Press Releases - Florida SBDC.

Florida SBDC Network Announces 2024 State Performance Excellence Award Winners

TAMPA (August 22, 2024) – The Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network announced its 2024 State Performance Awards on August 21, during the 2024 Florida SBDC Network Annual Conference. The event was held at the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. State award winners from the Florida SBDC at USF region were acknowledged in multiple categories including, Region of the Year, Florida State Star of the Year Award, Capital Access Lifetime Achievement Awards, Laura Subel Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Florida Student Graduate Project of the Year Award.

“Throughout the year, I’ve witnessed the unwavering dedication of the Florida SBDC at USF team as they support our business community and boost our local economies,” Carl Hadden, regional director of the Florida SBDC at USF said. “Attending the Florida SBDC Network Awards is truly inspiring, as it celebrates the remarkable achievements of my colleagues, from years of service to lifetime achievements, and student projects. I am honored to work alongside such passionate and professional individuals and partner organizations who strive for excellence every day.”

Florida SBDC Network Announces 2024 State Performance Excellence Award Winners — Florida SBDC at USF team receiving Region of the Year award.

SBDC Region of the Year Award: Florida SBDC at USF

The Florida SBDC at University of South Florida (USF) has been awarded the Region of the Year Award. As Florida’s trusted principal provider of business assistance, Florida SBDC helps small businesses launch, grow, and thrive through expertise, resources and advocacy. Serving Desoto, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Sarasota Counties, the Florida SBDC at USF region delivered substantial consulting and training services in 2023 that resulted in a significant return on investment. Professionally certified business consultants delivered 21,481 hours of consulting to 3,401 entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Figure 2 Yolanda Goodloe — Yolanda Goodloe

Florida State Star of the Year: Yolanda Goodloe

Yolanda Goodloe is a government contracting consultant at the Florida APEX Accelerator at Pinellas County Economic Development (PCED). During the awards luncheon at the Florida SBDC Network’s Annual Conference, Goodloe was awarded the Florida Star of the Year Award for helping Florida small businesses access substantial amounts of capital. With a remarkable 14-year journey marked by unparalleled dedication and expertise, consistently exceeding expectations and driving substantial results. Moreover, her expertise in government contracting has opened doors for businesses, resulting in a total of $127,267,600.09 in government contracts secured. With 21 businesses successfully launched under her guidance, Goodloe’s time as a business consultant embodies the essence of fostering entrepreneurship and driving sustainable economic growth within the Florida SBDC Network.

Capital Access Lifetime Achievement Award: Selma Canas

Selma Canas is a Florida SBDC at USF business consultant and international trade specialist. During the awards luncheon at the Florida SBDC Network’s Annual Conference, Canas was awarded the Capital Access Lifetime Achievement Award for helping Florida small businesses access more than $50 million in capital in 2023. Canas is a NASBITE International Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) and teaches courses on international trade basics and market research at the Florida SBDC at USF. For export-ready companies, she develops Export Marketing Plans in partnership with SelectFlorida. She has developed more than 40 plans during the past eight years and participated in trade missions to Brazil, Chile, Canada, the Dominican Republic, and Panama.

Laura Subel Lifetime Achievement Award: Janette Blanco

Janette Blanco serves as an assistant director at the Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County. During the awards luncheon at the Florida SBDC Network’s Annual Conference, Blanco was awarded the Laura Subel Lifetime Achievement Award for helping Florida small businesses obtain more than $50 million in government contracts. In addition to her procurement expertise, Blanco holds a Strategic Management Performance System certification from the George Washington University Center for Excellence in Public Leadership, a Master Compliance Administrator certification from the American Contract Compliance Association, a Yellow Belt certification from the International Association for Six Sigma Certification, and Post-Crisis Leadership and Diversity, Equality, Inclusion certificates, both from the University of South Florida Muma College of Business.

Laura Subel Lifetime Achievement Award: Karen Krymski

Karen Krymski serves as a government contracting consultant for the Florida APEX Accelerator at USF. During the awards luncheon at the Florida SBDC Network’s Annual Conference, Krymski was awarded the Laura Subel Lifetime Achievement Award for helping Florida small businesses obtain more than $50 million in government contracts. Krymski assists clients in data driven identification of potential government clients, identifying contracting vehicles that may or may not be available to them and how that may impact their federal marketing, understanding relationship building in the agencies and how that influences contracting, and explaining teaming and sub-contracting and how to work with prime contractors. She has helped clients secure more than $250M over the course of her Florida APEX Accelerator at USF career, thus far.

Dinner Done! Owner and the University of Tampa student team

Florida Graduate Student Team Project of the Year: Dinner Done!

