
Author:
Subscribed: 0Played: 0Subscribe
Share
Description
Episodes
Reverse
Join Small Biz Florida as Ruth Buchanan, Vice President of Economic Development at GrowFL, shares her inspiring professional background that starts with her journey from the Philippines to the United States.
Discover how GrowFL, as the state's sole agency dedicated to helping second-stage businesses grow, focuses its resources and passion on CEOs and their specific needs and pain points. Ruth Explains how their business programs are designed to cater to CEOs, providing valuable assistance to overcome challenges and achieve growth.
Ruth takes us through GrowFL's impactful "Florida Companies to Watch" program, a prestigious recognition for growing second-stage companies headquartered in Florida. This program honors companies that demonstrate high performance in the marketplace through innovative strategies and processes.
– Learn more about GrowFL: https://growfl.com/
For more segments like these, subscribe to Small Biz Florida and Follow the official Small Biz Florida Instagram! This and the following segments were recorded at this year’s annual Florida Economic Development Council Conference hosted at Sheraton Orlando Lake Buena Vista Resort
Join Small Biz Florida as Tom Kindred interviews Wes Hudgens, Lead Project Manager of Economic Development at Florida Power and Light (FPL), to discuss the exciting WonderFL campaign. Discover how FPL, a significant contributor to Florida's growth, is partnering with communities and businesses to support talent attraction efforts across the state.
With 12 years of experience at FPL, Wes shares his journey from customer service to community relations and now economic development, He expresses his enthusiasm for his new role, which allows him to continue supporting communities and customers in making lives better in Florida.
Explore the WonderFL initiative, a statewide talent attraction campaign designed to complement ongoing efforts in recruiting the necessary talent for business success.
Wes gives us an overview of the user-friendly website, WonderFL.com, which serves as a funnel starting at the statewide level and guiding users to explore specific regions. Visitors can discover the unique quality of life, resources, assets, cost of living, and demographics of each area, helping them envision their future in Florida.
– Learn more about WonderFL https://wonderfl.com/
For more segments like these, subscribe to Small Biz Florida and Follow the official Small Biz Florida Instagram! This and the following segments were recorded at this year’s annual Florida Economic Development Council Conference hosted at Sheraton Orlando Lake Buena Vista Resort
In this episode of Small Biz Florida host, Tom Kindred welcomes Matthew Francis back for an update episode on REsimplifi.
Discover how REsimplifi's platform streamlines the collection and management of property data for economic development websites, freeing up valuable time for more specialized work. Matt highlights the importance of embracing technology in Economic Development and how Florida leads the way in adopting advanced tools and solutions.
Explore REsimplifi's strategic partnerships with GIS planning, GIS web tech, marketing companies, and CRM platforms, enabling seamless integration and enhanced efficiency for economic development agencies.
– Learn more about REsimplifi: https://resimplifi.com/
For more segments like these, subscribe to Small Biz Florida and Follow the official Small Biz Florida Instagram! This and the following segments were recorded at this year’s annual Florida Economic Development Council Conference hosted at Sheraton Orlando Lake Buena Vista Resort
In this episode of Small Biz Florida, Tom Kindred interviews Dave Petr, CEO of Marketing Alliance, about his pathway to economic development marketing and the niche his company operates in. Dave explains how economic development marketing is shifting from a government entity to a marketing function and emphasizes the importance of building relationships and trust with organizations and talent pools in order to attract the right people to regions.
Listen in as Dave shares his insights on the top 5 reasons or compelling selling points for Florida, from its diverse economy and workforce to its business-friendly climate and quality of life. As a practitioner in economic development for over 10 years, Dave provides valuable expertise on the unique storytelling approach required to promote Florida's cities and regions for economic development.
