SBDC at UCF’s Growth Acceleration Services Helps Local Companies Build and Manage Growth

June 20, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Hal Thayer, Communications Director, SBDC at UCF, 407.420.4850 or hthayer@bus.ucf.edu

Orlando – With small businesses representing 98.9 percent of all employers and employing 42.3 percent of the private-sector workforce, according to the latest available data, it’s no wonder that the Small Business Development Center at the University of Central Florida (SBDC at UCF) is charging ahead with the implementation of its Growth Acceleration services.

The Growth Acceleration services offered by the SBDC at UCF help small- to medium-sized businesses create and retain jobs for Central Floridians. Funded with part of Florida’s $2.6 million under the federal Small Business Jobs Act, the program has helped multiple companies in eight Central Florida counties since it started in March 2011 and is currently accepting new applications for the program.

“The in-depth assessments and counseling provided by our Growth Acceleration consultants have helped small businesses seize opportunities that may not have been apparent to them,” said Eunice Choi, regional director for the SBDC at UCF. “These companies have been able to implement the strategies they’ve identified with the help of our Growth Acceleration consultants to increase the pace of their growth, which means much-needed jobs for our region.”

Most businesses in Florida have 500 or fewer employees, and most new employment growth is attributed to startups and small businesses, according to recent U.S. Census figures. More than 6.7 million people work in small businesses in Florida.
Through the program, companies develop sustainable growth strategies in key business areas, including marketing and business development, cash flow management, strategic planning, market/industry research, as well as capital access. Consultants are certified business analysts who provide up to 100 hours of counseling to help companies in a variety of industries, including retail, construction, professional, scientific and technical services.

Qualifications for participating in the program are that a company must have a goal of growth; be in operation for at least three years; have annual revenues ranging from $500,000 to $10 million; and have five or more employees.

One company helped by the program is Maple Street, Inc., a Longwood, FL financial services company providing outsourced vendor management, contract negotiation and regulatory compliance oversight for financial institutions. Founder and President Michael Crofts met with a Growth Acceleration consultant from the SBDC at UCF who identified the firm’s strengths and weaknesses and assisted Crofts with developing a plan of action to guide future growth.

“We are fortunate to have a growing business, but the challenges that come with growth are sometimes enormous,“ remarked Crofts. “Having terrific expert advice and counsel from the Small Business Development Center at UCF consultants has been tremendous for our business as well as a great opportunity to learn to run our company better. The consulting we have received from the SBDC at UCF through its Growth Acceleration Services has been incredibly helpful, having assisted us grow our business and create new jobs at a rapid pace.”

The SBDC at UCF’s Growth Acceleration services are part of a state-wide initiative of the Florida Small Business Development Center Network. The FSBDCN is a partnership program funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration and local and regional host partners, including Florida’s state universities and colleges.

For more information about Growth Acceleration services, contact SBDC at UCF Regional Director Eunice Choi at 407-420-4850 or echoi@bus.ucf.edu.

–UCF–

With its main office in the National Entrepreneur Center (formerly the Disney Entrepreneur Center) now located at the Fashion Square Mall in Orlando, the Small Business Development Center at the University of Central Florida (SBDC at UCF) is part of the UCF College of Business Administration and the Florida Small Business Development Center Network, providing business seminars and no-cost, one-on-one business consultation to small business owners. The SBDC at UCF serves an eight-county area that includes Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia counties and maintains seven satellite service centers. In 2011, the SBDC at UCF helped entrepreneurs create or retain 1,517 jobs, win contract awards worth $28.9 million, acquire $17.7 million in capital formation, and increase sales by $51.9 million. The SBDC at UCF is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Upcoming Events

Marketing Basics

Thursday, December 12, 2024

A webinar providing an overview of the marketing process for small business, as well as a close look at all elements of a marketing plan. Marketing is the driver of revenue growth and an imperative for small business success. Topics include the traditional four “P’s” of marketing – Product, Place, Promotion, and Price – as well as three new “P’s” with special application to small businesses – Positioning, People, and Planning. Please note: Certain device’s Operating Systems (e.g. Windows S mode), browsers, programs/features, applications, firewalls, etc. may exist that restrict you from accessing this GoToWebinar session and its features. If [...]

