April Priester

About

April A. Priester serves as Director of the Small Business Center at Coastal Carolina Community College and Program Manager for the SBCN Startup Showdown, North Carolina's first statewide business plan pitch competition. With nine years of experience in the North Carolina Community College System's Small Business Center Network, she is recognized for developing innovative entrepreneurship programs that expand opportunities for small businesses across North Carolina. 

Throughout her career, April has led the development of several signature initiatives, including Pitch It! Onslow, Side Hustle Saturday, Social Media Certificate Programs, and the Youth Trades Entrepreneurship Conference (YTEC). Her work focuses on equipping entrepreneurs with the knowledge, tools, and confidence needed to launch and grow successful businesses through hands-on training, one-on-one counseling, business planning, and pitch preparation. 

April earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Wayland Baptist University and a Master of Business Administration from Capella University, where she was inducted into Delta Mu Delta, the international business honor society. 

Her leadership has been recognized with the Presidential Volunteer Service Award presented by President Barack Obama, the 2022 Linda L. Richardson Business Advocate of the Year Award, three North Carolina Small Business Center Network Center of Excellence Innovation Awards, and the 2023 SBCN State Director of the Year Award. In addition to her community college roles, she serves as Chair of the Jacksonville–Onslow Small Business Council and on the Board of Directors for the Jacksonville–Onslow Chamber of Commerce. 

Passionate about entrepreneurship and community impact, April is dedicated to helping both for-profit and nonprofit businesses reach their fullest potential while empowering aspiring entrepreneurs to pursue their personal and professional goals.