– Learn more about Marketing Alliance: https://www.marketingallianceinc.com/
For more segments like these, subscribe to Small Biz Florida and Follow the official Small Biz Florida Instagram! This and the following segments were recorded at this year’s annual Florida Economic Development Council Conference hosted at Sheraton Orlando Lake Buena Vista Resort
Tune into Small Biz Florida as host Tom Kindred sits down with Dave Parsell, the Founder, and CEO of Localintel, an award-winning government technology company. Explore the groundbreaking tools and solutions that Localintel provides to hundreds of Economic Development Organizations (EDOs) and Economic Development Corporations (EDCs), enabling them to showcase their community's advantages and drive economic growth.
During this episode, we dive into Dave's professional background, which spans senior roles in consulting and local government with a specialization in economic development. Dave also has experience in the banking sector and military service.
Join us as we discover how a simple idea became a thriving business that has helped hundreds of communities and businesses grow.
– Learn more about Localintel: https://www.ecdev.org/
For more segments like these, subscribe to Small Biz Florida and Follow the official Small Biz Florida Instagram! This and the following segments were recorded at this year’s annual Florida Economic Development Council Conference hosted at Sheraton Orlando Lake Buena Vista Resort
Join host Tom Kindred in an informative episode of Small Biz Florida as he sits down with Catrina Southall, Deputy State Director for the USDA in Florida.
Get ready to gain valuable insights into how the USDA supports and engages with Small Business owners in rural communities across the state. Learn how USDA is unlocking a world of opportunities for growth and success within these regions.
Explore the USDA's programs tailored specifically for small business owners and operators. Uncover eligibility criteria and learn how to access and navigate the user-friendly map on the USDA website.
Don't miss this enlightening episode as Catrina Southall shares her expertise and uncovers the ways in which the USDA is dedicated to fostering the growth and success of small businesses, paving the way for a resilient economic landscape.
– Learn more about USDA Small Business: https://www.usda.gov/smallbiz
For more segments like these, subscribe to Small Biz Florida and Follow the official Small Biz Florida Instagram! This and the following segments were recorded at this year’s annual Florida Economic Development Council Conference hosted at Sheraton Orlando Lake Buena Vista Resort
Tom Kindred hosts an enlightening episode of Small Biz Florida as he sits down with GIS Planning's Alissa Sklar, Vice President of Marketing, and Jerry Starnes, Director of New Business Sector Development.
Discover how GIS Planning simplifies complex geographic data for non-GIS users, providing valuable insights to organizations such as Florida Power and Light and Economic Development Groups. Explore the vast array of data points, including demographics, consumer spending, business sectors, broadband coverage, transportation networks, and incentives.
– Learn more about GIS Planning: https://www.gisplanning.com/
For more segments like these, subscribe to Small Biz Florida and Follow the official Small Biz Florida Instagram! This and the following segments were recorded at this year’s annual Florida Economic Development Council Conference hosted at Sheraton Orlando Lake Buena Vista Resort
Join host Tom Kindred in an exciting episode of Small Biz Florida as he welcomes back Kaylee King, the Business Manager of the Okeechobee County Economic Development Corporation.
Discover the transformative power of economic development in Okeechobee County, a region brimming with opportunities. Kaylee's unwavering dedication and passion shine through as she discusses the impact her work has on the local community and businesses.
– Learn more about Okeechobee Economic Development Corporation: https://ocedcorp.com/
For more segments like these, subscribe to Small Biz Florida and Follow the official Small Biz Florida Instagram! This and the following segments were recorded at this year’s annual Florida Economic Development Council Conference hosted at Sheraton Orlando Lake Buena Vista Resort
In this episode of Small Biz Florida, host Tom Kindred welcomes back Roy Messing, Director of State Center Operations at the Employee Ownership Expansion Network. Dive into the mission of this national nonprofit organization, which aims to revolutionize the landscape of employee ownership across the United States.
Don't miss this captivating episode as Roy Messing unravels the potential and benefits of employee ownership, offering a glimpse into a future where businesses thrive, communities prosper, and individuals become active participants in shaping their economic destinies.