University of Tampa graduate students Alberto A. Contreras, Michael Pettijohn, Samuel J. Akers, Yaridis L. Garcia, and Juan Fernandez Garcia-Barrero in collaboration with Dinner Done!, led by Audra and Daniel Nasser, were awarded the Florida Graduate Student Team Project of the Year Award during the Florida SBDC Network’s Annual Conference this year. Tasked with navigating the competitive landscape of shippable food products and ready-to-cook meals, the team invested over 540 hours into market research and strategic planning. Their efforts culminated in four key recommendations: strengthening organizational infrastructure, implementing a value-based pricing strategy, redefining brand identity, and optimizing customer relationship management. Through their dedication and expertise, these students have left an indelible mark on Dinner Done!’s growth trajectory.

Debra Schweikowsky (fifth) and Scott Carpenter (sixth) alongside other award winners

Service Year Awards: Debra Schweikowsky and Scott Carpenter

Florida SBDC at Pinellas County Economic Development (PCED) business consultant, Debra Schweikowsky, and Florida SBDC at USF business consultant, Scott Carpenter, were also recognized with service year awards for their five years of hard work and commitment to the Florida SBDC Network.

Media Contact: Stephanie Ordonez, ordonez25@usf.edu

About the Florida SBDC at USF

The Florida SBDC at USF helps create a better Florida for all by providing businesses the expertise and resources needed to succeed and grow. The Florida SBDC at the University of South Florida 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, Department of Defense, 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.

Florida SBDC at USF Adds Satellite Office in Polk County

Press Releases

TAMPA (August 21, 2024) – The Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the University of South Florida (USF) announces its expansion across the 10-county Tampa Bay region with the addition of a new satellite office location. Starting on Wednesday, September 4, every first and third Wednesday of the month, aspiring, emerging, and established business owners in Polk County can find their local Florida SBDC at USF consultant in Haines City, located at the Haines City Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) building. Entrepreneurs seeking business guidance will have the opportunity to consult with Florida SBDC at USF business consultant, Randy Hayes, at no-cost at 303 Ledwidth Ave at Lake Eva Park, Haines City, FL 33844.

Haines City CRA within the Lake Eva Gallery

“The Florida SBDC at USF is excited to announce a collaboration with the Haines City Community Redevelopment Agency,” Carl Hadden, regional director of the Florida SBDC at USF said. “This partnership will make entrepreneurial support services more accessible to aspiring and existing entrepreneurs in Haines City.”

For more than 45 years, the Florida SBDC at USF has provided no-cost assistance to aspiring, emerging, and established businesses in Polk County through consulting, training, and market research.

“The Haines City Community is currently the seventh fastest growing city in the United States. Business owners are eager and need the best possible direction for the setup and future successes of their enterprise,” Jane Murphy, CRA Manager, said. The [Florida] SBDC is a constant resource for the Haines City CRA, and we are honored to host their organization in our city. Together we will continue to grow dynamic business in our community.”

As the number of Polk County entrepreneurs increases, the Florida SBDC at USF will continue helping businesses in need by expanding its reach. Polk County entrepreneurs and businesses will have additional access to consultant expertise on areas vital to accelerating business growth, including strategic market research, market expansion, workforce, and much more.

Media contact: Stephanie Ordonez, ordonez25@usf.edu

About the Florida SBDC at USF

The Florida SBDC at USF helps create a better Florida for all by providing businesses the expertise and resources needed to succeed and grow. The Florida SBDC at the University of South Florida 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, Department of Defense, 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.

Andrea Gonzmart Williams to Keynote

Press Releases

2024 Florida SBDC at USF Business Awards Luncheon

TAMPA, Fla. (April 30, 2024) –On Wednesday, May 15, 2024, the Florida SBDC at USF will recognize businesses from the 10-county Tampa Bay region at the 2024 Florida SBDC at USF Business Awards Celebration Luncheon. The 2024 Business Awards Luncheon will recognize Florida SBDC at USF and U.S. SBA business award winners for their hard work and dedication during 2023. In addition, Florida SBDC at USF team members will be recognized for their outstanding work.

Guests will have a chance to network, enjoy lunch and hear from keynote speaker Andrea Gonzmart Williams, at the University of South Florida (USF) Marshall Center, located at 4103 USF Cedar Cir, Tampa, FL 33620 (second floor). The event will kick off at 11:30 a.m. with a welcome from Florida SBDC at USF regional director, Carl Hadden, and continue with presentations of small business awards, SBA business awards, network performance awards, and the keynote.

Gonzmart Williams is the great-great-granddaughter of Casimiro Hernandez Sr., founder of the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City in 1905. She began her career at the Columbia Restaurant at the age of 10, by doing filing in the corporate office. By the time she was 12, she was working as a hostess at the Ybor City restaurant and continued working there through high school. She graduated from the University of South Florida in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science from the College of Business Administration. Andrea joined the family business full time after graduating from USF.

