Starting A Business
Business Training and Consulting in Tampa to Help Start-ups
When starting a business, or in the very early stages of running a small business, there are very specific needs. The SBDC has training classes in Tampa geared toward helping the small business start-up and grow. The SBDC also has certified business consultants that assist with the steps involved in starting a small business.
Tampa Consulting for Small Businesses
Start-up Consultations
Confidential Counseling from an Experienced Business Owner
Business Consulting Services for Start-ups
When starting a business, there are some very important steps each business must take. Business Consulting is provided to help businesses through the critical planning steps needed in order to be successful in starting a business. Some of the start-up consulting provided includes:
Feasibility Analysis
Value Statement Creation
Target Market Analysis
Business Location
Market Research
Marketing Plan
Business Plan
Learn more about Small Business Consulting at the Small Business Development Center at USF.
Tampa Training for Small Businesses
Business Start-up Training
Training Conducted by Experienced Business Owners
Tampa Training Classes
These classes will provide value to most new businesses and are a great starting point for anyone looking to start a business in the Tampa Bay area. Click on the title to view more information about the class.
Starting Your BusinessStarting Your Business (In Spanish)
Marketing Works
Building the Ultimate Business Plan
Internet Strategy: Capture Your Online Market
Financing Your Business
Business Taxes
Basic Bookkeeping
Understanding QuickBooks
Recent Articles About Business Start-ups
Small Businesses Turn to SBDC for Help
Training Seminars and Consulting Services Provide Assistance to Start or Grow a Business
Local small business owners express talked to WUSF recently about their appreciation for the value provided by the Small Business Development Center at USF. “This has given me a lot of insight on how to be an ideal small business and grow into a large business” says Ty Huelle of MaskYourCard.com. “My goal is really to figure out how as an individual can I grow this business and this company through eCommerce”
The SBDC provides small business clients with “Seminars that pertain to them” says Eileen Rodriguez, “such as Financing, Marketing, Advertising, Taxes, Doing Business with the Government”. These training seminars typically run two to four hours and give clients the ability to learn what they need to help their small business success in a time frame that is convenient to a small business owner.
Small Businesses and Start-ups Creating Jobs
Larry Davis formed his own company after losing his job during the economic downturn. “I positioned myself so that when the time came,” Larry said “I could now be ready to move on my own and move into my new venture.”
The consulting services provided by the SBDC help entrepreneurs start a business, grow a businesses or more efficiently manage a small business. The free consulting gives small business owners a chance to meet with an experienced professional to address the needs of the business. During tough economic times, small businesses still have an excellent resource with the Small Business Development Center.
Small Business Clients Grow the Economy
Research from America’s Small Business Development Centers shows that clients who received five hours or more of business consulting in 2007 created 58,501 new jobs, saved 88,889 existing jobs, started 12,124 new businesses, obtained $3.1 billion in financing and increased sales by $5.6 billion.
As a result of this economic growth, SBDC clients generated $2.72 in federal tax revenues plus $1.87 in state tax revenues for every $1 the federal government spent on the SBDC program.
The 1000 nationwide centers provided free or affordable business consulting and training to small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs.
See the full details of the Economic Impact of the Small Business Consulting, Training and Resources provided by America’s Small Business Development Centers.
Check out our Success Stories.
Learn MoreGarden Montessori School – A Pasco County Success Story
USF SBDC Client Opens First “Certified Green Pre-school” in USA
After the birth of her first child, Patricia Gutierrez became interested in helping children achieve a better education. In 2006, she met Stefani Ruskin. Both of them had similar goals: a passion for educating children, a desire to protect the environment, and a wish to become entrepreneurs.
Stefani was a director and teacher for another Montessori school and Patricia had a financial background having worked in banking. Thus, they felt that they had the right combination of talents to make a Montessori School a success. In January, 2008 Patricia Gutierrez went to Florida Small Business Development Center at the University of South Florida (USF SBDC) for assistance with developing a business plan to open a Montessori School in Wesley Chapel, Fl. There she worked with Jim Parrish, Certified Business Analyst, to help make their dream happen.
