Florida Small Business Development Center at The University of South Florida

All Consultants are Professionally Trained and Certified to provide consulting services to Small Businesses. Experienced professionals help you grow your business. Click Here to Learn More

Training and Seminars geared toward both start-ups and existing businesses. Seminars are offered in both English and Spanish. Learn more about Training and Seminars.
See the Training Calendar.

Special Events offer the opportunity to expand your business, your business network or your skillset. These events offer many opportunities beyond just learning. See all of the upcoming Special Events.

Serving Desoto, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Sarasota Counties. Small Business Consulting and Training Seminars are in your area, find the location nearest to you!

University of South Florida - Tampa

Funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, the USF Small Business Development Center offers one-stop assistance to individuals and small businesses by providing a wide variety of information and guidance in central and easily accessible locations. Learn more about the SBDC at USF

SBA Tampa

Business Training Seminars in Tampa this week

Tampa Training Classes to help your Small Business

Small business training seminars are taught by Business Consultants in Tampa that have been certified by the Florida Small Business Development Center Network one of eight original SBDC pilot programs funded by the SBA.  Most of the Tampa Business Consultants have been in business for themselves. Here are the classes being taught this week at the USF Small Business Development Center:

8/24/2010 Women/Minority and Service Disabled Veteran Certification
8/24/2010 Disaster Planning
8/25/2010 Business Taxes
8/25/2010 International Trade Basics
8/26/2010 Internet Strategy

Please visit the training calendar for more information and to register online today! You can also learn more about the Consultants of the SBDC that teach these Business Training Seminars.

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FREE Business Training Seminars in Pinellas County

The Small Business Development Center at USF will be hosting free small business training at the Pinellas County Economic Development Business Assistance Center.

Learn about: E-Commerce and Internet Marketing Strategy, Training Grant Programs, Certificate Programs and Marketing Your Business.

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Walt’s Seasonal Cuisine – A Pinellas County Success Story

Small Business Success Story - Pinellas CountySBDC Helps Pinellas Restaurant Access Emergency Loan Fund

Walt’s Seasonal Cuisine, a Pinellas county restaurant, has benefited from Florida’s Emergency Bridge Loan program. The loan program, coordinated locally by the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at USF, provided a much needed injection of cash to the restaurant for marketing initiatives they had planned to cope with current conditions.

Due to the effects of the oil spill the restaurant began to experience a decline in sales. The owner developed some aggressive strategies to help them cope with the downturn in business but they needed a little help to keep them afloat until their strategies flourished.

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Harness the Power of Email Marketing – Free Seminar in Tampa

This FREE two-part seminar also includes Getting Started with Constant Contact

Learn winning strategies for impactful email marketing campaigns and walk away with the knowledge you need to create (or improve) a successful email marketing program—including how to incorporate your social media activities and your website into your campaign.

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Exporting Alternative Energy Products and Services to Latin America

A Growth Opportunity to Generate Revenue for the next 20 Years!

The International Energy Agency estimates energy demand in Latin America and the Caribbean to increase 50% by 2030. The agency also estimates installed energy generation capacity to increase by 26% in the following ten years. How can a small business benefit from this opportunity?

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Business Training Seminars in Tampa this week

Tampa Training Classes to help your Small Business

Small business training seminars are taught by Business Consultants in Tampa that have been certified by the Florida Small Business Development Center Network one of eight original SBDC pilot programs funded by the SBA.  Most of the Tampa Business Consultants have been in business for themselves. Here are the classes being taught this week at the USF Small Business Development Center:

8/31/2010 The Business Side of Medicine
9/1/2010 Basic Bookkeeping
9/1/2010 Government Contracting 101
9/2/2010 Understanding SBA Stimulus Loans
9/2/2010 Starting Your Business

Please visit the training calendar for more information and to register online today! You can also learn more about the Consultants of the SBDC that teach these Business Training Seminars.

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Free Small Business Forum – Polk County

This FREE 2-Day Event will feature several different workshops for both current and prospective business owners. Each workshop is tailored to assist participants in a different area of the business process. Counselors will also be available to offer personalized guidance.

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New Small Business Tax Credit for Providing Health Care Coverage

Understanding the verbal jargon related to the new health care legislation can be confusing for most small business owners. Essentially, the law entices small employers to provide health care coverage by refunding income taxes that small businesses pay.

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Business Training Seminars in Tampa this week

Tampa Training Classes to help your Small Business

Small business training seminars are taught by Business Consultants in Tampa that have been certified by the Florida Small Business Development Center Network one of eight original SBDC pilot programs funded by the SBA.  Most of the Tampa Business Consultants have been in business for themselves. Here are the classes being taught this week at the USF Small Business Development Center:

8/24/2010 Understanding SBA Stimulus Loans
8/24/2010 Make More Sales
8/25/2010 International Trade Basics
8/25/2010 Starting Your Business
8/26/2010 Ultimate Business Plan

Please visit the training calendar for more information and to register online today! You can also learn more about the Consultants of the SBDC that teach these Business Training Seminars.

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Lower Import Tariffs to Help Manufacturers

The U.S. Manufacturing Enhancement Act helps manufacturers generate employment and boost exports

President Obama has signed into law the U.S. Manufacturing Enhancement Act. The bill suspends or reduces the import tariffs on raw materials that are used by U.S. manufacturers and that are not available in the U.S. Products include certain chemicals, synthetic fabrics, herbicides, among others.

