In this episode of Small Biz Florida, host Tom Kindred travels to the National Entrepreneur Center in Orlando to sit down with SBA officials Francisco Sánchez Jr., Associate Administrator for the SBA Office of Disaster Recovery & Resilience, and Allen Thomas, Regional Administrator. The discussion delves into the SBA's enhanced disaster recovery st…

In this episode of Small Biz Florida, host Tom Kindred takes listeners on a journey to the National Entrepreneur Center (NEC) in Orlando, a powerhouse of small business support. Tom sits down with NEC President Belinda Ortiz Kirkegard to discuss her inspiring background, the mission of the NEC, and the center's innovative approach to aiding over 25…

In this episode of Small Biz Florida, host Tom Kindred sits down with Jonel Hein, District Director for North Florida SBA, and Deputy District Director Jeffery "Jeff" Salzer to uncover the vital resources the Small Business Administration (SBA) offers to entrepreneurs. From navigating government contracting to accessing capital, they delve into how…

Join host Tom Kindred and guest Colin King, CEO of Profit Mastery, for a no-nonsense conversation about the financial tools and strategies every small business owner needs to thrive. In this episode, you'll learn: Essential financial concepts: Understand the basics of income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow to make informed decisions for y…

In this episode of Small Biz Florida, Tom Kindred, welcomes Allison Chase, President and CEO of the Able Trust, a vital partner of the Florida SBDC network. They delve into the Able Trust's mission to advance career development for Floridians with disabilities through collaboration, investment, and partnerships. Allison shares her journey into this…

Join us as we venture into the realm of technology-driven economic development with Jake Biggs, Business Development Manager, and Matthew Moloney, Director of Marketing and Sales, both representing BluDot. At the heart of BluDot's offerings is its Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform, designed to streamline communication, data management…

In this episode of Small Biz Florida, we delve into the world of employee ownership and the innovative methods available for transitioning businesses, featuring experts Roy Messing, Director of State Center Operations at Employee Ownership Expansion Network and John Burgess, Principal at Jackson Lewis. With the looming "silver tsunami" of baby boom…

In this captivating episode, Tom Kindred sits down with Ruth Buchanan to explore the pivotal role of Florida Makes in shaping the future of Florida's manufacturing economy. With decades of experience in economic development and a passion for driving positive change, Ruth offers invaluable insights into the transformative impact of manufacturing on …

As Tom Kindred and David Zelaya delve into the intricacies of CRM platforms, they unveil the myriad benefits of leveraging technology to streamline business operations and enhance customer engagement. From automating manual processes to harnessing the power of AI-driven analytics, Glue Up emerges as a game-changer in the realm of CRM solutions. Get…

In this episiode, Tom Kindred and Bridget Lacoste, Events and Stakeholder Relationship Manager at Florida SBDC Network unveil the strategic vision behind the Small Business Success Summit, now in its third triumphant year. Bridget shares her remarkable journey, from her background in hospitality and event management to her pivotal role at the Flori…

In this enlightening conversation, Tom Kindred and Britney Odom unveil the multifaceted landscape of environmental consulting and construction services offered by SCS Engineers. With over 17 years of experience in the environmental sector, Britney Odom provides invaluable insights into the due diligence process, emphasizing the importance of thorou…

Under the guidance of Tom Kindred, the Host of Small Biz Florida and Regional Director of the Florida Small Business Development Center at Indian River State College, listeners are invited to explore the array of career pathways woven throughout the Sunshine State. Adrienne Johnston, CEO of Career Source Florida, brings her wealth of expertise to t…

This episode of Small Biz Florida dives into Comcast's impactful role in bridging the digital divide and fostering economic growth in rural Florida communities. This episode of Small Biz Florida tackles the critical issue of rural internet access. Host Tom Kindred interviews Michelle Oyola McGovern, Vice President of Government and Regulatory Affai…

Unveiling the power of data! This episode of Small Biz Florida, recorded live at the Florida Rural Economic Development Association (FREDA) Summit, explores how GIS Web Tech empowers rural economic development. Host Tom Kindred sits down with Row Bertasi, co-founder and CEO of GIS Web Tech, for an insightful conversation on the importance of data i…

Bridging the Gap: Unveiling strategies for rural economic development at the Florida Rural Economic Development Association (FREDA) Summit. This episode of Small Biz Florida sheds light on economic development initiatives in rural Florida. Host Tom Kindred is joined by Terry Burroughs, a county commissioner and economic development leader, for a in…

Small businesses, big dreams in rural Florida? This episode of Small Biz Florida is for you! Join us as we chat with Kaylee King, President, and Alex Tijerina, Director of Existing Industry, at the Okeechobee Economic Development Corporation (OEDC). Kaylee shares exciting new plans for the OEDC, including a focus on business retention and expansion…

Powering Up Growth: How Duke Energy Supercharges Florida's Small Businesses Florida's small businesses, listen up! This episode of Small Biz Florida connects you with a powerhouse supporter – Duke Energy's economic development team. We chat with Marc Hoenstine, Managing Director, of Economic Development for Duke Energy about the company's commitmen…

