The Florida SBDC Network is the first Florida organization to be designated by the Board of Governors as a State of Florida Center in August 2009. One of eight original national SBDC pilot programs funded in 1976 by the U.S. SBA, the Florida SBDC Network successfully links the state's education system to community outreach, utilizing both faculty and students to aid in the development and education of Florida's small business community. Designated as Florida's principal provider of business assistance by state statute, the Florida SBDC Network is a statewide network of 34 centers involving universities, colleges and other economic development organizations, with additional outreach provided at over 70 resource partner locations.
Student Participation: Education and Reality
Small Business Institute® Completed Spring 2010 Semester at UCF
The SBDC at UCF in conjunction with the UCF College of Business Administration administered a third successful semester of the SBDC Small Business Institute® (SBI) program. During the 2010 Spring semester, sixteen students and six small business clients participated. SBI® provides confidential and professional management assistance to small businesses through consulting projects performed by MBA students supervised by SBDC Certified Business Analysts (CBA).
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Ongoing Successful Programming at FGCU SBDC at FGCU staff and business leaders worked with the business department of Immokalee High School to participate again in their six-week summer entrepreneurship program for migrant students. According to the 2000 US Census, Hispanics represent 71% of the total Immokalee population. The students are taught basic business—how to write a business plan, webpage design, services and budgeting. Each student received $200 for business operations. Students invite business leaders for a Q&A session to answer questions relative to business. CBA Janice Groves participated and offered her expertise as a SBDC counselor. At the end of the program, students are prepared to open a business. The SBDC at FGCU also celebrated its 10th "Girls Going Places" full-day entrepreneur's conference. Held on campus, 90 plus girls participated and learned financial responsibility, broadened their business understanding and their sense of community responsibility. Faculty, staff and women community leaders served as mentors to the young ladies and provided interactive activities and discussions in a roundtable format. Several businesses provided in-kind and cash donations to help off-set expenses. |
Polk County and the SBDC: Partners for Innovation
Partnering for a two-day Blue Sky "Boot Camp" on June 25-26, staff presented seminars on developing business plans, preparing a loan package, and catching and keeping customers. USF Polytechnic's Blue Sky facilities are the first public business technology incubators in Polk County. They focus on attracting and nurturing entrepreneurial businesses in an environment where USF Poly faculty, staff and students can work with businesses to develop innovative technology. Incubated companies benefit from the proximity to research university resources and the assets of economic development networks.
Academic Focus at USF
Eileen Rodriguez taught Management 4802 at USF for the spring 2010 semester. USF International Business and Marketing student Javier Jane was the recipient of a scholarship from the SBDC to attend the International Trade Certificate Program. The participation enabled Javier to learn first-hand about exporting and importing, along with the platform to interact with entrepreneurs and industry professionals.
UNF Graduate Students Support SBDC
Graduate student Tim Rutledge, who staffed the SBDC Help Desk for the past year and provided research support to Jacksonville SBDC CBAs, graduated in August with his MBA. A new graduate student, Jared Bailey, will begin working with the SBDC in late August.
UWF Students Appreciate Judging
Larry Strain, director of the SBDC at UWF, was invited to judge a business planning competition that was part of a Business Plan Development Course taught in the College of Business. Strain, along with two other professionals, a banker and a business broker, received the business plans in advance to make written critiques. Then, each student team gave a 30-minute presentation of their plan, answered questions from the judges, and the judges then gave their evaluations of the presentations. Afterward, the judges de-briefed the teams. The students were very gracious in their thanks for the judges' participation and feedback along with the amount of time the judges invested in the process. The students noted the value of the outside, experienced perspective.
