Greetings!

As the state starts reopening, now is the time to start preparing for your business recovering and adjusting to the new normal. Many businesses are wondering what they can do to meet the challenges of COVID-19. The Florida SBDC has the resources your business needs to recover, rebuild and grow. We are accepting virtual appointments. As always, our consultations are confidential and no-cost with one of our professionally certified business consultants. Please contact us and make your appointment today! 904-620-2476 |  [email protected]  |  www.sbdc.unf.edu

Guides, Tips & Templates for Re-Opening

  • Guide to Business Resiliency in Times of Disaster – Need guidance on how to meet the challenges of the coronavirus? Click here to check out our new guide to business resiliency in times of disasters, which includes suggestions for cash management, pricing and cost containment, supply chain management, and marketing.
  • Tips to Prepare for Reopening – As the state starts its slow, phased reopening plan, now is the time to start preparing for your business’ reopening. Though your business may still be closed, a well-thought out plan can help you jump-start operations. Click here for plan template.
  • COVID-19 Preparedness Plan for Reopening – This template is designed to help businesses develop and implement a plan for reopening their business, ensuring a safe and healthy workplace for all workers. The template fits the potential needs of different types of businesses. Click here for the template.
  • Small Business Guide to COVID-19 – Tips to do right now to stay afloat, SBA loan programs explained, pro tips, looking ahead, find help. Click here for the guide.
 
To learn more about any of the above services and information available, please contact us to setup your appointment today!

Sincerely,
The Florida SBDc at UNF team
FSBDC at UNF Awarded Funding to Expand Services
To better serve your small business in post-COVID recovery

The Florida SBDC at UNF received supplemental funding through the CARES Act to expand our capacity in response to the overwhelming impact of the pandemic on small businesses. This includes bringing on additional staff to assist in areas such as digital marketing, e-commerce, supply chain management, process management, cash flow management and organizational development. We are also working with student teams, helping businesses with their COVID-19 survival plans, and temporarily waving fees on our webinars, work from home assessments, and for businesses that qualify, our DISC assessments and Export Marketing Plan. 

More information coming soon.
904-620-2476 |  [email protected]  |  www.sbdc.unf.edu
Preparation for Hurricane Season
June Through November - Be prepared!

The Florida SBDC at UNF encourages small businesses to prepare for the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, which begins June 1 and extends through November 30. Businesses can prepare for the upcoming hurricane season by developing a disaster preparedness plan. As a reminder, we have disaster specialists available to help affected businesses prepare. Our network has mobile assistance centers to deploy into communities for affected businesses to receive on-site assistance with disaster loans and other post-disaster challenges. We also offer educational training on disaster preparedness, tips, and resources. 

Disaster Funding Assistance
Options still available for your small business

  • Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) -- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the U.S. Treasury Department, announced that it is setting aside $10 billion of Round 2 funding for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to be lent exclusively by Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). CDFIs work to expand economic opportunity in low-income communities by providing access to financial products and services for local residents and businesses. Click here to learn more.

  • PPP Loan Forgiveness Application - The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the Department of the Treasury, released the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness Application and detailed instructions for the application. The documents will help small businesses seek forgiveness at the conclusion of the eight week covered period, which begins with the disbursement of their loans. You will file for forgiveness with the bank who gave you the PPP loan. Click here for the application and instructions.

  • Main Street Lending Program – the Federal Reserve has created the Main Street Lending Program to provide a total of $600 billion in financing for small and medium-sized businesses. The program is opening soon, you can click here to learn more.
 
  • Rebuild Florida Business Loan Fund-The Rebuild Florida Business Loan Fund provides financing to assist businesses with resiliency efforts. The funds will address the current gap in available, affordable capital for businesses that can be used for inventory purchases, construction, working capital, equipment financing and more. Click here to learn more about this loan program.

  • City of Jacksonville Small Business Grant– The City Council will provide 4,500 grants for small business owners — including contract workers and sole proprietors with applications being accepted as soon as a website is created. To qualify for the one-time $2,000 payments, businesses would have to be located in Duval County, have been in business for at least one year by Feb. 29, employ no more than 100 employees and have experienced a 25% decline in revenue as a result of the pandemic.
Upcoming Online Training Events
B e sure to click here to check out our new Video Library with all webinar recordings!

Usando las redes sociales para que mi negocio crezca
June 10 | 6pm - 7pm | No Cost!