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High Speed Rail Projects for Minority Owned and Small Businesses

Information Meetings Set for Tampa, Lakeland and Orlando

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) through its Florida Rail Enterprise will host public information sessions in Tampa, Lakeland and Orlando to explain how minority owned and small businesses can be part of a team to bid on Florida’s high speed rail project connecting Tampa to Orlando.

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Business Training Seminars in Tampa this week

Tampa Training Classes to help your Small Business

Small business training seminars are taught by Business Consultants in Tampa that have been certified by the Florida Small Business Development Center Network one of eight original SBDC pilot programs funded by the SBA.  Most of the Tampa Business Consultants have been in business for themselves. Here are the classes being taught this week at the USF Small Business Development Center:

8/17/2010 Starting Your Business
8/18/2010 Business Disaster Planning
8/18/2010 Marketing Works
8/19/2010 Women/Minority Certification

Please visit the training calendar for more information and to register online today! You can also learn more about the Consultants of the SBDC that teach these Business Training Seminars.

Learn More

Business Training Seminars in Tampa this week

Tampa Training Classes to help your Small Business

Small business training seminars are taught by Business Consultants in Tampa that have been certified by the Florida Small Business Development Center Network one of eight original SBDC pilot programs funded by the SBA.  Most of the Tampa Business Consultants have been in business for themselves. Here are the classes being taught this week at the USF Small Business Development Center:

8/10/2010 Women/Minority Certification
8/10/2010 Starting Your Business (In Spanish)
8/11/2010 Government Contracting 101
8/12/2010 International Trade Basics
8/12/2010 Internet Strategy: Capture Your Online Market

Please visit the training calendar for more information and to register online today! You can also learn more about the Consultants of the SBDC that teach these Business Training Seminars.

Learn More

Eileen Rodriguez Profiled in the Tampa Bay Business Journal

Regional Director Describes What Small Businesses Need Most

Tampa Bay Business Journal - Executive Files Eileen RodriguezBusinesses don’t make business news. People do. Executives profiled in the Tampa Bay Business Journal provide readers with valuable personal insights into how they do business and strategic challenges they have overcome, as well as a peek at how careers evolved. The Executive Files, produced in collaboration with Shooting Stars Post, brings these profiles to life in video vignettes.

This week features Eileen Rodriguez, Regional director, Small Business Development Center at the University of South Florida.

“The main thing that they need is financial help” said Eileen. The economic downturn has hurt many small businesses that have turned to the SBDC for help. The goal is to help clients “not just stay in business, but expand their business at the same time.”

Eileen also discussed the desire to “bring in some new partners” including “the Greater Hernando Chamber of Commerce. The SBDC covers a 10 county region including Hernando County, which would not be possible without strong local partners.

What is a trade mission?

Exporters and importers can use international trade missions to investigate opportunities in potential foreign markets and meet possible clients. A trade mission is a trip with a formal business agenda, which is usually organized by economic development organizations or government agencies. The trip’s agenda can include visits to ports and airports, and one-on-one meetings with prospective clients.

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PTAC

The Procurement Technical Assistance Center Program helps Florida businesses interested in doing business with the government. A Certified Acquisition Professional with contracting experience with the Department of Defense provides free consulting to those looking to obtain contracts with the Department of Defense, other federal agencies, and state or local government agencies.
Learn More About PTAC

SBDC Success Stories

The consultants at the Small Business Development Center “provide high quality advice, were very helpful, and really cared about my business. I go to many functions where Small Business Development Center consultants participate and I am impressed by the commitment of their people.”

This is one of many testimonials about the great Small Business Consulting Services offered by the SBDC at USF. Check out the pages dedicated to success stories of small businesses that have benefited from the small business assistance of the Small Business Development Center at the University of South Florida.

Small Business Success Stories

SBDC Training Seminars

The SBDC is proud to offer classes geared toward small businesses. Some of these low cost seminars include:
  • Starting Your Business
  • Ultimate Business Plan
  • Understanding QuickBooks
  • Women/Minority Certification
  • Business Taxes
  • Basic Bookkeeping
  • Understanding SBA Stimulus Loans
  • International Trade Basics
  • Basic Government Contracting 101
  • Internet Strategy
  • Marketing Works
See the training calendar for upcoming classes

Main Office

Tampa Port Authority USF Small Business Development Center at Tampa Port Authority The University of South Florida Small Business Development Center is located in Tampa, Florida and has Satellite Offices in St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Lakeland, Venice and Avon Park.

Disaster Services

Business Consulting

Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program

Tampa Consultants from the SBDC at USF will be providing assistance to victims of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill by helping applicants:

  • Complete the application.
  • Review application and supporting documents for completeness.

For further information and application forms, go to www.floridaoilhelp.com

Disaster Response and Recovery Page

Disaster Preparedness Page

Business Training

Business Disaster Planning Training Seminar

This class will teach the procedures to use prior to, during and after a disaster occurs. Florida does have some risk from Hurricanes and other natural disasters each year, so a small business needs to be prepared before the business is impacted.

Business Disaster Planning Class

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Small Business Consulting Services