“Entrepreneurs play a vital role in shaping our communities,” Florida SBDC at USF regional director, Carl Hadden, said. “Like our distinguished keynote speaker, Andrea Gonzmart Williams, they are respected for their unwavering commitment to community betterment. They consistently strive for excellence in every situation while overcoming challenges along the way. This event, hosted by the Florida SBDC at USF, celebrates excellence across multiple award categories, including internal SBDC performance excellence awards, regional small business of the year winners, and SBA award recipients.”

This event is open to the public. Cost is $50 per attendee. For more details, please visit https://bit.ly/2024-sbdc-usf-awards.

Sponsors for this event include platinum sponsor Suncoast Credit Union, and silver sponsors BankUnited, Central Florida Development Council, USF Corporate Training and Professional Education, SMARTStart a Pasco Program, Minority Economic Development Corporation and TD Bank.

About the Florida SBDC Network:

For more than 45 years, the Florida SBDC Network, the state’s principal provider of business assistance [Fl. Stat. 288.001], has nourished a statewide partnership between higher education and economic development to provide existing and emerging small and medium-sized business owners with management and knowledge resources that enable overall growth, increased profitability, and economic prosperity for Florida’s economy. In 2022, the Florida SBDC Network delivered 117,750 hours of consulting to 14,758 small business clients – resulting in business owners securing $446 million in capital, $445 million in government contracting, impacting 23,515 jobs, increasing sales by over $4.5 billion, and creating 825 businesses.

With over 40 offices statewide, the Florida SBDC is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Department of Defense, State of Florida and other private and public partners. The Florida SBDC Network, headquartered at the University of West Florida, is nationally accredited by the Association of SBDCs and is a recipient of the President’s E Award for Export Service. Florida SBDC services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Language assistance services are available for individuals with limited English proficiency. For more information, please visit www.FloridaSBDC.org.

Florida SBDC at USF Announces 2023 Regional Performance Award Winners

Blog, Press Releases, SBDC News

TAMPA (May 11, 2023) – The Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at University of South Florida (USF) announced its 2023 Performance Award and small business winners on May 10, during the 2023 Florida SBDC at USF Business Awards Celebration Luncheon. The event was held at USF’s Marshall Center. Performance award winners are now eligible for Florida SBDC Network state awards. State award winners will be announced at the Florida SBDC Network’s Annual Conference, held in Fort Lauderdale in August.

“We were thrilled to be able to recognize our employees and business owners in person, after having to take a hiatus due to COVID,” Carl Hadden, regional director of the Florida SBDC at USF said. “We are proud to be a tireless supporter of entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship is not a solitary activity. Entrepreneurs need the support system of the Florida SBDC at USF, bankers, attorneys, accountants, insurance agents, and the support of their family, friends, and community to thrive. We are blessed to be one of many contributors to the successes we celebrated today.”

Kristene Manning

Ambassador of the Year: Kristene Manning

Kris Manning’s commitment to excellence as the Florida SBDC at USF Fiscal and Business Manager enables the region to deliver on the Florida SBDC Network mission of “Providing businesses the expertise and resources to succeed” as well as the vision of Florida SBDC at USF Announces

2023 Regional Performance Award Winners

“Creating a better Florida for all by helping businesses grow” by working closely with the regional director to manage the region’s finances ensuring seamless service delivery. Kris meets regularly with peers throughout the University of South Florida’s Muma College of Business to find solutions to collective challenges while simultaneously sharing best practices. Manning’s expertise in her role directly impacts stakeholder return and value as well as commitment to excellence while indirectly helping the region deliver business needs and solutions contributing to the development and economic growth of our communities, all of which encompass the FSBDCN values. Kris goes above and beyond in her duties every day to make sure the Florida SBDC at USF is properly equipped to help businesses grow.

Performance Excellence Award: Gregory J. Manning

Gregory J. Manning

Greg Manning is a Florida SBDC at USF business consultant. Manning joined the Florida SBDC at USF team in August 2020, just three months into the COVID-19 pandemic. He came to us with a wealth of business knowledge, having owned 16 Hallmark stores throughout central and south Florida. Greg was tasked, in April 2022, with covering four counties in our 10-county region. Since these counties are very rural and spread across many miles, they would normally be covered by three consultants. Even with the added coverage area, Greg saw 332 unique clients and maintained his excellent satisfaction rate. Then, in October 2022, Greg worked three Hurricane Ian mobile Business Recovery Centers (BRC) across three counties in Lake Placid, Arcadia, and Wauchula, providing 160.25 hours of disaster capital access consulting to his clients. Manning served 47 BRC walk-ins and converted 85% of them into SBDC clients while accurately following BRC procedures by streamlining the process for clients in an already stressful time and allowing for timely entry of administrative data. Greg’s sense of responsibility and ownership, as well as his commitment to partners and the small business community goes far above and beyond expectations.

