Small Biz Florida

Recorded at the 2026 Florida SBDC Small Business Success Summit, host Tom Kindred welcomes Tyler Teresa, Regional Administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Southeast Region, for an update on the programs, resources, and policy initiatives supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Tyler shares how growing up in a small-business family inspired his passion for helping entrepreneurs succeed. He and Tom discuss Florida’s expanding manufacturing sector and the SBA’s efforts to increase access to capital for manufacturers and other growing businesses.

The conversation highlights several important SBA initiatives, including expanded lending opportunities through the 7(a) and 504 loan programs, the Manufacturing Access and Revolving Line of Credit program, and efforts to reduce regulatory burdens through the SBA’s Office of Advocacy and Red Tape Hotline.

Tyler also discusses the SBA’s renewed focus on strengthening domestic manufacturing, supporting America’s supply chain, improving internal lending processes, and making SBA.gov easier for small-business owners to navigate.

Tune in to learn how the SBA is helping entrepreneurs access capital, overcome regulatory challenges, connect with business resources, and prepare for long-term growth.

Recorded at the 2026 Florida SBDC Small Business Success Summit, host Tom Kindred speaks with Florida State Representative Tiffany Esposito, who represents House District 77 in Lee County.

Representative Esposito shares how her background in economic development and leadership at Southwest Florida Inc. led her into public service. She discusses the essential role small businesses play in Florida’s economy and explains why reducing unnecessary regulations, supporting job creation, and maintaining a business-friendly environment remain important priorities.

The conversation also explores Florida’s strong network of resources for entrepreneurs, including chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, colleges and universities, SCORE, and the Florida Small Business Development Center Network.

Representative Esposito emphasizes the importance of small business owners taking time to work on their businesses—not only in them—and recognizes the entrepreneurs attending the summit for investing in their own professional development and long-term growth.

Tune in to hear a state and local perspective on entrepreneurship, economic development, and the policies and partnerships helping Florida’s small businesses succeed.

Recorded at the 2026 Florida SBDC Small Business Success Summit, host Tom Kindred speaks with Anthony Gagliano, Chief Operating Officer of CareerSource Suncoast, about the organization’s role in supporting entrepreneurs, employers, and job seekers throughout Florida.

Anthony shares how his own experience losing a job during the 2009 recession introduced him to CareerSource and ultimately led to a 17-year career focused on employment, education, and workforce training. He explains how Florida’s 21 regional CareerSource boards connect businesses with valuable services, including recruiting assistance, job fairs, employee training grants, apprenticeships, and workforce-development programs.

The conversation also highlights CareerSource Suncoast’s Community Entrepreneur Opportunity—or CEO—program. This free, 10-week business boot camp helps aspiring entrepreneurs evaluate their ideas, understand marketing and pricing, identify funding needs, study their competition, and develop a viable business model. Anthony emphasizes that discovering an idea is not currently sustainable can be just as valuable as launching a new business.

Tom and Anthony also discuss the importance of planning for human-capital needs as a company grows. CareerSource can help small businesses recruit employees, develop talent internally, create registered apprenticeship programs, train new hires, and upskill existing workers.

The episode demonstrates how partnerships among CareerSource, the Florida SBDC Network, educational institutions, financial organizations, and local governments create a stronger support system for Florida’s entrepreneurs and small-business community.

In this episode of the Small Biz Florida Podcast, host Tom Kindred sits down with Bridget LaCoste, Events and Stakeholder Relationship Manager for the Florida SBDC Network, to discuss the upcoming 5th Annual Small Business Success Summit taking place August 17–18 at the Sunseeker Resort in Charlotte Harbor. Bridget shares what attendees can expect from this year’s event, including inspiring keynote speakers, over 36 breakout sessions, networking opportunities, and a reverse trade show connecting small businesses with government agencies and prime contractors. The conversation highlights the Florida SBDC Network’s mission to help small businesses launch, grow, and thrive through practical, actionable resources and expert guidance. Listeners will also hear about trending business topics, including AI-driven marketing strategies, leadership development, government contracting, and successfully scaling a business.

Learn more about the event: 
https://floridasbdc.org/success_summit/

On this episode of Small Biz Florida, host Tom Kindred sits down with Fred Lenz, Founder and Managing Partner of Margin First Advisors, to discuss how small and medium-sized businesses can uncover enterprise-level cost savings without upfront consulting fees. Fred shares how his company helps SMBs improve margins through healthcare cost mitigation, IT optimization, tax incentives, AP automation, and other specialized solutions typically reserved for large corporations. He explains Margin First Advisors’ unique no-risk business model, in which clients pay only after savings are realized, and takes a deep dive into a healthcare program that leverages Affordable Care Act provisions to reduce employer healthcare expenses while generating significant FICA tax savings. The conversation also explores the growing role of virtual healthcare, automation, and proactive cost management strategies for businesses navigating economic uncertainty.