Community Outreach: Initiatives for Expanding, Supporting and Partnering
 Left to Right: Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum; SBDC State Director Jerry Cartwright |
Governor's Task Force Meets at the University of West Florida On June 30, University of West Florida President Judy Bense hosted the second meeting of the Gulf Oil Spill Economic Recovery Task Force at the UWF Conference Center from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm. Governor Charlie Crist created the Gulf Oil Spill Economic Task Force by executive order to facilitate efforts by Florida businesses and industries in recovering from lost business and revenues due to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Officials attending the meeting included Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum and BP executive Darryl Willis, along with many other officials, scientists and other experts in fields sensitive to the situation on the coast. Gulf Coast businesses and residents attended to learn and share their stories and voice their concerns and ideas to the task force and the media covering the event. Select entrepreneurs attended to share their products and its effect on the oil. The SBDC Mobile Assistance Center (MAC) was onsite in support of the meeting, providing the task force members and attendees the opportunity to tour the MAC and see the onboard capabilities used to assist communities during times of disaster. The MAC was deployed to Pensacola Beach to assist businesses during the months of May and June—the peak of the oil spill crisis—in support of the Florida Small Business Bridge Loan Program, SBA EIDL loans and more. Task force meetings are held monthly in different cities along the Gulf Coast and bring high profile officials together to plan and execute the recovery process in a timely fashion. |
 Entrepreneurs Share Their Products and It's Effect on the Oil |
 Larry Strain, SBDC at UWF, and Lewis Attardo, State Director's Office, Mann the MAC on Pensacola Beach  MAC Deployed to Pensacola Beach |
SBDC at UWF Mobilized for Response Since the Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster occurred on April 20, the SBDC at UWF has mobilized to assist negatively affected businesses. In many ways the response began in May when it became clear that the oil spill would not be shut off quickly and the potential for oil reaching Florida's coastlines went from "if" to "when". Since then the SBDC has reached out to impacted businesses in numerous ways—one of the FSBDC Network Mobile Assistance Centers (MAC) was deployed to Pensacola Beach to provide access to assistance for b each-based businesses; UWF staff manned the MAC for over 15 days representing almost 160 hours. During that early time, over 211 hours of the SBDC at UWF staff time was dedicated to the oil spill response through over 45 activities. To get the word out that assistance is available, SBDC at UWF personnel made over 10 presentations to chambers and business groups about the SBDC, the SBA EIDL program and the State of Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan program. In addition, the SBDC director has made numerous media appearances, using the MAC as a backdrop which brings excellent exposure to the FSBDC Network. In addition to appearing on local and regional television, the SBDC appeared on Fox Business, Bloomburg, CNN, and the BBC. |
Television and Radio Format Reports on the SBDC at USF
University Beat, a radio and television program that focuses on USF research, interviewed Eileen Rodriguez during the Small Business Week Growth Conferences. The University Beat television report on the SBDC at USF ran on WUSF TV from July 26th to August 6th, on weekdays and on weekends; and the comparable University Beat radio report ran on WUSF 89.7 FM. The TV and radio reports on the SBDC were also promoted on the internet at www.wusf.org/universitybeat.
 Left to Right: Christine Michaels, Melbourne Regional Chamber of Commerce; Gene Romagna, SBDC UCF; Vicky Peake, SBDC at BCC; Diane Gabik, Melbourne Regional Chamber of Commerce  Myrna Galligano, Esquire |
Disaster Preparedness Training a Hit in Melbourne The SBDC at Brevard Community College (SBDC at BCC) partnered with the Melbourne Regional Chamber for the SBDC at BCC's first Hurricane Party held beachside at the Melbourne Beach Hilton on June 1, with over 100 attending and learning. Disaster Preparedness training was delivered by CBA Gene Romanga and the training was both entertaining and informative before the group adjourned beachside for refreshments and networking. Sponsors for the event were Florida Power and Light, Service Master and Blue Tangerine Solutions. SBDC at BCC Initiates Employment Law Series The SBDC at BCC initiated an Employment Law Series in August. Attorney Myrna Galligano of MG Services developed and presented the first two workshops in the series, Employment Law 101 and Employee Handbooks. Galligano practices in the field of employment law and is a former human resource professional. Galligano invited Herman Garrett, wage and hour consultant, to present the third workshop, Wage and Hour Issues. |
 Left to Right: Bill Elmore, SBA; Hunter Llano, Source One Distributors, Inc.; Laura Subel, PTAC; and Mark Llano, Source One Distributors, Inc. |
PTAC Program Manager Speaks on SCDV at FSU Laura Subel, Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) program manager, presented a workshop on the federal government's Service Connected Disabled Veterans (SCDV) Program on June 14 at Florida State University (FSU) as part of the Entrepreneurship Boot Camp for Veterans with Disabilities Conference. The Boot Camp is a two-week course sponsored by FSU for SCDVs across the country. The 21 SCDVs attending were from Florida, Tennessee, West Virginia, Texas, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Missouri and Mississippi. Other presenters were Bill Elmore, U.S. SBA's Associate Administrator of the Veterans Business Development Office, and Mark Llano, President and CEO of Source One Distributors, Inc. in Wellington and long-term PTAC client. |
SBDC at FAMU Reaches Out
Multiple meetings were held throughout the quarter with chambers and economic development organizations. In Gadsden County, assistance was provided to chamber staff concerning funding and economic incentives for a confidential project. In Franklin County, a SBDC representative attended several chamber meetings to discuss SBDC assistance to businesses and disaster loans related to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. SBDC representatives met with the executive director and board members of Sustainable Tallahassee to devise a plan for green business development and a training program for new business owners.