Resource Partner of the Year: USF Research Foundation Inc.

The USF Research Foundation Inc. (RF) has proven themselves to be a patient, persistent, passionate, problem-solving partner to the Florida SBDC at USF. In early-2021, SBDC leadership determined the center’s regional office needed to be downsized to meet the post-COVID workflow and budgetary constraints. SBDC engaged with the RF in April 2021 regarding office space at USF CONNECT. RF’s enthusiasm to attract the SBDC into the research park was evident from the initial meeting. The RF negotiated lease terms that addressed SBDC’s budget constraints, increased the improvement allowance in the lease agreement, and secured a $50,000 commitment from Florida High Tech Corridor to support the buildout of the SBDC office space. The accommodations provided by RF and the financial support of the Florida High Tech Corridor allowed the SBDC to enter a lease in January 2022. Amid a construction material supply chain crisis and labor shortages, RF’s project manager remained fully engaged with the SBDC and contractor during the buildout resulting in project completion on time and under budget. The RF continues to support the mission of the SBDC with sponsorship for events as well as prompt support for services requests, and general inquiries. With their continued financial support and advocacy, enthusiastic partners like the Research Foundation elevate the impact the Florida SBDC at USF has in the research park and throughout our ten-county region.

Daniel Dorian Rising Star Nominee

Daniel Dorian

Daniel Dorian graduated from the University of South Florida in the spring of 2022 with a degree in Economics and Entrepreneurship. Shortly after graduation, he joined the team at Pinellas County Economic Development’s Office of Small Business and Supplier Diversity. In less than 1 year he has become an Indispensable part of the team at the Pinellas County Satellite Office for the Florida SBDC at USF. Based on his go-getter attitude, he was quickly given team leadership over all client intake and public interaction, and now acts as the point of contact for all client and citizen inquiries in the division. During his short service he has already revamped all public facing documents to improve understandability and to comply with FSBDC State branding standards. Working with Pinellas County’s Economic Development Marketing division, Dorian has revamped SBDC at Pinellas website and collateral materials and now maintains control of the inventory. Daniel has also taken leadership over the division’s workshop processes and scheduling system, proving that he is a rising star in all aspects.

Graduate Student Project of the Year: University of Tampa

University of Tampa student team included MBA graduate students who were all part of the Strategic Analysis Project (SAP) for family-owned, premier grass fed/grass finished cattle producer, Providence Cattle, where they developed a paper that analyzed the industry as well as the company and developed recommendations that aimed to improve the competitive position of Providence Cattle. The team visited the client’s location, in addition to holding multiple meetings throughout the semester. The team’s report concluded with three recommendations that Providence Cattle will implement to improve their brand awareness, create a niche customer base, and increase social responsibility as well as improve public relations. The client provided immediate feedback to the team sharing, “The presentation was so thorough and actionable. These are strategies we can actually use and implement. Thank you!!”

Undergraduate Student Project of the Year: Warner University

The Spring 2022 Warner University student team produced a Small Business Analysis for law firm Rignanese & Associates PLLC owned by Cynthia Rignanese. The students were challenged to go deeper than general information relating to the law industry and uncover relevant and actionable information for a firm specializing in elder law, estate planning, and real estate. The students prepared a thorough report that included a SWOT Analysis, Industry Analysis, Marketing Analysis, Financial Analysis, and Management Analysis. Rignanese was very impressed with the students and the recommendations they provided stating, “The Team did a thorough and professional job — from research to PowerPoint presentation. I was impressed by the data on not only the legal industry, but on my particular area of practice — estate planning for seniors in Central Florida. I am a numbers person, so when I received valuable data and input from the Team, I was pleasantly surprised. I ended up with useful information that will help my law firm to achieve its one- and five-year goals”.

Florida SBDC at USF small business award winners included Federal Contracts Corp, as the Veteran-Owned Business of the Year, 36T Cleaning Services, as the Minority-Owned Business of the Year, and Urban E Recycling, as the Woman-Owned Business of the Year.

Also recognized were the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) award winners. Winners included David Hahn, of Results Sales and Services, as the SBA South Florida District and State of Florida Veteran Vusiness Owner of the Year, as well as Mark Clifton, of Spathe Systems, as the SBA South Florida District Minority Business Owner of the Year. The SBA also recognized Sunshine State Economic Development Corporation as the Top Certified Development Company and the Florida Business Development Corporation as the Top Community Advantage Lender.

View the photo gallery.

Media Contact: Stephanie Ordonez, ordonez25@usf.edu

About the Florida SBDC at USF

The Florida SBDC at USF helps create a better Florida for all by providing businesses the expertise and resources needed to succeed and grow. The Florida SBDC at the University of South Florida 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.

