Florida SBDC clients make splash at the Tampa Bay MED Week Conference

Every year local minority-owned business owners and advocates gather for the Tampa Bay Minority Enterprise Development Week Conference, to celebrate the impact local minority-owned businesses have on the Tampa Bay community.

The event, which was held at the Sheraton Tampa East Hotel from August 19-22, celebrated local business owners and gave an opportunity for others to learn the tools they need to succeed and make an economic impact in the community.

During the event, two consultants from Florida SBDC at Pinellas County Economic Development (PCED) offered their expertise on business growth and development. Center Director, Dr. Cynthia Johnson, acted as moderator for the event and spoke on, “How to Leverage Your Relationships to Expand Business Growth.” Kurt Forster, certified business consultant, hosted a marketing seminar titled, “How Do Your Prospective Clients/Customers Know About You.”

During the event’s award luncheon, two of FSBDC’s clients walked away as Business of the Year winners.

Carlos Cubas, owner of C&C Painting Contractors, Inc., was the Hillsborough County Business of the Year award winner. In 2012, Cubas utilized the Growth Acceleration program at Florida SBDC at USF to help his business grow and succeed. He has utilized the training seminars, as well as government contracting and growth acceleration consulting services, since 2002.

LJ Tucker, owner of Tucker Enterprise Services, Inc., a tree service and property management company, won the Pinellas County Business of the Year award. Tucker has utilized more than 100 hours of services from the Florida SBDC at PCED, to learn how to contract with government agencies.

The Florida SBDC at USF region specializes in no-cost consulting and low-cost training for existing and emerging entrepreneurs.

To view photos from the MED Week Awards ceremony, visit the Florida SBDC at USF Flickr gallery.