Ralph K. Little was named the 2018 Small Business Advocate of the Year by the Department of Small Business Administration (SBA) where he has, for the last 5 years led groups of small business owners through a series of courses and special hands-on private consulting that have resulted in these business owners increasing sales by as much as 180% and profits as much as 310%. When the Sandy Chamber of Commerce wanted to significantly increase its services to the business owners in Sandy, they contracted with Mr. Little to duplicate this course for them. Greg Summerhays, President of the Sandy Chamber of Commerce later said, “hiring Ralph to teach this course, was a game changer for the Chamber of Commerce.” This course has propelled our Chamber from a single city chamber to a regional chamber serving multiple cities, with greater membership and influence.”
After having sold his business interest to retire at age 45, Ralph Little began his teaching at the University of Utah in 2004. Then, having received his MBA in just one year, the University immediately hired him to improve a languishing course in Entrepreneurship. This course he retooled, and injected both his passion for teaching and experience in starting businesses. One of these ventures, founded by Ralph Little, was named to the INC 500 list of fastest-growing companies in America. It grew rapidly from its very inception and eventually developed a presence throughout the United States. Mr. Little taught in both the Master’s program and the undergraduate program until 2015, sometimes teaching as many as three courses a semester.
Ralph Little’s teaching continues to be in demand as he continues to serve on the faculty of BYU and as a guest lecturer at UVU. Recently the Chief Administration Officer at Sandy City, having witnessed his unique teaching skills, hired him to develop a multi-week leadership course for the heads of departments within Sandy City Government.
In spite of his skills in front of a classroom, Ralph’s true skills are demonstrated one on one as he continues to teach CEOs how to manage and run their business to greater effect and profitability, as a private business coach. His clients can be found among high-tech companies, venture capitalists and finance, social media, and law firms, as well as plumbers, HVAC, and other trade companies.