Florida SBDC at USF opens new satellite location at Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce

Blog, Press Releases

Scott Carpenter

SARASOTA, Fla. (October 6, 2022) – Florida SBDC at University of South Florida opens a new location within The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce building at 1945 Fruitville Road with Scott Carpenter as lead business consultant. Florida SBDC at USF assists aspiring, emerging and existing businesses in Sarasota and Manatee counties, through no-cost confidential business consulting, market research, and low-cost training. The Florida SBDC at USF co-location is an example of how the Sarasota Chamber continues to expand upon member benefits to promote, support and connect the business community.

“Our 2022 survey results indicated marketing/communications, sales skills training and strategic planning as a top need of our businesses. With access to SBDC coaching, we can expand the education provided by our Shumaker University skills training all year-long. We believe this adds even more value to the portfolio of benefits our members currently enjoy,” said Heather Kasten, President/CEO, Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce.

Scott Carpenter who is the point of contact at the Chamber location, has experience in leading national B2C and B2B campaigns to increase profit and loss results through small to multi-million budgets. Carpenter joined the Florida SBDC at USF with a marketing communications and public relations career spanning three decades. Carpenter also successfully launched and grew his own public relations and communications firm that has recorded more than $10 million in billings.

“The Florida SBDC at USF is excited to have its Sarasota office located within The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce,” states Carpenter. “Through our no-cost consultations, our goal is to provide Chamber members and all local executives with insight and market expertise that accelerate their business. From business planning to financial assessment, access to capital and marketing analysis, our team is poised to help the Sarasota business community grow and thrive.”

As a business consultant, Carpenter can assist Chamber members with disaster relief loans for businesses affected by Hurricane Ian and help them create a long-term strategic plan for their company. With the help of Carpenter and Florida SBDC at USF, The Chamber will be able to better support its members and their needs.

About The Great Sarasota Chamber of Commerce

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce (GSCC) is a major force in our community’s economic prosperity and outstanding lifestyle. An award-winning not-for-profit membership organization, the Chamber provides the leadership to achieve a diverse balanced economy that enhances the quality of living and working in greater Sarasota.

Media Contact

communications@sarasotachamber.com

Florida SBDC at USF Consultant Wins Network State Star Award

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TAMPA, FL (July 5, 2022) – Karen Krymski, MPH, CVE, received the Florida SBDC Network’s State Star Award at the Network’s Small Business Success Summit, held in Tampa on June 28. The award recognizes Krymski for her accomplishments during 2021. Only one State Star is awarded by the Network each year.

Florida SBDC at USF Consultant Wins Network State Star Award

Karen Krymski, MPH, CVE, accepts the Florida SBDC Network State Star award from Network CEO, Greg Britton. Photo by: Carl Hadden

Krymski has been a member of the Florida SBDC at University of South Florida team since 2015. She is a procurement specialist for the Florida Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) at USF. She joined the team with extensive entrepreneurial, marketing, and government contracting experience. She excels at determining client needs and gauging how they should begin their government contracting journey. Krymski performs a thorough analysis of her clients’ capabilities, their competitors, and market opportunities to provide data-driven, actionable recommendations.

The economic impact generated by her clients in 2021 is a true testament to her effectiveness as a specialist. She provided consulting to 311 entrepreneurs in 2021 and was able to capture 1,173 instances of government contracts valued at $79 million, plus an additional $1.25 million in commercial/private contracts, totaling more than $80 million in contract opportunities for businesses in the Florida SBDC at USF region.

Krymski also consistently partners with her Florida SBDC at USF colleagues who specialize in access to capital, to provide her clients with additional support. By joining forces with these consultants, she was able to help secure an additional $5.8 million in capital for her clients.

“I couldn’t be prouder of Karen’s accomplishments,” Florida SBDC at USF Regional Director, Carl Hadden, said. “Karen’s passion to help her clients reach their full potential is infectious. Her clients consistently share their gratitude for her guidance, professionalism and expertise.”

Krymski was also recognized at the Network conference with a Laura Subal Lifetime Achievement Award for helping Florida’s small businesses obtain more than $100 million in contracts to date. Yolanda Goodloe, procurement specialist at the Florida PTAC at Pinellas County Economic Development office, received a Laura Subal Lifetime Achievement Award for securing more than $50 million in contracts for Florida small businesses to date.

Additional regional award winners for the Florida SBDC at USF, include:

Regional Performance Excellence Award – Karen Krymski, MPH, CVE
Regional Resource Partner Award – Spectrum Reach (Lizzy Olmstead/Montess Burt)
Regional Undergraduate Student Project Award – 3 Keys Brewery and Pub, LLC (University of South Florida)
Regional Graduate Student Project Award – Modular Molding International Inc. (University of Tampa)

Krymski is now in the running for the America’s SBDC Network national State Star award, to be announced in September at its annual conference in San Diego, Calif.

