President
Karen Rankin-Magee, President of Self Employment Specialists, Inc. since 2005, excels in transforming entrepreneurial challenges into successes through her strategic acumen and uncompromising care for her clients. Renowned for fostering resilience and instilling confidence, Karen equips business owners to thrive in complex environments, contributing significantly to their personal and professional growth. Her deep commitment to her clients has made her a trusted leader in business consulting.
With a diverse background across various industries, Karen has owned several retail stores, led the Small Business Development Center at State College of Florida, and was President of Magee Sign Service, which won the Manatee Chamber’s Small Business of the Year Award. Her extensive experience in entrepreneur training spans over twenty years, including creating customized programs for entrepreneur agencies in Florida and authoring the business planning workbook, BizAbility™.
Her consulting work has varied greatly, aiding companies across North America with annual revenues ranging from just $15,000 to over $300 million. Karen previously served on an SBA loan approval committee and is an expert witness for the Department of Education on self-employment funding cases.
Karen holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Central Florida, where she graduated Cum Laude. Beyond her professional endeavors, she enjoys family time and exploring the world on land and underwater.