Business Plan Writing Made Easier

Thursday, November 14, 2024

Your business needs a roadmap for every stage of its growth. We’ll remove the mystery of how to create a business plan, the information that should be included, and how to use it as a tool to keep your company on track for long term growth. Please note: Certain device’s Operating Systems (e.g. Windows S mode), browsers, programs/features, applications, firewalls, etc. may exist that restrict you from accessing this GoToWebinar session and its features. If you run into such technical difficulties please do any of the following: Use Microsoft Edge Restart your device Disable Microsoft S Mode Configure your device’s firewall. [...]

Marketing Basics

Thursday, October 10, 2024

Business Plan Writing Made Easier

Thursday, September 19, 2024

Marketing Basics

Thursday, August 8, 2024

Business Plan Writing Made Easier

Thursday, July 11, 2024

Marketing Basics

Thursday, June 13, 2024

How to Start Your Business

Thursday, June 6, 2024

We look forward to seeing you In-Person at the National Entrepreneur Center in Orlando. If you’re thinking of starting a business, it’s important to take the right steps. This three-hour in-person seminar will give you an overview of what to know, actions to take, and how to avoid common missteps to give your company its greatest chance of success. Learn about the journey from pre-venture to start-up to opening your business and cover: Business legal entity selection, Registration and licensing, Marketing and branding, Sources of financing and capital, Business plan building, and more… This seminar is held on the first Thursday of each month. [...]

Business Plan Writing Made Easier

Thursday, May 9, 2024

WEBINAR Your business needs a roadmap for every stage of its growth. We’ll remove the mystery of how to create a business plan, the information that should be included, and how to use it as a tool to keep your company on track for long term growth. Please note: Certain device’s Operating Systems (e.g. Windows S mode), browsers, programs/features, applications, firewalls, etc. may exist that restrict you from accessing this GoToWebinar session and its features. If you run into such technical difficulties please do any of the following: Use Microsoft Edge Restart your device Disable Microsoft S Mode Configure your [...]

How to Start Your Business

Thursday, May 2, 2024

If you’re thinking of starting a business, it’s important to take the right steps. This three-hour Webinar will give you an overview of what to know, actions to take, and how to avoid common missteps to give your company its greatest chance of success. Learn about the journey from pre-venture to start-up to opening your business and cover: Business legal entity selection, Registration and licensing, Marketing and branding, Sources of financing and capital, Business plan building, and more… This seminar is held on the first Thursday of each month. [...]

Success is No Accident: Strategic Planning for Small Business Part II

Tuesday, April 30, 2024

Make your future happen; don’t let it happen to you. With a strategic plan, you will be able to establish your company’s direction, make better business decisions and have a source of increased market share and profitability. Strategic planning is a series of building blocks including: • Financial Plan, • Marketing Plan, • Business Plan, leading to the • Strategic Plan While most planning workshops address these plans separately, this two (2) part seminar series (Part I: April 23rd, 10:00 am – 11:00 am and Part II: April 30th, 10:00 am – 11:00 am) will present these four complementary planning [...]

Florida SBDC Network

The Florida SBDC at the University of Central Florida is a member of the Florida SBDC Network, a statewide partnership program nationally accredited by the Association of America’s SBDCs and funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Department of Defense, State of Florida and other private and public partners, with the University of West Florida serving as the network’s lead host institution. Florida SBDC services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Language assistance services are available for limited English proficient individuals.

SBDC at UCF’s Growth Acceleration Services Helps Local Companies Build and Manage Growth

Florida SBDC Network

Email Us

Contact Us