A Fond Farewell to a Founding Force: Celebrating Michael Lambert’s 22 Years of Service at the Wyoming SBDC Network

The Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network marks a significant transition as we bid a heartfelt farewell to Michael “Mike” Lambert, a cornerstone of our market research team and a founding member of the program, whose vision and dedication have benefitted countless small businesses across the state for the past 22 years. Mike’s upcoming retirement closes a remarkable chapter on a wide-spanning career woven with diverse experiences, commitment, and a passion for empowering entrepreneurs.

Born in Garden City, Kansas, Mike’s journey to the Wyoming SBDC was anything but conventional. As he quipped, “I was smart, got out of Kansas when I was one.” His formative years in Colorado Springs, where his father managed a top 40 radio station, led to a unique college gig. “Best college job on the planet – DJ at an acid rock station,” he fondly recalls.

A Wyoming girl captured Mike’s heart, his wife, Debra, leading him to the Equality State. Post-college, a brief foray into aviation officer school was curtailed by his height. This led to an appraisal job in Cheyenne and a short stint selling stamps and collectibles before a pivotal shift into the world of international sales and marketing.

Mike jumpstarted his role as Director of International Sales and Marketing at Waterpik with a practical initiative, recalling, “I had a couple million dollars of sales the first year because I answered letters that were sitting unopened in the file cabinet.”

The job would open a world of experiences for the young professional. “I tell people I’ve been to every continent but Antarctica,” Mike shares. He was the go-to person for uncharted territories, from being “the second consumer product company behind Pepsi in Russia” to navigating pre-Gulf War tensions in Saudi Arabia. He vividly remembers a close call in Jerusalem: “All of the sudden my guy is getting really nervous. He said ‘it’s almost noon. They’ll be throwing rocks and bottles in a minute.’ They are very practical people – they are going to riot, but they won’t do it until the tourists leave because they need the business.”

The shifting tides of the corporate world eventually led Mike to a crossroads. Following the closure of Waterpik’s offices, he was left searching for a new direction. Mike’s inherent skills in market research, honed from the company side, unexpectedly paved his way to the Wyoming SBDC. Asked about his initial motivation, Mike reflects, “When this job came through, I thought ‘I’m more of a marketing and sales guy.’ (But) I thought ‘what the heck – I’m running out of savings.’” His presentation to the SBDC team, then housed in a shop building, was extremely well-received. As he humbly puts it, “I was just spinning about things I would like to do with unlimited money.” Offered the position by Diane Sontum, state director at the time, Mike acknowledges, “I’ll be honest with you – I’ve never made as much money as I did at Waterpik. But I didn’t have to travel. That was a win for me.”

Stepping into a budding market research program, Mike faced a “clean slate,” complete with temporary furniture delivered in a horse trailer. Undeterred, he and his team embarked on their first project within ten days, establishing a unique model. “We were the first organization of our kind in the country,” Mike says. “We say, ‘what are the specific questions you need answered?’ and we try to train all the regional directors to find out what do they know, and work with them to find out what they need to know.”

Over the years, Mike has witnessed significant shifts in the small business landscape. “I think the big thing is trying to stay relevant and current with everything,” he observes. Mike recalls a presentation a decade ago where he discussed a “star trek computer” that could answer questions directly – a concept met with skepticism at the time.

Looking ahead, Mike acknowledges the evolving role of AI in market research. “AI is getting better. But when it goes bad, it goes bad badly. I think having somebody at the wheel that knows what’s going on is going to be necessary.” He underscores the continued importance of human interaction, particularly in Wyoming’s business environment.

Mike has been recognized twice as an SBDC State Star winner, and the market research center received the Excellence and Innovation award in 2015 from the SBA. However, Mike emphasizes the collective success the department has had beyond accolades: “The secret to our success is that we’ve had a really, really, good track record of finding people that have passion for helping us and helping others. That’s been a key thing for our group.”

Mike’s impact on his coworkers will have a lasting legacy of professionalism and mentorship on members of the market research program and it’s future impact.

“It’s been a genuine pleasure working alongside him,” said Kayley Achi, a market researcher who has worked alongside Mike Lambert for the last three years. “His insights and experience have been invaluable to our entire team. He’s an excellent mentor, and under his guidance, I’ve grown as a market researcher. It feels like I’ve learned something new from him every day.”

“Mike added professionalism, creativity, dedication, and talent to the market research center – which he built from the ground up to be the powerful resource it is today for Wyoming businesses,” former state director Diane Sontum says. “One thing people might not know about him is that he also has a great singing voice. His own special “Birthday Song” was a favorite among our team. Congratulations to  Mike – an invaluable asset to the SBDC team, and a wonderful human being.”

Reflecting on his tenure, Mike echoes this advice to those starting in small business development: “You have to keep it fresh. My last day, I bet you, I’ll learn something. If I was talking to a businessperson, I’d say don’t be afraid to ask questions. Find a mentor, find people to point you in the right direction. Get out and do some of your own research – you might find you get what you really want. The databases can’t pick up everything.”

Mike also emphasizes the benefit of working with a supportive team. “We all make mistakes but having a good team around you that can help you get through those is really important. And that’s what we have here at the SBDC.”

As Mike embarks on his well-deserved retirement, he looks forward to spending time with his dog and tackling home projects. His legacy at the SBDC is marked by the countless businesses he empowered with insightful market research and the collaborative spirit he fostered within the team. His unique blend of humor, global perspective, practical wisdom, and unwavering dedication will be deeply missed. We extend our sincerest gratitude to Mike for his 22 years of extraordinary service and wish him all the best in his next adventure.