Unlocking opportunity in Florida's rural communities: How innovative partnerships are fueling small business growth. Ever wonder how small businesses can thrive in rural Florida? This episode of Small Biz Florida dives deep into the power of public-private partnerships! We'll chat with Justin Ford, from Dewberry Engineers, and Antonio Jefferson, Gr…

In this special edition of Small Biz Florida, recorded live at the prestigious 2023 Florida MakesMore Manufacturing Summit at the iconic Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts in downtown Orlando, host Tom Kindred brings you a groundbreaking episode featuring Ken Brace, the innovator behind Rapid Prototyping Services. Journey through the evolution…

In this special episode, Tom engages in a dynamic conversation with Lake Ray, the President of the First Coast Manufacturers Association and a prominent figure in Florida's manufacturing and legislative scene. With a background as a professional engineer and 30 years of experience in engineering and small business ownership, Lake brings a wealth of…

Welcome to a special episode of Small Biz Florida, broadcasting live from the heart of downtown Orlando at the illustrious Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts. We're on the scene at the 2023 Florida MakesMore Manufacturing Summit, where industry leaders converge to explore innovations, collaborations, and the future of manufacturing in the Suns…

Get ready for a riveting episode of Small Biz Florida, live from the hub of innovation – the prestigious Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts in downtown Orlando. Join us as we plunge into the dynamic world of manufacturing at the 2023 Florida Makes More Manufacturing Summit. Our honored guest today is Pavel Kuviarzin, the Business Advisor at Fl…

Get ready for an electrifying ride through the heart of innovation with Small Biz Florida, recorded live at the 2023 Florida Makes Manufacturing Summit at the renowned Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts in Orlando! In this immersive episode, host Tom Kindred explores the vibrant world of manufacturing, spotlighting the challenges, triumphs, an…

In this gripping episode of Small Biz Florida, your host Tom Kindred sits down with Horacio Maysonet, the President and CEO of Cyber Security Solutions. A seasoned Air Force veteran, Horacio is on a mission to protect small and medium businesses from the ever-evolving threats in the digital realm. Tom delves into Horacio's background, tracing his j…

Join us for a thrilling episode of Small Biz Florida, recorded live at the 2023 Florida Chamber Annual Future of Florida Forum in Orlando. Host Tom Kindred sits down with Mark Wilson, President and CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, for an insightful exploration of Florida's economic future. In this dynamic conversation, Tom and Mark dissect k…

Embark on an enlightening journey with host Tom Kindred in this riveting episode of Small Biz Florida, recorded live at the 2023 Future of Florida Forum. Join the insightful conversation with Eddie Gonzalez Loumiet, the visionary CEO of Ruvos, a trailblazer in public health informatics and health information technology since 2004. Eddie shares his …

Join host Tom Kindred in an inspiring episode of Small Biz Florida, recorded live at the 2023 Florida Chamber Future of Florida Forum. In this compelling conversation, Tom engages with Keyna Cory, the Executive Director of the Florida Goodwill Association, shedding light on Goodwill's transformative efforts to create an inclusive and empowered work…

In this impactful episode of Small Biz Florida, recorded live at the 2023 Florida Chamber Foundation's Future of Florida Forum, host Tom Kindred delves into the transformative work of Better Together with Executive Director Jeff Bell. Discover how Better Together is committed to keeping families united, preventing children from entering foster care…

Join host Tom Kindred in an insightful episode of Small Biz Florida, recorded live at the Future of Florida Forum. In this engaging conversation, Madeleine Thakur, President and CEO of the Children's Movement of Florida, takes center stage, unraveling the crucial role businesses play in shaping Florida's future and the profound impact of early chil…

Join us for an engaging episode of Small Biz Florida, recorded at the 2023 Florida Chamber Annual Future of Florida Forum. Host Tom Kindred sits down with Suzy Teele, Chief Strategy Officer at the ARM Institute, to uncover the impact of advanced robotics on Florida's manufacturing landscape. Suzy Teele, a recent Florida transplant from Pittsburgh, …

Fasten your seatbelts as our host, Tom Kindred, engages in a profound conversation with Mr. Jamal Sowell, President of Business Solutions at Indelible Solutions. From deep-rooted sixth-generation Floridian ties to Marine Corps service, and from being the former Florida Secretary of Commerce to CEO of Enterprise Florida, Jamal brings a wealth of exp…

Join us for a special on-site episode at the 2023 Florida Chamber Future of Florida Forum, where Tom Kindred engages in a captivating conversation with Sheri Cheney Jones, the distinguished CEO and Founder of SureImpact. In this exclusive interview, Sheri, armed with a background in industrial and organizational psychology, shares her fascinating j…

Dive into the dynamic world of education and workforce development in this special episode of Small Biz Florida, recorded live at the 2023 Florida Chamber Foundation's Annual Future of Florida Forum. Join Tom Kindred as he engages in a revelatory conversation with the inspiring Lorri Benjamin, Director of Adult and Community Education for Brevard P…

