Tuni Schartner

"​...with ideas that pop like kernels of corn in hot oil and a love & passion for helping small businesses and the RI economy grow; business and community strategic planning and development is more of a calling than a profession. I have chosen a life that my work is woven into and I work with people I know, like & trust!"​ Mission: to help businesses thrive, to help the Rhode Island economy grow and to always focus on the greater good…I am committed to leading an intentional life in which I utilize any strengths, talents and gifts I have to do my part to help grow the Rhode Island economy. I work with innovative and engaged people that value partnering with me to grow their project, business or organization. I am a growth strategist with proficiencies in community building, branding, digital marketing, PR and SEO, as well as program and event planning/development/management and have a special affinity towards helping existing small businesses grow. I provide a wide range of consulting services that include coaching and training, fractional leadership, strategic growth planning, SEO/search optimization, content marketing, social media marketing, email marketing, etc... I studied English and Psychology at the University of Rhode Island and continue my education in business, innovation, digital marketing, SEO, social psychology, leadership and management best practices, planning and economics. I co-founded The Hive RI, Southern RI's first coworking space, which I continue to run, as well as the community based economic development initiative at the Mill at Lafayette, served as the inaugural director of Innovate Newport, as well as am a founding mentor of VMS of RI (now RI Hub's Venture Mentoring Service). I proudly serve on Congressman Langevin's Strengthening RI Advisory Committee and sit on the board of Tech Collective, as well as continue to volunteer as a mentor, coach and judge for many educational institutions including The MET School's E-Center, URI, Salve Regina University and more.I remain a perennial, passionate, and sometimes outspoken, proponent of economic development in RI.*RI Small Business Journal's 2016 Entrepreneurial Women to Watch 'Community Champion' award recipient.*Providence Business News Women in Business Awards Honoree 2018*2020 Rhode Island Inno Blazer Winner, Nonprofit category