The Florida SBDC at USF assists existing and emerging businesses in the 10-county Tampa Bay region, through no-cost confidential business consulting, information, and low-cost training. Learn more about the available services for businesses at SBDCTampaBay.com.

About the Florida SBDC Network:

For over forty years, the Florida SBDC Network, the state’s principal provider of business assistance [Fl. Stat. 288.001], has nourished a statewide partnership between higher education and economic development to provide existing and emerging small and medium-sized business owners with management and knowledge resources that enable overall growth, increased profitability, and economic prosperity for Florida’s economy. Since 2011, Florida SBDCs have provided 624,331 hours of professional business consulting to 58,975 client businesses, resulting in 281,831 jobs impacted; $36.7 billion in sales generated; $2.7 billion in government contracts acquired; $1.6 billion in capital accessed; and 4,520 new businesses started. A statewide network of over 40 offices, the Florida SBDC is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Department of Defense, State of Florida and other private and public partners. The Florida SBDC Network, headquartered at the University of West Florida, is nationally accredited by the Association of SBDCs and is a 2016 recipient of the President’s E Award for Export Service. Florida SBDC services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Language assistance services are available for individuals with limited English proficiency. For more information, please visit www.FloridaSBDC.org.

Wanda Barton, Xtremely Clean Janitorial Services Named 2022 SBA State of Florida Woman Business Owner of the Year

Blog, Featured News, Press Releases, SBDC News

Wanda Barton

TAMPA, Fl. – The Florida SBDC at University of South Florida, in cooperation with the U.S. Small Business Administration, recognized local business owner, Wanda Barton, on May 5, as the 2022 U.S. SBA South Florida District and State of Florida Woman Business Owner of the Year.

Barton is the owner of Xtremely Clean Janitorial Services, LLC, and a client of Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County. Her business consultant is Janette Blanco. The award was presented at The Power of Creative: A Small Business Week Lunch and Learn, sponsored by Spectrum Reach.

National Small Business Week Awards celebrate the sacrifices and achievements of small business owners and their significant contributions to our economy and our communities. The 30^th Annual National Small Business Week was celebrated May 1-7.

Xtremely Clean Janitorial Services is an African American, woman-owned, certified business started in 2013. The business initially focused on cleaning foreclosed homes, but when the market turned, Barton looked for alternatives to sustain her business.

CJ Castro, Senior Area Director for the U.S. SBA South Florida District, was on hand to present the award.

“Wanda Barton’s vision for Xtremely Clean was built on a solid foundation,” Castro said during his presentation. “She is a person who has built a successful company and excelled along the way.”

He mentioned Barton’s multiple business certifications that have helped her to grow Xtremely Clean Janitorial Services into the business it is today. Her certifications include:

Woman & Minority Business Certification by the City of Tampa – March 27, 2021, through March 27, 2023
Small Business Enterprise Certification by Port Tampa Bay – November 1, 2021, through October 31, 2022
Minority/Woman Business Certification by Hillsborough County – January 19,2021 through January 19, 2023
Woman Business Enterprise (WBE) by the City of Tampa – April 12, 2017, through March 6, 2019
Woman & Minority Business Certification by the State of Florida – 5/15/2020 through 5/15/2022
Green Seal Certified since October 2013

Xtremely Clean Janitorial Services provides services throughout Tampa Bay. When Barton started as a Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County client in 2013, she had six employees and annual sales of less than $2,500. Now, the business is approaching $2 million in annual sales and 80 employees. Local, city, and state government contracting has been a large part of Barton’s growth strategy.

Barton has secured contracts with the City of Tampa, Hillsborough County, Port Tampa Bay, Florida Department of Transportation, Florida Department of Management Services, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, and other agencies.

“Everybody knows that cleaning is not for everybody, but I will say that it is my passion,” Barton said. “I love what I do. I started my company very small. Of course, it wasn’t fun, but I knew I had to start somewhere. Today I stand here to say I am grateful that I put a lot of things aside to make sure I took my company to the next level. It was not easy, but I did it. I’m going to keep doing it as I should to take my company even further.”

While she continues to grow her business, Barton also serves as a mentor for other cleaning business owners, sharing her knowledge, passion and lessons learned, in hopes that they too can reach the success that she has.

During her acceptance speech, she credited the Florida SBDC Network, the City of Tampa, and the State of Florida with her success.

“I want to thank the City of Tampa and SBDC,” she said. “I must give special recognition to Ms. Janette because she stood alongside me and believed in me when times were hard. She was there. I could call her up at any time and just vent because it’s not easy. We run into a whole lot of challenges. There were doors that closed and I just kept knocking on them. I just kept knocking.

“I really appreciate the City of Tampa for giving me the opportunity to service them, because without the State of Florida and the City of Tampa, I would not be standing here.”

