Member Highlight: Athena Agoudemos, Wisconsin SBDC Network

As Associate State Director for the Wisconsin Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network at the Universities of Wisconsin Office of Business & Entrepreneurship, Athena Agoudemos focuses on supporting and strengthening the statewide network of SBDCs, helping expand the resources, expertise, and guidance available to entrepreneurs across Wisconsin.

That mission is one of the reasons Naturally Wisconsin feels like a natural fit.

"There's just synergy in the work that we do to support businesses," Athena says. "Many of the entrepreneurs in this community are creating products with intention, and Naturally Wisconsin brings together businesses that are thinking carefully about how they're building their companies."

Athena's perspective is shaped by experience on both sides of entrepreneurship. Before moving into economic development, she worked in the specialty coffee industry with a local coffee roaster, gaining firsthand experience with the journey from coffee producers to the finished product.

"I've spent part of my career in economic development and part in the specialty coffee industry," she says. "Having that experience helps me appreciate both the passion behind creating great products and the realities of running a business."

Today, Athena enjoys helping entrepreneurs navigate those realities. She believes that meaningful business support begins with listening, understanding each company's goals, and helping owners identify practical next steps.

For Athena, one of the greatest values of Naturally Wisconsin is the opportunity to build connections.

"You're part of a network of people who understand what it's like to build a business," she says. "Those relationships create opportunities to learn from one another, share ideas, and grow together."

As Wisconsin's community of natural product businesses continues to expand, Athena sees organizations like Naturally Wisconsin playing an important role in strengthening the state's entrepreneurial ecosystem. By connecting founders with one another and with organizations that support their success, the network helps businesses grow while building a stronger community for everyone involved.