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FSBDC at UCF Celebrates 2026 National Small Business Week

FSBDC at UCF Honors U.S. Small Business Administration Award Winners, Including Being Named National SBDC of the Year

Orlando, FL – In recognition of the significant contributions to a healthy economy made by the entrepreneurs and small business owners of Central Florida and the nation, the Florida Small Business Development Center at the University of Central Florida (FSBDC at UCF) celebrated the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) National Small Business Week with a luncheon and awards ceremony recognizing local SBA award winners.

The FSBDC at UCF’s National Small Business Week celebration was held on Thursday, May 28th at the 2026 Small Business Awards Luncheon at the Citrus Club in downtown Orlando. Sponsored by Florida First Capital Finance Corporation, Regions Bank, and SouthState Bank as Gold Sponsors, and Cogent Bank as Silver Sponsor, the luncheon featured remarks by representatives from the Florida SBDC and the U.S. Small Business Administration who presented the following awards to FSBDC at UCF and state and district SBA awards recipients:

Small Business Development Center of the Year /
Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Excellence and Innovation Center Award
2026 National Award Winner
Florida Small Business Development Center at the University of Central Florida
Eunice Choi, Regional Director
www.sbdcorlando.com

Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year
2026 State of Florida & SBA North Florida District Winner
Barbara Parham, Founder and CEO
Artistic Talent Group – Orlando
www.artistictalentgroup.com

Blue Collar Small Business of the Year
2026 State of Florida & SBA North Florida District Winner
Lyle Cummings, President
Hotspray Industrial Coatings – Orlando
www.hotspray.com

Regional Volunteer of the Year
2026 Central Florida / Florida SBDC at UCF Winner
Dick Quint, Business Advisor
Strategic Insights HQ – Orlando
www.strategicinsightshq.com

Regional Resource Partner of the Year
2026 Central Florida / Florida SBDC at UCF Winner
Jose ‘Ed’ Ramos, Senior Area Manager
U.S. Small Business Administration – Orlando
www.sba.gov

“It is with great pleasure that the FSBDC at UCF honors our valued clients Barbara Parham of Artistic Talent Group and Lyle Cummings of Hotspray Industrial Coatings as U.S. Small Business Administration Award winners as part of its Small Business Week,” remarked Eunice Choi, Regional Director of the Florida SBDC at UCF. “We are also excited to congratulate and applaud Dick Quint as the Central Florida / FSBDC at UCF Regional Volunteer of the Year for his longstanding support and dedicated volunteer work supporting the FSBDC at UCFs clients in our Advisory Board Council program and Jose ‘Ed’ Ramos, the FSBDC at UCF’s longtime friend and supporter from the SBA, as the Central Florida / FSBDC at UCF Regional Resource Partner of the Year.

“I also have to again acknowledge and celebrate that we at the FSBDC at UCF are humbled yet immensely gratified to be honored as the SBDC of the Year by the SBA,” said Choi. “Our team takes great pride in its unwavering commitment to serving the small business community and advancing SBA’s mission. This award reflects our consistent ability to exceed SBA milestones and outperform our own high expectations within the Florida SBDC Network.”

“Artistic Talent Group and Hotspray Industrial Coatings are the best possible examples of small business success stories, each one built upon the vision, energy, and determination of their entrepreneurial founders,” shared Choi. “The FSBDC at UCF works to provide no-cost consulting, business training, and access to market research that allows companies like these to excel. We are gratified to have assisted them in their achievement in some small way,” Choi continued.

Artistic Talent Group (ATG) is a creative entertainment and art services company based in Central Florida, specializing in live, interactive experiences and custom artwork. With nearly 30 years of partnership with Walt Disney World, ATG’s artists create Caricatures, Henna, and Name Works at Disney’s theme parks, resorts, and at their brick-and-mortar store, The Art Corner at Disney Springs. Their business allows over 100,000 people annually to have face time with real artists, creating memories that last a lifetime.

Hotspray Industrial Coatings is a robust and multifaceted industrial and specialty coatings company which offers a wide variety of industrial painting services including surface preparation, sandblasting, spray painting, and specialized coatings. The Hotspray team’s expertise and top-of-the-line equipment eliminate constant maintenance issues, prevent corrosion, and improve safety on high-stakes projects like launch pads and aquariums. Whether preparing critical infrastructure or enhancing the durability of unique installations, Hotspray’s ability to execute large-scale projects has positioned the firm as a trusted partner serving: SeaWorld, Disney, Universal Studios, SpaceX, Department of Defense, Kennedy Space Center and Brevard and Volusia Counties’ School Districts.

