Florida SBDC at USF Sarasota-Manatee establishes full-time presence in Sarasota, Manatee counties, to serve local businesses

SARASOTA/MANATEE (February 12, 2014) – Florida SBDC at University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee has added two full-time business consultants to its staff, to serve Sarasota and Manatee county businesses. The Florida SBDC at USF Sarasota-Manatee is the new home of the Florida SBDC Network in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

Dr. Robert Anderson, Dean of the USF Sarasota-Manatee College of Business, said, “The presence of the SBDC in the two counties that USFSM primarily serves adds to the growing number of professional organizations that are dedicated to helping develop and grow businesses. Where appropriate, the College of Business at USFSM will continue to assist organizations such as the SBDC and SCORE as they assist the localbusiness communities. We have learned that the local business communities are our “living laboratories” and the students greatly benefit by being involved in them.”

Part-time certified business consultant, Ed Davis, continues to serve the area as well. The Florida SBDC at USF Sarasota-Manatee assists existing and emerging businesses through no-cost business consulting and low-cost training opportunities.

Tim Novak and Dr. Anita Rose will be based at the CareerSource Suncoast Center in Bradenton, while Davis will be located at the USF Sarasota-Manatee North Port Instructional Site.

“Having SBDC representation in our Bradenton location is a win-win for both parties,” said Mary Helen Kress, President and CEO of CareerSource Suncoast. “What better way to connect local businesses to the SBDC for consulting services and to CareerSource Suncoast for talent sourcing and development services.”

Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation is also a Florida SBDC at USF Sarasota-Manatee partner. “The Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation is proud to partner with the professional staff at the SBDC. Their programs align perfectly with theEDC’s Business Retention/Expansion strategy, which is to assist our local companies as they look to diversify and grow their businesses,” Sharon Hillstrom, President and CEO at Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation, said.

Novak has experience in both public and private company business formation and development. His areas of expertise include leadership training, marketing & sales revenue development, medical management and service expansion, organizational change management, corporate compliance and entrepreneurship. He has consulted with and facilitated product integration into companies such as Live Nation, Disney, Sun Pro-Tec Systems, Delaware North, Hallmark, Royal Caribbean, Chocolate Pizza Company and Ace Hardware.

Rose has operated successful business start-ups and business turnaround operations, having owned and operated several small businesses, including a mortgage banking firm, boutique hotel, antiques auction gallery, and antiques center. She has built a mortgage banking firm, increased annual revenue by 300 percent for a boutique hotel, and transformed a failing antiques retail center and auction galleryinto a thriving and profitable venture. Rose’s areas of expertise include strategic business structuring, brand development, marketing, public relations, coaching and training, and communications.

Certified business consultants can assist entrepreneurs in a variety
of areas, including strategic market research, business and strategic plan development, market and revenue growth strategy development and implementation, capital access and loan packaging, financial analysis and assessment, accounting systems and financial literacy, and feasibility analysis and start-up assistance. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

To schedule a no-cost business consulting appointment today, visit the Florida SBDC at USF Sarasota-Manatee online at https://sbdctampabay.com/manatee/.