Check out the latest updates from Florida SBDC at FAU

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June/July 2022

Meet the leadership Team

FAU is a leader in Innovation and Business Development. This conglomerate of services offered at 11 locations across South Florida, is led by Dr. Daniel C. Flynn, vice president for Research at Florida Atlantic University (FAU), and Dr. Sandra Marin D. Ruiz, the assistant vice president for Innovation and Business Development and the regional director of the Florida SBDC at FAU.

Together their leadership continues to support FAU's business community and promote economic development and entrepreneurship throughout the region.

Learn more about FAU's innovation and business development, here.

Founded in Florida

The Florida SBDC Network Small Business Success Summit recently took place this past June in Tampa, FL. The event provided small businesses with access to information capital, contracts and connections for growth and success. The summit also featured keynote speakers, breakout sessions and networking opportunities that allowed small businesses to walk away with strategies and connections to help further their businesses.

Check out the newest initiative Founded in Florida, from the summit, here.

Business Skills for the Modern Creator Program Recap

During each Saturday in June, the Florida SBDC at FAU, in partnership with the Broward County Cultural Division, hosted the 16th annual Business Skills for the Modern Creator program (formally AEI – Artist as Entrepreneur Institute).

Led by George Gadson and Rafael Cruz, 36 creative entrepreneurs met in the Liberal Arts building on FAU’s Davie Campus learn the fundamental skills needed to manage their creative businesses successfully and profitably.

The creative economy is vital to South Florida, and this program targets the specific needs of creative entrepreneurs in their journey to grow their businesses. Planning, tax and legal considerations, marketing, branding, pricing, grant writing and raising capital were covered with special attention to the needs of creatives.

For information on the Business Skills for Modern Creators program email Rafael Cruz, here.

Hurricane Season Preparedness

Are you and your business prepared for this hurricane season? The SBA and the Florida SBDC at FAU encourage all business owners to take the necessary steps in case of any disasters or emergencies.

View a full list of tips here.

Caring for the Community

“From the beginning, the Florida SBDC at FAU has been my safety net emotionally and logistically. Jazmine Loiselle has been supportive and an amazing guide that has helped me overcome any fears of not knowing what to do and that it was okay because there were resources and a group of people available to show me the way.”

— Rebecca Gorchoff, RKG Therapy, LLC

Read her story here.

Lending an Ear

"It wasn’t until I realized how often I sat down with [J.J. Raju] to pick his brain on the business challenges, that I understood how valuable his expertise was and that I needed his assistance.”

— James Farese, ReachLink

Read his story here.

"Working with Debbie Lanford has been an absolute pleasure. She has kept me updated during every step of the process. The Export Marketing Plan I reviewed with her was nothing short of outstanding. The data gathered in the plan is so impactful to our business that we will include part of it into our investor pitch deck."

— Douglas Fajardo, Xennial Digital

Consultant Spotlight

Meet Angel Rentas. He is a certified business consultant specializing in finance and loan package development and is an expert in assisting small and medium-sized businesses to establish and grow their operations. He has 35 years of banking and finance experience as a bank officer and portfolio manager serving private and public corporations.

Learn more about Angel here.

Find the full list of events here.

Small Business Tax Prep 101: Tips for Filing

Date: Aug. 9

Time: 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

The Fundamentals of Procurement

Date: Aug. 19

Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Live in-person event at the Pine Island Multipurpose Center, 3801 S. Pine Island Road. - Palm Room

Export Marketing Plans

Our services can assist qualified new-to-export manufacturers and service providers in developing a customized export marketing plan for international expansion. Provided in partnership with Enterprise Florida and the U.S. Commercial Services, the export marketing plan includes:

Thorough readiness assessment
Industry and market analysis with target market recommendations
Review of overseas trade opportunities
Action plan that may include trade mission participation
Grant opportunities

Contracting with Governments

For businesses interested in becoming a prime contractor or a subcontractor — for federal, state or local government agencies, our consultants provide the following:

Determine suitability and secure necessary registrations
Comprehension of the language and contract basics
Connect with government buyers and prime contractors
Identify proposal and bid opportunities
Customized profile on automated BidMatch service
Assistance with contract performance requirements and audits

Still have questions? As always the SBDC at FAU is here for you, contact your lead consultant directly, or set up a consultation with a consultant here.

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.