“Both Artistic Talent Group and Hotspray Industrial Coatings have built themselves from start-ups into impressive businesses by meeting the needs of their customers, employing our neighbors, and serving our community, thereby contributing materially to our local economy and the wellbeing of Central Florida,” highlights Choi.

“Florida’s 3.5 million small business owners work diligently every day to launch and grow their businesses, and the Florida SBDC Network is proud to partner with them to help make their dreams a reality,” said Greg Britton, state director of the Florida SBDC Network. “We are proud to be able to celebrate the success of some of our highest performers, and acknowledge all that our small businesses do to help make Florida the best state in the nation to work, live, and play. And I would be remiss to not send another shout out of celebration and congratulations to the Florida SBDC at UCF as the SBA’s 2026 National SBDC of the Year.”

National Small Business Week is proclaimed by the President of the United States to recognize the critical contributions made by America’s small businesses and entrepreneurs to our economy. More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business, and they create about two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. each year.

As part of National Small Business Week, the U.S. Small Business Administration takes the opportunity to highlight the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners, and others from all 50 states and U.S. territories. Every day, they’re working to grow small businesses, create 21st century jobs, drive innovation, and increase America’s global competitiveness. This year’s week-long celebration ran May 3 – 9 with events being held in multiple cities from coast-to-coast throughout the month of May that are designed to help small businesses start, grow, and succeed.

— FSBDC —

About the FSBDC at UCF

Hosted by the University of Central Florida (UCF), and with its main office in the National Entrepreneur Center located at the Fashion Square Mall in Orlando, the Florida Small Business Development Center at the University of Central Florida (FSBDC at UCF) is part of part of UCF’s Office of the President and the Florida SBDC Network.

The Florida SBDC at UCF provides aspiring and existing small businesses with no-cost consulting, low-cost training, and access to business data and research resources. In addition to its core service offering, the Florida SBDC at UCF also offers specialized services to qualifying companies, including capital access, market growth, government contracting, international trade, business continuation, cybersecurity, disaster planning and recovery, and more. The FSBDC at UCF serves an eight-county area that includes Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia counties and maintains 9 service centers across Central Florida.

In 2025, the FSBDC at UCF served 2,142 entrepreneurs in Central Florida with consulting services, resulting in more than 3,967 jobs impacted; $760.1 million in sales growth; $83.6 million in capital formation; $85.1 million in government contract awards; and 155 new businesses started. For more information, please visit www.sbdcorlando.com.

About the Florida SBDC Network

For 50 years, the Florida SBDC Network, the state’s principal provider of business assistance [Fl. Stat. 288.001], has nourished a statewide partnership between higher education and economic development to provide existing and emerging small and medium-sized business owners with management and knowledge resources that enable overall growth, increased profitability, and economic prosperity for Florida’s economy.

In 2025, the Florida SBDC Network delivered 112,158 hours of consulting to 15,439 small business clients – resulting in business owners securing $534.7 million in capital, $711.5 million in government contracting, impacting 18,334 jobs, increasing sales by over $3.4 billion, and creating 1,111 businesses.

With over 40 offices statewide, the Florida SBDC is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Department of Defense, State of Florida and other private and public partners. Full funding disclosure available at www.floridasbdc.org/funding-disclosures.

The Florida SBDC Network, headquartered at the University of West Florida, is nationally accredited by the Association of SBDCs and is a recipient of the President’s E Award for Export Service. Florida SBDC services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Language assistance services are available for individuals with limited English proficiency. For more information, please visit www.FloridaSBDC.org.

JE Technology Solutions Scales New Heights

FSBDC at UCF Advisory Board Council’s Expert Guidance Fuels Major Gains in Leadership and Performance

May 27, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Hal Thayer, Communications Director, FSBDC at UCF, 407.420.4850 or HThayer@ucf.edu

Jill Kaufman, ABC Program Manager, FSBDC at UCF, 407.420.4854 or Jill.Kaufman@ucf.edu

Orlando, FL – Adrian Little had already built a strong business. As founder and president of JE Technology Solutions, he had guided the industrial maintenance platform company through its early growth. When he knew it was time to elevate the business even further, he turned to the Florida Small Business Development Center at the University of Central Florida (FSBDC at UCF) and its award‑winning Advisory Board Council (ABC) program to help take his firm to the next level.

