Small Biz Florida

Ep. 156 | Learn How Step Up is Allowing Families to Personalize their Children’s K-12 Education Experience with Alexis Laroe, Assistant Director of Legislative Affairs at Step Up

Step Up for Students is a state-approved non-profit scholarship-funding organization. Scholarships administered by Step Up For Students support Florida families by allowing them to personalize their children’s K-12 education experience. 
 
Alexis Laroe is the Assistant Director of Legislative Affairs at Step Up. She joins host, Tom Kindred on another special segment of Small Biz Florida to discuss this important program. Alexis explains basic eligibility for the 4 different programs that exist. Listen to this episode to learn more about eligibility requirements to get access to these benefits. 
– Check out Step Up:https://www.stepupforstudents.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 Chamber Future of Florida Forum hosted at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
– To learn more about The Florida Chamber, visit their website here.

Ep. 155 | Learn About Career Karma with Ruben Harris CEO of Career Karma and Co-Host of the Breaking Into Startups Podcast.

Over the past couple of years, Ruben has worked with academics, organizers, politicians, and union leaders at Hustle, Honor, and AltSchool focused on improving their personalized outreach, healthcare, and education. 
Ruben began his technology career working in Partnerships and Sales after writing a viral blog post called Breaking Into Startups about how he moved to San Francisco without a job and landed a position 3 weeks later. 
After receiving thousands of e-mails asking how to break into tech, Ruben Co-Founded the Breaking Into Startups Podcast to demystify the process, resulting in a social media reach of ~3 million people, 200,000+ downloads, 10,000+ website visits per month, over 100+ reviews on iTunes, a Facebook Community of 10,000+ people, and invitations to be a Contributor for TechCrunch and Black Enterprise. 
Prior to working in tech, Ruben worked as an Investment Banker focused on Food, Consumer, and Retail companies in Chicago and Atlanta. As a member of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, he recruited others to focus on issues related to food security, climate change, and agriculture. In 2010, Ruben worked on operational improvements for Senior Living Communities after completing a double major in Business Administration and Music. 
During college, Ruben organized 50+ events for non-profits, athletes, and celebrities including Tyrese, Kim Kardashian, and Jay-Z. Ruben has been playing the cello for ~25 years, taught music, performed in venues all over the world - including Carnegie Hall, and landed placements from Def Jam. He is also an active member of the NAACP.
Learn more about how Ruben got Career Karma started, his incredible story, and his panel at this year’s Florida Chamber Future of Florida Forum. 
– Check out Career Karma: https://careerkarma.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 Chamber Future of Florida Forum hosted at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
– To learn more about The Florida Chamber, visit their website here.

Ep. 154 | Why is Florida So Important for International Trade with Senior Vice President of International Trade for Enterprise Florida TJ Villamil

TJ Villamil is the Sr. Vice President of the International Trade and Development unit at Enterprise Florida, Inc. The International Trade and Development (ITD) unit is headquartered in Miami and maintains offices/representation in six Florida cities as well as twenty cities around the world. EFI’s ITD division is widely considered one of the best statewide international economic development organizations in the United States. EFI’s ITD program focuses on 1) assisting Florida companies (most of which are manufacturers) in export sales and export promotion, 2) recruiting international companies to invest and grow in Florida (Foreign Direct Investment), and 3) supporting the Executive Office of the Governor of Florida on international business mission trips. TJ is a proud double graduate from the University of Florida with an undergraduate degree in communications and a master's degree in Entrepreneurship from the business school.
Tune in to this episode from the Future of Florida Forum to hear all about the importance of Florida when it comes to international trade, everything you need to know about the STEP program, and an overview of services that you can access through the international trade office at Enterprise Florida. 
– Check out Enterprise Florida:  https://www.enterpriseflorida.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 Chamber Future of Florida Forum hosted at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
– To learn more about The Florida Chamber, visit their website here.

Ep. 153 | Learn about Second Chance Hiring with John Koufos Owner of Cottage Four

John Koufos helps companies optimize second-chance hiring and mitigate risk. He started his career in New Jersey before moving to Washington, D.C., to work on national second-chance hiring, healthcare, and criminal justice issues. He works extensively in Florida.
John’s work has helped thousands of people with criminal records secure jobs. He is a nationally recognized criminal justice advocate with deep experience building and leading criminal justice organizations and campaigns. He has worked with multiple Presidential Administrations, dozens of Governors and Cabinet members, and countless businesses and nonprofits.
John wrote and hosted an upcoming Second Chance Hiring and Retention documentary/training that will be released in late 2022 called Retaining Talent. Retaining Talent was filmed all across Florida and Washington, D.C., with businesses that hire people with criminal records, government officials, law enforcement, corporate and banking leaders, and at Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Learn more about Cottage Four and Owner John Koufos as he discusses his views on second-chance hiring and the importance of tapping into this workforce.
– Check out Cottage Four: https://cottagefour.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 Chamber Future of Florida Forum hosted at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
– To learn more about The Florida Chamber, visit their website here.

