Paula Short serves as a business advisor at the Hampton Roads Chamber. In this role, Paula is committed to helping entrepreneurs and small business owners navigate growth, innovation, and long-term success. She partners with clients to provide hands-on guidance, expert resources, and valuable connections to guide both new ventures and evolving businesses.
As a member of the global Chamber of Commerce family since 2012, Paula brings a real-world, practical perspective to business advising. She is passionate about helping founders gain clarity, confidence, and momentum at every stage of their journey.
As a founder herself, Paula launched and scaled her own international beauty brand featured on Dragons’ Den UK. Her work has earned many awards, including the prestigious Amazon Micro Business of the Year award in the UK. With years of experience in brand development, customer engagement, product innovation, and team leadership, Paula is known for turning creative ideas into commercial results.
On a personal note, Paula recently relocated from the UK and has found an unexpected sense of home in Norfolk, Virginia that, coincidentally, shares the name and spirit with the one where she began her journey over 30 years ago. In her free time, she loves to explore Virginia’s state parks and scenic trails, soaking in the natural beauty of her new home.