Maggie Gunther and President Brogan

SBDC at Florida Atlantic University Certified Business Analyst (CBA) and Public Relations Coordinator, Maggie Gunther, assisted with the first annual "Party for a Purpose", held by the FAU CKI (Circle K International) Club. Gunther is the faculty advisor. The event was held November 26 and was an all-holiday themed party for FAU students, featuring food and fun with a community service aspect. The price of admission to the party was a new unwrapped toy or "wish list" item for The Haven, a home for underprivileged Florida boys. Several boys from The Haven attended and interacted with FAU students. CKI is a program for college students sponsored by Kiwanis International. Other student organizations also participated. FAU President Frank Brogan attended and spoke about how proud he was of the students for organizing the event. Lake Worth Mayor, Jeff Clemens, and several local Kiwanians and CKI members' parents, who helped organize and sponsor the party, also attended.

SBDC Works With Junior Achievement Shadowing
Ted Kramer of the SBDC at FAU volunteers with a Junior Achievement Job Shadowing program for Park Vista Community High School. The program matches high school seniors with a company for a day. It is planned for April 1, 2008. Kramer has met with various school personnel and representatives of Junior Achievement to discuss the event.

The SBDC at the USF's Heartland office conducted a ten-week course utilizing the Rural Entrepreneurship through Action Learning (REAL) teaching method. The classes were held at South Florida Community College (SFCC) from May to July. SFCC donated the classroom facilities. Twelve entrepreneurs received certificates upon completion. This effort was funded through a partnership with the Workforce Florida Initiative for Rural Entrepreneurship Development.

Robert Goetz, SBDC CBA, and Cory Skeates, Chamber Executive Director

For forty local business people attending the City of Oviedo’s first Fall Focus on Business Forum on September 27, the joy and challenge of operating a successful business venture took on new meaning. The aroma of fresh brewed coffee, juice and breakfast pastries engulfed City Hall. The SBDC at Seminole Community College managed the collaboration of the City of Oviedo and the Oviedo–Winter Springs Regional Chamber of Commerce, enabling a team of experts to transform City Hall and the parking lot into an entrepreneurial haven. The parking lot contained Mobile Assistance Centers from the Florida SBDC Network and WorkForce Central Florida. The free program was emceed by Robert Goetz, SBDC Certified Business Analyst, and featured business professionals from the U.S. Small Business Administration, Seminole Community College, WorkForce Central Florida, SCORE, UCF Incubator Network, Seminole County Public Library, Minority / Women Business Enterprise Alliance, Business Loan Express, Florida First Capital Finance Corporation, and A&S Financial.

SBDC at UCF Participates in Small Business Summit Planning
SBDC at UCF’s Eunice Choi and Kellie Snaith participated in the Orlando Regional Chamber’s Small Business Summit kick-off luncheon on August 29. The purpose of the luncheon was to begin planning for the upcoming Small Business Summit, scheduled for June 2008. The Summit provides a regional forum to encourage and inspire small business owners to develop a more influential and informed network of entrepreneurs. The SBDC at UCF has agreed to become a community partner with the program.

FAU Commits Significant Funds and Resources for SBDC Space
In late August, the SBDC at FAU moved into new headquarters. University administrators and the Dean of the College of Business committed significant funds and resources to create a permanent SBDC home on the Boca Raton campus. The office space contains a training room that seats 28; has all new furniture; a conference room for counseling and viewing DVDs, training videos and reading reference materials; and 13 professional offices. The SBDC has also purchased its very first golf cart for transportation around campus. The re-construction represented a great financial and programmatic commitment to the SBDC program that is very appreciated.

SBDC Receives Additional Funds from Miami-Dade County
The SBDC at FAU was pleased to receive an unexpected, additional $15,000 from Miami-Dade County to expand service delivery. The SBDC’s Miami-Dade grant has grown from $25,000 to $50,000 to $65,000 over the past few years. The relationship built between the SBDC and the office of the Chair of the County Commission has been valuable to the small business community and greatly valued by the SBDC.

SBDC Receives Funding from Palm Beach County for 16th Year
The SBDC at FAU was once again funded (for the 16th year) by the Palm Beach County Office of Small Business Assistance. The County Commission voted unanimously to approve the contract. This considerable commitment recognizes the value of the SBDC, particularly since the county has experienced significant budget cuts.

