• FAU SBDC Certified Business Analyst Suzanne Mulvehill referred a client to the Florida Atlantic University Entrepreneurship Program for research assistance. Students who are involved in the Entrepreneurship Program will prepare a feasibility and marketing study that will be used to help expand the client's business.
• For the seventh consecutive year, FAU SBDC Certified Business Analyst Martin Zients worked with the Broward County School's DECA program. He counseled teachers who are involved in the program about how their students should present their business plans to achieve success in the annual contest. Martin also reviewed and selected a group of 18 students, out of 26 applicants, who were to be part of the finals for the county. He was 1 of 3 judges for this event. The other judges were FAU SBDC Certified Business Analysts D. Kerry Jacoby and Carole Hart.
• Daniel Scott James, USF SBDC MBA-in-Residence student, has been working hard responding to Electronic Requests for Counseling. He continues to monitor the SBDC's monthly mailings, calls, faxes and website hits (now at an all-time high exceeding 16,500 hits per month). He has also developed a certificate program increasing the value of the educational programs the SBDC offers to small businesses; all while completing his Kaufman Internship. The SBDC is also working with five graduate student teams who are developing business/marketing plans for SBDC clients.

• The Bay County Chamber of Commerce offered facilities to the Gulf Coast Community College SBDC to present a seminar on "Marketing Your Small Business".
• The Brevard Community College Regional Small Business Development Center and Space Coast World Trade Council conducted their AES Workshop featuring speakers/facilitators from the US Bureau of Census on March 19. The workshop included an overview of the Automated Export System (AES) and AESDirect with hands-on PC training in using AESDirect. Participants had an opportunity to file sample export declarations. Upon successful completion of an on-line certification quiz, participants began filing SED's electronically using AESDirect.
• FAU SBDC Certified Business Analyst Rafael Cruz attended the Puerto Rican Chamber of Broward, Board of Director's meeting to discuss the future activities of the Chamber in the areas of economic development and services to the small business community. He also attended the ASPIRA Board of Director's meeting. Issues regarding youth entrepreneurial development and business awareness and training were discussed as programs to be implemented in the near future.
• FAU SBDC Certified Business Analyst Carole Hart met with representatives from the Palm Beach Workforce Development Board, Chamber of Commerce presidents from Pahokee and Belle Glade, and several Glades business owners at a meeting held in Wellington to discuss the feasibility of presenting information on the Glades Restoration Project. This would be in concert with the South Florida Management District and the Army Corp of Engineers, as well as the SBDC, and would be presented to the small business community of the Glades. This activity is scheduled for early in the second quarter. The response from the community leaders was extremely positive.
• The USF SBDC began its partnership with the Hillsborough County Economic Development and Small Business Information Center to help small businesses in Temple Terrace and the south Hillsborough county area.

• Gulf Coast Community College SBDC Director Doug Davis and Veterans Business Outreach Director Angela Burnes attended the University of West Florida Minority & Women Owned Business Conference on April 4, 2002. The conference was held on the Okaloosa-Walton Community College Campus in Fort Walton Beach. Davis spoke to the group about the VBOC programs and services.
• The FAU SBDC worked with the SBA's South Florida District Office and the City of Fort Lauderdale to present a financing workshop in March. The event was a big success with 239 attendees and resulted in a picture of SBDC Certified Business Analyst Ondria Merriweather-Brown on the cover of the Miami Herald. The seminar also yielded many new leads for clients and SBA loan assistance. This half-day program/trade show, which was presented in co-sponsorship with the City of Fort Lauderdale's Enterprise Zone and the SBA, was titled "Finding the Money your Business Needs." Participants had the opportunity to meet one-on-one with more than 20 agencies, organizations and banks that provide loans, financial programs, counseling, resources and an array of other services for small businesses. The SBDC also had a booth in the trade show.
• In January, Program Director Monica Cuyun, from the Festival Plaza office in Miami, was invited to attend a meeting held at the Small Business Resource Center regarding the Entrepreneur Training Institute. She discussed SBDC counseling and seminar services to help the small business community. She had the opportunity to network with representatives of Score, the Florida Department of Revenue, Consumer Credit Counseling Service and the Miami-Dade Empowerment Trust, Inc. to determine ways that the organizations can help each other in providing SBDC services.
• USF SBDC Assistant Director Eileen Rodriguez, as President of the West Coast Chapter of the National Minority Suppliers Development Council, continues to educate minority and women owned business about certification. She has conducted several presentations on opportunities available for those interested in doing business with the government and major corporations.
• In recognition of National Women's History Month, UNF SBDC Director Janice Williams Donaldson was the featured speaker for the Circle of Sisterhood Program sponsored by the UNF Center for Multicultural Affairs. She discussed opportunities available for women interested in starting a business.

