Small Biz Florida

Ep. 50 | Roy Messing Director of State Center Operations at EOX Network | FEDC Conference 2021

On this special segment from the Florida Economic Development Conference Council Tom Kindred sits down with Roy Messing who is the Director of State Center Operations at Employee Ownership Expansion Network. 
The Employee Ownership Expansion Network is a national nonprofit focused on significantly expanding employee ownership  across the United States by establishing and supporting a network of independent nonprofit State Centers for Employee Ownership. We see employee ownership as a critical tool to help reduce income and wealth disparity, increasing community wealth, and creating a more vibrant, participatory economy.
 

Ep. 49 | Dan Barrow with Veterans Florida | FEDC Conference 2021

Veterans Florida is a non-profit created by the State of Florida to help military veterans transition to civilian life and to promote Florida’s status as the nation’s most veteran-friendly state. Veterans Florida provides powerful tools for veterans to take advantage of the benefits of living and working in the Sunshine State.
Through our Career Services Program, we connect veterans with employers who are eager to hire veterans for jobs that put their particular military skills to use. We also assist veterans in creating a winning resume and preparing for job interviews. Employers receive veteran recruiting assistance and may apply for our Workforce Training Grant.
The Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship Program provides all the knowledge needed to successfully launch and operate a business. As soon as their business is up and running we keep them connected with mentors and resources.
Veterans Florida’s mission can be summed up in our theme – Your Pursuit. Our Power. – because we recognize military veterans are incredibly focused and will succeed in achieving their personal and professional goals when they take advantage of our tools and resources.
 

Ep. 48 | Matt Chesnut Director of Economic Development at Space Florida | FEDC Conference 2021

Matt Chesnut is the Director of Business and Economic Development at Space Florida he is a certified Economic Developer that is motivated and driven for success his goals include to make sure that any organization he works for exceeds goals and expectations  
Space Florida was created to strengthen Florida’s position as the global leader in aerospace research, investment, exploration and commerce. As Florida’s aerospace development organization, we are committed to attracting and expanding the next generation of space industry businesses. With its highly trained workforce, proven infrastructure and unparalleled record of achievement, Florida is the ideal location for aerospace businesses to thrive – and Space Florida is the perfect partner to help them succeed.
 

Ep. 47 | Kaylee King Business Manager at Okeechobee County Economic Development Corp. | FEDC Conference 2021

Today Kaylee King joins us for another episode of Small Biz FloridaWe talk to Kaylee all about her start with the Okeechobee Economic Development Council Corporation their plans for Okeechobee county in the coming months, and highlighting the Florida Economic Council Conference and the importance of attending as an EDO. Tune in and listen to more of what she had to say.
 

Ep. 46 | Celebrating Women in Business Month at the Enterprise Hub at IRSC | FSBDC Special Segment

We're wrapping up #womeninbusiness month by bringing a special segment that features all the women that assist our #smallbusinesscomunity @floridasbdc at Indian River State College. ⁠⁠Join Executive Producer Katie Muldoon in this episode as she talks to Emily Mchugh Author of A Little Girl's Guide to Entrepreneurship, Katherine Culhane Associate Director of the Florida SBDC at Indian River State College, Leanna Haag Digital Marketing Specialist of the Center and Audio Engineer of the show Linda Gonzalez.
Together they discuss the role legislation had on creating opportunities for women to go into business. They also highlight the importance of self care as a women in business hustling while also having to take care of children and life at home.
 

Ep. 45 | Matt Hedrick Project Leader at Florida Power & Light 35 Mules | FEDC Conference 2021

Join us on the latest release of Small Biz Florida live from the Florida Economic Development Council conference. On this episode we featured Matthew Hedrick program leader at Florida Power & Light ⁠Matt is the head of an innovative program called 35 Mules. ⁠⁠35 Mules is an innovation hub launched by FPL in 2020, helps entrepreneurs develop their game-changing ideas in energy, water and energy-adjacent industries into a business based in Florida, further supporting the state's economic growth and flourishing the business environment. 
 