JE Technology Solutions designs, engineers, and builds maintenance platforms – essentially “scaffolding on steroids”, according to Little – for the aerospace, marine, industrial, and fleet maintenance industries. Its integrated approach is unusual in the market. “What makes JE Technology unique and special is our focus on quick turnarounds, our flexibility with our customers, and our service after the sale,” highlights Little. “That’s hard to find when you’re doing design, engineering and manufacturing all in one building.” The company’s responsiveness is another major differentiator. “Our ability to react, flex, and accommodate customers’ ever‑changing needs as their market continues to grow and expand sets us apart,” he continues. “We also consider ourselves experts in fall protection, ensuring our platforms meet functional requirements but also OSHA and ANSI standards.”

Although JE Technology was growing, Little wanted to position it as an industry leader. “Essentially, I approached the FSBDC and its Advisory Board Council because I needed help,” he recalls. “I had come to the end of my rope and needed advice about my business. I wanted to hear other perspectives. My folks here were good, but I wanted high‑level perspectives because I wanted to grow my company.”

The FSBDC at UCF’s Advisory Board Council provides small business owners with a customized, no‑cost board of volunteer experts selected to address each company’s specific needs. The program acts as a matchmaker, connecting established businesses like JE Technology Solutions with seasoned professionals who bring targeted expertise.

Little knew exactly what he wanted from his board. “I wanted members who were highly intelligent and had experience. They had to represent the major aspects of the business—from sales, operations, finance, to HR. I wanted visibility and expertise in all the major disciplines,” he explains. And that’s what he received.

“The experts on my Council actually pushed me to be a better leader,” Little shares. “They all brought unique aspects to my company. The finance person brought a view from the finance side; HR brought her view from the HR and corporate side; operations as well. It gave me a more well‑rounded view of what I should be looking for and how each of my departments should be running.”

The impact was significant. “My ABC Team encouraged me throughout the process. They gave me wind beneath my wings to carry on until I saw the growth and saw the results with my own eyes,” he affirms. “Through the Advisory Board Council, over 2–3 years, we saw our revenue increase about 60% from 2022–26. We grew our headcount by about 60% as well. My ABC Council was what I needed, and it was the right thing at the right time.”

For information about JE Technology Solutions, please visit https://jetechnologysolutions.com/.

— FSBDC —

About the FSBDC at UCF

Hosted by the University of Central Florida (UCF), and with its main office in the National Entrepreneur Center located at the Fashion Square Mall in Orlando, the Florida Small Business Development Center at the University of Central Florida (FSBDC at UCF) is part of part of UCF’s Office of the President and the Florida SBDC Network.

The Florida SBDC at UCF provides aspiring and existing small businesses with no-cost consulting, low-cost training, and access to business data and research resources. In addition to its core service offering, the Florida SBDC at UCF also offers specialized services to qualifying companies, including capital access, market growth, government contracting, international trade, business continuation, cybersecurity, disaster planning and recovery, and more. The FSBDC at UCF serves an eight-county area that includes Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia counties and maintains 9 service centers across Central Florida.

In 2025, the FSBDC at UCF served 2,142 entrepreneurs in Central Florida with consulting services, resulting in more than 3,967 jobs impacted; $760.1 million in sales growth; $83.6 million in capital formation; $85.1 million in government contract awards; and 155 new businesses started. For more information, please visit www.sbdcorlando.com.

About the Florida SBDC Network

For 50 years, the Florida SBDC Network, the state’s principal provider of business assistance [Fl. Stat. 288.001], has nourished a statewide partnership between higher education and economic development to provide existing and emerging small and medium-sized business owners with management and knowledge resources that enable overall growth, increased profitability, and economic prosperity for Florida’s economy.

In 2025, the Florida SBDC Network delivered 112,158 hours of consulting to 15,439 small business clients – resulting in business owners securing $534.7 million in capital, $711.5 million in government contracting, impacting 18,334 jobs, increasing sales by over $3.4 billion, and creating 1,111 businesses.

With over 40 offices statewide, the Florida SBDC is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Department of Defense, State of Florida and other private and public partners. Full funding disclosure available at www.floridasbdc.org/funding-disclosures.