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• Gulf Coast Community College SBDC Director Doug Davis and Veterans Business Outreach Director Angela Burnes attended the Mississippi Business/Procurement Opportunities Conference in Biloxi, Mississippi, March 6-7, 2002. They joined with Tyrone Lassister, from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Small and Economically Disadvantaged Businesses, to present various programs and services available to disabled veterans.
• FAU SBDC Certified Business Analyst Carole Hart spoke at the American Society of Women Accountants on February 20 regarding the federal and state Certification Programs for Women and Minorities.
• FAU SBDC Certified Business Analyst Suzanne Mulvehill was invited to be "onsite" at Bank United as a small business resource for the SBDC during the "Small Business Day." She spent one day at the Boynton Beach office and one day at the West Palm Beach office conducting counseling sessions and answering small business questions on February 14 and 21. The counseling resulted in heightened awareness for the SBDC and several new clients.
• The USF SBDC spoke with and/or developed relationships with the following organizations to enhance their community outreach efforts; National Women Business Owners Association, National Minority Supplier Development Council, various Chambers of Commerce throughout the tri-county area (Pinellas, Manatee and Hillsborough).
• In further efforts to encourage youth entrepreneurship, Lalla Sheehy, Program Manager of the UNF SBDC in Gainesville, continued to serve on the advisory board of the Academy of Entrepreneurship & Finance at Buchholtz High School in Gainesville. Philip Geist, Regional Manager at the UNF SBDC in Ocala, continued to serve on the Vanguard High School Academy of Entrepreneurship board.
• Cathy Hagan, UNF SBDC Sr. Business Analyst, participated in a discussion with UNF's Division of Sponsored Research and Jacksonville University about possible grant opportunities available in the area of eco-heritage tourism. The SBDC already has experience with providing management assistance to businesses in this industry.
• Janice Williams Donaldson and Cathy Hagan, of the UNF SBDC, attended the annual conference of the US Association of Small Business and Entrepreneurship in Reno, January 17-20. They both received scholarships from the Coleman Foundation to participate.

• Gulf Coast Community College SBDC Director Doug Davis and Veterans Business Outreach Director Angela Burnes manned a trade show booth at the Mississippi Business/Procurement Opportunities Conference in Biloxi, Mississippi, handing out information on SBDC and VBOC services.
• FAU SBDC Certified Business Analyst Ondria Merriweather-Brown continued to advocate for small and women-owned businesses in the South Florida area. Ondria attended the "City of Fort Lauderdale Small Business Expo", the "Florida Technology Forum", the "City of Fort Lauderdale & SBA Loan Forum/Expo," as a SBDC representative. Various business owners and government officials were present at the Expo. Ondria also was a guest speaker representing the SBDC at an event held by the West Palm Beach Women's Chamber of Commerce.
• Assistant Director (Acting) Nancy Orozco and Program Coordinator Monica Cuyun, from the FAU SBDC Festival Plaza office in Miami, participated as guest speakers on the Score Chapter 29 Spanish talk radio program. The program was aired on Union Radio program WOCN, 1450 AM, on January 28. Nancy and Monica had the opportunity to discuss SBDC services, highlighting topics such as financing, loan packaging and SBDC training events to listeners of the radio program.
• During the month of March, Spanish TV news, Noticero Telemundo, Channel 51, recorded two interviews, one with FAU SBDC Assistant Director (Acting) Nancy Orozco and one with SBDC Certified Business Analyst Miguel Nieves regarding SBDC services. The network videotaped all of the office staff at work. The SBDC is still receiving phone calls regarding the interviews that were broadcasted four times in the past month not only during the news, but also on the "Buenos Dias," a 'Good Morning' show.
• Various staff members of the USF SBDC have been quoted and featured in various articles in The Tampa Bay Business Journal, serving the Tampa Bay Area, interviewed by TV Channel 10 and Channel 8 (NBC), Pinellas County Public TV, and the Tampa Tribune and St. Petersburg Times.
• The USF SBDC formed a unique partnership with TECO (Tampa Electric Co.) to provide information on a weekly basis for the website-launching May 1, reaching out to small business owners in this era of anticipated deregulation.
• A weekly feature, "Ask Irene", allows small business owners to submit questions to Irene Hurst, USF SBDC Director. Judy Gray, SBDC Marketing Manager, submitted two brief articles-one on public relations and one on Carole Colvin who was named co-winner of the SBA award for Minority Business Advocate. Vicky Strycharske submitted a briefing on contracting with the government. The SBDC aims to strengthen its partnerships to increase their visibility.
• USF SBDC Marketing Manager Judy Gray spoke to the Coast Guard officer's wives and spouses of enlisted folks contemplating the opening of a home-based or small business.
• UNF SBDC Director Janice Williams Donaldson spoke to the Greater Jacksonville Bridal Association on February 7. Her topic was "Planning for Profit."
• Janice Williams Donaldson, UNF SBDC Director, spoke to the Mandarin Business Association on March 13.
• Janice Williams Donaldson, UNF SBDC Director, traveled to Washington in March to meet with key Congressional leaders regarding the UNF SBDC program.
• Janice Williams Donaldson, Cathy Hagan, Philip Geist and Lalla Sheehy, from the UNF SBDCs in Jacksonville, Ocala and Gainesville, participated in the annual Tallahassee visit in February to educate state legislators about the SBDC program.

