By Sabrina D'Onofrio, CGBP, CBA
With Export Success' class of 2021 beginning in little over a month, it's about time for the excitement to set in. By registering for Export Success, not only are you joining a team of likeminded, intelligent business professionals, you're also working to grow your business into new international markets and expanding your product or service's reach. But you're not just growing your network of consumers in Export Success – you're building your network of people who you can call and lean on when you have questions or just need a mentor.
One such mentor is Export Assistance Network Director Sabrina D'Onofrio, CGBP, CBA. Let's get to know Sabrina and Export Success a little more with this Q&A:
What would you want Northwest Ohio to know about the Export Assistance Network?
I would want northwest Ohio to know that if you’re new to exporting or a seasoned exporter, there is assistance at all levels for you and your company. My network has local, state and federal resources to connect you with. I’m passionate about helping our communities export, and will be there every step of the way. I’m here to help companies with export needs, large or small, easy or difficult. I want northwest Ohio to know that even our smaller communities have the same export opportunities as our larger communities do. I want to see you succeed and am here to help you do so.
What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of my job is learning the interesting, exciting, profound things that northwest Ohio is doing with regard to manufacturing and exporting. There are so many companies in northwest Ohio doing the coolest things and they’re exporting them all across the globe! It’s a great feeling to know that northwest Ohio innovation is reaching and being successful in the rest of the world.
How do you feel about Export Success being available statewide?
I was ecstatic about Export Success being available to companies statewide! With the current state of things, I was uncertain how we would be able to educate a 2021 class. Then the Ohio Development Services Agency informed me that they would like to open the Export Success program to the entire state in order to give companies beyond northwest Ohio the opportunity to join this 10-session export mentoring program. This made me very excited to have company representation from all corners of Ohio. That’s going to bring such diversity to the program and bring a unique perspective from each company that will only benefit the entire group. I’m looking forward to Export Success 2021!
What do you hope to accomplish in 2021?
For 2021, I hope to reach companies that haven’t utilized the Export Assistance Network before. Companies who have been hesitant to export, companies who are seasoned who are looking for new markets, etc., even if that is just having a conversation with them to assist in creating a plan for export or talking to them about their hesitations. I hope to meet virtually with companies all over northwest Ohio and help them in any way I can. That is my No. 1 goal for 2021.
What if a company wants to export a service, can the Export Assistance Network still help?
Yes! Many do not know that services can also be exported. The process is a little different, but it can be done. I’d be happy to speak with a company who is thinking about exporting their service or has questions on that process. Additionally, service companies are also eligible for our local, state and federal resources.
I want to export my good/service, where should I even begin?
Give me a call or send me an email! The first step in utilizing the services that the Export Assistance Network has is to have a conversation with me. Let me know what you are doing and what you are thinking of doing as it relates to exporting. Maybe you just need to have a few questions answered to move ahead in the export process. Or maybe you have no idea what an export plan is or what countries to start exporting to. Let’s have a conversation and go from there. I’m here to help and I look forward to speaking with you!
For questions, please contact Sabrina D'Onofrio, CGBP, CBA, Export Assistance Network Director, at sabrina.donofrio@toledochamber.com or by calling 419.243.8191 ext. 1238.
What would you want Northwest Ohio to know about the Export Assistance Network?
I would want northwest Ohio to know that if you’re new to exporting or a seasoned exporter, there is assistance at all levels for you and your company. My network has local, state and federal resources to connect you with. I’m passionate about helping our communities export, and will be there every step of the way. I’m here to help companies with export needs, large or small, easy or difficult. I want northwest Ohio to know that even our smaller communities have the same export opportunities as our larger communities do. I want to see you succeed and am here to help you do so.
What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of my job is learning the interesting, exciting, profound things that northwest Ohio is doing with regard to manufacturing and exporting. There are so many companies in northwest Ohio doing the coolest things and they’re exporting them all across the globe! It’s a great feeling to know that northwest Ohio innovation is reaching and being successful in the rest of the world.
How do you feel about Export Success being available statewide?
I was ecstatic about Export Success being available to companies statewide! With the current state of things, I was uncertain how we would be able to educate a 2021 class. Then the Ohio Development Services Agency informed me that they would like to open the Export Success program to the entire state in order to give companies beyond northwest Ohio the opportunity to join this 10-session export mentoring program. This made me very excited to have company representation from all corners of Ohio. That’s going to bring such diversity to the program and bring a unique perspective from each company that will only benefit the entire group. I’m looking forward to Export Success 2021!
What do you hope to accomplish in 2021?
For 2021, I hope to reach companies that haven’t utilized the Export Assistance Network before. Companies who have been hesitant to export, companies who are seasoned who are looking for new markets, etc., even if that is just having a conversation with them to assist in creating a plan for export or talking to them about their hesitations. I hope to meet virtually with companies all over northwest Ohio and help them in any way I can. That is my No. 1 goal for 2021.
What if a company wants to export a service, can the Export Assistance Network still help?
Yes! Many do not know that services can also be exported. The process is a little different, but it can be done. I’d be happy to speak with a company who is thinking about exporting their service or has questions on that process. Additionally, service companies are also eligible for our local, state and federal resources.
I want to export my good/service, where should I even begin?
Give me a call or send me an email! The first step in utilizing the services that the Export Assistance Network has is to have a conversation with me. Let me know what you are doing and what you are thinking of doing as it relates to exporting. Maybe you just need to have a few questions answered to move ahead in the export process. Or maybe you have no idea what an export plan is or what countries to start exporting to. Let’s have a conversation and go from there. I’m here to help and I look forward to speaking with you!
For questions, please contact Sabrina D'Onofrio, CGBP, CBA, Export Assistance Network Director, at sabrina.donofrio@toledochamber.com or by calling 419.243.8191 ext. 1238.
 | Sabrina D'Onofrio, CGBP, CBA Sabrina D’Onofrio joined the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce Small Business Development Center in 2012. Sabrina is now the Export Assistance Network (EAN) Director and covers 18 counties in Northwest Ohio. Sabrina has regular communication with the other 6 Export Assistance Network Directors in the state to discuss questions or gather information. |
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