• Facebook
  • Youtube
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Flickr
  • Slideshare
  • Rss
  • Donate
  • Subscribe
SBDC Tampa Bay
  • Home
  • Solutions
    • Certifications
      • Business Certifications
      • Minority-Owned Business
      • Woman-Owned Business
      • Veteran-Owned Business
    • Consulting & Training
      • Training
      • Training Calendar
      • Consulting
      • Schedule a Consultant
    • Business Solutions
      • Growth Acceleration
      • Government Contracting
      • International Trade
      • Starting Your Business
      • Disaster Preparedness
      • Student Teams
      • Organizational Development
  • Resources
    • Business Resources
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Insights
    • Blog
    • Media Inquiries
  • About Us
    • Mission / Vision
    • Consultants
    • Meet the Staff
    • Meet Our Clients
    • Partners / Affiliates
  • Training
    • Training Calendar
    • On-Demand Training
  • Results
    • Success Stories
    • Economic Impact
  • Locations
    • Tampa
    • Hillsborough
    • Hernando County
    • Pinellas County
    • Highlands, Hardee, DeSoto
    • Polk County
    • Manatee
    • Sarasota
  • Contact
  • Schedule a Consultant
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
Blog

FSBDC at USF Partnership Helps Maximize Business Potential

Success Stories

Executive Reporting Service of Pinellas County

FSBDC at USF Partnership Helps Maximize Business PotentialIn 1981, after a week of having no work assigned through the court reporting agency she worked for, Diane Emery decided to make a change. A few hours after quitting her job, she embarked on her own small business venture.

“I was loading my plants in the car and the guy from Bromley’s Jewelers said, ‘Where you going little girl?’ Emery said. “They all called me little girl back then. I said ‘I quit, but I’m gonna start my own business.’ He rented me an office space for $300.”

Emery started her business like many entrepreneurs. She knew she wanted to continue to be in the court reporting industry, but she knew very little about being a small business owner. Thankfully, she says, she found the Florida SBDC at University of South Florida to assist her along the way.

“The staff’s expertise being provided to my small business allows me to remain competitive in a national, global marketplace, which as a small business I would not be able to afford to hire consultants with the same expertise,” she said.

Since March 2009, she has benefitted from multiple consulting sessions, participated in training seminars, utilized Growth Acceleration services, and most recently, obtained consulting for tax preparation.

“My business has had an amazing turnaround since working with Pearl by focusing on expenses and reducing unnecessary costs as well as focus on marketing and client development with a marketing budget; and confidence when working with my CPA and the bank understanding my financials,” Emery said of her sessions with business consultant, Pearl Dahmen.

She started her journey by obtaining a woman-owned business certification and participating in the Florida SBDC at USF’s government small business conference, through its Procurement Technical Assistance Center, in 2009.

“Working from the seminars at the trade show, I was familiar with the terminology so when they called from MacDill Air Force Base, I said, ‘Of course we can do business with you’, Emery said. “If I hadn’t done those things, I don’t know what I would have said because there are all these special things you have to be able to understand in working with government agencies.”

As business progressed, Emery doubted the business was as profitable as it could be. Having signed up to receive the FSBDC’s monthly email newsletter, she saw a posting about Growth Acceleration services, and applied for the program immediately.

Growth Acceleration encompasses a wide range of services, including a business assessment, business plan assistance, cash flow analysis, financial projections, and identifying sources of capital.

Since 2013, the business has increased its profit margin and obtained two U.S. Small Business Association loans, through Emery’s work with the Florida SBDC at USF.

Looking back, she says the Florida SBDC at USF has been integral in saving and growing her business.

“I would have closed my business and walked away from it rather than preserving and maximizing the effort I invested in this business over 30 years,” she said. “You guys literally saved my business’ life and the jobs for my staff and I am a better business person today with everything I’ve learned and the moral support received. True partnership.”

Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share by Mail
https://sbdctampabay.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/ers-diane-emergy-at-work.jpg 768 1152 admin /wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Locked-Host-Logos-Horizontal-USF-Small-e1635274663378.png admin2017-12-05 21:47:462021-12-15 02:47:07FSBDC at USF Partnership Helps Maximize Business Potential
Subscribe to Newsletter

Categories

  • Business Essentials
  • Business Plans
  • Buying a Business
  • Certifications
  • COVID-19
  • Crowdfunding
  • Disaster Preparedness
  • Economic Development
  • Finance
  • Government Contracting
  • Growing Your Business
  • Healthcare
  • Human Resources
  • International Trade
  • Marketing
  • Press Releases
  • Radio and Podcast
  • Starting a Business
  • Success Stories
  • Success Stories Videos
  • Tech Commercialization/Tech Transfer
  • Veteran
  • Web and Social Media

Contact Us

Regional Office Contact Info

USF CONNECT
3802 Spectrum Blvd., Suite 201
Tampa, FL 33612

813-396-2700

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Florida SBDC Network

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.

Logos

Business Assistance

USFMuma

State Designated as Florida’s Principal Provider of Business Assistance [§ 288.01, Fla. Stat.]

© Florida SBDC at USF | contact webmaster
Bridge Loan Helps Tampa-based Contracting Company Bridge the GapBridge Loan Helps Tampa-based Contracting Company Bridge the GapThe Dance Academy of Pasco County The Dance Academy, of Land O Lakes, specializes in gymnastics, tumbling and dance instruction for children ages 18 months to 18 years. Like many other businesses in Florida, Hurricane Irma left a path of economic damage in its path, in the form of lost revenues and customers as residents fled the state and then began the cleanup efforts. President Susan Sisk and Vice President Jill Bosack, were searching for a way to invest in an additional employee to help them recoup lost enrollments after the hurricane, so they reached out to the Florida SBDC at University of South Florida for assistance in applying for a State of Florida Emergency Bridge Loan. The loan is an interest-free, short-term loan meant to help bridge the gap as businesses attempt to get back to normal. When asked about their experience with the storm and the assistance received, they recalled: What type of damage occurred? We didn't have any physical damage to the facility but our enrollment was down 33% immediately following the hurricane. Typically, September is one of our strongest months for new enrollment. How will the Bridge Loan help? We are going to use the proceeds from the loan to invest in an employee who will specialize in social media to increase awareness of what we do at the building and programs that we already offer. We are also going to add new programs to the facility to help draw new students and new demographics. How was the Florida SBDC at USF helpful during this process? I would say overall that Mitch was very timely. He always had quick responses to any questions that I had either via email or via phone and he was always very accessible. He always got back with me and got the answers. We both walked away from our meeting with Mitch confident that we were going to get the help we needed and that our plan for moving forward would actually have a chance of working. We're thankful that you're here. We know our positions very well but we're not a banker, we're not an investor, so we need organizations like this.Land O Lakes-based Dance Academy Keeps Moving with Bridge Loan
Scroll to top