The SBDC director met with the Gadsden Chamber, the University of Florida IFAS Center and ACCESS Florida to consider a new project which would promote local entrepreneurship in the county by assisting with the development of new farming ventures. Daryl Jones, director of the Bethel Community Development Corporation, met with the SBDC director to discuss a format for presenting home ownership/entrepreneurship training programs in partnership with FAMU.
Chris Workman, SBDC CBA, presented a marketing workshop for the Tallahassee/Leon County Sustainable Communities Summit.
SBDC at USF CBAs Develop Training Module for SFCC Entrepreneur Summit
Dave Noel and Bill McKown created the content for two of the five modules for the South Florida Community College Entrepreneur Summit. They also delivered part of the training during the event that was held several times in June. The Entrepreneur Summit 2010 was the brainchild of Dan Murphy of the Highlands County Economic Development Commission. The program was funded by the Heartland Workforce, managed by SFCC and was held at locations in Highlands, Hardee and Desoto counties.
Local Business Leaders Strategize at Second Annual Orlando Green Business Summit
SBDC at UCF regional director Eunice Choi participated in the Orlando Green Business Summit on May 12. The event, which focused on the benefits of sustainable practices, brought together local business leaders to share examples of green business practices and to discuss strategies for taking advantage of the business opportunities and challenges that accompany the current green business revolution. The event featured remarks by Orange County Mayor Richard Crotty, Florida's Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. The summit is hosted by the non-profit organization United for a Sustainable America.
 Advisory Board Council Client Jorge Suria |
SBDC at UCF Advisory Board Council Hosts Networking Reception for Small Business Owners In conjunction with the SBDC at UCF's Small Business Week Celebration, May 24–28, the Center's Advisory Board Council, and an Orange County sponsored-program hosted a reception for Small Business Owners on May 25. Over 90 potential clients, current program participants and volunteer advisors participated in the event which included networking, a program overview by Jill Kaufman, ABC program manager, and a client testimonial by Advisory Board Council client Jorge Suria, president of Hooah LLC. Sponsored by Bright House, CFO Strategic Partners and AsysTech, the reception was held at the Disney Entrepreneur Center. |
USF Takes Pride in Rodriguez
Eileen Rodriguez was featured in an Employee Experience video produced by USF. The video is a testimonial of USF employees about their experience working for USF. It can be viewed at: www.usf.org/Intellis/usfexperience. The following username and password will be needed to view it: Username: usfexperience, Password: starfish5%.
Change of Pace for SBDC Director at UWF
Larry Strain, director of the SBDC at UWF, was selected to attend a FBI seminar for community leaders on May 25. Called the Community Relations Executive Seminar Training (CREST), the program covered FBI operations, and included sessions on Counterterrorism, Counterintelligence/Cyber Crime, White Collar Crime, Violent Crime and the FBI's special programs. The training is to involve the business community as eyes and ears in the FBI's efforts to secure our safety within our communities.
Lehigh Acres, population of over 34,000, is an unincorporated blue-collar community east of Lee County. At one time considered a "sleepy town", high unemployment, business closures and high crime rate have given it a new name. Tired of it, the Lehigh Economic Development Office was formed, and the SBDC at FGCU was invited to speak at an EDC luncheon. The luncheon was a combination of the Lehigh Chamber and EDC, and attracted 40 small business owners, along with several state and county officials. SBDC services were offered, and they encouraged attendees to take advantage of the programs, workshops and counseling services, and a new partnership was formalized.
