Small Biz Florida

Ep. 300 | Bridging Education and Industry with Dr. Timothy Moore of IRSC

In this episode of Small Biz Florida, host Tom Kindred sits down with Dr. Timothy Moore, President of Indian River State College (IRSC), at the 2024 Florida Chamber Future of Florida Forum in Orlando. Dr. Moore shares how IRSC plays a crucial role in supporting the local business community through innovative educational programs and strategic industry partnerships.
The discussion explores the importance of aligning educational institutions with workforce needs to create a pipeline of skilled professionals. Dr. Moore highlights IRSC’s commitment to providing affordable, high-quality education and the flexibility of Florida’s state college system in adapting to evolving industry demands. Additionally, he addresses workforce development challenges, the significance of early student engagement, and the necessity of long-term planning to sustain economic growth in Florida. This podcast episode was recorded live at the 2024 Florida Chamber Future of Florida Forum hosted at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Orlando, Florida. This podcast is made possible by the Florida SBDC Network and sponsored by Florida First Capital.
Connect with Our Guest:Learn more about Indian River State College

Ep. 299 | Building a Safer Workplace with the Florida Chamber Safety Council

In this episode of Small Biz Florida, host Tom Kindred speaks with Jason Mozo, Senior Vice President, and Konrad Sikora, Senior Safety Manager of the Florida Chamber Safety Council. Together, they discuss the Council’s mission to make Florida the safest, healthiest, and most sustainable state in America by 2030.
Jason and Konrad share their personal journeys into the field of workplace safety and highlight the various services offered by the Council, including safety training, mock OSHA inspections, and risk evaluations. They emphasize how investing in safety training not only reduces workplace accidents but also improves overall business profitability.
The conversation also covers the Council’s membership program, which provides small and medium-sized businesses with essential safety resources. Additionally, they discuss their commitment to community outreach through free onsite toolbox talks and career day participation at local high schools, ensuring a safer future for Florida’s workforce. This podcast episode was recorded live at the 2024 Florida Chamber Future of Florida Forum hosted at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Orlando, Florida. This podcast is made possible by the Florida SBDC Network and sponsored by Florida First Capital.
Connect with Our Guest:Learn more about the Florida Chamber Safety Council

Ep. 298 | The Power of Tourism with Visit Orlando’s Cassandra Matej

In this episode of Small Biz Florida, host Tom Kindred broadcasts from the 2024 Florida Chamber Future of Florida Forum in Orlando, where he sits down with Cassandra Matej, President and CEO of Visit Orlando.
Cassandra shares her journey in the hospitality industry and how Visit Orlando plays a vital role in driving economic growth across Central Florida. The conversation explores the far-reaching impact of tourism on small businesses, the diverse membership of Visit Orlando, and the importance of local tourism boards in fostering business success. Additionally, Cassandra discusses the excitement surrounding the upcoming opening of Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe in 2025 and what it means for the region’s economy. This podcast episode was recorded live at the 2024 Florida Chamber Future of Florida Forum hosted at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Orlando, Florida. This podcast is made possible by the Florida SBDC Network and sponsored by Florida First Capital.
Connect with Our Guest:Learn more about Visit Orlando

Ep. 297 | Bridging Education and Workforce with Xello

In this episode of Small Biz Florida, host Tom Kindred sits down with Ralph Aiello, Partnership Manager for Work-Based Learning at Xello, during the 2024 Florida Chamber Future of Florida Forum. Xello is an innovative online platform designed to support Florida's 67 school districts in building a seamless cradle-to-career pipeline.
Ralph shares how Xello helps students—from kindergarten to adult education—explore career opportunities, identify their strengths, and prepare for future success. He also highlights the critical role businesses play in closing the workforce gap by creating profiles on Xello to connect with the next generation of employees. This conversation underscores the importance of integrating technology into career development and strengthening the link between education and the business community. This podcast episode was recorded live at the 2024 Florida Chamber Future of Florida Forum hosted at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Orlando, Florida. This podcast is made possible by the Florida SBDC Network and sponsored by Florida First Capital.
Connect with Our Guest:Learn more about Xello

Ep. 296 | Master SBA Financing with Rapid Business Plans: Insights from Ross McClellan

In this episode of Small Biz Florida, host Tom Kindred sits down with Ross McClellan, Director of Business Development at Rapid Business Plans, during the 2024 Florida Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders (FLAGGL) Conference at the JW Marriott in Orlando.
Ross shares the pivotal role business plans play in securing SBA loans and funding for small businesses. He highlights Rapid Business Plans’ innovative 4-day service, which includes detailed discovery calls and a robust quality assurance process to create effective, lender-friendly plans. Whether you’re an entrepreneur or a lender, this episode offers valuable insights into navigating SBA financing, updating business plans, and leveraging professional support to achieve growth and success.
This podcast episode was recorded live at the Florida Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders annual conference hosted at the JW Marriott in Orlando. This podcast is made possible by the Florida SBDC Network and sponsored by Florida First Capital.
Connect with Our Guest:Ross McClellan, Rapid Business Plans