Ep. 152 | Learn about the Florida High Tech Corridor with CEO Paul Sohl

Paul Sohl is CEO of the Florida High Tech Corridor, an economic development initiative of the University of Central Florida, the University of South Florida, and the University of Florida, to attract, retain and grow high tech industry and innovation – and the workforce to support it – in a 23-county region. As CEO, he facilitates collaboration between the universities and their partners in economic development and oversees The Corridor Council’s portfolio of programs, including its Matching Grants Research Program, K-12 educational resource, stemCONNECT, and most recently Cenfluence, a clustering initiative in partnership with Orange County Government. Sohl holds a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a master’s degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering from Stanford University. Additionally, he is a graduate and former Commanding Officer of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, Patuxent River, Maryland. 
 
The Florida High Tech Corridor is more than an initiative or facilitator; it’s a force multiplier. The 23-county region that spans Central Florida and defines The Corridor is anchored by three of the country’s largest research institutions: the University of Central Florida (UCF), the University of South Florida (USF), and the University of Florida (UF). Powered by an ethos of collaboration, we align opportunities and resources in academia, industry, and economic development to unleash our region’s exponential potential. 
 
Learn more about Paul Sohl and the Florida High Tech Corridor on this special recording from the Florida Chamber Future of Florida Forum. 
– Check out the Florida High Tech Corridor: https://floridahightech.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 Chamber Future of Florida Forum hosted at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
– To learn more about The Florida Chamber, visit their website here.

Ep. 150 | Learn all about the Indian River State College Promise Program with President Dr. Timothy Moore

Dr. Timothy Moore isn’t your stereotypical college president who rose through the ranks of academia. Instead, Indian River State College’s new president spent the first seven years of his career on active duty in the Army. He later worked as a research scientist in the public and private sectors before joining institutions such as Auburn University, Kansas State, and Florida A&M.
Today’s episode features, Tom Kindred leading a discussion with Indian River State College President Dr. Timothy Moore. Their conversation centers around, IRSC serving as Presenting Sponsor at the Florida Chamber Future of Florida Forum for the first time, the successful launch of the Promise Program at IRSC, and the benefits of partnering with IRSC for the business community. 
– Check out Indian River State College: https://irsc.edu/   
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 Chamber Future of Florida Forum hosted at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
– To learn more about The Florida Chamber, visit their website here.

Ep. 149 | The Future of Affordable Healthcare with Florida Blue Vice President of Local Commercial Markets Nick Tant

Advancing health has always been at the center of Florida Blue. From the critical coverage that delivers peace of mind to the full breadth of health solutions that care for every aspect of your well-being, rest assured that Florida Blue is always looking out for you, your family and your community as we have done for more than 75 years. 
Listen to this episode all about the outlook of healthcare and Florida Blue’s work over the past few years to make healthcare more affordable for Small Business. This episode features Vice President of Local Commercial Markets Nick Tant. Nick Tant has over 24 years of leadership experience and has continuously grown in his roles and responsibility during his last 16 years with Florida Blue. He previously worked in the cellular wireless retail industry. Nick graduated from the University of North Carolina Wilmington with a bachelor of science in Finance and later attended the Columbia Business School.
 
– Check out Florida Blue: https://www.floridablue.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 Chamber Future of Florida Forum hosted at the Disney's Coronado Springs Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
– To learn more about The Florida Chamber, visit their website here.

New Series | Small Biz Florida Attended the Florida Chamber Future of Florida Forum in Orlando, Florida

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 Chamber Future of Florida Forum hosted at the Disney's Coronado Springs Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Small Biz Florida was on the scene during the conference, recording and producing segments. 
We would like to thank The Florida Chamber Team and Event Organizers for allowing the podcast to be part of the recent conference.
The next 11 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!

Ep. 148 | Innovative Way for Manufacturers to Hire Help with Wes Wood Workforce Partnerships Lead, Southeast for Veryable | MakeMore Manufacturing Summit 2022 Series

On today’s show, host, Tom Kindred is joined by Wes Wood who serves as Workforce Partnerships Lead, Southeast for Veryable 
Veryable is the on-demand marketplace for manufacturing, logistics and warehousing labor. Our flexible labor solution connects businesses with high-quality workers at the click of a button, enabling higher productivity and a competitive edge.  For workers, Veryable provides immediate access to work, the ability to control their own schedule, opportunities to build new skills, and best of all, next-day pay. 
 
Listen to this episode to get an overview of what Veryable is doing to fill today’s workforce need.
    – Check out Florida Veryable: https://www.veryableops.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 FloridaMakes MakeMore Summit hosted at the GuideWell Innovation Center Orlando, Florida.
– To learn more about FloridaMakes, visit their website here.

Ep. 147 | Learn How Florida TaxWatch is Doing to Build Florida’s Workforce with Executive Vice President Tony Caravajal | MakeMore Manufacturing Summit 2022 Series

As an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit taxpayer research institute & government watchdog for over forty years, Florida TaxWatch works to improve the productivity and accountability of Florida government. Its research recommends productivity enhancements and explains the statewide impact of fiscal and economic policies and practices on residents and businesses. 
 
Learn as Tony Caravajal Executive Vice President for Florida TaxWatch tells us what Florida TaxWatch is and it’s important role in building up our workforce. 
 
    – Check out Florida TaxWatch: http://www.floridataxwatch.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 FloridaMakes MakeMore Summit hosted at the GuideWell Innovation Center Orlando, Florida.
– To learn more about FloridaMakes, visit their website here.