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The Penn State Brandywine Boost, a program of the Invent Penn State initiative, has selected Delaware State Chamber Member, Soraya (Morgan) Gutman, founder of Cross Talks, as a Boost Program Client for the 2018–2019 academic year. The Brandywine Boost program is under the direction of Dr. Margaret Bacheler, Ed.D., director of continuing education at Penn State Brandywine. Cross Talks was selected from applications submitted by small business owners and entrepreneurs for consideration. Bacheler presented the award to Soraya (Morgan) Gutman, CEO and president of Cross Talks on September 21. “One goal of the Brandywine Boost program is to match campus strengths and available services to the specific needs of entrepreneurs and small business owners,” notes Bacheler. “Cross Talks has been selected as a Brandywine Boost Client and has the opportunity to apply for a microgrant of up to $5,000 to grow the business.” Brandywine Boost is designed to give selected clients direct assistance and ideas for improving their small business, while also including a wider audience of business professionals in our workshops and outreach. The selected clients may receive grants of up to $5,000 to support their technology, marketing, accounting, and/or other related needs. According to Soraya (Morgan) Gutman, Cross Talks chief executive officer and president, “Being selected for the Penn State Brandywine Boost Program is a great opportunity for me, Cross Talks, and our leadership team. Receiving a grant from the program will provide us with the education, programming, and resources that will help us get to the next level, be more scalable, and take us on a wonderful journey.” Brandywine Boost at Penn State Brandywine offers advisory support to small- and medium-sized business owners and entrepreneurs in the region. This support may include one-on-one direct analysis and advising, interaction with Brandywine students in their courses, or workshops designed for larger groups. Areas of support may include accounting/bookkeeping, use of information management tools, marketing research strategy, entrepreneurial start-ups, leadership, and much more. For more information, visit https://brandywine.psu.edu/continuing-education/brandywine-boost Penn State Brandywine Boost Program selectee Soraya (Morgan) Gutman (left), Cross Talks chief executive officer and president, seen here being congratulated by Dr. Margaret Bacheler, Ed.D., director of continuing education at Penn State Brandywine (Photo credit: Dorey Nomiyama Photography).