• Gulf Coast Community College SBDC Director Doug Davis met with GCCC staff members: President Dr. Bob McSpadden, Executive Vice President Dr. Linda Adair, Vice President John Holdnak, Dr. Jeff Stevenson Dean of Workforce Education, and Pam Whitelock Dean of Lifelong Learning. Davis gave the group an overview of SBDC/VBOC and Bay County Small Business Incubator programs and services.
• The Florida Gulf Coast University SBDC leased space within The Career Service Center of Collier County and opened a new office on April 1. The purpose of the center is to provide a one-stop delivery system of individual training, information and counseling. Empowerment Alliance of SW Florida is providing funding support for the new center in Immokalee.
• The FAU SBDC began offering seminars in the Office Depot store in Palm Beach Gardens. The store was one of 10 prototype stores in the nation with an in-store training/Learning Center on the shopping floor. The SBDC offers three classes per week on financing, marketing and business planning/starting a business. Office Depot has also committed to build an office and two more Learning Centers for the SBDC, one in Broward County and one in Miami Dade County.
• FAU SBDC Certified Business Analyst Rafael Cruz set up a special tour of the Small Business Resource Center for various Bank of America Business Bankers. Rafael gave them an overview of SBDC/SBRC services and resources and discussed how the bank and the SBDC can work more closely to insure that business loans get funded.
• FAU SBDC Certified Business Analyst Martin Zients met with representatives from Fidelity Federal, Wachovia Bank and Union Planters Bank. He discussed small business banking and how the SBDC and banks can work together on SBA loans, especially pre-quals. The banks agreed to work on funding pre-quals and also to refer their clients who need help to the SBDC.
• The USF SBDC developed a proposal and submitted it to the City of St. Petersburg and USF St. Petersburg for match funding in fiscal year 2002/2003. The USF SBDC is actively involved in informing its legislative delegation on the state and federal levels of the significant economic impact that the SBDC program made in our economy. Kimberly Lee and Albert Lee (no relation) have recently joined the SBDC staff as business analysts. They will serve constituents in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. Kimberly Lee was hired as a result of a partnership with the Hillsborough County Economic Development Council. Albert Lee has nearly eleven years of banking experience with a specialty in commercial lending and retail banking. Kimberly Lee worked at the University of Central Florida's College of Business as a trainer, and she holds an MBA degree.

