The FSBDCN is one of eight original national SBDC pilot programs funded in 1976 by the US Small Business Administration to successfully link the state's education system to community outreach, utilizing both faculty and students to aid in the development and education of the state’s entrepreneurs and small business community. Today, the FSBDCN is a statewide network of 32 centers involving seven universities and seven community colleges, with additional outreach provided at resource partner locations.

Community Outreach: Initiatives for Expanding,
Supporting and Partnering
The University of South Florida was selected to participate in a documentation pilot project to qualify for recognition by the Carnegie Foundation for Advancement of Teaching as an "engaged" university. The new elective classification is determined by the university’s engagement in the community. Irene Hurst, Director of SBDC at USF, was requested to serve as the liaison for the College of Business Administration to complete the survey for the college because of her and the SBDC's involvement in the community and because of their relationship with several academic programs. The USF College of Business Administration supports the SBDC program and its engagements of the community. The SBDC serves as a connector between the small business community and the academic programs at the College of Business Administration and the Center for Entrepreneurship. Each semester SBDC business analysts assist with identifying clients and non-clients who are interested in applying for in-depth strategic marketing and financial plans, business plans, and product and market development projects provided by graduate students.

Since the Mobile Business Assistance (MAC) Program kickoff in May, the FSBDCs have been hosting events and partnering with other economic development organizations throughout the state to highlight the new MACs, demonstrate their capabilities, provide a hands-on experience and plan rural strategies for the units statewide. Below are some of the events:

  • SBDC at FGCU - Chamber of Commerce Membership Luncheon, Cape Coral
  • SBDC at FGCU - Collier County Immokalee Day, Immokalee
  • SBDC at CFDC/Polk County - Central Florida Development Council's Partnership Program for Economic Developers, Bartow
  • SBDC at UCF - Advisory Board Council Power Networking Reception, Orlando
  • SBDC at UCF - Disney/SBA Entrepreneur's 3 Year Celebration, Orlando
  • SBDC at Seminole Community College and SBDC at UCF - "Disaster Plan in 90 Minutes" seminars, Sanford and Orlando
  • SBDC at USF - Highlands County Economic Development Council's Disaster Training, Sebring
  • SBDC at UNF - Jacksonville, Fernandina Beach, Jacksonville Beach and St. Augustine for media events, TV taping at the University of North Florida campus, chamber activities, SBA event and various disaster recovery workshops
  • SBDC at Gulf Coast Community College - Allen Boyd Small Business Conference, Panama City
  • Upcoming events: SBDC at FAU - Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce Meeting, Palm Beach County Business Development Board Meeting, St. Lucie County Commission Meeting and Martin County Chamber of Commerce Luncheon in Stuart; SBDC at Brevard Community College - Veterans' Conference hosted by the SBDC/DETA Program, Melbourne.

The Florida SBDC Network is proud of its sponsor and partner relationships.

Sponsors of the MAC Program have allowed the purchase of needed supplies, technology, satellite air time and have helped with the on-going operational and maintenance expenses. The premier sponsors' logos, Business Loan Express (BLX) and the Governor's Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development, are proudly displayed on the back of each MAC. We wish to also acknowledge the support and donations of T-Mobile, Wal-Mart and Sun Trust.

Members, FSBDC Directors and supporters of the Small Business Resource Network (SBRN) program celebrated its statewide expansion in February with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil the program's new brand.


L-R: Ken Smith, SBRN Membership Committee VP;
Dan Regelski, SBDC at FGCU Director; Jerry Cartwright,
FSBDCN State Director; Janice Donaldson, SBDC at
UNF Director; Nancy Boyle, SBRN Director; Beth
Barron Hallock, SBRN Steering Committee President;
Irene Hurst, SBDC at USF Director; Larry Strain, SBDC
at UWF Director; Eunice Choi, SBDC at UCF
Interim Director

 In late 2005, the SBDC at UNF received funds from the Governor's Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development for the expansion of the SBRN. Six SBDC offices were selected for the initial expansion including Fort Myers, Orlando, Tallahassee, Tampa, Pensacola and Ocala/Gainesville. SBRN coordinators and local steering committees are being established in all six areas, and new members have already been approved in Fort Myers, Orlando and Tampa. The SBRN is a recognized program introduced by the SBDC more than 14 years ago at UNF. Partnered with the City of Jacksonville and member firms that serve small business, the SBRN assists as an information resource to help connect small businesses with the professional expertise they need to achieve greater success; includes experienced private-sector professionals in the fields of law, accounting, insurance, financing and management, as well as non-profit organizations providing small business assistance.