 Suzanne Specht Presents at the On the Road with SBDC Program  Julio Estremera, SBDC at FGCU CBA, Manns Booth at the Southwest Florida Women's Tradeshow |
Reaching out to rural communities in Southwest Florida, the SBDC at FGCU implemented "On the Road with SBDC" designed to bring the SBDC to the business community. SBDC CBA Janice Groves invited key business leaders and dignities to lunch and presented a PowerPoint showcasing SBDC products and services, along with SBDC at FGCU Assistant Director/CBA Suzanne Specht, providing a better understanding and clearer insight for the community leaders. SBDC at FGCU staff took part in two Southwest Florida Chamber and Women's Tradeshows. SBDC staff manned booths and talked with business owners who stopped by for information. As a result, the Southwest Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Tradeshow displayed 35 businesses and attracted 300 attendees; Bonita Springs Chamber displayed 65 businesses and attracted 500 attendees; the Empowered Women's Network Expo had 40 businesses on display and 200 attendees. Cape Coral businesses were hit hard by the economic downturn. Lee County's unemployment was 13%, the highest in almost 4 years. Officials, concerned about their business community, invited the SBDC at FGCU to participate in their last Farmers Market on a Saturday morning. Mixing vegetables with business, the SBDC coordinated with 10 county and state agencies to offer business assistance in an outdoor venue. This unique community outreach program managed to attract over 100 attendees and new clients to the SBDC Cape Coral office. |
The SBDC at UNF partnered with the North Central Florida Chapter of the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing to co-sponsor a Government Reverse Tradeshow in Ocala. The event featured a tradeshow and workshops on how to sell to the government. More than 100 small business owners participated and purchasing officials from 20 government agencies staffed booths.
The SBDC at UNF partnered with Florida Representative Debbie Boyd and Florida Representative Leonard Bembry to offer a Small Business Resource Fair in Lake City. The focus of the event was access to capital. A tradeshow of resource partners featured local banks and technical assistance providers, like the SBDC, and workshops covered traditional lending as well as alternative sources of financing.
The SBDC at UNF's Philip Geist and Mike Orlito participated in the Citrus County Economic Summit and the Citrus County Technology Expo.
 Robert Goetz Seated Between Oviedo Mayor Mary Lou Andrews and Winter Springs Mayor John Bush at the Business Roundtable |
SBDC CBA Reaches Out From Seminole State College |
Business Education: Motivation, Inspiration and Creativity
SBDC at UWF CBA Carved Niche in Business Curriculum
Dan Cavanaugh of the SBDC at UWF continued to teach ISM 3011 at UWF. Last semester there were 20 students registered for the popular class. He has taught 18 sections of the core course for all Business/MIS majors. ISM 3011 addresses important fundamentals of e-business systems found in an increasingly inter-networked world, and how these fundamentals support improved e-business processes and decision making. The course has a technical component and it addresses the use of technology in today's dynamic, rapidly changing business environment.
 Left to Right: Tony Espinosa, PTAC at UCF; Keynote Speaker, Lt. Col. Robert J. Quigg, 45 SW Director of Staff, Patrick AFB; Dick Idtensohn, DRS; Vicky Peake, SBDC at BCC; Lisa Barr, DRS; Randy Edney, Army PEO STRI; Bob Keener, DRS; Alice O'Neil, Patrick AFB |
SBDC at Brevard Community College, PTAC and Patrick AFB Collaborate The SBDC at Brevard Community College, Procurement Technical Assistance Center and 45th Space Wing at Patrick Air Force Base collaborated to deliver a well-received 1-1/2 day Source Selection Workshop and Exercise. Participants came from the Central and South Florida areas as well as Ohio to participate in the event. SBDC, PTAC and Patrick AFB plan to repeat this successful event, a first in the Central Florida area. |
Government Contracting Seminar Series Offered by SBDC at UCF
In April, the SBDC at UCF's PTAC program offered a series of four seminars for businesses interested in doing business with the Federal Government. The four seminars included: An Introduction to Federal Government Contracting; GSA & Multiple Awards Schedules; Contracting with the Army; and Bids and Proposals. The seminar series, led by PTAC specialist Tony Espinosa, was attended by more than 40 small business owners.