Un curso totalmente práctico para entender los términos que manejan las redes sociales y repercuta en la venta de sus productos o servicios. Las redes sociales que ya eran totalmente necesarias como medio de anuncio para un negocio, son en momentos de pandemia, una herramienta vital para sus servicios o productos. Los esperamos para que de modo ameno y didáctico aprendamos juntos los beneficios de las redes sociales para su negocio.
Los esperamos para que de modo ameno y didáctico aprendamos junto a la Lic. Patricia Buitron, los beneficios de las redes sociales para su negocio.

Financial Tips for Post-COVID Business
June 11 | 1pm - 2pm | No Cost!

According to a recent survey, 68% of small businesses believe that they will recover their COVID-19 losses. This is good news! More than half of the businesses surveyed indicated that they would need financial advice to help them recover from the pandemic.
This webinar will give you some simple tips to evaluate your present financial situation and make a financial plan to get your business back to its pre-COVID-19 performance and beyond. We will review breakeven analysis and explain the value of this tool.

Mark Yarick FSBDC at UNF Business Consultant in the Suwannee County area will be your guide on this financial excursion.   Click here to register.
Doing Business with State & Local Agencies
June 12 | 9am - 10am | No Cost!

Have you ever driven by a city building, a local utility company, a school campus, or a state office and said, “My company could provide that service or product”? Then find out how to do government business with local departments and state agencies. Learn about the essential registrations and resources you must have to win government contracts. This workshop will discuss small business certifications, locating opportunities, and the required capabilities you must have to tap into this 2.5 trillion dollar market.
The Foundational Five for Nonprofits
June 17 | 10am - 11:30am | No Cost!
 
Starting and running a nonprofit is an often challenging road to navigate. Experts Linda Forde, CPA (managing member, The Forde Firm) and Elizabeth Pampalone(founder, Beyond the Cause) have agreed to share their top 5 foundational tips with you:
  • Linda will share five "I didn't know that" must-have items on the accounting side. Don't get caught without these essentials.
  • Elizabeth will then share the five "Pillars of Absolute Marketing". Put your marketing on autopilot with these simple tips!
Linda and Elizabeth will be providing a free resource to each attendee. They intend to pack a lot into each portion of this webinar and will be answering your questions!
Re-Think | Re-Invent | Re-Open Webinar
June 24 | 1pm - 2pm | No Cost!

During the Re-Think | Re-Invent | Re-Open webinar you’ll learn 9 key actions to take now to get ready to re-open at full speed and take advantage of the new opportunities that lie ahead. Presented by Steve Goranson of Action Coach.
Overview of Contracting with the Federal Government
June 26 | 3pm - 4pm | No Cost!
 
Do you have the right stuff? Find out what it takes to do business with the largest buyer in the world—the federal government. This workshop will cover the required registrations, certifications, and capabilities every business must have in place to successfully compete for and win government contracts. If you would like to expand your market, grow your business, and increase your revenue, then doing business with the federal government may be for you.
Lessons for Leaders:
Pivoting Amid the COVID Crisis
July 1 | 1pm - 2pm | No Cost!
 
Companies that aggressively focused on digital transformation are thriving in this crisis. By contrast those that have lagged are being crushed.
In December Zoom had 10 million daily users. By April that had exploded to 300 million. How many companies have grown their customer base by 30X during the COVID crisis? Amazon has hired 175,000 people during this crisis.
Join us for this insightful webinar on how your business can leverage the technology to achieve growth, even during the COVID crisis!
 
Presented by Jim Harris, one of North America’s foremost thought leaders, management consultants and authors on disruptive innovation. Association magazine ranked him as one of the nation’s top ten speakers. Harris works internationally conducting strategic planning sessions with executive teams focusing on future trends, smart technologies and cities, mitigating risk, employee engagement and change. He is principal at Strategic Advantage.

About the Florida SBDC at UNF
FSBDC programs deliver up-to-date management advice, training and information to help business owners make sound decisions and to assist potential owners in getting started on the right foot. The Florida Small Business Development Center at University of North Florida serves 18 counties with full-time offices in Duval, Clay, Marion, St. Johns, Nassau, Putnam and Suwannee counties and is part of the Florida SBDC Network and the national Association of Small Business Development Centers.
Click the icon at right to find your location
The Florida SBDC at UNF is a member of the Florida SBDC Network, a statewide partnership program nationally accredited by the Association of America’s SBDCs and funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Defense Logistics Agency, State of Florida and other private and public partners, with the University of West Florida serving as the network’s lead host institution. Florida SBDC services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Language assistance services are available for limited English proficient individuals. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA or other funding partners.