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As 2020 winds down, the Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) would like to reflect on what matters — your business. This year as the pandemic struck, businesses were resilient and creative in order to maintain the new normal. Here's a look at a few stories about businesses who utilized the Florida SBDC at FAU's resources in order to open a new business, re-open, pivot or just stay afloat during this pandemic.
To share your success story with Florida SBDC at FAU, contact your consultant or email us here.
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When Life Gives You a Pandemic: One Entrepreneurs’ Success in an Economic Crisis
Nicole Anyadike was in her last semester of nursing school when she shifted gears to help address the lack of educational programs for the youth in her community. Soon after, she founded Kidology Enterprises, an educational enrichment program that helps youth build social, cultural, physical education and life skills based on science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM). Using Gadson’s assistance, Anyadike received consulting services, capital access loans and guidance to the disaster recovery program that kick-started Kidology Enterprises Virtual Academy.
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Primrose School of Miramar
Private Preschool Turns: Essential For Pandemic Workers
For more than four years, the Primrose School of Miramar provided almost 200 children with a vital early education and childcare experience in a private pre-school setting. So, when the Kapadias decided to close the preschool at the start of the COVID-19 crisis, like the rest of the world, they were extremely concerned. That's when they decided to turn to the Florida SBDC at FAU for business assistance. There they connected with Parbatee Chang who helped them receive a disaster recovery loan and gain access to capital for businesses impacted by the pandemic.
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Mark Freshwater started Freshwater and Son's Electric almost 10 years ago, with himself and his van. As the company continued to grow, Freshwater had to re-align his office staff to meet growing business demands. He found himself in need of business guidance and support. That's when he turned to the experts at the Florida SBDC at FAU and first met with lead consultant Deborah Lanford, along with consultants Jacqueline Ramirez and Audra Wilson-Russell, who provided fast recovery specialized services simultaneously.
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When the COVID-19 global pandemic began earlier this year, Bernard A. Shuster, MD, FACS, a third-generation plastic surgeon, immediately complied with the orders from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Broward County to stop elective medical procedures. That is until he connected with Parbatee Chang, a consultant at the Florida SBDC at FAU, who informed him about the disaster recovery loan assistance program.
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Sailing in Style:
From Capturing Designer Fashion to Selling It
After 25 years on the road as a commercial freelance photographer, Montana Pritchard decided to settle down close to home, in Palm Beach, Fla. Pritchard wanted a career change and quickly became the owner of a successful small business, Zeidel and Co— despite a global pandemic. Pritchard’s first steps were to search for small business assistance for owners like himself. His search led him to the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) and Mitchell Goldstein, a consultant who specializes in business management and growth plans.
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Designing for a New World:
The Florida Small Business Development Center at FAU Assists Fashion Designing Company and New Designer Face Masks
When the coronavirus crisis hit in March, business-owner Amanda Perna was grateful that she had an expert to turn to. Perna, owner of the Neon Bohemians and House of Perna fashion brands in Delray Beach, was hit hard by the stay-at-home orders that closed stores and cratered demands for splashy clothing. But she knew she could get help from Jacqueline Ramirez, a consultant at Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Florida Atlantic University (FAU).
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Designing Tile Edges:
From Tenant to Business Owner
Despite his career as a civil engineer, Ozgur Avsar always dreamed of owning a business. Now, he owns two — US Bullnosing and KBOB Properties. When his brother heard of a tile processing company that specializes in bullnosing — tiles which have smooth rounded edges — getting ready to close their doors, Avsar connected with Angel Rentas, a business consultant at SBDC at FAU who specializes in loan applications, who helped him successfully receive a loan to buy out his landlord, gain capital to purchase equipment for the expansion and secure more employees for the business.
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Hair Therapy:
Imagine a Salon that Works on Your Hair and Your Mind
Haircuts and chit-chat go hand-in-hand when sitting in a chair at a barbershop or beauty salon. But what if that heart-to-heart talk was with a licensed therapist? That’s just what Lashawn Harris and Lisa McMiller-Harris had in mind three years ago when they opened Upper Cutz Barbershop and Salon in Delray Beach, Fla. Aside from offering haircuts and treatments for both men and women, the couple also highlight Cutz and Conversations, a monthly gathering with a therapist that promotes healthy discussions around mental health and depression.
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It Takes a Village:
ACE Helps Shape the Next Generation of Athletes
Krissy Webb’s father coached her and her sisters both on and off the field – how to be a better athlete and how to be a better person. When Webb became a mother, she too recognized the importance of building valuable life skills, not only in her children but also in the children in the community. So Webb decided to take action and create a nonprofit that focuses on building the character of high school students, through athletics, community and education (ACE). With George Gadson's strategic assistance, Webb said, ACE now serves more than 30,000 students and expanded to include Palm Beach, Broward and Miami Dade counties.
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Changing Young Lives:
Boys Mentoring Program Thrives with Help From the Florida SBDC at FAU
Richard ‘Coach’ Dunn grew up without a strong male role model. But, after spending 25 years coaching boys’ youth basketball, he recognized the importance of mentoring young men to help shape and guide future generations. That’s when Dunn decided to found a nonprofit mentoring program called Men2Boys – but this was not an average boys-to-men mentoring group. The organization focuses on the outreach of older men in his community, much like himself, and how those men can pour into the younger, fatherless generation.
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Aabaco Environmental Industries:
Spill Kit Company Expands with Help From the Florida SBDC at FAU
Longtime business owner Daniel Hannon moved to a new state and was overwhelmed trying to find a new business to buy. Thanks to the Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Florida Atlantic University (FAU), he purchased Aabaco Environmental Industries and took it to a whole new level. With the help of the consultants from the Florida SBDC at FAU, Hannon’s company grew. It went from just him and his wife, one part-time warehouse employee and six national distributors, to eight full-time employees, five warehouses, an e-commerce site and contracts with the military, state and local government.
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The Florida SBDC at Florida Atlantic University is a member of the Florida SBDC Network, a statewide service network funded in part through cooperative agreements with 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; and nationally accredited by the Association of SBDCs. SBA's funding is not an endorsement of any products, opinions or services. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact the Florida SBDC at FAU: sbdc@fau.edu.
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