 Matchmaking Session |
SBDC at UCF Offers Procurement-Related Training to Celebrate Small Business Week 2010 In recognition of National Small Business Week, the SBDC at UCF offered a series of procurement-related training. The activities included two small workshops—How To Do Business with Orange County and M/WBE Certification Overview, followed by a two-day workshop and matchmaking session—Doing Business with Local and State Governments, held on May 26 and 27. This workshop, sponsored by Orange County Government, provided the 86 participants with the knowledge and tools to immediately begin creating business opportunities with local and state government entities as well as the opportunity to meet one-on-one with a limited number of local, state and federal agency purchasing representatives. Participating agencies included City of Orlando, City of Winter Park, Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, OUC, Orange County, Seminole County, and UCF, among others. |
 Doing Business with Local and State Governments Workshop |
SBDC at UCF Prepares Businesses for the 2010 Hurricane Season
The SBDC at UCF offered its free disaster planning workshop for Central Florida business owners on June 8. The workshop, sponsored by Orange County, kicked-off a series of disaster planning workshops presented by the SBDC at UCF and its six sub-centers. The workshop, presented by Robert Goetz, director of the SBDC at Seminole State College, offered business owners a disaster plan for any disaster and presented the strategies and tools necessary to reduce economic damage. The FSBDCN's Mobile Business Assistance Center was available at the workshop for tours.
SBDC at UNF Videoconferencing Helps Rural Outreach
The SBDC at UNF has purchased and deployed two new videoconferencing units to facilitate access to counseling and training in rural counties. One of the units is housed at the Amelia Island Fernandina Beach Yulee Chamber of Commerce in Nassau County, and one is located at Florida Gateway Community College in Lake City. These units connect clients in these counties with the Jacksonville SBDC office increasing opportunities for counseling and training. In addition, with videoconferencing units in Citrus County, Ocala, Gainesville and Jacksonville, clients can benefit from specific expertise offered by CBAs at each location. Lisa Haggerty, the Procurement Technical Assistance Center specialist, has a unit to provide procurement counseling and training to all of the SBDC locations.
Diversity through Collaboration
SBDC at UCF Participates in Supplier Diversity Day
The SBDC at UCF promoted its services and distributed literature during the University of Central Florida's Supplier Diversity Day on May 11. The purpose of the event was to promote minority business development within the many UCF departments. The SBDC's Jill Kaufman and Tony Espinosa networked with attendees and distributed marketing collateral on behalf of the SBDC.
SBDC at UNF Reaches Out to Disadvantaged
The SBDC at UNF staffed a booth at the annual Community Empowerment Expo, presented by the City of Jacksonville. The goal was to provide access to resources to underserved populations, particularly those individuals who live below or just above the poverty line. The program also reached out to persons with disabilities and their caregivers.
Community Awareness: SBDC Visibility
SBDC at GCCC Created and Produced Three Radio PSAs
Valerie Simmons, Assistant Director and CBA at the SBDC at Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City, and the SBDC's marketing assistant, Pam Cooley, have created three PSAs for use by local radio stations. One spot is for the SBDC at GCCC and the other two are for the Veterans' Business Outreach Center (VBOC) and the Bay County Small Business Incubator. All three sound great and they have gotten good play. Listen to One Now!
SBDC at UNF Recognizes Local Champion Award Winners
The SBDC at UNF and SunTrust Bank sponsored the 18th Annual Small Business Week Celebration in May. Supporting sponsors were WorkSource, the Jacksonville Business Journal and Borrego Springs Bank. More than 300 attended the event, which recognized SBA Champions and Top Lenders. The SBDC at UNF nominated three of the four Champion award winners in the categories of Minority Small Business Champion, Veteran Small Business Champion, and Women in Business Champion.
