, fostering growth, and supporting businesses at every stage of development.
Melissa is actively engaged in the community through her involvement with her church, United Way, the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce, and Avalon Center, where she serves on the Board of Directors. Her commitment to community service and economic development reflects her dedication to making a positive impact both professionally and personally
Virginia Small Business Financing Authority (VSBFA) Representative: Highlighting state-level financing tools and capital access resources.
Date: Tuesday, October 20, 2026
Time: 9am - 10:30am
Location: York-Poquoson Sheriff's Office — Community Room
159 Goodwin Neck Rd, Yorktown, VA 23692
Cost: FREE (Registration Required)
Disclaimer: At this event, photos and videos may be recorded. By attending this event you may be included in these photos and videos. Your attendance at this event grants your permission to be in these photos or videos, which may be used for marketing and promotional purposes.
This series is a signature collaboration designed to strengthen our regional economy.
SCORE Williamsburg is dedicated to fostering small business success by providing free, confidential mentoring and educational resources to small businesses at every stage of their journey.
Through personalized guidance and community workshops, they support local workforce development and help strengthen the regional economy. SCORE Williamsburg contributes to the summit by sharing expert insights and practical guidance drawn from real-world mentoring experience, empowering entrepreneurs and small business owners to build resilient, sustainable ventures.
City of Williamsburg Economic Development strives to be aware of the needs and concerns of City businesses and to identify, encourage, and assist in the implementation of programs and activities that will contribute to the City's economy.
The Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce serves James City County, the City of Williamsburg, and York County. Our mission is to advocate, collaborate, and create an environment in which business can grow and succeed.
Virginia began as a business venture on the shores of the James River more than 400 years ago, and James City County Economic Development continues to attract innovators today. Modern day founders discover a lifestyle and business climate in which they can prosper.
The primary mission of York County's Department of Economic and Tourism Development is to create a diverse economic base by the recruitment, expansion and retention of businesses, industries, and tourism, thus expanding the tax base and capital investment in the County and providing new employment opportunities for its citizens.
Registration is required to attend, and space is limited. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to connect, learn, and grow!
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