The Florida SBDC Network, headquartered at the University of West Florida, is nationally accredited by the Association of SBDCs and is a recipient of the President’s E Award for Export Service. Florida SBDC services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Language assistance services are available for individuals with limited English proficiency. For more information, please visit www.FloridaSBDC.org.

Small Business Development Center Opening in City of Palm Bay

No-cost Business Assistance from Expert Consultant Now Available at Florida SBDC at UCF – Palm Bay Office

May 12, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Hal Thayer, Communications Director, FSBDC at UCF, 407.420.4850 or HThayer@ucf.edu

Tina Lange, Consultant, FSBDC at UCF – Palm Bay, 321.296.9859 or Tina.Lange@ucf.edu

Orlando, FL – No-cost business consulting; business training and webinars; and access to extensive market research resources are now available in the City of Palm Bay from the Florida Small Business Development Center at the University of Central Florida (FSBDC at UCF). Thanks to funding by the City of Palm Bay, the FSBDC will have offices in the Palm Bay City Hall where it will actively support the local business community, small business owners and entrepreneurs. This will be the FSBDC at UCF’s second office in Brevard County, the first located at Eastern Florida State College in Cocoa, FL.

Designated as the principal business assistance organization for small businesses in the state, the Florida SBDC Network through regional offices such as the FSBDC at UCF and its satellite offices throughout Central Florida, now including Palm Bay, provide existing and emerging small and medium-sized business owners with management and knowledge resources that enable overall growth, increased profitability, and economic prosperity for Florida’s economy.

“Small businesses are the backbone of Palm Bay’s economy,” said Rob Medina, Mayor. “This partnership demonstrates the City Council’s continued commitment to supporting entrepreneurs, strengthening our local business community, and fostering long-term economic growth.”

“We are excited and pleased to offer our valuable services to the business community in Palm Bay,” said Eunice Choi, Regional Director of the FSBDC at UCF. “Helping entrepreneurs and small businesses start, grow and thrive is our mission and we are eager to be delivering on it in Palm Bay.”

The Florida SBDC at UCF’s office in Palm Bay, through a locally-based consultant, offers a wide range of outstanding services to support entrepreneurs and small business owners in their growth and success. Key services provided by the FSBDC at UCF include:

Business Consulting: No-cost, One-on-one, Confidential
Business Training: Workshops, Seminars and Training Sessions on topics such as business planning, marketing, financial management and more
Access to Capital: Assistance Securing Bank Loans and Other Financing
Market Research and Analysis: Help understanding Target Audiences, Competition, Industry Trends
Disaster Recovery Assistance: Disaster Preparedness, Access to Emergency Funding, Business Continuity Planning
Specialized Services: Government Contracting, through the APEX Accelerator at UCF

Leading the FSBDC’s new Palm Bay office is longtime Brevard County resident Tina Lange, a seasoned business executive with over 20+ years of broad and deep experience working in and with a variety of industries, including owning multiple small businesses. In addition to her significant business experience, Tina brings extensive knowledge of Brevard County businesses and their business environment, having assisted multiple local entrepreneurs and business owners with marketing/communications/branding, strategic planning and revenue growth. In her new role as the FSBDC consultant for the Palm Bay office, Tina will be available for office hours at the Palm Bay City Hall, and can be reached at tina.lange@ucf.edu or 321-296-9856.

For more information about the FSBDC at UCF – Palm Bay or to request consulting, please visit www.sbdcorlando.com.

About the FSBDC at UCF

Hosted by the University of Central Florida (UCF), and with its main office in the National Entrepreneur Center located at the Fashion Square Mall in Orlando, the Florida Small Business Development Center at the University of Central Florida (FSBDC at UCF) is part of part of UCF’s Office of the President and the Florida SBDC Network.

The Florida SBDC at UCF provides aspiring and existing small businesses with no-cost consulting, low-cost training, and access to business data and research resources. In addition to its core service offering, the Florida SBDC at UCF also offers specialized services to qualifying companies, including capital access, market growth, government contracting, international trade, business continuation, cybersecurity, disaster planning and recovery, and more. The FSBDC at UCF serves an eight-county area that includes Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia counties and maintains 9 service centers across Central Florida.

