WASHINGTON, D.C. – Nancy Zurbuchen, a Missouri businesswoman, has been appointed small business advocate for federal Region 7. In this role, Zurbuchen will be the direct link between the region’s small business owners, state and local government agencies, state legislators, small business associations and the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration. Zurbuchen will be Advocacy’s eyes and ears in Region 7, which covers Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, and Missouri.
“Nancy Zurbuchen is a great addition to our team,” said Major Clark III, acting Chief Counsel for Advocacy. “Small business owners in the Mid-West have an outstanding advocate in Ms. Zurbuchen. Her experience as a small business owner and director will allow her to immediately contribute to the Office of Advocacy’s role as the government office that stands between small business owners and unnecessary or overly burdensome government regulations.”
Zurbuchen’s career began as an art director for Hallmark Cards, Inc. in Kansas City. She went on to start her own print advertising agency called Communication by Design and a videographic firm called Motional Images, both in Kansas City. Her career as a business woman continued to flourish when 24 years ago, Zurbuchen launched Motional Multimedia, where she provided business development consultation, marketing communications strategy and implementation for small businesses.
As a small business advocate, Zurbuchen has served on a number of boards and task forces, including two appointments to the Missouri Small Business Regulatory Fairness Board as well as to The Kauffman Foundation and the National Association of Women Business Owners. She was recognized by the SBA as a Women in Business Advocate of the Year for her region in 2003 for “promoting, supporting, and creating opportunities for women business owners” in a multi-state region.
Zurbuchen’s bachelor’s degree is in art education and her Masters in Communications thesis topic was “Diffusion of innovation and cultural transformation in woman-owned businesses,” both from the University of Kansas.
The Office of Advocacy’s regional advocates help identify new issues and concerns of small business owners in the nation’s 10 federal regions. They also monitor the impact of federal and state policies on small business at the local level. They work closely with local government officials, state officials and legislators and the Chief Counsel for Advocacy to develop programs and policies that help, rather than hinder, small business growth.