Pictured: CJ Castro, Senior Area Manager, U.S. SBA South Florida District; Wanda Barton, Xtremely Clean Janitorial Services LLC owner; Carl Hadden, Interim Regional Director, Florida SBDC at USF; Elizabeth Gaustad, Field Marketing Specialist, Spectrum Reach

Pictured: Janette Blanco, Business Consultant, Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County; Wanda Barton, Xtremely Clean Janitorial Services LLC owner; Carol Minor, Center Director, Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County; Carl Hadden, Interim Regional Director, Florida SBDC at USF

About the Florida SBDC Network:

For over forty years, the Florida SBDC Network, the state’s principal provider of business assistance [Fl. Stat. 288.001], has nourished a statewide partnership between higher education and economic development to provide existing and emerging small and medium-sized business owners with management and knowledge resources that enable overall growth, increased profitability, and economic prosperity for Florida’s economy. Since 2011, Florida SBDCs have provided 624,331 hours of professional business consulting to 58,975 client businesses, resulting in 281,831 jobs impacted; $36.7 billion in sales generated; $2.7 billion in government contracts acquired; $1.6 billion in capital accessed; and 4,520 new businesses started. A statewide network of over 40 offices, the Florida SBDC is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Defense Logistics Agency, State of Florida and other private and public partners. The Florida SBDC Network, headquartered at the University of West Florida, is nationally accredited by the Association of SBDCs and is a 2016 recipient of the President’s E Award for Export Service. Florida SBDC services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Language assistance services are available for individuals with limited English proficiency. For more information, please visit www.FloridaSBDC.org.

Eileen Rodriguez awarded Jerry Cartwright Lifetime Achievement Award

Press Releases, SBDC News

After 24 years of service to the Florida SBDC at University of South Florida, Eileen Rodriguez will retire on August 6, leaving a long-lasting legacy behind.

The Florida SBDC Network state office has chosen Eileen as the recipient of this year’s Jerry Cartwright Lifetime Achievement Award. The award was named after Jerry Cartwright, former Florida SBDC Network state director, for his lifetime of work within the SBDC organization. He was recognized as an innovator in developing new programs.

Eileen initially joined the Florida SBDC at USF as a consultant in February 1997. As a minority business owner herself, she found a niche assisting small business owners through business certification and international trade efforts, while also teaching seminars in both English and Spanish.

As a regional director, Eileen was a proven leader. She was responsible for policy development, strategic planning, human resources management, and the administrative oversight of a $3.1 million budget for the region.

While she has been known to say that she had no idea what she was doing when she was named regional director, one would never know it by watching her performance. Much of Eileen’s work over the years focused on developing outreach programs and attracting additional funding for the Florida SBDC at USF region. These activities played a central role in developing partnerships between USF and the larger Tampa Bay community, enabling the Center to continue to extend its technical services.

Her work within the community has led to many awards over the years, including the Hispanic Leadership Class Award in Business from Tampa Hispanic Heritage in 2013, the Chairman’s Award from Florida Minority Supplier Development Council in 2016, the Minority Business Advocate Award from MED Corp in 2017, and the USF Pathways Award in 2018. She was also a finalist for the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s Business Woman of the Year in 2011. Her office is littered with plaques and trophies from various speaking engagements and awards from the past 24 years.

Eileen will be remembered as a leader within the Tampa Bay community and beyond – a leader amongst leaders. The Florida SBDC at USF is more diversified and resilient today because she had the intellectual agility to be in front, leading the charge.

Eileen was also a vocal advocate for positive change within the Florida SBDC Network at the state level. Janice Donaldson, retired Florida SBDC at University of North Florida regional director, said, ”I could always call [her] or email [her] when I was worried, upset, frustrated or didn’t know what to do about a problem. I never once questioned whether it was good advice or not because it always was, and she’s done that for every regional director.”

Florida SBDC at USF Announces Regional Award Winners

Press Releases, SBDC News

TAMPA, FL (July 30, 2021) – The Florida SBDC at University of South Florida’s Muma College of Business hosted the 2021 Performance Awards Celebration Luncheon at Armature Works today to honor its regional award winners.

The Florida SBDC at USF announced the following award winners:

Performance Excellence of the Year – Bill Burnham
Volunteer of the Year – Dr. Mary Armstrong
Student Project of the Year – eSmart Recycling, Inc. (Tony Selvaggio and University of Tampa)
Outstanding Resource Partner of the Year – Manatee County Economic Development (Ruth Buchanan and Bruno Kapacinskas)
Game Changer of the Year Nominee – The Elf Network (Stacey Dadd, Eileen Rodriguez, Yanina Rosario, Shaunda Wickham)

“It’s been a long, hard year and a half due to COVID-19,” Interim Associate Director, Stacey Dadd, said. “We are proud to finally have the chance to recognize these individuals for all of the hard work that’s been done in the past two years. They have accomplished some amazing things in that time and Tampa Bay’s small businesses are better for their dedication and hard work.”

