Rome, Ga. — Buddy Bennett, senior vice president and market president for Wells Fargo Bank in Cartersville and Rome, shared career advice with students in Shorter University’s Robert H. Ledbetter College of Business during a recent lecture.

Bennett spoke on two diverse topics: career advice that he has learned throughout his banking career and insights into small business finance.

“Banking is a relationship business,” he said. “Texting will never get you a piece of new business. You’ve got to be comfortable building relationships. After all this time, a lot of my business comes from referrals from existing customers. I’m in a position now where I rarely have to go out on cold calls because of the relationships I’ve build through the years. Those relationships are key.”

Bennett shared personal anecdotes illustrating to students the importance of being open to changing locations or business lines and to not limiting one’s own choices. “Be open to where God is leading. He will guide you; you just need to seek His face in all facets of your life,” he said.

In closing his remarks, Bennett discussed small business finance. “Starting out is really hard,” he said. “Most small business owners are salesmen, but they lack financial expertise.”

He encouraged students who are considering opening their own businesses to learn how to develop business plans and projects that will be crucial in selling one’s business to lenders.

“You also have to manage your personal credit,” he added. “Learn how to personally budget. Start tithing. If you will be faithful to God, He will be faithful to you. Tithe financially, but also give of your time. I’ve always told my boys, ‘When you’re blessed, you need to give some of it away.’ It’s amazing what God can do.”

Bennett was the first speaker in a lecture series hosted by the Ledbetter College of Business to allow attendees to hear personal success stories and receive advice from business professionals.

“Buddy Bennett is a dear friend of Shorter University, and I have had the honor of getting to know Buddy over the past several months,” said Dr. Heath Hooper, Dean of Shorter’s Ledbetter College of Business. “I appreciate his guidance and the enthusiasm he offered to our College of Business students in speaking to them. I look forward to working with Buddy on new innovations and strengthening our friendship and business relationship.”

Founded in 1873, Shorter University is a Christ-centered, four-year liberal arts university committed to excellence in education. U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review annually include Shorter University on their list of Best Regional Colleges. The university offers traditional bachelor’s degrees in 40 areas of study, online courses and degree programs, undergraduate programs for working adults, and four master’s programs. Learn more about Shorter at www.shorter.edu.