Connect with our guest: 
https://margin1st.com/

In this episode of Small Biz Florida, host Tom Kindred sits down with Geoff Grove and Michael Vallante from the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy. Together, they break down how this critical office serves as the voice of small businesses within the federal government, especially when navigating complex regulations. Geoff and Michael share their unique backgrounds in manufacturing and small business ownership, and explain how firsthand feedback from business owners plays a pivotal role in shaping policy. The conversation highlights real-world success stories, including how the R&D tax credit can unlock significant savings for manufacturers, and how the “Red Tape Hotline” empowers business owners to report regulatory challenges directly. This episode offers practical insights and valuable resources for entrepreneurs looking to better understand and influence the rules that impact their businesses.

This podcast is made possible by the Florida SBDC Network and sponsored by Florida First Capital.

Connect with Our Guest:
https://advocacy.sba.gov/

 

In this episode of Small Biz Florida, host Tom Kindred sits down with Debbie Magyar, Regional Director of the SBDC at the University of North Florida, to discuss the launch of the AI Small Business Institute. Designed to help entrepreneurs cut through the noise around artificial intelligence, the institute provides a structured, hands-on approach to understanding and implementing AI in real-world business settings. Debbie shares how the program was created in response to growing demand and confusion around AI, and why a cohort-based model offers a more effective path than traditional one-on-one consulting.

The conversation explores how the institute is tailored for both startups and established businesses, addressing their unique challenges from building a tech stack from scratch to organizing years of existing data. Debbie emphasizes that the program is intentionally built for non-technical business owners, focusing on practical applications, ethical use, and helping participants determine whether AI is truly the right solution for their business needs. The episode also highlights a new AI-powered digital marketing clinic designed to simplify branding and content creation for small businesses.

In this forward-looking episode of Small Biz Florida, host Tom Kindred interviews Ahmed Tawfik, CEO of EZ Automation Systems, to explore how robotics and AI are transforming the manufacturing landscape in Florida. Ahmed Tawfik shares his personal journey from engineer to entrepreneur and explains how his company goes beyond quality control creating smart feedback loops that help manufacturers improve their processes, reduce scrap, and boost efficiency. He also discusses the rapid growth of Florida’s manufacturing sector and the need to educate small businesses on automation’s potential. Wrapping up, Ahmed Tawfik offers key advice for business owners: don’t just work in your business—work on it.

This podcast is made possible by the Florida SBDC Network and sponsored by Florida First Capital.

Connect with Our Guest:
EZ Automation Systems

In this enlightening episode of Small Biz Florida, host Tom Kindred speaks with Matthew Andress, founder of Mockingbird Public Adjusting, about a lesser-known but critical service for business owners: public adjusting. Matthew shares his unique journey from art and IT to entrepreneurship, eventually launching his own firm to advocate for policyholders navigating complex insurance claims after disasters. He explains how a public adjuster helps take the burden off homeowners and business owners during the stressful post-disaster recovery process by translating insurance policies, documenting damage, and negotiating fair settlements. The conversation is a must-listen for any entrepreneur seeking to better understand their insurance coverage, avoid costly mistakes, and prepare for the unexpected.

This podcast is made possible by the Florida SBDC Network and sponsored by Florida First Capital.

Connect with Our Guest:
Mockingbird Public Adjusting

In this powerful episode of Small Biz Florida, host Tom Kindred sits down with two of the SBA’s top leaders: Tyler Teresa, Southeast Regional Administrator, and Jonel Hein, North Florida District Director. Together, they break down the SBA’s “Four Cs” Consulting, Credit, Contracting, and Crises, while spotlighting a historic achievement: over $1 billion in capital access delivered to small businesses in North Florida in 2025. The conversation goes beyond the numbers, diving into the SBA's strategic goals for 2026, including nationwide deregulation efforts, support for American manufacturing, and expanded rural outreach. With over three decades of service, Jonel Hein brings firsthand insight into the agency's evolution, while Tyler Teresa outlines a vision for smarter, faster service delivery. Whether you're a startup founder or seasoned business owner, this episode offers a comprehensive look at how the SBA and Florida SBDC Network are working together to support entrepreneurs across the state.

This podcast is made possible by the Florida SBDC Network and sponsored by Florida First Capital.

Connect with Our Guest:
Small Business Administration – SBA.gov