The Florida SBDC at USF did not have awards in 2020, due to COVID-19.

The Florida SBDC at USF Performance Awards winners advance to the state-level awards for the Florida SBDC Network. State winners will be announced at the Florida SBDC Network’s virtual awards celebration, on August 24.

In addition to recognizing the above award winners, the luncheon also served as a celebration of regional director, Eileen Rodriguez, who is retiring effective August 6, after 24 years of service to USF.

The Florida SBDC at USF assists existing and emerging businesses in the 10-county Tampa Bay region, through no-cost confidential business consulting, information, and low-cost training. Learn more about the available services for businesses at SBDCTampaBay.com.

About the Florida SBDC Network:

For over forty years, the Florida SBDC Network, the state’s principal provider of business assistance [Fl. Stat. 288.001], has nourished a statewide partnership between higher education and economic development to provide existing and emerging small and medium-sized business owners with management and knowledge resources that enable overall growth, increased profitability, and economic prosperity for Florida’s economy. Since 2011, Florida SBDCs have provided 624,331 hours of professional business consulting to 58,975 client businesses, resulting in 281,831 jobs impacted; $36.7 billion in sales generated; $2.7 billion in government contracts acquired; $1.6 billion in capital accessed; and 4,520 new businesses started. A statewide network of over 40 offices, the Florida SBDC is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Defense Logistics Agency, State of Florida and other private and public partners. The Florida SBDC Network, headquartered at the University of West Florida, is nationally accredited by the Association of SBDCs and is a 2016 recipient of the President’s E Award for Export Service. Florida SBDC services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Language assistance services are available for individuals with limited English proficiency. For more information, please visit www.FloridaSBDC.org.

COVID-19 Pandemic Broadens Access to Training for Entrepreneurs

Blog, Disaster Preparedness, Featured News, Press Releases, SBDC News

TAMPA (March 5, 2021) – With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, the Florida SBDC at University of South Florida immediately halted all of its in-person events.

The center typically hosts between 80 to 100 events each year at its Channelside Drive location, in downtown Tampa. This includes eight to 12 face-to-face seminars per month covering topics such as starting a business, using social media to market a business successfully, and government contracting. It also includes larger events such as its Annual Small Business Awards Celebration in May, the Basic Economic Development Course in November, and monthly government contracting networking breakfasts.

While buried in disaster relief assistance related to the pandemic, marketing and communications officer Stacey Dadd took the opportunity to reevaluate how training was being delivered.

“We sat still for a few months as we were trying to work through the thousands of requests we’d received for disaster assistance, and in May I started researching a variety of platforms we could use to deliver our services online,” Dadd said.

The center resumed its training schedule, albeit slightly altered, in July 2020, and the results have been impressive. The center now offers eight to 10 one-hour webinars each month, featuring a variety of its professionally-certified consultants as speakers, giving business owners the opportunity to connect and ask questions in a live, virtual environment. The results have been positive.

“In all of 2019, we hosted 89 events at our Channelside location with just 984 attendees,” Dadd added. “Even with taking a three-month hiatus in 2020, we served 1,176 attendees in just 44 events and as a bonus, because of the wonders of technology, 500 more have watched the recordings in our online portal.”

The trend has continued into 2021, with 50 percent of all registrations present in the live webinars. Dadd says the center is on track to serve nearly 4,000 entrepreneurs via its webinars, based on the current data.

“We really couldn’t be happier with the outcome,” Eileen Rodriguez, regional director at the Florida SBDC at USF, said. “We have talked about adding a virtual component to our training for a few years but were initially resistant to the change. Even when we’re able to go back to face-to-face services, we will still keep an online component to our training events.”

All Florida SBDC at USF consulting and training opportunities continue to take place virtually, until further notice. To register for one of the upcoming webinars, go to SBDCTampaBay.com/training-calendar.

Florida SBDC Network Announces 2024 State Performance Excellence Award Winners

Florida SBDC at USF Adds Satellite Office in Polk County

Andrea Gonzmart Williams to Keynote

Florida SBDC at USF Announces 2023 Regional Performance Award Winners

Florida SBDC at USF opens new satellite location at Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce

Florida SBDC at USF Consultant Wins Network State Star Award

Wanda Barton, Xtremely Clean Janitorial Services Named 2022 SBA State of Florida Woman Business Owner of the Year

Eileen Rodriguez awarded Jerry Cartwright Lifetime Achievement Award

Florida SBDC at USF Announces Regional Award Winners

COVID-19 Pandemic Broadens Access to Training for Entrepreneurs

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