| |
|
Orlando Supplier Diversity Exchange
November 3, 2016
|
Have you ever wondered how you can secure work with state and local government entities? Are you looking for an opportunity to meet directly with buyers from across the state? The Supplier Diversity Exchange is your answer!
Come meet representatives from state, federal and local government at the Supplier Diversity Exchange—a new event for Florida-based woman-, veteran- and minority-owned small businesses that’s hosted by the Office of Supplier Diversity and the University of Central Florida. The Supplier Diversity Exchange includes training, workshops and presentations from MyFloridaMarketPlace, the Small Business Administration, the Small Business Development Center and representatives from state and local government entities.
Learn. Network. Grow. The Supplier Diversity Exchange allows small business owners to do the following: Learn how you can get involved in procurement opportunities and learn what buyers are looking for. Network with state, county and federal government representatives in scheduled one-on-one interviews. Grow your contact base and ultimately your business.
What makes this event so exciting? During the Business Exchange, which allows for one-on-one interview sessions, small business owners can market their goods and services directly with state and local buyers.
Don’t delay—register for the Orlando event today before tickets are sold out! www.OrlandoExchange.eventbrite.com
|
|
|
Small Business Update
Provided by the Florida SBDC Network
|
|
|
The Florida SBDC Network provides educational training events to thousands of emerging and established businesses each year, covering current and practical information on business topics ranging from the basics to advanced business management skills. Events include workshops, seminars, conferences, peer-to-peer roundtables, networking and matchmaking.
In October, the Florida SBDC will offer “Ignite Your Online Marketing” at the University of South Florida, a workshop covering resources necessary to build a successful online presence. Also in October, the Florida SBDC will offer “Go Global: Exporting for Business Growth” at the University of Central Florida, an interactive workshop designed to help business owners prepare their businesses for globalization.
To learn more information and to find a workshop at a Florida SBDC nearest you, please visit
www.FloridaSBDC.org
.
|
|
|
Crowdfunding in Florida
Provided by Florida Advisory Council on Small and Minority Business Development Vice Chair Jay Narang
Crowdfunding, a form of crowdsourcing, entails raising funds for a project through monetary contributions from many people.
While there are many ways to go about a crowdfunding campaign, people nowadays often contribute through internet-mediated registries. This current crowdfunding model typically includes three roles: the project initiator, the person who proposes the idea and/or project that’s seeking funding; individuals or groups, the people who support the idea; and a moderating organization (the "platform"), which brings the parties together to launch the idea.
On June 16, 2015, Gov. Scott signed House Bill 275, which created the Florida Intrastate Crowdfunding Exemption (Florida Statutes 517.0611). The exemption allows “small businesses to raise capital through [i]nternet and broad-based marketing without the costs and rigors of a state securities registration process.” Though the Office of Financial Regulation (OFR) must issue supplemental rules for the bill to become operative, this exception is intended to assist small businesses in the Sunshine State.
While Alisa Goldberg, Acting Director of the Florida OFR’s Division of Securities, stated that no intermediary has successfully filed and received the approval to commence operations in Florida, the Florida Advisory Council on Small and Minority Business Development sees this as an opportunity for Florida’s small and minority-owned businesses to achieve alternative funding mechanisms. To learn more about this initiative, visit OFR’s website.
|
|
|
Does your business information show up on Google? Check here.
Are you interested in free online lessons from Google? Watch these free lessons to help you get on Google Maps, build a free website and try online advertising.
|
|
|
GYBO (Get Your Business Online)
|
|
“Just Google it!” You’ve heard the phrase before, but did you know that four out of five people use search engines to find local information like business hours and directions? And businesses with complete listings are two times as likely to be considered reputable. This means if your business listing is not complete, you’re likely missing out on potential new customers.
Have no fear: Google’s new initiative, Let’s Put Our Cities on the Map, is here to help! The initiative helps local businesses increase their online presence, and it all starts with businesses creating an online listing and verifying their business for free with Google My Business. Check out this helpful new program at www.gybo.com.
|
|
|
|
|
Do You Have an Amazing Success Story?
|
|
If you’re a small business owner with an amazing success story, submit your nomination today for SBA’s National Small Business Week awards. Let’s showcase Florida’s exceptional small business owners during National Small Business Week. The U.S. Small Business Administration will highlight the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners and community members from all 50 states and U.S. territories. For award guidelines and nomination forms for the 14 award categories, visit www.sba.gov/nsbw/awards. Nominations are due no later than 3:00 p.m. ET on Jan. 10, 2017.
|
|
|
Disaster Loans—Important Deadlines
|
|
Oct. 17 Deadline: Small businesses in Broward, Collier, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties can apply at www.sba.gov/disaster for Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loans as a result of flooding from Dec. 3-10, 2015.
Oct. 31 Deadline: Was your business impacted by Hurricane Hermine? Visit www.floridadisasterloan.org to learn about the Emergency Bridge Loan Program and how you can apply for short-term, interest-free working capital loans.
|
|
|
The content of this newsletter is intended to serve as informational only. It should not be construed as business advice or an endorsement of any particular organization by the Office of Supplier Diversity or the Florida Department of Management Services.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
