Biography

Dorthea Yarbrough is a Senior Business Advisor with a practical, well-rounded background in business ownership, budgeting, tax preparation, insurance, training, and client education. She works with entrepreneurs and small business owners to help them clarify their goals, understand their numbers, organize their operations, and take clear next steps toward building sustainable businesses.

Dorthea brings more than 20 years of experience supporting individuals, entrepreneurs, and independent professionals across a variety of business needs, including business planning, financial organization, marketing support, client communication, and operational structure. Her advising style is practical and educational, with an emphasis on helping clients turn ideas into actionable plans.

Before joining the SBDC, Dorthea worked as a Budget Analyst for the Department of Defense, where she developed strong skills in budgeting, financial analysis, reporting, compliance, and resource management. She has also worked in tax preparation and health insurance, helping clients understand complex financial and compliance-related decisions. She understands the real-world challenges entrepreneurs face when starting, managing, and growing a business.

Dorthea holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Human Resources from Athens State University and an Executive MBA from the University of Alabama. She is passionate about helping startup, service-based, and creative entrepreneurs build practical systems for growth. She is known for her warm, strategic, and client-centered approach to helping business owners move forward with confidence.