Family Resource Business Seeks Resources For Growth
Lifeanew Resources of Pasco County
Faustine Judd and Jim Goeke found a passion later in life for parent education and family stabilization. The two created a business for couples seeking divorce, paternity support, child support, child enforcement, and child visitation. Judd got her book, What We Focus On Grows: Fundamental Concepts for Creating the Life You Choose, published before turning 70-years-old, and she decided to utilize her studies to spring board the business.
Judd and Goeke experienced drastic change during the COVID-19 pandemic. They had to teach classes online and were not able to meet in public, but after COVID-19, they realized they needed a set place to hold classes.
After looking for resources for marketing, outreach, and a stable location, the two decided to reach out to the Florida SBDC at the University of South Florida. They wanted to work on adhering to Google search guidelines, accommodating Spanish clients, and marketing platforms for clients.
The SBDC at USF provided consultant Pablo Arroyo, specialist in marketing and business planning.
“Just having that confidence because of talking with people at the SBDC that this had legs. this was something that can work, if I’m willing to put the work in to get everything put up,” Judd said. “I think that’s one of the biggest things for me. I have not seen a lot of revenue yet because I have been investing in my infrastructure such as a platform to do the online classes on.”
Arroyo was able to help Goeke secure a location at SMARTSTART, where clients could attend classes in a more accessible way.
“Having a permanent place to work from gave me the confidence to expand my classes and increase the sizes of my classes,” Goeke said. “Here I used to be able to accommodate only four or five people in a classroom, I can do up to 16 to 20 now with the advantages provided by SBDC, their contacts and their relationships with incubators and accelerators and other groups in the Tampa Bay community.”
As Judd and Goeke continue to engage clients throughout the Tampa Bay area, they plan to continue partnership with the SBDC at USF. They see the next step being working on website and social media platforms.
“If you are a small business owner, and if you are just starting out or feel like you just haven’t been able to take your business level that you want to, talk to someone at the SBDC. They have answers for you. They have resources for you, and they have connections.”