– Learn more about Employee Ownership Expansion Network: https://www.eoxnetwork.org/
For more segments like these, subscribe to Small Biz Florida and Follow the official Small Biz Florida Instagram! This and the following segments were recorded at this year’s annual Florida Economic Development Council Conference hosted at Sheraton Orlando Lake Buena Vista Resort
Join host Tom Kindred in an engaging discussion as he sits down with Joseph Veranese, the CEO of Advance Manufacturing International (AMI), in this episode of Small Biz Florida recorded at this year's Florida Economic Development Council Conference. Discover how Advance Manufacturing International is making digital transformation of small and medium manufacturers possible. AMI is focused on enabling small to medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) everywhere to collaborate, innovate and thrive.
Don't miss this captivating episode as Joseph Veranese takes you on a journey through the world of advanced manufacturing, workforce development, and the exciting future of Florida's manufacturing landscape. Tune in and be inspired by the possibilities that await both businesses and individuals in this ever-evolving industry.
– Learn more about Advanced Manufacturing International, Inc.: https://advmfg.org/
For more segments like these, subscribe to Small Biz Florida and Follow the official Small Biz Florida Instagram! This and the following segments were recorded at this year’s annual Florida Economic Development Council Conference hosted at Sheraton Orlando Lake Buena Vista Resort
The primary purpose of small biz Florida is to highlight and create awareness for all of Florida’s small business assistance and resource programs. One of the most effective ways to learn about, gather and share information on these resources is to attend and work at Florida’s top small business and economic development conferences.
One of these important business events was the recent Florida Economic Development Council’s 2023 Annual Conference held in Orlando, Florida. Small biz Florida was on the scene during the conference, recording and producing segments. The Small Biz Florida crew wants to thank Beth Cicchetti, Jill Blackman, and the entire FEDC team for allowing the podcast to be part of the recent conference.
The next 10 segments of Small Biz Florida were all produced and recorded at the conference-hopefully the segments will provide our listeners with valuable and beneficial information.
Please like, rate, and share our show to continue supporting the podcast with your networks, family, and friends. To stay connected and up to date on our latest releases, follow our Instagram @SmallBizFlorida!
We are so thankful for the growing and overwhelming support of our listeners. We hope our work is inspiring and helping all business owners in Florida and Nationwide!
In this episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Brooke Malone, one of the co-founders of Walking Tree Brewery, a beloved establishment located on the Treasure Coast of Florida.
We start with the background and pathway of Walking Tree Brewery, exploring how the founders' passion for craft beer and community led them to start this unique establishment. From humble beginnings to becoming a well-known fixture in the area, we'll take a closer look at what makes Walking Tree Brewery so special.
During our interview, we also touched on the recent Small Business Day at the Capitol event in Tallahassee, where Walking Tree Brewery and Small Biz Florida crossed paths. We discussed the latest legislative efforts to support craft breweries in Florida, and how it impacts small business owners like Walking Tree.
-Learn more about Walking Tree Brewery - https://www.walkingtreebrewery.com/
If you're interested in hearing more about the inspiring stories of small business owners and entrepreneurs in Florida, be sure to subscribe to Small Biz Florida. You can also follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on new episodes and exclusive content. Thanks for listening!
In this episode of Small Biz Florida, host Tom Kindred broadcasts all things business across the state of Florida from the Capitol building in Tallahassee, where small business owners and operators have gathered to celebrate Small Business Days.
Mark Cruz, Senior Vice President and General Counsel for Florida First Capital, joins Tom to discuss access to capital and the role of Florida First Capital in connecting lenders with borrowers through the SBA 504 loan program.
Mark talks about his pathway to Florida First Capital and the SBA 504 loan program, which provides favorable terms for small manufacturers who want to purchase or build a building and purchase long-term machinery and equipment. Mark also explains the structure of the program, where the borrower only has to come up with 10% of the financing, allowing small business owners to keep as much cash as possible to run their business.
-Learn more about Florida First Capital - https://ffcfc.com/
If you're interested in hearing more about the inspiring stories of small business owners and entrepreneurs in Florida, be sure to subscribe to Small Biz Florida. You can also follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on new episodes and exclusive content. Thanks for listening!
In this episode of Small Biz Florida, host, Tom welcomes Janelle Hein, District Director for the North Florida district office of the SBA, and Thaddeus Hammond, Supervisory Business Opportunity Specialist with the SBA.
They discuss the services, tools, and resources available through the SBA and the value of the agency's government contracting and international trade assistance. They also provide information on the four socio-economic government contracting programs, including the 8(a) business development program, and discuss the goals for each program and the percentage of government contracting dollars that each program receives. Thaddeus shares his background and pathway to the SBA and emphasizes the importance of government contracting. Janelle talks about her 32 years of experience with the SBA and the passion she has for small businesses.
Learn more about the SBA - https://www.sba.gov/
If you're interested in hearing more about the inspiring stories of small business owners and entrepreneurs in Florida, be sure to subscribe to Small Biz Florida. You can also follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on new episodes and exclusive content. Thanks for listening!
In this episode, Small Biz Florida is back at the Florida State Capitol building in Tallahassee to celebrate National SBDC Day. The podcast is covering the Capitol Days event, and Small Biz Florida host, Tom Kindred, interviews Marielena Villamil who serves as President & Chief Executive Officer and advisory board member. Marielena talks about her background and pathway to her organization, the Washington Economics Group, which is a boutique consulting firm that provides economic consulting services.
The firm's clients are mainly large institutions, such as healthcare, education, and sports. The firm conducts economic impact studies for its clients to show the community how important their investments and daily expenditures are and the impact it has on jobs, money, and taxes. This episode discusses how important economic impact studies are for organizations and communities, and how it is vital to share data and information to give credibility to projects.
Learn more about the Washington Economic Group - https://www.weg.com/
If you're interested in hearing more about the inspiring stories of small business owners and entrepreneurs in Florida, be sure to subscribe to Small Biz Florida. You can also follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on new episodes and exclusive content. Thanks for listening!
In this episode of Small Biz Florida, the podcast that covers all things business in the state of Florida, Tom sits with Meredith Ivey, the Secretary of the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), for a discussion on the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) and how it is helping small businesses in Florida. The DEO is a partner of the Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC), and Secretary Ivey explains the mission of the agency and its three major programmatic divisions.
The focus of the episode is on the SSBCI, a program that provides millions of dollars in funds for small business owners in the state of Florida. Secretary Ivey shares details about the program, including the $142 million currently available and the partnerships with lenders and financing institutions. The program offers bridge loans and capital to small businesses, including sole proprietors and entrepreneurs who may have difficulty obtaining traditional loans through federal or commercial programs.
Secretary Ivey also discusses the partnerships with organizations such as SBDC to create awareness of the program and provide technical assistance to small business owners. She highlights the importance of education and outreach in ensuring that eligible small businesses, including minority, veteran, and women-owned businesses, as well as small and rural businesses, are aware of the program and can negotiate loans directly with their local lenders.
Throughout the episode, Tom and Secretary Ivey emphasize the importance of supporting small businesses in Florida, especially during these challenging times. They discuss the DEO's commitment to economic development and the partnerships with organizations like SBDC to help small businesses thrive and grow in the state of Florida.
-Learn more about DEO - https://www.floridajobs.org/
If you're interested in hearing more about the inspiring stories of small business owners and entrepreneurs in Florida, be sure to subscribe to Small Biz Florida. You can also follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on new episodes and exclusive content. Thanks for listening!
In this episode of Small Biz Florida, host, Tom Kindred interviews two guests: Shane Grindle, the founder and owner-operator of Aquarian Clinic, and Traylor Roberts, the chief experience officer of the same clinic. The episode kicks off with a discussion about the Florida Small Business Development Center's Founded in Florida campaign, which recognized Aquarian Clinic as one of the standout small businesses in the state. The guests share their experiences with the campaign and what it means to be part of the small business community in Florida.