SBDC Partners to Offer Construction Management Program
The SBDC at FAU co-sponsored a 10-week training program with Turner Construction Company. The program on Construction Management consists of 18 classes, an introductory session and a graduation session for a total of 20 sessions. Attendance for the class has exceeded expectations with approximately 200 participants each week. This is the first time the SBDC at FAU has worked with Turner Construction Company, a well-established and respected construction company in South Florida. The SBDC is pleased with its commitment to the program and the attendees.
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Business Education: Motivation, Inspiration & Creativity

Don Shula Speaks to Brevard Community College Students
Don Shula, former National Football League coach, Hall of Fame inductee and entrepreneur, spoke to 2000 students, business people and aspiring entrepreneurs on November 6 at the King Center for Performing Arts in Melbourne. The lecture was part of the ongoing BW Simpkins Seminar for Entrepreneurial Development at Brevard Community College. SBDC at BCC's Victoria Peake is vice-chair of the Simpkins Series. She joined Shula, BCC’s administrators and trustees, selected students and local business leaders for a luncheon following the lecture.

SBDC at UCF Promotes Selling to the Government
The SBDC at UCF hosted a two-day workshop, “Doing Business with the Local Government and Other Entities”, on September 11 and 12. The workshop was sponsored by the Orange County Government and is part of the SBDC at UCF’s 6th Annual Strategic Tools Seminar Series. Designed to assist Central Florida businesses with expanding their market, the workshop was facilitated by PTAC expert, Tony Espinosa. It included guest speaker K.J. Beau Grant of Beau-Geste Enterprises and representatives from regional government entities including Orange County Government, Orange County Public Schools, Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority, Orlando Utilities Commission, University of Central Florida, City of Orlando, City of Winter Park, Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, Lynx, Seminole County Government and Volusia County Public Schools. The workshop was sold-out with 60 people attending.

SBDC Develops Six New Classes During Quarter
The SBDC at FAU developed six new 1-hour classes during the quarter. The classes are being held during the 4th quarter and were created in response to stakeholder needs. Topics include calculating break-even points, business selection, pricing, promotional campaigns, alternatives to full-time employees and determining startup costs.

SBDC Develops Creole Language Seminar
The SBDC at FAU has developed a Creole language seminar, “Eske Ou Ta Renmen Fé Pwóp Biznis Pa w (Is Owning a Business Right for You)?” that will be taught by an accountant fluent in English and Creole. Due to the speaker's positive assessment results, the SBDC will begin offering classes in Creole on a regular basis, and an intermediary will no longer be needed for these classes. The first seminar will be held in Palm Beach County in December.
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Jill Kaufman (2nd from right) and guests at the ABC Reception	On July 24, the SBDC at UCF’s Advisory Board Council (ABC) hosted a Reception to inform small business owners about the program. The intent of the reception was to gain new ABC clients and offer an opportunity for current ABC clients and advisors to network. The reception featured presentations by Jill Kaufman, assistant director and program manager for the ABC program; John Lewis, Orange County Government; and two award-winning guests: Rod Vargas, ABC client and the 2007 Small Business Person of the Year for Florida; and Nancy Krug, ABC advisor and the FSBDCN Regional Volunteer of the Year. Both Vargas and Krug spoke about their experience and success with the program, highlighting the importance of participating for both the small business owners and the volunteer advisors. The reception was well attended with over 100 guests.
SBDC at UCF and Small Business Person of the Year Meet with Congressman Ric Keller
Rod Vargas, Eunice Choi and Congressman Ric Keller	SBDC at UCF’s Interim Director, Eunice Choi, Kellie Snaith and Florida Small Business Person of the Year, Rod Vargas, visited with Congressman Ric Keller at his Orlando office on August 27. Congressman Keller represents District 8, where Vargas’ business, Apex Environmental Engineering & Compliance, is located. Vargas provided Keller with a testimonial of how the SBDC at UCF and its Advisory Board Council assisted him with his company’s success. Choi provided the Congressman with an overview of the SBDC program and its recent accomplishments.

Two innovative Central Florida small businesses were honored with the Governor’s 2007 Business Diversification Awards at the Governor’s mansion on September 18. GENICON, a SBDC at UCF client, received the Governor’s Export Excellence Award. One Senior Place, a SBDC at BCC client, received the Governor’s Newcomer Award.

Kramers (One Senior Place) with Governor Crist

Haberlands (GENICON) with Governor Crist

SBA Representative Addresses Veterans at SBDC's VET NET Meeting
Tom Gallman, U.S. Small Business Administration and FSBDCN Project Officer, addressed the November meeting of the SBDC at Brevard Community College VET NET. He was joined by area veterans and the new Small Business Director at Patrick Air Force Base, Alice O-Neal.