In 2025, the FSBDC at UCF served 2,142 entrepreneurs in Central Florida with consulting services, resulting in more than 3,967 jobs impacted; $760.1 million in sales growth; $83.6 million in capital formation; $85.1 million in government contract awards; and 155 new businesses started. For more information, please visit www.sbdcorlando.com.

About the Florida SBDC Network

For 50 years, the Florida SBDC Network, the state’s principal provider of business assistance [Fl. Stat. 288.001], has nourished a statewide partnership between higher education and economic development to provide existing and emerging small and medium-sized business owners with management and knowledge resources that enable overall growth, increased profitability, and economic prosperity for Florida’s economy.

In 2025, the Florida SBDC Network delivered 112,158 hours of consulting to 15,439 small business clients – resulting in business owners securing $534.7 million in capital, $711.5 million in government contracting, impacting 18,334 jobs, increasing sales by over $3.4 billion, and creating 1,111 businesses.

With over 40 offices statewide, the Florida SBDC is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Department of Defense, State of Florida and other private and public partners. Full funding disclosure available at www.floridasbdc.org/funding-disclosures.

The Florida SBDC Network, headquartered at the University of West Florida, is nationally accredited by the Association of SBDCs and is a recipient of the President’s E Award for Export Service. Florida SBDC services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Language assistance services are available for individuals with limited English proficiency. For more information, please visit www.FloridaSBDC.org.

Mt. Dora’s Historic Hobdy’s Garage: New Owners at the Wheel

FSBDC at UCF – Lake County Helps First-Time Entrepreneurs Secure Financing and Open the Doors

May 5, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Hal Thayer, Communications Director, FSBDC at UCF, 407.420.4850 or HThayer@ucf.edu

John Doramus, Consultant, FSBDC at UCF – Lake County, 352-404-7338 or John.Doramus@ucf.edu

Orlando, FL – Becoming a first‑time small business owner can feel overwhelming. Where do you begin? What does the right business plan look like, and how will you finance your new venture? Who do you call when you don’t have the answers? These were the questions on Krista and Joey Steall’s minds as they considered purchasing historic Hobdy’s Garage, a Mt. Dora landmark serving the community for more than 80 years. Fortunately, the Stealls turned to the Florida Small Business Development Center at the University of Central Florida (FSBDC at UCF) and its Lake County office—finding exactly the guidance they needed.

Founded in 1945, Hobdy’s Garage has remained a family‑run business through three ownership transitions: first the Hobdys, then the Velezes, and now the Stealls. Known for treating customers’ vehicles as if they were their own, the shop offers general automotive repair including A/C inspection, fluid exchange, advanced diagnostics, and full‑service repairs of all sizes. “What makes us different is we specialize in electrical and diagnostics—my husband is an ASE‑certified mechanic,” shares Krista Steall proudly. “We pride ourselves on honesty and transparency and try to make sure our customers know exactly what’s wrong with their car and how we can help fix it.”

As first‑time business owners, the Stealls knew they needed expert support. “We sought out the SBDC and their services to help us make sure that we were set up for success given that we’ve never owned a business before,” Krista explains. They began working with John Doramus, an FSBDC consultant in Lake County, as soon as they learned that the garage was for sale. “John was instrumental in helping us get our loan package together—making sure we had all the right documents, making sure that everything we sent to the bank looked good and was what was needed to move our loan forward.”

The process, however, was far from simple. “Our loan process was incredibly complicated,” Krista recalls. “It seemed like every time we turned around there was something new that came up. I just could not have done it by myself. I don’t know what I would have done without John and the SBDC.”

With Doramus and the FSBDC team by their side, the Stealls persevered. “The changes we have seen since working with the SBDC is everything about the business,” Krista affirms. “We were able to get our loan. We got our building, the equipment, and everything we needed to get set up and started. We have finally opened the doors, and it’s just been amazing since then.”

Reflecting on the journey, Krista doesn’t hesitate to describe the FSBDC’s impact. “If I had to use one word to describe my experience with the SBDC, I would say ‘invaluable.’ We wouldn’t have a business without them, and certainly not a successful one. For any entrepreneur who would like to have some assistance with any part of their business process, I definitely recommend working with the SBDC and using the resources that are available to you there.”

For information about Hobdy’d Garage, please visit https://www.hobdysgarage.com/.

