About Karen Rankin-Magee, 
Entrepreneur, Business Consultant, Speaker and  Author

Ms. Karen Rankin-Magee serves as the President of Self Employment Specialists; a business consulting and entrepreneur training firm.  She has been credited with assisting businesses in achieving success by identifying the pragmatic solutions to their specific needs.  Ms. Rankin-Magee believes in developing strategies that work with the individual business owners’ personal leadership style and corporate culture.  She enjoys working with all sizes of businesses and embraces the variety of industries.

Ms. Rankin-Magee is an admired public speaker, delivering presentations for Colleges, Chambers of Commerce, business and government organizations on such topics as strategic planning, business plans, cash flow management, success strategies, and capitalizing on changes in the economy.  She consults with Economic Development Agencies, Enterprise Zones and Redevelopment Agencies to provide training programs and business resources to spur local and regional economic growth.  Self Employment Specialists is certified with the State of Florida as a Minority, Women & Service-Disabled Veteran company.

Her extensive delivery of entrepreneurial training and working with business start-ups led to her penning the workbook, BizAbility®.  This thorough training tool has helped many businesses launch successfully.

Ms. Rankin-Magee previously held the position of Assistant Director of the Small Business Development Center at State College of Florida where she was instrumental in increasing the economic impact of the SBDC in Manatee and Sarasota Counties.  She has opened and closed two retail clothing stores, bought and sold a retail jewelry store, was President of Magee Sign Service until it was sold and has worked in sales and management in the green industry.  She was named Small Business of the Year by the Manatee Chamber of Commerce in 1998.  Her diverse background in manufacturing, service, retail and distribution gives her the ability to pinpoint strategic opportunities for existing businesses and start-ups. 

Ms. Rankin-Magee graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Central Florida in 1989.  She is licensed as a Specialty Electrical Contractor and is a member of the Loan Review Committee for an SBA lender. 

Karen's approach sets her apart in the consulting field. Unlike most she's more than willing to roll up her sleeves and help clients with implementation. Her background in operations is unique and gives her the ability to make a big difference for her clients in a short amount of time. She's also wonderfully professional and joy to be around. 
-Joey Brannon, CPA, President and Founder, Axiom Professional Group, P.A