Photo: George E. Gadson is a certified business consultant working with creative economy entrepreneurs and nonprofit organizations. | |
Honored for Success
As the primary provider of technical assistance for the state of Florida, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) plays a pivotal role in helping thousands of businesses launch and flourish.
George Gadson, a consultant with SBDC at FAU, was recently honored at the Small Business Success Summit in Fort Lauderdale.
"Join us in congratulating George for this outstanding achievement! His hard work and dedication continue to inspire us all as we strive to empower businesses and pave the way for their success. Here's to many more milestones and successes together," said Sandra Marin Ruiz, Ed.D., regional director Florida SBDC at FAU.
Learn more.
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From left: Cathy Hagan, area director and business consultant at the Florida SBDCr at UNF, Greg Britton, president Florida SBDC, Teri Takahashi, business manager with SBDC at FAU. | |
Celebrating 30 Years
Teri Takahashi, business manager with Small Business Development Center at FAU, is celebrating 30 years with the SBDC.
"I am so proud and excited upon reaching such a significant milestone of 30 years of dedicated service to the SBDC," she said."It has been a rewarding journey, and I am looking forward to seeing what the future holds as we work together to achieve even greater success for small businesses."
Sandra Marin Ruiz, Ed.D., regional director Florida SBDC at FAU, agrees.
"Teri's tireless commitment has been a driving force behind the success stories of numerous small businesses, and her enthusiasm continues to fuel our team's passion," said Marin Ruiz.
Learn more.
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Small Business Success Summit
The Florida SBDC Network hosted the Small Business Success Summit, Aug. 2 and 3 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
The Success Summit brought together nearly 300 small business owners, experienced Florida SBDC network consultants, partners and resource providers to share valuable information to help business owners take their business to the next level.
Keynote speakers included Jordan Crenshaw, senior vice president, U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Technology Engagement Center, and Kristen Hadeed, writer and speaker, who helps leaders, teams, and organizations around the world embrace their humanity.
Photo: From left: George Gadson, James Deam, Jackie Ramirez, Annette Gray, Carole Hart, all consultants, Sandra Marin Ruiz, Ed.D., regional director, Andrea JohnBaptiste, consultant, Teri Takahashi, business manager, Jazmine Loiselle, Taynara Rollins, Sara Alshareef, Rafael Cruz, J.J. Raju, all consultants.
Learn more.
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Digital Transformation Series
This summer, Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at FAU hosted the free Digital Transformation Series, a comprehensive program to help businesses increase revenue source and grow, in partnership with the APEX Accelerator program.
To help team members grain business skills, the series held multiple initiatives, in both English and Spanish, featuring consulting-based training and more on:
• virtual marketing plans
• monetizing live content and back-office management tools
• hands-on digital transformation strategy
“The successful digital transformation series provided valuable resources for our local entrepreneurs to thrive in the digital economy,” said Sandra Marin Ruiz, Ed.D, regional director of the Florida SBDC at FAU.
Florida APEX Accelerator at FAU is a program primarily funded by the U.S. Department of Defense and is the catalyst for innovation and impact for Broward and Palm Beach Counties.
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Business Success: Fin's Kitchen
A Rough Start Doesn’t Deter Chef From His Passion
Findler Charles now co-owns and is the chef for Fin’s Kitchen, a family-run and operated mobile food truck and catering business in South Florida that specializes in innovative Haitian-infused cuisine.
But, his path was not an easy one.
Read more.
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Business Success: Flamingo Gardens
Established in 1927, Flamingo Gardens is one of the oldest botanical gardens and attractions in South Florida. It's both a wildlife and plant sanctuary.
The sanctuary was hit in 2017 by Hurricane Irma. "We reached out to Florida SBDC for help with a FEMA grant," said Keith Clark, executive director for Flamingo Gardens.
After that meeting, the sanctuary worked with Rafael Cruz, business consultant at Florida Small Business Development Center at FAU, for help with strategic planning. Cruz specializes in economic development alongside strategic planning and leadership development of both for-profit and nonprofit organizations.
"I learned more in that three hour meeting than in numerous other classes I had taken" he said. "I knew immediately there was a connection there."
Watch more.
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Defense Contracts
Companies with the Department of Defense (DoD) contracts, or access to non-public DoD information, have access to no-cost cybersecurity resources from the National Security Agency.
Learn more.
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Submitting Proposals
The Army Small Business Innovation Research and the Small Business Technology Transfer Program asks small businesses to to submit proposals for Medium-Format Display for Mixed Reality Systems through noon, Sept. 26.
Learn more.
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Virtual Marketing Plan
Participate in one or more sessions of direct consulting to define the scope of the virtual marketing plan. Receive a comprehensive plan that includes an analysis of the current state of your business with strategies to address the new business environment:
- Current and recommended marketing strategy
- Target markets, marketing channels, advertising
- Analysis of competitors, brands, social media, website, email marketing, e-commerce platforms and customer segment
- Small Business Innovation Research programs
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Established and Growing Businesses
The Florida SBDC at FAU has expanded to provide education, training and specialized services to small businesses impacted by COVID-19. As a result, it is introducing confidential consultation packages focused on speeding up recovery efforts for small businesses located in Broward and Palm Beach counties
- Government contracting
- Re-opening plans
- Virtual marketing
- Growth acceleration
- Business emergency preparedness
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Still have questions? As always the SBDC at FAU is here for you, contact your lead consultant directly, or set up a consultation with a consultant here.
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The Florida SBDC at Florida Atlantic University is a member of the Florida SBDC Network, a statewide service network funded in part through cooperative agreements with 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; and nationally accredited by the Association of SBDCs. SBA's funding is not an endorsement of any products, opinions or services. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact the Florida SBDC at FAU: sbdc@fau.edu.
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