In honor of the Florida Governor’s Proclamation commemorating October as Florida Small Business Month, the Florida Small Business Development Center Network is proud to Shine the Light on one of Florida’s outstanding small businesses. The featured business is representative of the thousands of clients and diverse industries the FSBDCN serves statewide. Designated as Florida's Principal Provider of Small Business Assistance by state statute, the FSBDCN is statewide with 35 locations from Pensacola to the Keys. The Network’s integrated infrastructure has the professionals and partners needed to successfully serve the Florida business community. No matter the need(s) of the business, Florida SBDCs have the experience, expertise and connectivity to help small businesses succeed.


SBDC Assistance and Strategies
Lead to Business Success and Expansion




"Without the SBDC I wouldn't be in
business," said James Hayden. The SBDC
Certified Business Analyst's advice was
invaluable in showing him "what made sense,
the right way to do things and the
right questions to ask."

  


Charismatic James Hayden quit his job in California and moved to beautiful Bay County, Florida determined he would make his mark in paradise as a self-employed entrepreneur. "Jim", to his friends (everyone he meets becomes a friend), went directly from high school to joining the military. He had delved into "non-brick and mortar" business in California in multi-level marketing and home businesses. He also had a background in ballroom dancing since he was 18 years old, and he used it in the promotional dancing business.

Jim went to the Small Business Development Center at Gulf Coast Community College in Lynn Haven (Panama City) with limited funds and, as he says, "Just attitude!" From April to June 2003, Jim received counseling from a number of SBDC Certified Business Analysts (CBA's) on their specialties of business research and planning, accounting, financial analysis, and applying for loans. He brought to the counselors many types of possible businesses—from mobile vending to following his passion of diving by buying the local dive shop. Jim said that the CBA advice he received was invaluable in showing him "what made sense, the right way to do things and the right questions to ask."

In June of 2003, the CBA counseled and mentored Jim on how to find and evaluate locations for a new business. Not long after, Jim bought the used assets of a closed bagel shop. Finally, in December of 2003, with "no degrees of failure possible," Jim opened his first shop—The Bagel Maker, Inc. With the help of three part-time employees, he has been a hands-on owner and still is.

The Bagel Maker soon became a favorite of the busy business district of Panama City. As a former Toastmaster and host of a local comedy club, Jim jovially greets his customers whom he has gotten to know personally by name. Jim's credo of "better bagels begin with better batter" is proven by the constant stream of local customers. His customers can tell Jim takes pride in making and baking his bagels fresh every day. What they don't know is Jim's belief in giving back by donating the hundreds of bagels left over from his shops to local charities at the end of each day.

In October of 2004, Jim returned to the SBDC to explore opening a second shop. The CBA helped Jim by providing financial and loan counseling. Again, Jim bought the assets of another closed bagel shop and opened his second shop in Callaway in January of 2007. During August and September of 2007, he decided he wanted to open a third shop, so Jim returned to the SBDC for more loan advice, including reviewing the paperwork and the list of lenders. The CBA kept in touch with Jim at Bay County Chamber of Commerce meetings while Jim contemplated the third shop. In 2008, Jim opened another successful bagel shop in Tyndall Air Force Base and, in February 2009, he opened a kiosk in the Bay County Courthouse.

Because of all the guidance and counseling he received at the SBDC, Jim stated, "Without the SBDC I wouldn't be in business!"

The Bagel Maker shops now employ nine full-time employees and one part-time employee. Jim devotes six days a week to his bagel shops and his other credo, "To make the best bagels at a reasonable price," has proven to be a strategy for success and further enthusiastic expansion. Jim is looking forward to a continued relationship with the SBDC during The Bagel Maker's future growth, while vigilantly using the knowledge he obtained from the SBDC to investigate the present market and economy.

Jim is the recipient of the Bay County Chamber of Commerce's 2009 Business of the Year Award.

The Florida SBDC Network, a statewide service network of 35 centers, is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, hosted by the University of West Florida and accredited through the national Association of SBDCs. For over 30 years, the FSBDCN has nourished a statewide partnership between higher education and economic development organizations dedicated to providing emerging and established business owners with assistance, enabling overall growth and increased profitability for the businesses, and economic prosperity for the state. To learn more about the FSBDCN or to find an SBDC near you, visit www.FloridaSBDC.org or call 1.866.737.7232.





State Director's Office l 401 E Chase St, Ste 100 l Pensacola, FL 32502
866.737.7232 or 850.473.7800 l www.FloridaSBDC.org