Bear & Horse, Lake Norman Small Business Consulting, Lake Norman Business Consulting, Business Consultant ~ Our Associates

Our North Carolina Associates

John Casson-Managing Partner

As the Managing Partner, John is responsible for the overall operation and profitability of the business. John has an in depth knowledge base of every position within the company, and sets weekly objectives and strategies for the management team. These targets are based on prior company performance and individual expectations - and are always client focused. John is a graduate of University of Palm Beach, has a background in research based journalism, and brings more than 20 years of business management experience to Bear & Horse. John's background includes work as a reporter and anchor, and past President of Toastmasters.

Susan Maloney-Archives Administrator

As the Archives Administrator, Susan is responsible for the overall administrative management of the corporation. Susan helps your business indirectly, with detailed maintenance of all company records related to clients, consultants, management, and project work. Susan is also responsible for the oversight of project work, so you know your information is being double checked for errors before you apply it to your small business needs. Susan is a graduate of the Jackson School at University of Miami, and brings nearly 25 years of hands on general consulting and management experience to Bear & Horse. Susan's background includes in depth medical consulting and principal status in a prominent Miami based artistic design firm.

Barbara Pinson-Executive Coaching Consultant

As an Executive Coach, Barbara specializes in helping business managers hone the skills necessary for a polished presentation, resulting in high performance deliveries. Barbara services clients in personal and professional development. She introduces clients to coaching by offering a highly condensed version of a typical coaching relationship between client and consultant. Clients come away feeling empowered and in control of their business and daily lives. Barbara earned her Masters Degree in Broadcast Journalism from the Univesrsity of Miami. Barbara's background includes two prime time television anchor slots in New York and Washington. Barbara also taught at two top New York Universities.

Dan Black-Sales Consultant

As a Sales Consultant, Dan is responsible for the servicing of clients in basic best practices regarding networking, prospecting, and selling in a related industry. Dan introduces clients to the basics of selling a specific product or service, by offering a highly condensed version of a typical sales process within the client's industry. Dan is a motivational speaker across the nation - focusing on the attitudes, techniques and knowledge it takes to be the best of best in the sales profession. Dan knows that most people enjoy owning and running a private business, but many of them do not like having to go out and "sell" what they are offering. Dan helps people overcome this concern and become polished professionals. Dan background includes owning and running a major national real estate agent training facility.

Kammi D. Phillips, PHR, LAH-Human Resources Consultant

As a Human Resources Consultant, Kammi is responsible for the servicing of clients in regards to human resource related issues and legal compliance. Kammi introduces clients to human resources by offering a highly condensed version of a typical human resource policies and procedures manual in the client's industry. Kammi is a graduate of Western Governor's University, and has extensive experience in strategic planning, recognition & incentive programs, benefits administration, federal & state labor & employment laws, training & development, performance management, policy & procedure development, compensation planning, recruitment, salary & wage administration, employee relations, organizational development.

Donald Grothoff - Web Based Marketing Consultant

As the Web Based Marketing Consultant, Don is responsible for the servicing of clients regarding Marketing related issues and related industry best practices with regards to Marketing a specific product or service. Dan introduces clients to the basics of product or Internet service marketing by offering a highly condensed version of a typical web based marketing plan within the client's industry. Don graduated from University of Missouri with a BA in Marketing and Business Administration and has logged more than 25 years of experience in all aspects of website design, execution, SEO (search engine optimization) Google Adwords, Dreamweaver, Wordtracker, Constant Contact, Miva Merchant Shopping Cart, and E-Commerce Marketing.

Jennifer Tremblay-Start-up Business Consultant

As a Start-up Business Consultant , Jennifer is responsible for the servicing of clients in developing and enhancing business plans within a specific industry. Jennifer introduces clients to the basics of business planning and research by offering a highly condensed version of a typical business plan within the client's industry. Jennifer earned her MBA in Entrepreneurial Thinking and Innovative Practices. She is innovative in senior-level marketing and communications with experience in corporate, consulting and agency capacities for domestic and international organizations. Her background includes accomplishment in strategically identifying opportunity, managing creative processes, reducing costs and building infrastructure.

Mike Meier-Profit & Loss Consultant

As a Profit & Loss Consultant, Mike is responsible for the servicing of clients in matters related to reviewing, researching, and relating line items on a profit and loss balance sheet. Mike uses best practice standards with regards to reducing expenses and increasing profit for your company. Mike introduce clients to an in depth analysis of profit and loss reporting by offering a highly condensed version of a typical P&L report within the client's industry. Mike has a Master of Business Administration Degree (MBA) from Appalachian State University and nearly a decade of hands on project management experience with small business owners with revenue under 50-million-dollars.

Emily Hopkins-Business Plan Consultant

Emily Hopkins has experience in helping companies grow in both their talent and their strategic vision. A graduate of the University of Michigan, Emily has had over a decade of aligning with all ranges of businesses from start up ventures to large corporations in order that they achieve their goals. As a recruiter with a business and psychology background she is able to organize small to mid-sized companies by helping them establish sound business plans and strategies for growth. Applying her background in acquiring and retaining top talent, she is able to show how having a sound plan for business and talent acquisition/retention is mission critical and directly impacts the bottom line. This consultation introduces clients to the basics of business planning for both new and established companies. The typical relationship would include a one hour personal consultation, followed by two different hours of Skype/phone/email consultations within a single month, for a total of three hours.

Jaclyn Rende-Project Researcher

As the Project Researcher, Jaclyn is responsible for the servicing of consultants in researching and relating data within a specific industry. Jaclyn uses our prior and current research to relate various small business statistics and industry related issues, and offering a broad and general overview of specific information within an industry. The typical relationship would include speaking with various consultants to understand their needs and objectives, researching the information requested, and completing various other tasks as requested by the Archives Administrator or SBO. Jaclyn has a passion for doing whatever it takes to help small business owners and consultants navigate the information superhighway.

Worldwide Partnerships in Research and Administration

Worldwide Partnerships are a key component of our business model. We literally search the

world to find the right person to research your specific need. While most of our project research is done in house, much of our broad based research is done in remote offices around the world, with top rated secure companies we've partnered with to ensure you always get the best information at the most affordable cost.