The Small Business Resource Network, a program of the SBDC at UNF, inaugurated two new chapters of the SBRN, one in St. Johns County and one in Marion County. Each chapter now has more than 15 members including attorneys, accountants, insurance agents, consultants, lenders and investors, and government agencies/nonprofit assistance providers.
SBDC at FAMU Small Business Week Gala a Success
The SBDC at FAMU and the Small Business Week Committee hosted the 27th Annual Small Business Week event at the Antique Car Museum in Tallahassee. Approximately 450 attended the evening gala. Various awards were presented to area small businesses. Local business champions, Daryl Jones, Kimberly Moore, and Senator Al Lawson, were also recognized.
 Volunteer Luncheon Participants |
Seminole State Volunteers Celebrate Small Business Week SBDC at Seminole State College kicked off National Small Business Week with a volunteer luncheon attended by approximately 40 volunteers, College President Dr. Ann McGee and Campus Provost Mike Staley. |
SBDC at UWF and MAC Participate in Fourth of July RiverFest Celebration
The FSBDCN Mobile Assistance Center (MAC) was on display and staffed by SBDC at UWF personnel during the Fourth of July RiverFest celebration in Milton. Over 25,000 people attended the festival and during the day the SBDC distributed can huggers to people stopping at the MAC along with disaster preparedness information. Over 4,400 people stopped at the MAC.
Awareness Through 50th Anniversary Events & Planning at IRSC
The director of the SBDC at Indian River State College (IRSC) sits on the college's 50th Anniversary Committee, working with departments across the institution. Along with year-long activities, the committee is planning the 50th Anniversary Open House to be held on September 25. During the Open House the SBDC will, as will other college departments, open its facilities to the community with displays and activities showcasing services and resources available to the college's small businesses community.
SBDC at FAMU Speaks Out
A member of the SBDC at FAMU was interviewed by Florida State University National Public Radio reporter, Lynn Hatter, concerning the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and its impact on local businesses. Information was presented on the FSBDCN, the SBDC at FAMU and the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program.
The SBDC at FAMU director was invited by the Gadsden County Chamber President to participate in a community meeting to discuss economic development and related initiatives and legislation with Congressman Allen Boyd. The director had the opportunity to highlight the SBDC at FAMU and the FSBDCN by describing its programs and initiatives. The Congressman's aide requested a meeting to visit the SBDC at FAMU.
Global Relations and Developments
Polk County Plans Legoland Opening
Doretha Brooks, director of the SBDC at CFDC/Polk County, visited London's Legoland with the Polk County delegation to learn about Legoland's operations. The community trip was called Passport to Prosperity and it enlightened the participants on the educational aspects of Legoland; helped form business opportunities; created partnerships with Merlin Entertainment; and increased community involvement. Legoland plans to transform Cypress Gardens into Legoland Florida with a targeted opening date of November 2011; and 1,000 new jobs are anticipated.
 Participants and Hosts in Front of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey |
SBDC Director and USF Faculty Visit Turkey SBDC at USF director Eileen Rodriguez participated in the Dialogue Trip to Turkey along with the chairs of several USF departments, including International Affairs, Religious Studies, Journalism and English. The trip provided much needed information on leading sectors for US exporters, which will be incorporated into a future SBDC workshop. |
CBAs at FGCU Encourage Networking Between the US and Europe
Currently, two SBDC at FGCU staff are working with the European American Network (EAN)—one serves as the president and the other is a board member. The EAN is a global not-for-profit organization representing European and American business owners. As the EAN progresses so will business opportunities.
Learn about EAN at www.europeanamericannetwork.com.
UWF CBAs Explore World Trade
SBDC at UWF CBAs Janet Etheridge and Dan Cavanaugh attended the World Trade Conference sponsored in part by the SBDC at UWF. More than 100 attendees were present to hear panel discussions on international trade trends, the future of the southeast US in global trade, new intermodal transportation and trade developments, and the promotion of the tourism industry as a trade catalyst. Speakers ranged from experts from the Alabama Development Office, director of International Services in Louisiana, Trade Development V.P. of Enterprise Florida and members of the Mississippi Development Authority. Local success stories were also featured in one of the conference sessions. Congressman Jeff Miller was the featured luncheon speaker on the last day of the conference.