Ep. 295 | Social Media Strategies for Small Biz Owners with Chelsea Krost

In this episode of Small Biz Florida, host Tom Kindred welcomes Chelsea Krost, founder of Chelsea Productions, during the 2024 Florida Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders (FLAGGL) Conference. Chelsea shares her inspiring journey from starting in radio at just 16 years old to becoming a leading digital media expert.
The conversation dives deep into the essential role of social media and digital marketing for small business owners. Chelsea offers actionable advice on building a personal brand, engaging with audiences effectively, and utilizing tools like LinkedIn Learning, Canva, and ChatGPT. From starting a business on a tight budget to establishing thought leadership, this episode is packed with valuable insights for entrepreneurs looking to make a lasting impact online.
This podcast episode was recorded live at the Florida Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders annual conference hosted at the JW Marriott in Orlando. This podcast is made possible by the Florida SBDC Network and sponsored by Florida First Capital.
Connect with Our Guest:Chelsea Krost, Chelsea Productions

Ep. 294 | How to Maximize Your Business with Fractional CFO Services at ONE10

In this episode of Small Biz Florida, host Tom Kindred welcomes Tim Roverts, who serves as Manager of Business Development & Integration at ONE10, during the 2024 Florida Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders (FLAGGL) Conference at the JW Marriott in Orlando. Tim shares his background and discusses the services provided by ONE10, which include business valuations, outsourced CFO services, and tax assistance. He emphasizes the importance of having a fractional CFO for small businesses to manage financials effectively and explore growth opportunities. Tim also highlights how ONE10 supports small business owners with SBA loan needs and other financial services.
This podcast episode was recorded live at the Florida Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders annual conference hosted at the JW Marriott in Orlando. This podcast is made possible by the Florida SBDC Network and sponsored by Florida First Capital.
Connect with Our Guest:ONE10

Ep. 293 | Exploring New SBA Programs and Capital Access with Randy Puckett and Sandro Murtas

In this episode of Small Biz Florida, host Tom Kindred broadcasts from the 2024 annual FLAGGL conference in Orlando, focusing on small business capital access. Featuring guests Randy Puckett, Senior Financial and Loan Specialist in the Office of Financial Assistance at the U.S. Small Business Administration, and Sandro Murtas, Lead Export Finance Manager in the Office of International Trade at the SBA, the discussion covers the new Working Capital Pilot Program designed to streamline financing for small businesses. They share insights into the program's benefits, eligibility criteria, and parameters, as well as the SBA's role in supporting businesses during the pandemic and providing updates on the state of exporting in Florida.
This podcast episode was recorded live at the Florida Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders annual conference hosted at the JW Marriott in Orlando. This podcast is made possible by the Florida SBDC Network and sponsored by Florida First Capital.
Connect with Our Guests:U.S. Small Business Administration

Ep. 292 | Enhancing Small Business Construction Projects with Tetra Tech's Aaron Bartel

In this episode of Small Biz Florida, host Tom Kindred interviews Aaron Bartel, Construction Manager at Tetra Tech. They discuss the 2024 FLAGGL Conference in Orlando, focusing on small business lending and government loans such as SBA loans. Aaron shares insights from his professional background, Tetra Tech's role in supporting construction projects for small businesses, and the importance of involving professional oversight in large-scale projects. The episode also emphasizes the stages and considerations in developing a commercial property, from preliminary design to final occupancy, and the value Tetra Tech brings to ensuring project success.
This podcast episode was recorded live at the Florida Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders annual conference hosted at the JW Marriott in Orlando. This podcast is made possible by the Florida SBDC Network and sponsored by Florida First Capital.
Connect with Our Guest:Tetra Tech

Ep. 291 | Navigating SBA Loans and Business Valuations with Withum's Experts

In this episode of Small Biz Florida, host Tom Kindred broadcasts from the 2024 FLAGGL Conference, focusing on government-guaranteed lending, particularly SBA loans. Featuring guests Matthew Barrett, Business Executive at Withum, and Brian McIntyre, Partner at Withum (Forensic & Valuation Services), the discussion covers the importance of business valuations and strategies for increasing business value. They emphasize the integral role of professional accountants in small business success. Listeners will gain insights into how precise financial reporting and clean business operations can facilitate smoother SBA loan processes and improve overall business value.
This podcast episode was recorded live at the Florida Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders annual conference hosted at the JW Marriott in Orlando. This podcast is made possible by the Florida SBDC Network and sponsored by Florida First Capital.
Connect with Our Guests:Withum