SBDC at USF Works With Various Organizations
Fall semester was very active for the SBDC at USF. SBDC staff provided program speakers, judged the small business of the year competition, networked at meetings, conducted office meetings and wrote columns. The organizations that the SBDC worked with included Pasco, Highlands and Hardee Economic Development Councils; Tampa, Brandon, Sebring, Avon Park and Hardee Chambers of Commerce; Rotary Club in Hardee County; Small Business Referral Network; Florida Heartland Rural Economic Development Initiative; and Maddux Business Report. In addition, the SBDC at USF St. Petersburg started a monthly Small Business Networking Breakfast with speakers from the business community.

SBDC Participates in University Homecoming Parade The SBDC at FAU participated in this year’s FAU homecoming parade by decorating its golf cart in a fall theme. SBDC at FAU Finance Administrator Teri Takahashi, and her two sons, Daniel and Zachary, rode in the parade.

Marilyn Heller, Susan Aguilar, Parbatee Chang and Nancy Young of the SBDC at FAU’s Boca Raton main campus participated in FAU’s bid for a Guinness Book of World Records “Largest Human Ribbon” to raise awareness for Organ Donation. Members of the university community wore green and stood in an awareness ribbon formation.

SBDC Manager Provides Business-Related Video Clips for Miami Herald
SBDC at FAU Broward County Manager, Rafael Cruz, will appear in interview clips posted on the small business section of the Miami Herald's website. Cruz's interview covered various small business topics. He will also be writing an online column for the paper.

SBDC and Congressman Mahoney Cosponsor Alternative Energy Event
The SBDC at FAU cosponsored a full-day event on alternative energy in cooperation with Congressman Tim Mahoney. The SBDC sent broadcast e-mails to its database of clients and seminar attendees and helped with on-site registration.

SBDC Sponsors FAU SBIR Event
SBDC at FAU Director, Nancy Young, was asked by the FAU Office of Commercialization to sponsor an upcoming Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) event. Of course, she agreed. The SBDC both assisted with organizing the event and made a presentation.

SBDC CBA Attends Kickoff of the Research Coast Economic Development Summit
SBDC at FAU CBA, Ken Stephanz, a member of the Research Coast Business Financial Consortium, attended the first annual kickoff meeting of the Research Coast Economic Development Summit. The annual meeting is to review, plan and implement regional concepts/strategies targeted to foster the overall business/economic growth and development of the Research/Treasure Coast region. The meeting brought together prime movers in economic development, workforce development, local government, local education (including FAU), banks and others from the four counties of Okeechobee, Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin.
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Dignitaries gather at Opening Ceremony L-R: Magdalena presents publications and proclamations celebrating the week to Strain, Asjoe and Rhuggenaath Business Incubation Conference Strain presents on business incubation best practices in the United States View More Photos

The week of October 13, Larry Strain, Executive Director of the SBDC at the University of West Florida represented the FSBDC Network and the SBDC at UWF during Curacao’s "Week of the Entrepreneur". The FSBDC Network began an innovative partnership with the Asosiashon di Empresarionan Chiki di Korsou (ADECK) in 2001, resulting in the formation of the Curacao SBDC, an affiliate of the FSBDC Network. During the visit, Strain participated in the opening ceremonies of Entrepreneurship Week. He and other dignitaries, including Mr. Elvis Tjin Asjoe, Minister of Economic Affairs and Labor of the Antilles Government, and Mr. Eugene Rhuggenaath, Island Commissioner of the Economy, made comments at the Opening Ceremony to kick off the week of celebration. Mr. Gabriel “Boy” Magdalena, President of ADECK, presented each dignitary with commemorative proclamations. Strain also conducted several seminars, during his stay, on behalf of the Curacao SBDC. Two of his seminars, “Traits and Practices of US Entrepreneurs” and “25 Entrepreneurial Death Traps”, were well-attended by entrepreneurs, business owners and bankers. Additionally, on October 19 and 20, the University of the Netherlands Antilles held a Conference on Business Incubation. The conference was organized and led by a group of 25 plus business students enrolled in a Small Business Management certificate program. Designed to prepare the students as Student Business Analysts, it is modeled after the FSBDC Professional Development Certification Program. Strain was a featured speaker both days of the conference along with guests from a major business incubator in Holland. The first day Strain made a presentation on “Best Practices in U.S. Business Incubation” and participated in a panel fielding audience questions on small business development and business incubators. The second day he presented “13 Sure Fire (Well Almost) Keys to Business Success” to over 150 students.  Minister Asjoe and Commissioner Rhuggenaath asked Strain to interview the Presidents of primary banks and provide them with feedback and suggestions on how to stimulate small business lending. During the week, Strain and Magdalena met with three bank presidents and the loan staff of a fourth to identify obstacles to small business lending and to discuss alternatives for the Island’s Development Bank, Korpodeko.