Ep. 44 | Xiomara Peña VP of External Engagement at Small Business Majority | Special Segment

On this bonus episode brought to you from the Access To Capital Summit in Ft. Pierce Florida Xiomara joins Tom to talk about capital access and what Small Business Majority has been doing in their small business communities in California. Xiomara brought her expertise to the Treasure Coast and talked to a group of bankers and organizations that are all sharing the effort to make the Treasure Coast a better place for businesses to grow by gaining access to capital. 
Xiomara Peña drives Small Business Majority’s external engagement efforts toward a more inclusive and equitable economy that directly benefits entrepreneurs in underserved communities. Alongside the organization’s small business engagement team, she works collaboratively on strengthening relationships with policymakers, small business owners, and organizations across the country to amplify our equity lens in all areas of our work. Xiomara has extensive experience supporting small businesses, particularly those run by people of color, women, and immigrants. Prior to joining Small Business Majority, Xiomara piloted business retention programs for the City of Los Angeles and programs geared toward empowering at-risk youth. She also has extensive experience as a business owner, community organizer, and campaign manager.
 
 
Connect with Xiomara Peña we've listed her social media links ⏬
Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/xio-pena
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/xiopartnersco
Instagram : @xio_pena

Ep. 43 | Joey D‘Souza VP, External Engagement for The Able Trust | FEDC Conference

The Able Trust does its work in three primary strategic areas:  a comprehensive grant award effort that helps community organizations with programs that provide employment training, coaching, and placement;  an extensive and successful youth program, which addresses the need to encourage high school youth with disabilities to plan for their education and employment future;  and  programs directed at providing workforce experiences for people with disabilities – internships, mentoring, job shadowing, part and full time jobs.
The organization is funded through a combination of public and private dollars.  The positive impact of the work of The Able Trust has been felt by non-profit agencies serving people with various disabilities, by post-secondary institutions that welcome students with disabilities, and by people with disabilities and their families.
On this special segment from the FEDC Conference hosted at the Margaritaville Resort Orlando, Tom Kindred interviews Joey D'Souza VP of External Engagement with the Able Trust.
October is Disability Employment Awareness Month The Able Trust  is partaking in a national initiative highlighting career paths and industries to students and job seekers with disabilities; providing tools and resources to businesses to support their efforts in employing people with disabilities; and lastly, creating awareness of and advocating for an underutilized talent pool.
As a key leader in disability employment, The Able Trust’s DEAM program is designed to connect and support Florida’s businesses, local disability service agencies and people with disabilities. The variety of experiences curated by The Able Trust supports a path towards Florida being a role model of disability employment.
 

Ep. 42 | Kevin Carr CEO at Florida Makes | FEDC Conference

On this episode of Small Biz Florida, Tom interviews Kevin Carr the CEO at Florida Makes, a statewide, industry-led public-private partnership with the sole mission of strengthening and advancing Florida’s economy by improving the productivity and technological performance of its manufacturing sector, with an emphasis on small-and medium-sized firms. It accomplishes this by providing services focused on three principle value streams: technology adoption, talent development, and business growth.
MakeMore is a leadership-focused initiative  originally developed by FloridaMakes in partnership with Associated Industries of Florida, CareerSource Florida, Inc., Enterprise Florida, and the Florida Chamber of Commerce with the collective goal of elevating the state’s manufacturing industry and demonstrating its impact on the economy. These organizations recognized the importance of diversifying our economy and prioritizing the growth of an industry that provides high-wage, high-value jobs which can ultimately improve Florida's quality of life.
 

Ep. 41 | Lucienne Pears VP of Economic & Business Development of Babcock Ranch, FL | FEDC Conference

Join us on this special episode with Lucienne Pears Vice President of Economic and Business Development of Babcock Ranch,  America's First Solar Town. By utilizing an on-site 150-megawatt utility-scale solar generation facility. Babcock Ranch has entitled 6 million square feet for development of light industrial, retail, commercial, civic, and office space. Creating space for businesses to have room and resources to grow in a collaborative environment conducive for creation of value across sectors.
 
Lucienne Pears educates us on how this town came to be and all the innovative new projects coming to Babcock Ranch including recently becoming a host to pilot of “Smart Can” a robot that is programmed to cart your trash can to the curb for pickup. “Smart Can” is a robotic platform under development by Boston-based entrepreneurs who are leveraging automation to ease the burden of household chores.