Karen R. Jenkins leverages more than two decades of experience as a successful entrepreneur who provides consulting, and advice, and leadership development and support services to clients, which include Federal and local governments, corporations, and other small businesses. Recognized for her expertise and leadership, Karen was named the 2019 South Carolina Female Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration. She is also the recipient of the 2019 Enterprising Woman of the Year Award by Enterprising Women Magazine and the 2019 Legacy in Black Business Award in Columbia, SC. Karen is an alumna of the SBA’s Emerging Leaders Program and a recent graduate of the prestigious Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business program.
Karen’s concern for small business growth and viability influenced her decision to become a founding member of the South Carolina Collaborative for Women-Owned Business, which hosts workshops and training events in partnership with government agencies and corporations. Karen is a frequent panelist and speaker on topics relevant to organizational leaders. She hosts the Eat. Learn. Grow Series, a networking and mentoring program that provides valuable resources for Columbia small businesses.
A member of the National Speakers Association, Global Speakers’ Federation, and certified professional coach, Karen is a sought-after keynote speaker, workshop leader, and panelist for numerous organizations and programs, including the Women Presidents’ Organization national conference, the South Carolina Collaborative, the City of Columbia, and the Black Expo. Karen also shares best practices for small businesses as a contributor on Columbia’s NBC affiliate WIS-TV 10. A keen interest in aligning business strategy with prudent financial decision-making, she is the author of Nobody Told Me: The Path to Financial Empowerment, which was published in 2010. Karen R. Jenkins holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from the University of South Carolina and a Master of Business Administration degree from Webster University.