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• Indian River Community College SBDC Certified Business Analyst Tom Spear gave two presentations to interior design students at IRCC. Many of the students plan to start their own interior design firms. The first presentation on January 15 focused on "How to Start a Small Business". The second on January 22 was a computer-based demonstration of Excel financial schedules for a start-up business plan. Each one-hour session was very well received. Associate Professor Nancy Bredemeyer, who teaches the class, indicated that both presentations were very helpful and plans to repeat them for future classes.
• The Gulf Coast Community College SBDC participated as a business trade partner in the Microsoft Big Day seminar series and presented a display booth featuring SBDC services and programs. Partnering with Microsoft Big Day drives the initiative at the local level for small businesses to effectively use technology resources to succeed.
• FAU SBDC Certified Business Analyst Carole Hart met with representatives from the Department of Labor (DOL) including Thomas Hicks from Washington, D.C.; Fred Williams, with the DOL, Fort Myers; George Dias, with the DOL in Miami; Vergie Bain, with OSHA, Fort Lauderdale; and Angela Edwards, with Child Labor in Fort Lauderdale. Discussions ensued regarding the partnership of the Department of Labor and the SBDC Network. They presented information helpful to small businesses, both in the counseling discipline as well as part of the new Human Resources seminars.
• The FAU SBDC continued to work with its resource partners such as the US Department of Commerce, Enterprise Florida, the US Customs Service, the Food and Drug Administration, Chambers of Commerce and Consulate Offices in its effort to provide international trade clients with current and accurate information. These resources have also been very useful in identifying appropriate speakers for international trade seminars.
• FAU SBDC Certified Business Analysts Angel Pareja and Carole Hart attended a meeting with representatives of the Army Corp of Engineers to discuss the inclusion of local small business in the upcoming Everglades Restoration Project, and to see how the SBDC could include presentations by the Corp in our standard government contracting presentations. A schedule was developed whereby the Army Corp will attend eight SBDC classes during the balance of 2002, which will include visiting each of FAU's locations.
• The FAU Festival Plaza SBDC co-sponsored an event with Microsoft to promote a seminar titled "Build Your Business Seminar," which was presented in both English and Spanish. The event was promoted via e-mail to those on the SBDC mailing list, and in FAU's training events. The seminar attracted 115 attendees.
• Several of USF SBDC staff spoke at high schools and shared information on entrepreneurship as an alternative career.
• Janice Williams Donaldson, UNF SBDC Director, led a discussion on the basics of business startup with students in the Academy for International Education at Florida Community College at Jacksonville on January 30.
• Both Cathy Hagan and Janice Williams Donaldson, from the UNF SBDC, spoke to Entrepreneurship classes in the College of Business Administration at UNF this semester.
• The FGCU SBDC held its Family Business Conference on April 27th. This day-long event consisted of over a dozen sessions plus a luncheon keynote address from Jerry Schmoyer of Miromar Development. Each session addressed an issue that is unique to the ownership and management of family owned businesses. Event sponsors were Key Bank, Henderson Franklin, Enhanced Selection & Performance, Inc., Associates in Assessment and Alliance Financial Group, Inc.
• On April 20, the FGCU SBDC sponsored the Venture Funding Forum, along with NEW, the Naples Entrepreneurs Workshop, Stellar Venture Partners, Gulf Coast Venture Forum. Co-sponsors included Business Solutions of Naples and McCaffrey and Raimi, P.A. This day-long event provided an opportunity for entrepreneurs to better understand how to fund their ventures. Presenters included Dan Borgia, Ph.D., Florida Gulf Coast University; Terri Cala, Bank One; Katherine Dew, Ph.D., International College; Sue Goby, Business Solutions of Naples; Rich Holman, The Technology Capital Group; Gene Landrum, Ph.D., International College; Judith McCaffrey, McCaffrey & Raimi; Roger McKeller, Southern Community Bank; Ned Oldham, JD; Jack Palmer, Stellar Business Builders; Nancy Ross, Northwestern Financial Network; Rosemary Russo,, RCR Financial Solutions, Raymond Schumann, JD, Law Office of Raymond Schumann; Thomas Wallace, NOVA Financial Services; Jeff White, Silicon Valley Bank.

