Small Biz Florida

Ep. 214 | Celebrating 70 Years of Small Business Administration: Navigating Challenges and Embracing Innovation

Join us in this special episode of Small Biz Florida, as we raise a toast to 70 years of the Small Business Administration (SBA) and its incredible journey of supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses across the nation.
In this milestone episode, Tom Kindred engages in an enlightening conversation with Jonel Hein and Malcolm Richards, two remarkable leaders in the world of small business advocacy. They begin by tracing their personal journeys, sharing insightful anecdotes that led them to their current roles as District Directors of SBA's North Florida and South Florida regions.
The heart of the episode delves into the rich history of the Small Business Administration, exploring its origins and how it has evolved over seven decades to become a cornerstone of entrepreneurial success. Our guests shed light on the agency's pivotal role in fostering economic growth, promoting innovation, and championing the dreams of countless small business owners.
As the discussion deepens, the trio explores the challenges that the SBA has faced throughout its history and how it demonstrated resilience during times of crisis, such as the pandemic and recessions. Hein and Richards share inspiring stories of how the SBA swiftly adapted and pivoted to meet the evolving needs of small businesses, offering a lifeline when it was needed the most.
The conversation then takes an exciting turn towards the future, focusing on the SBA's embrace of technology as a driving force for change. The guests discuss how the SBA is leveraging the latest advancements to streamline processes, enhance accessibility, and provide innovative solutions that empower entrepreneurs in the digital age.
Throughout the episode, Hein and Richards emphasize the invaluable role of resources and partners that have been pivotal in SBA's mission to support small businesses and entrepreneurship. From highlighting success stories to showcasing the impact of collaboration with various organizations, they paint a vivid picture of the SBA ecosystem and its profound impact on communities.
Tune in to this insightful episode as Tom Kindred, Jonel Hein, and Malcolm Richards take you on a journey through the past, present, and future of the Small Business Administration. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a small business owner, or simply passionate about economic growth, you won't want to miss this celebration of 70 years of innovation, resilience, and unwavering support for small businesses.
 
Unlock the best Small Business Resources at: https://www.sba.gov/ 
 
 

Ep. 213 | Governor DeSantis Signs Tax Relief: Boosting Small Business Growth with FCF/FFC

We're focusing on a critical issue: Capital Access. Every entrepreneur needs the right financial support to thrive. Executive Vice President for FCF/FFC, Mark Kruse is back on Small Biz Florida, to help unveil Florida First Capital's pivotal role in aiding businesses to start, expand, and flourish.
Discover how Florida First Capital championed crucial changes, impacting SBA Tax issues and specifically targeting the 504 program. With the recent law changes coming into effect on July 1, 2023, we explore their collaboration with the legislature, striving to bring about tax relief for consumers and businesses alike. Join us to understand how these efforts are fostering an environment where small business growth is empowered and taxation barriers are lifted.
Learn more by visiting: https://ffcfc.com/ 

Ep. 212 | Unleashing Digital Transformation: An Insider’s Look at the 2023 MakeMore Manufacturing Summit

In this exciting episode, we sit down with Zoraida Velasco, the Executive Vice President of FloridaMakes, to dive into the highly anticipated 2023 MakeMore Manufacturing Summit. This annual thought leadership event serves as a catalyst for Florida's manufacturing community, bringing together industry leaders, stakeholders, and thought pioneers to explore solutions and strengthen the sector. With the theme "Unleashing Digital Transformation," the summit delves into the transformative power of technology, driving innovation and growth for small businesses in the manufacturing industry.
Join us in this enlightening conversation as we uncover how the MakeMore Manufacturing Summit fosters collaboration, bridges gaps in the ecosystem, and empowers manufacturers with digital strategies for success. Don't miss the chance to be part of this game-changing event taking place on October 25th-26th at the prestigious Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando, FL.
 
Visit: https://www.floridamakemore.com/home for more information about this year's event!

Ep. 211 | Building a Customer-Centric Culture with Ryan Boylston, CEO and Founder of 2 Ton, a Creative Agency

Join us in this episode as we sit down with Ryan Boylston, the CEO and Founder of 2 Ton, a full-service creative agency. Ryan shares his journey from the corporate world to start his own agency, drawing inspiration from his experience at JM Family Enterprises. He emphasizes the importance of creating a customer-centric culture and highlights the use of the term "associate" instead of "employee" to foster a sense of unity and shared purpose within the organization. Ryan discusses the organic growth of 2 Ton and how they expanded their services in-house to provide clients with trusted and reliable solutions. He also delves into the concept of work-life integration and the value of transparency and accountability in building a strong team. Tune in to gain insights into creating a thriving culture and prioritizing customer satisfaction in your business.
 
– Learn more about 2 Ton: https://2ton.com/ 
For more segments like these, subscribe to Small Biz Florida and Follow the official Small Biz Florida Instagram! This and the following segments were recorded at this year’s annual JMI Small Business Leadership Conference hosted at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort.

Ep. 210 | Exploring Entrepreneurship and the JU Review App with Roland Jean Charles

Join us in this exciting episode as we sit down with Roland Jean Charles, an aspiring entrepreneur and graduate of the JMI Institute. Roland shares his journey in the real estate industry, specifically focusing on property management as a way to diversify investment risks. He discusses the valuable resources and networking opportunities he encountered through conferences and how they have influenced his business growth. Roland also talks about his participation in a pitch competition, where he presented his innovative app, JU Review. This social value app provides users with real-time recommendations for dining and drinks, offering a dynamic and engaging experience, unlike static review apps. Tune in to learn more about Roland's entrepreneurial journey and the unique features of the JU Review app.
For more segments like these, subscribe to Small Biz Florida and Follow the official Small Biz Florida Instagram! This and the following segments were recorded at this year’s annual JMI Small Business Leadership Conference hosted at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort.

