Announcing New Promotions! |
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The Florida SBDC at UWF has internally promoted three business consultants to title of Assistant Director as our regional presence expands. Our organization would like to congratulate Ayesha Haider, Terry Mauer, and Christa Wilson on their respective new roles. They will continue to serve their small business clients while leading outreach initiatives in their local counties of the Florida SBDC at UWF region. |
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Christa Wilson
Assistant Director |
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Terry Mauer
Assistant Director |
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Ayesha Haider
Assistant Director |
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Due to the Passage of Amendment 2, Florida's Minimum Wage Will Increase Beginning September 30, 2021. |
"In November 2020, Florida voters approved changes to the state’s minimum wage, which will gradually increase from the current $8.65 an hour to $15 an hour by September 2026. The first increase will take place September 30, 2021, with the remainder occurring annually until September 2026.
Beginning September 30, the minimum hourly wage in Florida will be $10.00. The minimum hourly cash wage rate for eligible tipped employees will be $6.98."
If you need assistance preparing for this change or the future minimum wage requirements, contact your Florida SBDC at UWF business consultant! You can also email us at sbdc@uwf.edu. |
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SBA Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration |
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Presented by the SBA’s North Florida District Office
"Join in to celebrate the contributions and successes of Hispanic-owned small businesses."
Thursday, September 16, 2021 • 10am to 12pm EDT
"Here from successful business owners, chambers, community leaders, and groups from the Hispanic Community in North Florida. Topics we will cover during this call will include:
- Latest economic and business statistics for Latinos
- State and local resources to help businesses pivot
- Hispanic Chamber Presidents Roundtable – roles and support
- SBA programs and services
- Hispanic-owned 8(a) Business Development Successes
This event is open to everyone!
For more information, contact Ana Grogan at (904) 443-1970 or email ana.grogan@sba.gov." |
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Our Client Success Story:
Battery Guyz |
"Battery Guyz is a local battery retailer that sells high quality new and reconditioned batteries. We offer junk battery recycling and reconditioned service for our local community. Reconditioned Batteries Done Right! At Battery Guyz, we ensure that your junk battery is recycled responsibly by state recycling guidelines. We are a state licensed battery lead recycler." |
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The Florida SBDC at UWF assisted owner, Al Reed, with financial projections, marketing, website improvements, and his very own pitch for the TV show Shark Tank. Reed says he is passionate about recycling batteries and is excited to franchise his business model along with the technology he uses, in the near future. This September, is a special month for Reed, as he celebrates 25 years since his business's inception! Congrats to Al Reed in all of his successes. The Florida SDBC at UWF is proud to continue helping his business grow & succeed! |
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Get Connected With Us! |
Click on the icons below to follow our social media pages for the most up to date small business news and resources! |
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Take Advantage of Our Training Events |
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Introduction to Facebook Advertising - Sept. 8 |
Time: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: Online
Topic: Marketing and Sales
Do you have a Facebook page for your business and think there's an opportunity to reach more customers by running ads? This introductory webinar will teach you the basics of what Facebook advertising looks like, how you get started, and how to track the success of your ads.
Speaker(s): John Emsing, Business Consultant, Florida SBDC at UWF
A link for the Zoom session will be provided to registrants 24 hours before the start of the webinar.
Fee: No Cost |
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How to Build Your Business Brand - Sept 9 |
Time: 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Location: Online
Topic: Marketing and Sales
How you display, interact, and showcase who and what your business is will go into building your brand image. Whether your company's goal is to portray professional and neutral, or your brand highlights personality and originality, branding is important to help connect with your target audience and build on that relationship. This no-cost webinar will go into the following topics:
-What is branding?
-Why does it matter?
-How will it help my small business?
-How can my business implement branding easily?
Plus more!
Speaker(s): Brooke Gaskell, Marketing Coordinator and Brianna Webb, Business Consultant, Florida SBDC at UWF
Fee: No Cost |
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Starting a Business Workshop - Sept 14 |
Time: 12:00pm - 4:00pm
Location: Bay County Chamber of Commerce
Topic: Start-Up Assistance
Have an idea for a business, but not sure where to start? In this workshop, we will talk about business concepts and find answers to many of your questions: Is there a need for your product or service? Can you make money with your business idea? Is this business compatible with your goals? What rules, laws and licenses apply to your business? Attendees will learn legal business structures, best management practices, funding options, basic marketing strategies. We will also talk about how to write a business plan and the importance of financial statements. After attending, you will be assigned a Florida SBDC Business Consultant to get assistance (at no cost to you) in moving through the stages of your business venture.
Speaker(s): Taye Larry, Business Consultant, Florida SBDC at UWF/Panama City
Please arrive a few minutes early to sign in and receive any handouts.
Fee: $ 50.00
Payment online only by debit/credit card. No refunds without a 48 hour notice. No walk-ins. Employees or Students of UWF may attend for no charge by calling 474-2528 to sign up. |
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Starting a Business Workshop - Sept 15 |
Time: 9:00am - 12:00pm
Location: Santa Rosa County Economic Development Office
Topic: Start-Up Assistance
Have an idea for a business, but not sure where to start? In this workshop, we will talk about business concepts and find answers to many of your questions: Is there a need for your product or service? Can you make money with your business idea? Is this business compatible with your goals? What rules, laws and licenses apply to your business? Attendees will learn legal business structures, best management practices, funding options, basic marketing strategies. We will also talk about how to write a business plan and the importance of financial statements. After attending, you will be assigned a Florida SBDC Business Consultant to get assistance (at no cost to you) in moving through the stages of your business venture.