Welcome to Small Biz Florida, the podcast dedicated to Florida's small business community, presented by the Florida SBDC Network. Today, we're live from the Florida Chamber's "Future of Florida Forum," exploring innovative solutions. Joining us is Maria Darby, COO at Dwyer Workforce Development, making a significant impact on healthcare workforce d…

Today, we're at the forefront of innovation at the Florida Chamber's "Future of Florida Forum" in Orlando, exploring groundbreaking solutions. Joining us is Jim Marggraff, the CEO and Founder of Kibeam Learning. Jim takes us on a captivating journey through his entrepreneurial career, starting with the creation of LeapFrog's iconic LeapPad. Fast fo…

In this special episode of Small Biz Florida, we're coming to you live from the Florida Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders conference. Our focus is clear: assisting small business owners and operators in accessing the capital they need to start, grow, and expand their businesses. To guide us through this financial landscape, we have a dis…

Join us on this episode of Small Biz Florida, where we delve deep into the world of international trade and how small businesses can tap into global opportunities. Broadcasting live from the Florida Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders Conference, our focus is on the critical role this conference plays in providing small business owners wit…

Join us in this informative episode as we navigate the world of small business financing with Richard Giessert, Vice President and SBA Loan Officer at Marine Bank & Trust. Discover Richard's background, his pathway to Marine Bank & Trust, and the vital role he plays in helping small business owners access the capital they need to grow and thrive. R…

Join us for an enlightening episode as we delve into the world of small business financing with Ray Drew, an SBA lending expert and the host of the SBA Ray Podcast, the #1 SBA lending podcast. Ray is also the Managing Business Development Officer at Fund-Ex Solutions Group. In this episode, you'll gain insights into Ray's remarkable background and …

Join us for an informative episode as we delve into the world of SBA (Small Business Administration) loans with two experts from First Bank of the Lake: Eric Dunham, Vice President SBA Manufacturing & Exporting Senior Business Development Officer, and Igor Milanovic, Vice President SBA Senior Underwriter Manager. In this episode, Eric and Igor shar…

In this enlightening episode, we sit down with Crystal DiJoseph, the founder of One10 Finance & Accounting. Crystal shares her incredible journey from humble beginnings in Florida to becoming a successful entrepreneur and a vital resource for small business owners. Crystal's journey led her to explore various career paths, including financial advis…

In this episode of Small Biz Florida, we have a captivating conversation with Jim Parker, the President of Boss Group International, a Certified Business Intermediary. Jim brings his extensive experience in business brokerage to the table, shedding light on the dynamic world of buying and selling businesses in Florida. Jim shares his personal journ…

In this episode of Small Biz Florida, your host Tom Kindred sits down with Antonio Aguilar, representing Small Business Majority, to discuss the organization's dedication to supporting Hispanic-owned and operated businesses during Hispanic Heritage Month. Antonio shares insights into his personal background and how his passion for community service…

Join us in this episode of Small Biz Florida as we sit down with Terry Crispen, representing United Midwest Savings Bank, Terry has a rich history in SBA lending and shares his insights on the current banking landscape and how businesses can access capital. Terry discusses the evolution of United Midwest Savings Bank, founded by industry profession…

In this episode of Small Biz Florida, we sit down with Terri Sherman, a business intermediary and key player at the Florida Business Exchange. Terri's journey into the world of business brokering is an intriguing tale of serendipity that opens up a whole new world of possibilities for entrepreneurs. Terri discusses the immense potential of acquirin…

Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and providing them with the right tools and information is crucial for their growth and success. In this episode of Small Biz Florida, we kick off the summit by introducing Samantha Fleck, the Sales Director of Reference USA, a powerful resource for market research that has been an invaluable asset …

In this compelling episode of Small Biz Florida, our host Tom Kindred sits down for an engaging conversation with Chris Ryan and Rick Ulewicz, Sales Directors for Thryv. This marks their second appearance on the show, and this time, they take us on a fascinating journey through their backgrounds, leading up to their roles at Thryv. But the real exc…

Join us for an enlightening episode of Small Biz Florida as host Tom Kindred engages in a captivating conversation with Martin Guerrero, a key figure at Square, specializing in Global Policy Partnerships and Community Impact. Martin's journey to Square, beginning with his tenure at weebly.com, is a testament to the company's remarkable growth and i…

In a room filled with small business owners and operators, host Tom Kindred embarks on a thought-provoking conversation with Jordan Crenshaw, Senior Vice President at U.S. Chamber of Commerce Technology Engagement Center. This dynamic episode explores Jordan's fascinating journey, from his background in law to his current role at the forefront of t…

Join us for a special on-site episode in Perry, Florida, where host Tom Kindred and Greg Britton, the State Director for the Florida SBDC Network, discuss the vital role of the Mini MAC and Big MAC in supporting small businesses during disaster recovery, specifically in the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia. Greg Britton, with a background in manufactu…