The conversation then shifts to the origins of Aquarion Clinic, which was founded during the pandemic to address the growing need for accessible and affordable healthcare. Shane talks about his inspiration for starting the clinic and how he wanted to fix something that he could fix amidst the chaos of the pandemic. Traylor shares his own story of how he became a patient of Aquarian Clinic and was so impressed with the experience that he decided to join the team and help expand the business.
Throughout the episode, both Shane and Traylor emphasize their passion for providing accessible healthcare and their commitment to their mission. They share their backgrounds and pathways to Aquarian Clinic, highlighting their diverse experiences and how they bring unique perspectives to their roles within the company.
Overall, this episode provides an insightful look into the world of small business in Florida and the inspiring stories of entrepreneurs like Shane and Traylor who are making a difference in their communities.
-Learn more about Aquarian Clinic - https://www.aquarianclinic.com/
If you're interested in hearing more about the inspiring stories of small business owners and entrepreneurs in Florida, be sure to subscribe to Small Biz Florida. You can also follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on new episodes and exclusive content. Thanks for listening!
We're back with another episode of Small Biz Florida and we are joined by Debra Gilkey, Vice President at Capital One who leads the Business Cards & Payments division here in the Treasure Coast. With nearly 30 years of industry experience, Debra is a trusted advisor to business owners throughout the region. She contributes her success to her passion for working with business owners and the lifelong relationships she has built. During this episode, we'll dive deep into the primary benefits of having a business credit card from Capital One. We'll talk about why business owners should consider banking with Capital One, as well as the best practices for getting the most out of their business credit cards. Finally, we'll discuss the various options available to business owners to help them get the most out of their Capital One business credit cards. So, join us as we explore the benefits of banking with Capital One.
For more segments like these, subscribe to Small Biz Florida and Follow the official Small Biz Florida Instagram! This and the following segments are brought to you through a collaboration between Capital One and Small Biz Florida. We hope to be able to provide valuable information and insight for small business owners who are looking for banking solutions that can help them reach their goals.
On this episode, we talk to Ryan Coughlin. Ryan has 20 years of banking expertise. He joined Capital One Bank in 2016 and serves as the Senior Director for the Business Banking Group in Florida. Ryan has been charged with leading the statewide expansion strategy. Join the conversation and explore the ways Capital One can help you manage your business finances. We'll discuss the features and benefits of their business banking accounts, as well as the digital tools and services that make it easier to keep track of your finances. We'll also be discussing the latest innovations in the banking industry that make managing your money more efficient than ever. Whether you're just getting started or already have a business up and running, this episode will help you understand the options and make the best decisions for your business. Tune in for the latest and greatest in business banking from Capital One.
For more segments like these, subscribe to Small Biz Florida and Follow the official Small Biz Florida Instagram! This and the following segments are brought to you through a collaboration between Capital One and Small Biz Florida. We hope to be able to provide valuable information and insight for small business owners who are looking for banking solutions that can help them reach their goals.
Incorporated 1907. The Town of Greenville’s history dates back to the Civil War when women from a sewing circle gave the town its name as a tribute to Mrs. U.M. Roberts who served as president of the sewing society, and came from Greenville, South Carolina. Today the Town of Greenville is home to 746 people and is the location of Ray Charles’ Childhood Home.
Lee Jones who serves the town as CEO/CFO sits with us to discuss the growth that the community has experienced over the past few years and where it is headed. Lee also talks about the importance of an event like the Florida Rural Economic Development Conference as it focuses on towns like Greenville that need the resources and support to grow and generate jobs for the people who reside in those communities.
Learn more about the Town of Greenville: https://mygreenvillefl.com/
For more segments like these, subscribe to Small Biz Florida and Follow the official Small Biz Florida Instagram! This and the following segments were recorded at the 2022 Florida Rural Economic Development Conference hosted at the World Golf Village Renaissance St. Augustine Resort
– To learn more about the Florida Rural Economic Development Association, visit their websites here:
-Opportunity Florida
-Florida Heartland ERO
- North Florida Economic Development Partnership