Speaker(s): Christa Wilson, Business Consultant, Florida SBDC at UWF
Please arrive a few minutes early to sign in and receive any handouts.
Fee: $ 50.00
Payment online only by debit/credit card. No refunds without a 48 hour notice. No walk-ins. Employees or Students of UWF may attend for no charge by calling 474-2528 to sign up. |
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How to Build Your Business Brand - Sept 24 |
Time: 11:00am - 12:00pm
Location: Florida SBDC at UWF - Emerald Coast Campus
Topic: Marketing and Sales
How you display, interact, and showcase who and what your business is will go into building your brand image. Whether your company's goal is to portray professional and neutral, or your brand highlights personality and originality, branding is important to help connect with your target audience and build on that relationship. This no-cost webinar will go into the following topics:
-What is branding?
-Why does it matter?
-How will it help my small business?
-How can my business implement branding easily?
Plus more!
Speaker(s): Brooke Gaskell, Marketing Coordinator and Brianna Webb, Business Consultant, Florida SBDC at UWF
Please arrive early to sign in and get your packet.
Fee: $ 20.00
Payment online only by debit/credit card. No refunds without a 48 hour notice. No walk-ins. Employees or Students of UWF may attend for no charge by calling 474-2528 to sign up. |
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Starting a Business Workshop - Oct 1 |
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Time: 12:00pm - 3:00pm
Location: Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce Conference Room - 4th Floor
Topic: Start-up Assistance
You have an idea for a business. What’s the first step? Take the idea that has been forming in your head and see if you can turn it into an actual business. In this four-hour workshop we will take an in-depth view of your business concept and discuss the steps to a successful start: Is there a need for your product or service? Can you make money at it? Are you the right person to bring this to market? Is this business compatible with your personal goals? What rules, laws and licensing apply to your business? We will discuss funding options for your business, basic marketing strategies, legal business structures, taxation and the nuts-and-bolts of actually launching your new venture. We will also provide you with worksheets to take home and begin the process. After attending this workshop, if you decide to go forward with your business, you will have access to a Florida SBDC Business Consultant to provide assistance (at no cost to you) as you create your business plan and move toward your goals.
Speaker(s): John Emsing, Business Consultant, Florida SBDC at UWF
Please arrive early to sign in and receive your packet.
Fee: $ 50.00
Payment online only by debit/credit card. NO REFUNDS No walk-ins. Employees or Students of UWF may attend for no charge (as long as space allows) by calling 474-2528 to sign up through our office. |
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Bookkeeping & Accounting Basics: Part 1 - Oct 5 |
Time: 10:00am to 11:00pm
Location: Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce - Conference Room 4th Floor
Topic: Business Accounting and Budget
Does the thought of bookkeeping and accounting duties for your business give you chills? During this session, get valuable information about the basics. Topics such as journal entries, balance sheets, assets, liabilities and owner’s equity plus depreciation will be discussed. This is part 1 of a 2-part presentation. You can attend just one or both; we suggest both sessions to give you the most comprehensive view of this topic.
Speaker(s): Kyle Polhlopek, Business Consultant, Florida SBDC at UWF
Registration ends 24 hours prior to workshop.
Fee: $ 25.00
Payment online only by debit/credit card. No refunds without a 48 hour notice. No walk-ins. Employees or Students of UWF may attend for no charge by calling 474-2528 to sign up. |
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Bookkeeping & Accounting Basics: Part 2 - Oct 12 |
Time: 10:00am to 11:00am
Location: Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce Conference Room - 4th Floor
Topic: Business Accounting and Budget
Are income statements or payroll taxes stumbling blocks to managing your business? If you need answers to these important topics, join us for a live, online webinar entitled Bookkeeping & Accounting Basics: Part 2. During this session, learn about income statements and how the income statement relates to the balance sheet. The discussion will also include information about sales and expenses and how to do payroll and payroll taxes. If you did not get to attend the first part, no problem; Part 2 has valuable information on even more aspects of this topic.
Speaker(s): Kyle Polhlopek, Business Consultant, Florida SBDC at UWF
Registration ends 24 hours before workshop.
Fee: $ 25.00
Payment online only by debit/credit card. No refunds without a 48 hour notice. No walk-ins. Employees or Students of UWF may attend for no charge by calling 474-2528 to sign up. |
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Make Your Website Work for You - Oct 14 |
Time: 9:00am - 10:00am
Location: Online
Topic: Marketing & Sales
In this presentation, attendees will discover how to create a search-friendly website that drives user action and supports their goals. Whether launching a new website or sprucing up an old one, this workshop will help.
Speaker(s): Matt Weber, President and CEO of ROAR! Internet Marketing and a National Google Supported Trainer
Link to the Zoom session will be provided to the registrants 24 hours prior to the webinar.
Fee: No Cost |
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Request No-Cost Consulting
The Florida SBDC at UWF is available to assist small businesses that need assistance from a variety of consulting topics. To learn more about our services, please visit our website and click on the "Services" tab. While on our website you will also be able to request no-cost consulting. sbdc.uwf.edu. |
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The Florida SBDC Network is state designated as Florida’s Principal Provider of Business Assistance [§ 288.001, Fla. Stat.] and recognized as Florida’s “premier source” for business assistance.
The Florida SBDC at the University of West 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 headquarters. Florida SBDC services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Language assistance services are available for individuals with limited English proficiency." |
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