Excellence in Achievements, Improvements and Contributions
 Cathy Hagan  Robert Myers |
SBDC at UNF CBAs Achieve Business Continuity Professional Certifications Cathy Hagan and Robert Myers, both with the SBDC at UNF, have officially earned the designation of Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP) from the Disaster Recovery Institute. DRI's CBCP certification is reserved for individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and skill in the business continuity/disaster recovery industry. They are the first in the Florida SBDC Network to earn the designation and are among only a few in the national SBDC network. |
 Stephanie Royal |
 Marice Hague |
SBDC at UNF's Stephanie Royal and Marice Hague Earn Masters Stephanie Royal and Marice Hague, staff members of the SBDC at UNF in Jacksonville, earned their Masters Degrees in Public Administration. |
Awards & Recognitions
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UWF President Receives FSBDCN's Florida Outstanding Resource Partner Award On June 16, one hundred and fifty Florida SBDC Network staff members and conference attendees recognized staff, volunteers and resource partners for performance excellence in support of small businesses and entrepreneurs. The FSBDCN Performance Excellence Awards were presented by State Director Jerry Cartwright and the 11 SBDC Regional Directors at the Network's Annual Professional Development Conference in Sanibel. |
The Florida Outstanding Resource Partner award was presented to Dr. Judith Bense, President of the University of West Florida, for providing the most outstanding contributions to the statewide Network with advocacy, financial support, partnership building and advising. President Bense's outstanding contributions include: prioritized the State Director's Office move to the UWF campus which has provided significant budgetary savings to the Florida SBDC Network; enabled the Florida SBDC Network to keep 13 Certified Business Analysts by hosting Miami-Dade and Broward SBDC Regions after Florida Atlantic University terminated its SBDC program in December 2008; prioritized Florida SBDC Network University system-wide federal earmarks for Congressional Delegation support; provided significant support toward the Florida SBDC Network's State of Florida Center designation by the Florida Board of Governors; and Dr. Bense has been the chief advocate in stating the value-added of the SBDC to the University system.
View photos of statewide FSBDCN Performance Excellence awardees.
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SBDC at FGCU Celebrates Milestone The SBDC at FGCU celebrated a milestone by reaching its 10,000th client this summer. At the recent Florida SBDC Network's Annual Professional Development Conference, the 10,000th client and their SBDC Charlotte County CBA Peter Keating were both recognized in a small celebration in front of peers and colleagues. Peter also won the Regional Certified Business Analyst of the Year award at the conference. Left to Right: Suzanne Specht, Assistant Director, SBDC at FGCU; Peter Keating, CBA, SBDC at FGCU; Veronica and Sam Badillo, Radiant Sealers LLC, 10,000th client; Dan Regelski, Director, SBDC at FGCU |
SBDC at UCF Recognized for Performance Excellence
The SBDC at UCF received several awards at the FSBDCN's Annual Professional Development Conference held in June. Jill Kaufman, program manager for the SBDC at UCF's Advisory Board Council program received the Florida Star of the Year award, recognizing her four years of service to the Network. Gary Slavin, SBDC at UCF volunteer, received both the Regional Volunteer of the Year award for Central Florida and the Florida Volunteer of the Year award. Slavin was recognized for his volunteer work with the Advisory Board Council program where he has served on five boards. Doris Bernal, manager and CBA for the SBDC at Daytona State College, received the Regional Certified Business Analyst of the Year award. Nilda Perez, program assistant for the SBDC at UCF-Kissimmee, received the Regional Employee of the Year award.
SBDC at FGCU Received First Annual Chrysalis Award
SBDC at FGCU was nominated and honored by the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce and the Lee County VCB at the first annual Chrysalis Award designed to foster a stronger alliance between the tourism industry and the county's business community. Dean Richard Pegnetter, of the FGCU Lutgert College of Business, and SBDC director Dan Regelski attended the event and accepted the award on behalf of the SBDC.
