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Episodes
Small Biz FL was designed to highlight issues and promote business assistance resources available throughout the state of Florida.
Episodes
Monday Oct 13, 2025
Monday Oct 13, 2025
Recorded live at the 2025 FLAGGL Conference, this kickoff episode of Small Biz Florida's latest season features a powerful conversation with Raj Tulshan, Founder and CEO, and Emily Larsen Doxford, VP, of Loan Mantra, a financial technology company transforming how small businesses access capital. Host Tom Kindred explores how Loan Mantra blends a high-tech lending platform with high-touch human support to guide small business owners through the funding process. From preparing complete, lender-ready loan packages to connecting borrowers with a nationwide network of over 100 lenders, Tulshan and Doxford break down how their model levels the playing field and drives better loan outcomes. The discussion also delves into the challenges of micro-lending, the decline of traditional relationship banking, and why personalized financial mentorship is crucial to business growth in today's rapidly evolving lending landscape.
This podcast episode was recorded live at the 2025 FLAGGL Conference hosted at the JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort and Spa. This podcast is made possible by the Florida SBDC Network and sponsored by Florida First Capital.
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Monday Oct 06, 2025
Monday Oct 06, 2025
Live from the 46th Annual America’s SBDC Training Event in Orlando, this episode of Small Biz Florida features Kim Fedore and David Glantz, co-founders of Popstart a revolutionary platform combining business tools with essential training. Host Tom Kindred sits down with these two innovative entrepreneurs to explore how Popstart integrates key software, such as QuickBooks, MailChimp, and Xero, into a user-friendly system designed to guide small business owners through every stage of growth.
From financial literacy to performance tracking, the conversation highlights the importance of education and effective tools in building a successful and sustainable business. Listeners will also receive an early preview of Popstart’s upcoming roadmap tool, scheduled to launch in Q4 2025, which promises to help entrepreneurs streamline their operations and scale with confidence. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to improve your business foundation, this episode offers practical insights, valuable resources, and exclusive access to future-forward business strategies.
This podcast episode was recorded live at the 46th Annual America’s SBDC Conference hosted at the Orlando World Center Marriott. This podcast is made possible by the Florida SBDC Network and sponsored by Florida First Capital.
Monday Oct 06, 2025
Monday Oct 06, 2025
Recorded live from the 46th Annual America’s SBDC Training Event in Orlando, this episode of Small Biz Florida features Matthew Jackson, Director of SBDCnet, the national research and information arm of the SBDC network. Host Tom Kindred leads a discussion on the critical role that data and market research play in helping entrepreneurs make smarter, more strategic decisions. Matthew shares his journey from startup founder to research advocate, and how SBDCnet equips small businesses with the same insights used by large corporations free of charge. From industry snapshots to financial benchmarking and trend analysis, this episode shows how small businesses can access high-value resources to support growth and sustainability. Whether you're just starting out or scaling up, you’ll walk away with practical tips for leveraging data in your business planning process.
This podcast episode was recorded live at the 46th Annual America’s SBDC Conference hosted at the Orlando World Center Marriott. This podcast is made possible by the Florida SBDC Network and sponsored by Florida First Capital.
Connect with Our Guest:
http://www.sbdcnet.org
Monday Oct 06, 2025
Monday Oct 06, 2025
Episode Summary:
Recorded live at the 46th Annual America’s SBDC Training Event in Orlando, this episode of Small Biz Florida features Dr. Silvia Mah, founder and chairwoman of the Stella Foundation. With a remarkable background in biochemistry, molecular biology, university commercialization, and entrepreneurial education, Dr. Mah shares the powerful origin story and mission behind Stella a comprehensive platform designed to support female entrepreneurs through courses, community, conferences, and capital. Listeners will learn how Stella’s free learning management system, complete with 500+ educational modules, videos, worksheets, and community interaction tools, is transforming the entrepreneurial journey. The episode also highlights Stella’s collaboration with the SBDC network, bringing structured, no-cost entrepreneurial education to communities nationwide. If you're an aspiring or established entrepreneur looking for accessible, high-quality training and mentorship, this episode is full of actionable insights.
This podcast episode was recorded live at the 46th Annual America’s SBDC Conference hosted at the Orlando World Center Marriott. This podcast is made possible by the Florida SBDC Network and sponsored by Florida First Capital.
Connect with Our Guest:
https://www.stella.co
Monday Oct 06, 2025
Monday Oct 06, 2025
Recorded live at the 46th Annual America’s SBDC Training Event in Orlando, this episode of Small Biz Florida highlights the power of data and industry intelligence for small business success. Host Tom Kindred welcomes Nicole DeLiso, Director of Training at Vertical IQ, and Phil, Digital Marketing Consultant with the Florida SBDC at Indian River State College. Nicole shares how small business owners can harness the same market research tools used by large corporations to make smarter, more strategic decisions. Learn how Vertical IQ provides local economic data, industry trends, and financial insights all designed to help entrepreneurs understand their competition, plan ahead, and stay resilient in an unpredictable business environment. With access through SBDC advisors, Vertical IQ is a game-changer for small businesses ready to grow with confidence.
This podcast episode was recorded live at the 46th Annual America’s SBDC Conference hosted at the Orlando World Center Marriott. This podcast is made possible by the Florida SBDC Network and sponsored by Florida First Capital.
Connect with Our Guest:
https://www.verticaliq.com
Monday Oct 06, 2025
Monday Oct 06, 2025
Recorded live from the 46th Annual America’s SBDC Training Event in Orlando, this episode of Small Biz Florida features Shawn Thomas, Senior Director at Visa, as he shares how Visa is supporting the growth and success of small businesses across the country. Host Tom Kindred dives into a conversation on critical small business topics from managing cash flow and building business credit, to leveraging secure payment systems and accessing Visa’s Practical Business Skills resources. As a premier sponsor of the SBDC 2025 training event, Visa reaffirms its commitment to providing tools and financial solutions that help entrepreneurs start, grow, and sustain their businesses. Whether you're an early-stage founder or an established business owner, this episode is full of valuable strategies to help you thrive in today’s business environment.
This podcast episode was recorded live at the 46th Annual America’s SBDC Conference hosted at the Orlando World Center Marriott. This podcast is made possible by the Florida SBDC Network and sponsored by Florida First Capital.
Connect with Our Guest:
https://www.visa.com/practicalbusinessskills
Monday Oct 06, 2025
Monday Oct 06, 2025
Recorded live from the 46th Annual America’s SBDC Training Event in Orlando, this episode of Small Biz Florida shines a spotlight on the national entrepreneurial support program, 1 Million Cups. Host Tom Kindred welcomes Dr. Emmah Muema, Program Manager at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, and Rupert Meghnot, founder of Orlandopreneur and longtime 1 Million Cups organizer. Together, they explore how this grassroots initiative is breaking down barriers to education, resources, and connection for entrepreneurs across the country. Discover how weekly community-driven events are helping founders develop their ideas, gather valuable feedback, and foster meaningful relationships. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or looking to bring 1 Million Cups to your city, this episode offers valuable insight into one of the nation’s most accessible support ecosystems.
This podcast episode was recorded live at the 46th Annual America’s SBDC Conference hosted at the Orlando World Center Marriott. This podcast is made possible by the Florida SBDC Network and sponsored by Florida First Capital.
Connect with Our Guest:
https://www.1millioncups.com
Monday Oct 06, 2025
Monday Oct 06, 2025
Discover how MailChimp is transforming the way small businesses in Florida approach marketing and customer engagement. In this episode of Small Biz Florida, host Tom Kindred sits down with Jocelyn Hardy and Kyra Cherry from MailChimp to explore the powerful tools and technologies available to small business owners. Recorded live at the 46th Annual America's SBDC Training Event in Orlando, this episode delves into the benefits of using MailChimp's marketing and automation platform, including AI integration, personalized email campaigns, and CRM capabilities. Learn how MailChimp helps businesses look and act like large-scale companies while saving time and boosting customer relationships. Whether you're just getting started or looking to scale, this episode is packed with insights to help you grow smarter.
This podcast episode was recorded live at the 46th Annual America’s SBDC Conference hosted at the Orlando World Center Marriott. This podcast is made possible by the Florida SBDC Network and sponsored by Florida First Capital.
Connect with Our Guest:
https://mailchimp.com
Monday Oct 06, 2025
Monday Oct 06, 2025
Recorded live from the 49th Annual America’s SBDC Training Event in Orlando, this episode of Small Biz Florida features a conversation with Josh Fegles and Justin Hardison of LivePlan. As government and academic channel partnership coordinators, Josh and Justin bring both personal and professional insight into the power of business planning. They share how LivePlan helps entrepreneurs from startup dreamers to seasoned owners build dynamic, evolving business plans. Learn how LivePlan’s intuitive platform, complete with AI features, real-time financial dashboards, and pitch-building tools, is transforming the way small businesses approach planning. Whether you’re launching your first venture or refining your growth strategy, this episode delivers actionable insights on how to turn your ideas into results with help from your local SBDC and LivePlan.
This podcast episode was recorded live at the 46th Annual America’s SBDC Conference hosted at the Orlando World Center Marriott. This podcast is made possible by the Florida SBDC Network and sponsored by Florida First Capital.
Connect with Our Guest:
https://www.liveplan.com
Monday Oct 06, 2025
Monday Oct 06, 2025
Live from the 46th Annual America’s SBDC Future of Work Training event in Orlando, Small Biz Florida sits down with Joanna Wynn, Head of Channel Partnerships at Helcim. With a background that spans 15 years in the oil and gas industry, Joanna brings a fresh, passionate perspective to financial technology. In this episode, she breaks down how Helcim is helping small businesses better manage cashflow through transparent, modern payment processing solutions. Learn how Helcim’s unique interchange-plus pricing, deep accounting integrations, and no-contract model offer a competitive edge for small businesses looking to simplify operations and scale confidently. From legacy banking to modern innovation, this is an essential listen for entrepreneurs ready to take control of their payment systems.
This podcast episode was recorded live at the 46th Annual America’s SBDC Conference hosted at the Orlando World Center Marriott. This podcast is made possible by the Florida SBDC Network and sponsored by Florida First Capital.
Connect with Our Guest:
https://www.helcim.com