Small Biz Florida

Ep. 135 | Learn about NDEAM with President & CEO of The Able Trust Allison Chase | MakeMore Manufacturing Summit 2022 Series

Allison Chase, with more than twenty-five years’ experience, has dedicated her career to the employment of people with disabilities. As President & CEO, Chase is committed to ensuring The Able Trust is the leading expert in Florida for disability workforce inclusion, providing valuable resources to businesses, employment service providers, communities and Floridians with disabilities. Today’s episode is all about National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) which begins October 1 and commemorates the contributions of people with disabilities to America’s workforce and economy. 
 
Tom and Allison explore the resources that The Able Trust provides and help you understand their process of working with businesses to spread awareness about employing individuals with disabilities.
– Check out Able Trust: https://www.abletrust.org/  – Learn more about NDEAMt: https://www.abletrust.org/deam/ 
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.

New Series | Small Biz Florida Attended the FloridaMakes MakeMore Summit 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 FloridaMakes MakeMore Summit hosted, at the GuideWell Innovation Center in Orlando, Florida. Small Biz Florida was on the scene during the conference, recording and producing segments. 
We would like to thank The FloridaMakes Team and Event Organizers for allowing the podcast to be part of the recent conference.
The next 14 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. 134 | What Opportunities Exist for Entrepreneurs Looking into Franchising with Paul Santomauro, Director of Lending & Risk Products at FRANdata

FRANdata works with clients on their most challenging performance issues, investing significant time and effort in developing and renewing a knowledge base that offers unique perspectives and insights.
Today’s show features Paul Santomauro who serves as director of lending and risk products at FRANdata. Host, Tom interviews Paul on the opportunities that exist for Entrepreneurs looking into franchising, How banks really think when it comes to franchises, and the hottest franchise segments entrepreneurs need to consider when franchising. 
– Check out FRANdata: https://www.frandata.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 Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders Conference hosted at the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes. 
– To learn more about FLAGGL, visit their website here

Ep. 133 | How to Increase Borrowing Capacity by Embracing Solar Energy with Mark Henderson, Director of Government Financing Services at Entero Energy

Entero Energy works with building and land owners to develop, design, and build solar energy systems that provide strong financial returns and lower carbon footprints. Today’s guest is Mark Henderson who serves as Director of Government Financing Services at Entero Energy. 
Mark comes on the show to talk about Entero Energy’s role and process in assisting borrowers in taking advantage of additional dollars given due to an Energy Public Policy to implement and embrace sustainable energy in small businesses. 
– Check out Entero Energy: https://enteroenergy.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 Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders Conference hosted at the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes. 
– To learn more about FLAGGL, visit their website here

Ep. 132 | What does your credit union think of you as a business owner? With Deb Petrel SVP of SBA Loan Administration Director at PILOT a part of LMCU

Your credit union should not be an obstacle; it should open doors and provide a clear path. Can it help you create greater efficiency and security in your banking? Can it provide a reliable and predictable source of capital for your business? Does your credit union find smart ways to put cash reserves to work?
In this segment of Small Biz Florida, host, Tom Kindred discusses what it is like working with PILOT a part of LMCU (Lake Michigan Credit Union) with Deb Petrel who serves as Pilot’s Senior Vice President SBA Loan Administration Director. She gives an overview of the programs and services available to clients of PILOT.  
– Check out PILOT a part of LMCU: https://www.pilot.bank/ 
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 Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders Conference hosted at the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes. 
– To learn more about FLAGGL, visit their website here

Ep. 131 | Why Do You Need a Business Valuation with Darren S. Mize Co-Founder of GCF Business Valuation

GCF Business Valuation is the leader in SBA-Compliant Business Valuations. In today’s episode, we discuss why every business owner needs to have a Business Valuation. 
Clients of GCF hired them because they are looking for accurate, detailed information. GCF literally wrote the SBA’s business valuation operating procedures. Nobody knows them better. In this episode of Small Biz Florida host, Tom was able to sit down with Darren S. Mize who serves as Co-Founder and Partner of GCF Business Valuation to discuss what they do, who they serve, and how they do it. 
– Check out GCF Business Valuation: https://gvalue.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 Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders Conference hosted at the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes. 
– To learn more about FLAGGL, visit their website here

Ep. 130 | How FinTech is Speeding Up Approval Rates with Lumos Technologies and Summit Technology Group

Brett Caines who serves as CEO of Lumos Technologies and David Tinsley who serves as Senior Vice President at Summit Technology Group join Small Biz Florida to talk to us about the partnership between Lumos Technologies and Summit Technology Group. 
As more and more small businesses are formed the demand for small dollar loans increases. That is why many banks are turning to the online application process to make things easier for not only themselves but their customers as well. The partnership between Summit Technology Group and Lumos Technologies is an example of innovation that is occurring behind the scenes to make life easier for banking institutions and their customers. 
– Check out Lumos Technologies: https://lumosdata.com/– Check out Summit Technology Group: https://thesummitgrp.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 Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders Conference hosted at the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes. 
– To learn more about FLAGGL, visit their website here

Ep. 129 | Find out How Summit Technology Group is Making Financial Institutions Better with LG Thulasidharan

Thulasidharan Lakshminarayanan Govindaswamy (“LG”) is a fintech evangelist and seasoned enabler of change across some of the largest consultancies supporting the financial services industry.
In this role, Mr. Thulasidharan drove change and innovation at GSE's, Large and Regional Financial institutions. He previously served as a go-to-market executive representing digital banking for FIS and has supported numerous tier-one commercial banks.
His projects have included leading and delivering technology solutions in TCS (Tata Consultancy Services) and helping grow a successful sales culture in a fintech (Zenmonics). He has a passion for high-touch customer service and helping ensure the independence of the community banking industry. Mr. Thulasidharan holds an MBA from Symbiosis International University and a BS in Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
In this episode of Small Biz Florida, LG joins host, Tom Kindred to talk about all things FinTech and how Summit Technology Group is bettering financial institutions with their innovative technology.
– Check out Summit Technology Group: https://thesummitgrp.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 Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders Conference hosted at the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes. 
– To learn more about FLAGGL, visit their website here

Ep. 128 | Learn How Commercial Finance Partners Can Help Accelerate your Cash Flow Cycle with Nick Low Business Development Officer at Commercial Finance Partners

Commercial Finance Partners is a direct commercial lender and debt advisory firm providing creative and flexible financing solutions for small to middle-market companies. Through direct lending and partner programs, Commercial Finance Partners is the one-stop-shop for any non-bank financing need. Today’s episode features Nick Low who serves as Business Development Officer for Commercial Finance Partners. He is on the show today to talk about how CFP can help accelerate your cash flow cycle. 
– Check out Commercial Finance Partners: https://commercialfinancepartners.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 Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders Conference hosted at the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes. 
– To learn more about FLAGGL, visit their website here

Ep. 127 | West Town Bank & Trust is focused on Problem Solving with Dalton Martier Director of Insurance Lending

West Town Bank & Trust is driven to provide the best solutions to your small business problems. They are interested in knowing what’s getting in your way, and what they can help you do to achieve growth. 
Learn how you can get connected with West Town Bank & Trust to solve your Small Businesses problems. Dalton Martier who serves as Director of Insurance Lending for West Town Bank & Trust joins host, Tom Kindred to talk about the solutions available at West Town Bank & Trust. He provides specific information regarding their loan products under 350K. Listen to this episode to hear more details about their process.
– Check out West Town Bank: https://www.westtownbank.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 Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders Conference hosted at the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes. 
– To learn more about FLAGGL, visit their website here