Small Biz Florida

Ep. 9 Pt. 1 of 2 | Victoria Guerrero | District Director for the U.S Small Business Administration | COVID-19 Series

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that small businesses located in the State of Florida adversely impacted by COVID-19 can now apply for disaster loans. For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations, the SBA is offering Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the Coronavirus.
SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans offer up to $2 million in economic assistance to help small businesses overcome the temporary loss of revenue resulting from the disaster. These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that cannot be paid because of the disaster's impact.
Small Biz Florida host Tom Kindred speaks with Victoria Guerrero, District Director for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) South Florida District. Victoria discussed details regarding the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan program: eligibility requirements, how and where to apply loan terms, etc.

Ep. 8 | Michael Myhre | CEO Florida SBDC Network | COVID-19 Series

Florida Governor, Ron DeSantis has activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program (EBL). This unique and powerful economic assistance program is now currently available to small business owners located in all Florida counties statewide that have experienced economic damage as a result of COVID-19.
These short-term, interest-free working capital loans are intended to “bridge the gap” between the time a major catastrophe hits and when a business has secured longer-term recovery resources, such as sufficient profits from a revived business, receipt of payments on insurance claims or federal disaster assistance.
Small Biz Florida host Tom Kindred speaks with Michael Myhre, CEO of the Florida SBDC Network, the organization that serves as the primary point of contact for the Florida Small Business EBL program. Mike discusses the details regarding the EBL program: application period, eligibility requirements, how and where to apply, loan terms, etc.

Ep. 7 | Cathy Hagan | Business Continuation and Continuity Services | COVID-19 Series

As Florida's small business owners and operators begin to experience the influences of the COVID-19 virus, Small Biz Florida Host Tom Kindred discusses Business Continuation and Continuity services with Ms. Cathy Hagan.
As a principal responder in the state's Emergency Support Function (ESF) 18 for Business & Industry, the Florida SBDC Network is a key economic development organization that supports disaster preparedness, recovery, and mitigation through its Business Continuation Services. Professionally certified business consultants provide training and support to help a business owner minimize losses and increase survivability when disasters hit the state.
Cathy Hagan, Area Director and professional business consultant at the Florida SBDC at the University of North Florida has been providing management consulting for prospective and existing business owners for more than twenty years. Ms. Hagan has been recognized numerous times by the Florida SBDC at the regional, state and national levels for her contributions to the success of small businesses. Specific areas of expertise include business planning, process improvement, marketing, international trade, financial analysis, and business continuity. Additionally, Ms. Hagan serves on the Florida SBDC's statewide Business Continuity & Risk Management TEAM, helping businesses prepare for and respond to disasters.

Ep. 6 | Dr. Jerry D. Parrish | Chief Economist and the Director of Research for the Florida Chamber Foundation

Small Biz Florida host Tom Kindred conducts another interview from the recent Florida Chamber of Commerce 2020 Legislative Fly-in with Dr. Jerry D. Parrish, Chief Economist and the Director of Research for the Florida Chamber Foundation.  The conversation focused on Florida's economic forecast, the state's strategic plan, wealth transfer, and the prospects for launching a small business.
In his role, Parrish is responsible for conducting in-depth analyses on the Florida economy and on solutions to help secure Florida’s future.
Dr. Parrish previously was the Chief Economist and Director of the Center for Competitive Florida at Florida TaxWatch. Prior to that position, he served as the Associate Director of the Center for Economic Forecasting & Analysis (CEFA) at Florida State University and has many years of experience in the private sector in management roles at international manufacturing companies.
Dr. Parrish is currently an Adjunct Instructor in the Masters in Applied Economics Program at Florida State University.  He earned a B.S. in Agricultural Business and Economics from Auburn University, an M.B.A. from Bellarmine University, an M.S. in Economics from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and a Ph.D. in Economics from Auburn University. He regularly publishes research reports and articles on the Florida economy and Florida’s competitiveness.

Ep. 5 | A. Paul Anderson | President & Chief Executive Officer of Port Tampa Bay

Small Biz Florida host Tom Kindred speaks with A. Paul Anderson, President & Chief Executive Officer of Port Tampa Bay. The discussion focused on Florida's ports and their contribution to the state's Blueprint for economic growth, job creation, and their support of tourism and the small business marketplace. 

Ep. 4 | Beth Cicchetti | Executive Director of the Florida Economic Development Council

Small Biz Florida host Tom Kindred speaks with Beth Cicchetti, Executive Director of the Florida Economic Development Council (FEDC). This statewide agency educates, advocates for, and connects Florida's economic development stakeholders. The conversation focused on the organization's role in supporting the state's strategic plan.

Ep. 3 | Michael Minton and French Brown | Attorneys with Dean Mead

Small Biz Florida host Tom Kindred speaks with Michael Minton and French Brown, attorneys with Florida's premier statewide business law firm, Dean Mead. The firm serves Florida's business marketplace with 5 offices and regularly handles matters across several practice areas including corporate law, agri-business, water law, tax law, business law, business litigation, administrative law, bankruptcy, and creditors' rights, employee benefits, ESOPs, intellectual property, labor, and employment government relations, and lobbying. The firm's real estate and land use lawyers regularly work on commercial, residential and mixed-use land development projects throughout Florida. Dean Mead attorneys also work with high net worth individuals on trust and estate litigation and estate and succession planning matters.
The discussion included why a small business needs to engage and build a relationship with a qualified business attorney, the importance of understanding and dealing with tax issues upfront instead of waiting for surprises, Florida's economic outlook and the top issues facing a business owner in 2020.

Ep. 2 | Mary C. Mayhew | Secretary of the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration

Small Biz Florida host Tom Kindred discusses Florida's healthcare industry with Mary C. Mayhew, Secretary of the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. Secretary Mayhew leads a $29.4 billion health care enterprise, representing close to 31% of Florida's total state budget and is responsible for health policy and planning for the State of Florida.

Ep. 1 | Cheryl Kirby | Florida SBDC Network

Small Biz Florida host Tom Kindred talks with Michael Myhre, CEO Florida SBDC Network and Dr. Cheryl Kirby, Associate State Director Florida SBDC Network, regarding the powerful business assistance programs provided for Florida's small business community by the Florida SBDC Network.

Welcome to Small Biz Florida

Small Biz FL podcast host Tom Kindred leads a discussion on the mission and purpose of this new business talk platform. This episode featured Indian River State College School of Business Professor Dr. Herbert Ricardo and his capstone students who assisted in the launching of Small Biz FL.