According to Patricia, “Jim Parrish was able to help us determine if opening a Montessori School in Wesley Chapel would be a good business decision as well as understand the processes we would have to go through to open a new school. We needed to make sure this venture would be not only an educational success but a financial success before we invested our money.”
Start-up Opens Doors to Business
Although there were many obstacles in getting opened, on November 11, 2009 the Garden Montessori School opened its doors as a “Certified Green School,” becoming the first preschool/daycare in both Florida and the United States to receive this distinction. This certification was awarded by the Green Schools League and recognized “the vision and commitment that Ms. Ruskin and Ms. Gutierrez have made to create and maintain a healthy school environment”. Co-owner Stefani Ruskin says “Our primary goal for going green was to provide the children with a healthy environment.
Our goal is to make children more aware of living responsibly. We hope that by teaching the students about conservation and recycling, we will help them think about how they impact the planet.” For more information, visit www.gardenmontessorischool.org.
Learn MoreVase One Floral, LLC – a Small Business Success Story
Click to Enlarge Photo
Vase One Floral Design Studio, LLC is a Tampa, Florida based establishment which was launched on November 9, 2009. Proprietor Rhonda Pittman invested $15K from personal savings to finance start-up expenses. Understanding her market segment: Ms. Pittman immediately began to brand her enterprise as a custom floral design studio specializing in the art of distinction. She and her staff take pride in providing exquisite customer service. They cater to the floral needs of weddings; sorrowful events; life occasions; and interior design. Daily deliveries as well as corporate and residential installation accounts are available.
“My first encounter with the SBDC was for a counseling session with Certified Business Analyst, Ms. Learline Shorty, said Rhonda. She was very informative and provided excellent resources. She encouraged me to attend free workshops offered by Hillsborough County’s Small Business Information Center (SBIC); one of SBDC’s collaborative partners. Learline was very professional and whole-heartily dedicated in providing me with excellent information, resources and guidance. Learline also taught some of the workshops I attended. Overall, the SBDC has contributed tremendously in my growing knowledge of the many aspects of business by providing free one on one confidential counseling and workshops based on entrepreneurial principles.”
Ms. Pittman went on to voice that she has taken a total of 56 credit hours in workshops at the SBIC. The topics ranged from Smart Start Your Business to Bookkeeping Essentials: to SBA Financing for your Business to a Five Part Business Plan Series. She feels confident that her business will benefit from the financial advice she received from Learline and through the attendance of the workshops.
“Now that my business is up and running says Ms. Pittman I can really hone into my short term goal to become a well recognized and established custom floral design and event studio in the Tampa Bay area.” When asked if she would recommend the SBDC to other business owners, Ms. Pittman replied “yes.” “I have become a customer of the Vase One establishment states Learline Shorty (Ms. Pittman’s SBDC Certified Business Analyst). The arrangements I have ordered portray Rhonda’s creative, style and sense of color coordination. The decorum of Vase One is simply fabulous. The environment is warm and inviting. When you enter Rhonda’s business the colors and design of her branding kind of reach out to touch you. The interior design of Vase One is like no other florist I have encountered. You definitely get the WOW factor, and her company’s Web site is very professional. Rhonda has done a phenomenal job on branding her business. Her décor, business cards, Web site and marketing materials are consistent in projecting the intended cultural image. I am thrilled with joy for Rhonda’s accomplishments.”
You can embrace the experience of purchasing a customized floral arrangement and receiving fantastic customer service by visiting Vase One Floral Design Studio, LLC at 7402 N. 56TH Street, Suite 906, Tampa, FL 33617 (Corporate Square Office Park). Voice Number : 813.443.4617 Fax Number: 813.443.4618; Web site: www.vaseonestudio.com; Email: info@vaseonestudio.com or Rhonda@vaseonestudio.com.
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