 Left to Right: Francisco Marrero; Willie Gonzalez; Waymon Armstrong; Eunice Choi |
SBDC at UCF Client Named 2010 National Small Business Person of the Year Waymon Armstrong, president and CEO of Engineering & Computer Simulations, Inc., was named the 2010 National Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. SBA during the National Small Business Week Celebration in Washington, D.C on May 25. A client of the SBDC at UCF, ECS is currently one of Inc. Magazines top 500 fastest growing companies in the nation. Armstrong has led his company with 640% growth over the past three years. On June 22, Florida SBA district directors Willie Gonzalez and Francisco Marrero, SBDC at UCF regional director Eunice Choi and marketing director Kellie Snaith met with Armstrong at ECS. They recognized his award and offered congratulations on behalf of the Florida SBDC Network, and toured his Orlando-based company. |
| SBDC at UCF and SBRN-Central Florida Honor Local SBA Small Business Week Award Winners On May 18, the SBDC at UCF and SBRN-Central Florida, hosted a small business award luncheon at the Citrus Club in downtown Orlando. Waymon Armstrong was recognized as the SBA 2010 District and State Small Business Person of the Year. The SBA 2010 District Financial Services Champion of the Year was awarded to Chris Hurn, CEO and co-founder of Mercantile Capital Corporation; and over 60 guests and previous award winners honored the two businessmen for their accomplishments. Both winners were from Florida's 24th District. In recognition of this, special guest Congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas delivered opening remarks at the ceremony. The awards were presented by Ralph Ross, U.S. SBA Jacksonville deputy district director. |
 Left to Right: Chris Hurn; Congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas; Waymon Armstrong; Eunice Choi; Ralph Ross |
 Kevin Monahan |
SBDC at UNF CBA Receives Diversity Award The SBDC at UNF's Kevin Monahan received the Diversity Award, Individual Mentor, from the Jacksonville Business Journal. He was nominated by a client, Lauren Little. According to Little, "Half of my business success goes to him because he keeps me encouraged and focused." According to Monahan, he loves his job as a Certified Business Analyst with the SBDC and thinks of himself as "a social woker for the potentially rich." |
Pensacola 8(a) Small Business Firm Receives Award
The Atlanta National Enterprise Center and Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Public-Private Sector Committee awarded Hixardt Technologies, Inc. with the Minority Global Technology Firm of the Year award. The award was presented on August 12 during the Atlanta Region MED Week Award Banquet hosted by Georgia Power in Atlanta, GA. Information on the company and its award was recently featured in the U.S. SBA North Florida district's newsletter.
Along with Mike Hicks and company, the Florida Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), also takes a special pride from the award. First contacted in February 2005 after obtaining its 8(a) certification, Hixardt became a long-term client that has benefitted from PTAC counseling in numerous ways—finding and receiving sub-contracts and responding to Request for Proposals for direct bidding; locating markets and developing a market strategy as an 8(a) firm; obtaining a General Services Administrative (GSA) Federal Supply Schedule; obtaining a sub-contract with a Seaport prime contractor; and obtaining its own Seaport contract as a prime. Since their first counseling session PTAC has supported Hixardt enabling them to receive prime and sub-contracts in the amount of $27,596,453. PTAC continues to assist Hixardt in many areas of government contracting with federal, state and local areas.
The Florida SBDC Network is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. SBA, hosted by UWF and accredited through the national Association of SBDCs.
Statewide Benefits of the SBDC Program
Under SBDC guidance, students invest over 9,000 hours developing business, marketing and strategic plans; conducting feasibility studies; and providing in-depth consulting for small businesses.
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Over 25 academic courses—undergraduate to MBA capstones—are taught by SBDC professionals to 550 students.
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Over 1,800 public appearances are made by SBDC professionals for civic groups, chambers, banks, economic development agencies and conferences.
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Close to 1,400 SBDC events are co-sponsored by community agencies, associations, chambers, banks, libraries and more.
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Over 38,000 hours of service are donated by SBDC professionals in support of nearly 1,500 university and community organization boards and committee service.
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More than 1,750 hours of expert advice are provided to SBDC clients by professional volunteers—primarily accountants, management consultants and more.
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Florida SBDCs are featured in over 165 media outlets— newspapers, television, radio and magazines— reaching an audience of well over 11 million.
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FSBDCs create 50% of the indirect generated by all UWF Centers and Institutes and 32% of the indirect produced by all UWF Colleges, Centers and Institutes combined.
Annually