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• Through the Key West SBDC Advisory/Visionary Committee, contact with the United States Department of State Interests Section in Havana was initiated. A request was made and an initial approval was received to have a senior member of the Interests Section, Ambassador Vicki Huddleston, address the Key West Chamber of Commerce and interested Key West businesses. Current American trade policy to Cuba, as well as possible trade opportunities that may develop in the future, will be addressed.
• FAU SBDC Program Assistant Susan Aguilar and SBDC Certified Business Analyst Parbatee N-Chang attended a luncheon presentation and workshop titled "Gateway to the European Union," which was presented by the City of Vienna. Over 200 attendees were present, and networking to promote the SBDC services was useful. The networking also facilitated an increase in the SBDC's resource base for speakers at international trade seminars and workshops.
• FAU SBDC Certified Business Analyst Jimmy Pinto visited the Central American Chamber of Commerce and met personally with Executive Director Ms. Ana Hedman, who showed interest in the services provided by SBDC. There was special interest in the International Trade Program, since countries of Central America are becoming extremely active in international commerce and the US has been considering new trade agreements with these countries. Although there was no formal working agreement reached between the SBDC and the Central American Chamber, the Executive Director of the Chamber has been referring people who could benefit from SBDC programs.
• USF SBDC Director Irene Hurst attended the Gulf Coast States Accord First Annual Business Exposition in Veracruz, Mexico, representing both USF and the FSBDC Network.
• USF SBDC Assistant Director Eileen Rodriguez attended and presented a paper at the North American Small Business International Trade Educators annual conference in San Francisco. The paper, "Strategic Partnering and the Role of SBDC's" was given in conjunction with Marcia Sergent, Director of International programs at the FSBDC.
• Together with FGCU, UWF and the FSBDC Network, the USF SBDC signed an agreement as a member of the Gulf Coast States Economic and Educational Consortium administered by Instituto Technologico de Merida. Under this consortium the FSBDC will be developing business seminars and business exchanges between Florida and Gulf Coast States of Mexico.

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• Austin, Texas has recently grown into one of the nation’s strongest technology regions. In an effort to learn the secrets of their success, Florida’s Great Northwest coordinated a three-day trip in April 2002 for representatives from Northwest Florida’s community colleges, universities, local schools, chambers of commerce, economic development, utility companies and small businesses. Representing Gulf Coast Community College was Dr. Jeff Stevenson, Dean of Workforce Development and supervisor of the Small Business Development Center. Dr. Stevenson and the others met with leaders of Austin’s business community, political organizations and educational facilities to discuss the lessons learned through their growth process. The purpose of the trip was to help Northwest Florida determine which technology to focus economic development energies on and how to effectively market to those targeted technology industry segments.
• The Gulf Coast Community College SBDC co-sponsored a full-day program with the Bay County Chamber of Commerce and Resource Managers, Inc. to local business owners, Bay County and city representatives. The one day seminar for entrepreneurs and business owners featured presentations on labor and employment matters such as the American Disabilities Act, Family Medical Leave Act, Florida's workers compensation and risk minimization.
• Advocacy by the FAU SBDC in Key West focused on participation in local business community activities including the Chamber of Commerce, the Key West Business Guild, the Southernmost Progress Club and other targeted local events. Additionally, the Key West SBDC participated for the first time in the Product Expo in Tallahassee and was joined in this event by one of the first Key West SBDC clients, Cool Breeze of Key West. During this event the SBDC had the opportunity to speak with a number of legislators and advocate the positive impact of the SBDC in the Keys.
• FAU SBDC Director Nancy Young attended two meetings of the FAU Research Colloquium created for University-wide Center directors to share information on research and outreach activities. The main focus of the group is on environmental issues, and the SBDC adds a business element to discussions and collaborative responses to requests for proposals.
• Judy Gray, USF SBDC Marketing and Public Relations Manager, partnered with the local chapter of the Public Relations Society to present a workshop for small business owners called "PR 101". The class used a USF Mass Communications department professor to teach the finer points of writing successful press releases. Other workshops offered in this one-day seminar included Tips on Publicity Campaigns, Crisis Communications for Small Business Owners and Tips for Broadcast (Live) Interviews. The day ended with a panel of reporters from the St. Petersburg Times, The Tampa Tribune, Bay News (24-hr news station), and the Tampa Bay Business Journal. The class was filled to capacity (51 attendees) and received high marks from attendees and instructors. The SBDC also received coverage in the Tampa Tribune and WUSF and mention in an online University broadcast e-mail.
• Jane Bunch, Marketing Counselor, and Al Othmer, Energy Conservation Program Manager, were invited to address a class of opticians at St. Petersburg College. They addressed aspects of starting your own business and how lighting affects merchandise and business.

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