Ep. 209 | Overcoming Adversity and Thriving in Entrepreneurship: Insights from Michael Allison, Founder of the Adversity Academy

Join us in this inspiring episode as we sit down with Michael Allison, the founder of the Adversity Academy. Michael shares his personal journey of overcoming various challenges, including homelessness, bullying, injuries, and combat experiences during his service in the United States Marine Corps. Despite facing adversity, Michael's determination led him to excel in the military, pursue higher education, and transition into entrepreneurship. He discusses his experience working in the railroad industry and becoming a project manager in a government contractor, as well as his decision to start his own franchise and ultimately launch the Adversity Academy. Discover how Michael's experiences have shaped his passion for helping business owners overcome obstacles, improve leadership, and implement effective strategies. Tune in for an insightful conversation on resilience, personal growth, and thriving in entrepreneurship.
 
– Learn more about The Adversity Academy: https://theadversityacademy.com/ 
For more segments like these, subscribe to Small Biz Florida and Follow the official Small Biz Florida Instagram! This and the following segments were recorded at this year’s annual JMI Small Business Leadership Conference hosted at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort.

Ep. 208 | Maximizing Sales Success: Insights from Kelly Hill, CEO of Sales Advisors of Florida

Join us in this episode as we welcome Kelly Hill, CEO of Sales Advisors of Florida and a seasoned sales professional with a diverse background in sales, marketing, and purchasing. Kelly shares her career journey, transitioning from sales and marketing roles in the commercial cooking equipment industry to venturing into purchasing and eventually founding Sales Advisors of Florida. We explore the core focus of Kelly's organization, which is to help companies develop proactive sales approaches and effectively manage day-to-day sales activities. Kelly emphasizes the importance of having a written sales process, specifically tailored for inbound and outbound sales, and emphasizes the value of regular reviews to assess and refine strategies. Tune in to gain valuable insights and practical tips for maximizing sales success within your small business.
 
– Learn more about Sales Advisors of Florida: https://salesadvisorsfl.com/ 
For more segments like these, subscribe to Small Biz Florida and Follow the official Small Biz Florida Instagram! This and the following segments were recorded at this year’s annual JMI Small Business Leadership Conference hosted at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort.

Ep. 207 | Bridging the Generational Gap: Insights from Katie Howard, Innovative HR Consultant

In this episode, we are joined by Katie Howard, an innovative HR consultant with James Moore accounting firm. Katie shares her unique career journey, starting as a finance major and eventually transitioning into various HR roles, including a consultative role with James Moore. Our conversation delves into the challenges of managing a multigenerational workforce. Katie challenges common stereotypes and encourages embracing the differences and strengths of each generation to foster innovation and creative thinking within organizations. She emphasizes the importance of leveraging technology to bridge the generational gap, sharing a compelling example of a younger employee utilizing Instagram to connect with CEOs and achieve remarkable results. Join us as we explore how organizations can cultivate a harmonious and thriving work environment by embracing generational diversity and harnessing the power of technology.
 
– Learn more about James Moore & Co.: https://www.jmco.com/ 
For more segments like these, subscribe to Small Biz Florida and Follow the official Small Biz Florida Instagram! This and the following segments were recorded at this year’s annual JMI Small Business Leadership Conference hosted at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort.

Ep. 206 | Crafting Compelling Messages: Insights from Jay Owen, Founder and CEO of Business Builders

In this episode, we are thrilled to have Jay Owen, the founder, and CEO of Business Builders, join us. Jay shares his entrepreneurial journey, driven by a desire to chart his own course and create something unique. With a deep understanding of the challenges that entrepreneurs face in marketing, Jay emphasizes the importance of clear and effective messaging to capture attention and acquire customers. He introduces the StoryBrand framework, developed by Donald Miller, which guides businesses in crafting messages that invite customers into their stories. Jay highlights the seven critical components of the framework, including understanding the customer's desires and problems, positioning the business as a guide, creating a clear plan, and incorporating a call to action. Join us as we delve into the power of storytelling and how it can elevate your business's marketing efforts.
 
– Learn more about Business Builders Marketing Agency: https://businessbldrs.com/ 
For more segments like these, subscribe to Small Biz Florida and Follow the official Small Biz Florida Instagram! This and the following segments were recorded at this year’s annual JMI Small Business Leadership Conference hosted at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort.

Ep. 205 | Building Resilience: Business Continuity Planning with Dana Kerigan

In this episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dana Kerigan, an agency principal at Kerigan Marketing Associates. Dana shares her career journey, starting in purchasing and supply chain before transitioning to the marketing field. She discusses her role in media contracts, media buying, and digital marketing, which has contributed to the exponential growth of their SBA-certified women-owned business. Our conversation then turns to the critical topic of business continuity planning after a disaster. Dana highlights the sobering statistics that show a significant percentage of small businesses fail to reopen or close within a year after a disaster, emphasizing the importance of having a business continuity plan in place. She provides insights into what a business continuity plan entails, including projecting worst-case scenarios, assembling a management team, and assigning responsibilities to ensure effective communication and action during and after a disaster. Tune in to learn valuable strategies for building resilience and planning for the continued success of your business.
 
– Learn more about Kerigan Marketing Associates: https://keriganmarketing.com/ 
For more segments like these, subscribe to Small Biz Florida and Follow the official Small Biz Florida Instagram! This and the following segments were recorded at this year’s annual JMI Small Business Leadership Conference hosted at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort.