Episodes
Thursday May 14, 2020
Thursday May 14, 2020
Now that many Florida small businesses have re-engaged in the marketplace, it is time to review and update the business plan, allowing the owner to uncover and quantify potential opportunities, while identifying challenges and position the business to address both. Podcast host Tom Kindred speaks with Galen Pugh - Client Relations Manager at Bizminer, a leading provider of industry and market research analytics.
Bizminer provides analytical industry content to thousands of banking, accounting, valuation, CRE professionals and consultants; and over 200,000 business students in almost 100 universities. Bizminer is the exclusive provider of financial and industry market data services to the International Business Brokers Association. The company's granular, reliable content is licensed by US and Canadian taxing agencies.
The discussion also included information on the company's LOOK UP! Coronavirus Crisis Initiative, a no-cost resource launched to assist small business during COVID-19.
Friday May 08, 2020
Friday May 08, 2020
Has your business been impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19)? The Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network and its state partners remain committed to helping you access the disaster recovery resources and consulting your business needs to recover, rebuild, and grow.
Small Biz Florida host Tom Kindred speaks with Dianne Gross, Florida SBDC Network Communications Specialist, about the organization's consulting and disaster relief support for the state's small business community. Joining the conversation regarding the Florida SBDC Network's disaster recovery efforts were Brian Van Hook, Regional Director Florida SBDC at FIU and Dorian Zwierewicz, Associate Director Florida SBDC at UWF.
Help is Here
The Florida SBDC Network is here to help your business recover. The network's team of disaster specialists and credentialed business consultants are available to provide confidential, no-cost consulting to assist business owners with post-disaster challenges.
To learn more, contact one of the 40 Florida SBDC Network offices nearest you by visiting - FloridaSBDC.org.
Thursday Apr 30, 2020
Thursday Apr 30, 2020
As Florida's small business owners prepare to re-engage in the marketplace, constructing a business plan will be critical. This plan should address cash flow, operating costs, employees, marketing and any new COVID-19 state guidelines. Podcast host Tom Kindred speaks with Sabrina Parsons - CEO Palo Alto Software, regarding the company's business planning tool LivePlan. A modern, innovative business planning tool, LivePlan simplifies business planning, budgeting, forecasting, and performance tracking for small businesses and startups.
LivePlan is a valuable tool to help business owners and entrepreneurs create both business plans and forecast. With the economic and marketplace unknowns during the COVID-19 crisis, having the ability to create multiple forecast scenarios relatively quickly is important for an owner to have some idea of the direction their company is potentially heading. Integration with QuickBooks behind the scenes is a powerful feature as it allows LivePlan to be Live.
Thursday Apr 23, 2020
Thursday Apr 23, 2020
Small Biz Florida host Tom Kindred speaks with Career Source Research Coast (CSRC) CEO, Brian Bauer. The discussion focused on this regional and statewide workforce development organization and their work in assisting Florida’s small business marketplace and employees as the state prepares to re-open.
CareerSource Florida is the statewide workforce policy and investment board of business and government leaders charged with guiding workforce development for the state of Florida. CareerSource Florida provides oversight and policy direction for talent development programs administered by the Department of Economic Opportunity, Florida’s 24 local workforce development boards, and their 100 career centers. Together, the CareerSource Florida network connects employers with qualified, skilled talent and Floridians with employment and career development opportunities to achieve economic prosperity.
Sunday Apr 12, 2020
Sunday Apr 12, 2020
The COVID-19 issue has forced many folks to set-up business operations at home. Small Biz Florida host Tom Kindred speaks with Zack Ibanez from EZETech regarding cyber-security issues related to operating technology from the house.
Zack and his technology team from EZETech provide assistance and support for those seeking a transition to secure work from home operations due to the increase in cybersecurity threats during this global pandemic.
Sunday Apr 05, 2020
Sunday Apr 05, 2020
Small Biz Florida host Tom Kindred conducted another special episode in a series dedicated to the COVID-19 disaster. This episode featured guest Victoria Guerrero - District Director for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) South Florida District. The discussion focused on the benefits, eligibility and application process for the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and the new Payroll Protection Program (PPP). These loan programs represent two important resources for Florida's small business owners and operators.
Leadership and business expert Victoria Guerrero has over 20 years of experience leading, managing and transforming both private-sector corporations and public sector entities. Her transformational leadership, business management skills and ability to change business cultures has allotted her the opportunity to positively impact businesses and communities.
As District Director for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) South Florida District, Victoria is responsible for leading one of the highest job creation districts in the Nation. She oversees the delivery of agency programs such as financial assistance, management counseling and business development throughout the South Florida area which encompasses the 24 counties Southeast and Southwest of Orlando.
Serving 1.5 million small businesses the South Florida District has ranked, for the last four years, in the Top 5 of 68 SBA District Offices nationwide after continually exceeding $1B in small business loan guarantees spurring job creation and strengthening our economy.
Friday Mar 20, 2020
Friday Mar 20, 2020
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.
Tuesday Mar 17, 2020
Ep. 8 | Michael Myhre | CEO Florida SBDC Network | COVID-19 Series
Tuesday Mar 17, 2020
Tuesday Mar 17, 2020
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.
Sunday Mar 15, 2020
Sunday Mar 15, 2020
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.
Tuesday Mar 03, 2020
Tuesday Mar 03, 2020
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.