SBDC at UNF Director Janice Donaldson received the “Outstanding Advocate Award” from the Beaver Street Enterprise Center (BSEC) for her contributions to the empowerment incubator at its third anniversary celebration. Ms. Donaldson was recognized for her service on the BSEC Board of Directors, serving as chair of the Tenant Selection and Recruitment Committee, and providing staff expertise in business plan review and technical assistance to tenants.

In partnership with the Hillsborough County Small Business Information Center, the SBDC at the University of South Florida offered a "Credit Score and Your Business" seminar at the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) area within the City of Tampa. The funding came from a CDBG grant. The SBDC was invited by Pasco County EDC to participate in their Business Disaster Planning session for bridge loans that involved the Governor's Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development, Enterprise Florida and bankers. A briefing on the SBDC's role in disaster situations and in support of the bridge loan process was provided.
The SBDC at the University of Central Florida recently sponsored a Small Business Town Forum in partnership with the Disney/National Entrepreneur Center (NEC) to discuss the many challenges facing small businesses today. Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez of New York spoke at the well-attended event held at the NEC on May 5. The Forum provided a rare opportunity for local entrepreneurs to give feedback to a senior Congressional leader on topics of concern to small business owners. As the ranking Democratic member of the House Small Business Committee, Representative Velázquez has been an extremely vocal advocate of American small business and entrepreneurship. The Congresswoman presented local business leaders with an overview of the Small Business Committee’s agenda and discussed her current legislative priorities.


Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez addresses issues raised by small business owners

The SBDC at Brevard Community College participated in the City of Palm Bay’s Business Incubator Entrepreneurial Education Series. SBDC Director Victoria Peake was a presenter for the series on July 25. The SBDC also partnered with BCC’s Institute for Business Training and Community Education at the Melbourne/Palm Bay Area Chamber of Commerce "Alive at Five" Table Top event in Palm Bay the same day.
Innovation Park, a research and business facility in Tallahassee, has completed the award of grants to promising businesses that reflect the technology focus of the Park. Chris Workman of the SBDC at Florida A&M University was a member of the review committee for the grants and made recommendations for the awards.
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Student Participation in Reality Labs

During its January strategic planning workshop, the Board of Directors of the Santa Rosa County Chamber of Commerce identified several operational areas that they believed needed evaluation and improvement. They were, however, unsure how to rectify their concerns without hiring a professional consultant. Larry Strain, director of the SBDC at UWF and one of the participants in the workshop, suggested that the Chamber take advantage of a team of UWF graduate students enrolled in his Small Business Consulting course. The Chamber would receive in-depth professional consulting and the student team would be exposed to the Chamber of Commerce and gain valuable and unique experience—win, win. The Chamber Board immediately accepted the offer and the team was mobilized to accomplish the following broad goals:
  • Assist with the Chamber’s organizational workflow to determine ways to increase efficiency of the Chamber staff.
  • Identify new outlets and methods through which the Chamber could reach new members and develop strategies for the Chamber to follow to increase its membership.
  • Identify ways for the Chamber to improve communication with and among current members and to new and prospective members.
  • Examine the Chamber Board’s governance structure and practices and make recommendations for improving its performance.

The student team worked on the Chamber project throughout the spring semester pouring 400 hours into the consulting engagement. On April 27, the UWF team, comprised of Adam Bowen, Ben Fenhoff, Sarah Neumann and Winnifred Bourne, presented their findings and recommendations to the Board of Directors. Donna Tucker, executive director of the Santa Rosa County Chamber of Commerce said, "The presentation was superb and the published report was thorough and insightful." Board Chairman Bob Asmus praised the team saying, "These young men and women are wonderful representatives of the University of West Florida and have provided the Chamber a wonderful opportunity to make great strides across the board. We owe a debt of gratitude to UWF, the SBDC at UWF, Larry Strain and our consultants."


UWF Students and Santa Rosa Chamber Board of Directors

UWF Students, Santa Rosa Chamber Chairman
Bob Asmus, and Larry Strain

Students of Dr. Kenneth Gray’s Business Policy & Strategic Management class at Florida A&M University recently completed strategic management audits on four SBDC clients. Written reports of findings and recommendations were completed by eight teams after meeting with the SBDC clients and reviewing business materials. Prior to meeting with their clients, each of the 36 students was required to study the SBDC ethical standards and pass the same test required of SBDC personnel.

Seven SBDC at USF client companies with sales in excess of $3M and their respective student teams partnered during the summer semester MBA Capstone Program. The MBA students developed in-depth marketing and financial analyses and provided strategic recommendations to the companies. This is the final two-semester project for the MBA program.
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