Small Biz Florida
Small Biz FL was designed to highlight issues and promote business assistance resources available throughout the state of Florida.
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Episodes
Monday Mar 28, 2022
Monday Mar 28, 2022
Tom Kindred interviews Charlotte Bireley, who serves as the Director of Tourism and Marketing of St. Lucie County. Tom and Charlotte cover the rebound of tourism St. Lucie County has experience in the years following the COVID-19 Pandemic. They chat about the "Visit St. Lucie" website and share all the information about upcoming events in the area.
Monday Mar 21, 2022
Monday Mar 21, 2022
This episode of Small Biz Florida features a great interview with the Small Business Majority. Small Business Majority is a national small business organization that empowers America's diverse entrepreneurs to build a thriving and equitable economy. We engage our network of more than 85,000 small businesses and 1,500 business and other partner organizations to advocate for public policy solutions and deliver resources to entrepreneurs that promote equitable small business growth.
In this episode, Tom Kindred, who serves as the Regional Director for the Small Business Development Center at Indian River State College and serves as the Host for Small Biz Florida, interviewed V.P of Programs & Research Brian Pifer. He and Host Tom Kindred talk about Starting and Growing a Small Business in 2022. They cover topics such as the "Great Resignation," Side Hustle Culture, and much more. Listen to this episode to learn what you can do today to start building your very own business.
Brian oversees Small Business Majority's Entrepreneurship Program and Venturize platform, which delivers crucial education and resources to entrepreneurs seeking to start and grow their businesses. He builds partnerships with organizations that serve small business owners, manages content development for Small Business Majority's educational programming, and oversees the development of Venturize, the nation's one-stop hub for entrepreneurs, including the website's MatchFinder tool, which connects small business owners to mission-driven lending partners.
Brian also leads the organization's research activities, including ongoing surveys of its vast network of business owners, national opinion polling, small business owner focus groups, and external and economic data analysis. He helps collect and monitor organizational impact data and metrics.
Brian has a journalism background, including writing and editing stories about local small businesses for an award-winning daily newspaper. He also led a regional desk that handles editing and layout for more than a dozen newspapers across Northern California.
Monday Mar 14, 2022
Monday Mar 14, 2022
In celebration of SBDC day at the Capitol, we traveled to Tallahassee, Florida, to support small businesses. Tom sits down with Robin Olin, CEO of Estuary Oysters, To talk about the great purpose behind his small business while at this special event! Listen to this special episode to hear about his business and the innovative ways they’ve built up the Apalachicola Coast with their on-of-a-kind oysters! Robin Olin is a premier example of what the Florida SBDC can do for your business. In this episode, he covers what his process was like going through the SBDC and talks about what he was able to accomplish!
Monday Mar 07, 2022
Monday Mar 07, 2022
In celebration of SBDC day at the Capitol, we traveled to Tallahassee, Florida, to support small businesses. Tom sits down with Chip and Andrew Byers, owners of Rita’s Italian Ice (Lake Buena Vista, FL).
They both go their start going through the Disney College Program in Orlando. After meeting, both Chip and Andrew wanted to start a business after Chip experienced work discrimination for being autistic. Chip knew from the beginning that he wanted to go after a more fulfilling career, and so did Andrew!
Chip talks about his partnership with The Able Trust, an organization that helps people with disabilities get the training and tools they need to get employed. As a partner of The Able Trust, Chip and Andrew play a huge role in hiring people with disabilities.
Monday Feb 28, 2022
Monday Feb 28, 2022
Small Biz Florida comes to you from our new Studio at the Port St. Lucie IRSC Pruitt Campus Enterprise Hub! After being away for almost a month, Tom brings you another great conversation covering the topic of Credit Card Reward Programs with Senior Editor at The Points Guy Nick Ewen. Nick Ewen started his career at The Points Guy as a contributor in 2012.
The Points Guy (TPG) has been publishing hands-on advice to help readers maximize their travel experiences since the site debuted in June 2010. TPG started as a points-and-miles blog by founder and CEO Brian Kelly. They have a staff of more than 100, including an expert team of 40 editors, writers, and reporters.
Listen to this episode if you are interested in learning how you can leverage a business credit card to finance your small business and to learn more about The Points Guy.
Monday Dec 27, 2021
Monday Dec 27, 2021
Dr. Ron Eaglin, chair of DSC’s School of Engineering Technology, and Costa Magoulas, chair of DSC’s Hosseini College of Hospitality Management
Ron Eaglin started as a Mechanical Engineer before joining the Navy and working as a Nuclear Engineer and an Instructor at Naval Nuclear Power School. I continued my education and professional development receiving my MS and Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering and working as a software developer for Haestad Methods. I returned to UCF and began work as an Assistant Dean and then became Chair of Engineering Technology, founding programs in Information Systems and two MS degrees. I am also a technical entrepreneur - and have founded multiple companies and non-profit organizations.
Thursday Dec 23, 2021
Thursday Dec 23, 2021
David P. Carrier is the Founder and President of QuantumFlo, Inc. a leader in the manufacturing and distribution of advanced, variable speed controlled, packaged pump systems for commercial plumbing, HVAC, municipal, irrigation and industrial market applications. QuantumFlo innovative technologies are the most energy efficient and sustainable technologies in the world. They are ideal for new construction or the upgrade and retrofit of aging or obsolete pump systems, particularly the constant speed type. With independent Rep offices in more than 23 countries, our highly skilled professionals are ready to help you find the best industrial or commercial water pumps for your next project. Plumbing Systems, Commercial Buildings, Industrial Facilities, Mechanical Systems, Building Systems, Mechanical Engineering Design. QuantumFlo is a Registered Trademark.
QuantumFlo was established to design, manufacture and deliver the best packaged technologies to the pump systems market. Founded in 2007, QuantumFlo is housed in a brand new, state-of-the-art, 30,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Sanford, Florida, just north of the Greater Orlando area. Our systems are assembled and flow tested in our on-site test lab where we feature a UL508A industrial custom control panel facility and a large production shop.
QuantumFlo began as a result of the efforts of a determined team of professionals committed to redefining the packaged pump systems market. From perfecting classic designs to the innovation of new products, QuantumFlo has applied creativity and out-of-the-box thinking to develop the quality and integrity of the systems we produce today.
Monday Dec 20, 2021
Monday Dec 20, 2021
CAE is a high technology company, at the leading edge of digital immersion, providing solutions to make the world a safer place. Backed by a record of more than 70 years of industry firsts, we continue to reimagine the customer experience and revolutionize training and operational support solutions in civil aviation, defence and security, and healthcare. We are the partner of choice to customers worldwide who operate in complex, high-stakes and largely regulated environments, where successful outcomes are critical. As a testament to our customers’ ongoing needs for our solutions, over 60 percent of CAE’s revenue is recurring in nature. We have the broadest global presence in our industry, with approximately 11,000 employees, 180 sites and training locations in over 35 countries.
Heidi R. Wood was appointed Executive Vice‐President, Business Development & Growth Initiatives in May 2020 and President of CAE Healthcare in September 2020. Her primary focus at CAE is to partner with the business unit leaders to identify and drive new avenues of growth across CAE. She will play a leadership role in the development of a data and advanced analytics strategy for CAE as well as, in collaboration with the rest of the Executive Management Committee, create an overarching Artificial Intelligence (AI) strategy focusing on both productivity and strategic AI efforts.
Heidi has over 25 years’ experience analyzing, creating and driving strategic growth in the Aerospace and Defense industry and has been recognized for her dynamic leadership, driving transformation and creating value for numerous Fortune 500 companies.
David Machen is an accomplished Senior Director of Manufacturing & Quality Control with expertise in production supervision, supply chain management, forecasting, and warehouse operations for the production and quality of mobile communication technology. As a strategic planner, I implement solutions utilizing Six Sigma and Lean methodologies to increase efficiency, reduce costs, boost productivity, and ensure quality by streamlining operations and implementing continuous process improvements. I am recognized as an articulate and respected leader who builds relationships with suppliers, vendors, and cross-functional teams to improve internal communications, boost teamwork, and maximize performance to expedite production to market launch, achieve set goals, and advance the mission of the organization.
Thursday Dec 16, 2021
Thursday Dec 16, 2021
On this episode of Small Biz Florida our host Tom Kindred is joined by Danielly Orozco-Cole she serves as the project manager of CTE at FLATE and she is featured on this show talking about all the services FLATE provides to manufacturers across the state of Florida.
Danielly Orozco-Cole, M.S. is the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Project Manager of the Florida Advanced Technology Education Center (FLATE)-FloridaMakes. Mrs. Orozco-Cole’s background includes B.S. and M.S. degrees in Sanitary Engineering and Environmental Engineering. Mrs. Orozco has been working with FLATE for more than ten years as a subject matter expert, curriculum coordinator, and associate director. In her current role as CTE project manager, Danielly helps to promote and support manufacturing and advanced technical education, best practices and educational resources by ensuring the continuation of exemplary industry partnerships, workforce opportunity, and educational synergy throughout the state of Florida.
The Florida Advanced Technological Education Center (FLATE), a National Science Foundation Center of Excellence in high-technology manufacturing, is the go-to organization for manufacturing and advanced technical education, best practices and resources supporting the high performance skilled workforce for Florida’s manufacturing sectors. FLATE provides exemplary industry partnerships, workforce opportunity, and educational synergy throughout the state of Florida by connecting industry and workforce needs to targeted educational endeavors at many community and state colleges across Florida.
Monday Dec 13, 2021
Monday Dec 13, 2021
Jason Zaborske and Mike Aller from Florida Makes join Tom and Co-host Duane Reiff (Manufacturing Specialist at SBDC at IRSC). To talk about all things manufacturing.
Jason Zaborske talks about his Pathway to FL Makes beginning with how he started working with nonprofits and fundraising events such as Florida Senior Day and Children’s Week. In transitioning to his role at Florida Makes Zaborske is a Manufacturing Specialist that works closely with supply chain issues at Florida Makes.
Mike Aller discusses his pathway to Florida Makes and how it began with his different roles mainly in Washington D.C where he dealt with public policy and advocacy programs. He talks to Tom and Duane about what Florida Makes is all about.
FloridaMakes is focused on helping small and medium-sized manufacturers generate business results and thrive in today’s technology-driven economy. FloridaMakes' services are designed to help further the goals for profitability and growth for small and medium-sized manufacturers. Depending on their needs and goals, that may include solving a specific manufacturing problem, increase productivity, adopt best practices, determine how core capabilities might be used to enter a new market, or enhance processes through appropriate advanced technology or training.