About the FSBDC at UCF

Hosted by the University of Central Florida (UCF), and with its main office in the National Entrepreneur Center located at the Fashion Square Mall in Orlando, the Florida Small Business Development Center at the University of Central Florida (FSBDC at UCF) is part of part of UCF’s Office of the President and the Florida SBDC Network.

The Florida SBDC at UCF provides aspiring and existing small businesses with no-cost consulting, low-cost training, and access to business data and research resources. In addition to its core service offering, the Florida SBDC at UCF also offers specialized services to qualifying companies, including capital access, market growth, government contracting, international trade, business continuation, cybersecurity, disaster planning and recovery, and more. The FSBDC at UCF serves an eight-county area that includes Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia counties and maintains 9 service centers across Central Florida.

In 2025, the FSBDC at UCF served 2,142 entrepreneurs in Central Florida with consulting services, resulting in more than 3,967 jobs impacted; $760.1 million in sales growth; $83.6 million in capital formation; $85.1 million in government contract awards; and 155 new businesses started. For more information, please visit www.sbdcorlando.com.

About the Florida SBDC Network

For 50 years, the Florida SBDC Network, the state’s principal provider of business assistance [Fl. Stat. 288.001], has nourished a statewide partnership between higher education and economic development to provide existing and emerging small and medium-sized business owners with management and knowledge resources that enable overall growth, increased profitability, and economic prosperity for Florida’s economy.

In 2025, the Florida SBDC Network delivered 112,158 hours of consulting to 15,439 small business clients – resulting in business owners securing $534.7 million in capital, $711.5 million in government contracting, impacting 18,334 jobs, increasing sales by over $3.4 billion, and creating 1,111 businesses.

With over 40 offices statewide, the Florida SBDC is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Department of Defense, State of Florida and other private and public partners. Full funding disclosure available at www.floridasbdc.org/funding-disclosures.

The Florida SBDC Network, headquartered at the University of West Florida, is nationally accredited by the Association of SBDCs and is a recipient of the President’s E Award for Export Service. Florida SBDC services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Language assistance services are available for individuals with limited English proficiency. For more information, please visit www.FloridaSBDC.org.

Tree Work Now: A Business That Stands Tall

Tree Care Company Credits its Success to Delighted Customers, Loyal Employees and FSBDC at DSC’s CEO XChange Peer Network

April 29, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Hal Thayer, Communications Director, FSBDC at UCF, 407.420.4850 or HThayer@ucf.edu

Trecia Arrington, Sub-Center Director, FSBDC at DSC, 386.506.3317 or Trecia.Arrington@daytonastate.edu

Orlando, FL – The path to long-term success is rarely straightforward for a small business, but certain best practices can make the journey smoother. Delighting customers, valuing employees, and seeking support – rather than going it alone – are just a few of the key ingredients to success. Evan Keller, founder and CEO of Tree Work Now Inc. in DeLand, Florida, has embraced all three of these proven fundamentals, and with the guidance of the Florida Small Business Development Center at Daytona State College (FSBDC at DSC), a sub-center of the FSBDC at UCF, and its CEO XChange executive roundtable, those strategies have helped propel his company forward.

Tree Work Now is a leader in tree trimming, removal, and comprehensive tree care services. Recently celebrating its 20th anniversary, the company now serves more than 1,500 customers annually across seven Central Florida counties.

“We are really pleased to have over 680 reviews on Google with a 4.9‑star average,” Keller shares proudly. “The way we’ve achieved that is by WOWING every customer with our effort and by being the most trusted tree experts in Central Florida with our certified arborists, very talented crews, and professional office staff. It’s a difficult industry but easy to stand out by adding a little extra professionalism in the way we communicate, in the way we do our work, in the way we clean up afterwards, and in the way we protect our customers’ property. In the end, just WOWING customers every day is what has helped us stand out over the last 20 years.”

Keller believes that exceptional customer service begins with exceptional employee care. “Really the key to our success has been how we treat our employees,” he affirms. “We know that happy employees make happy customers. So creating a family atmosphere by having good benefits, by being flexible with work schedules, by even offering mortgage assistance really shows our employees that we care.” The results are clear: staff turnover is low and many of the company’s 25 employees have been with Tree Work Now for five years or more, with several surpassing a decade.

Just as important as care for customers and employees is the support system Keller has built around himself as a business owner. Alongside his brother – “an amazing partner” who oversees operations – and a seasoned leadership team, Keller has also relied on the FSBDC at DSC’s CEO XChange, a peer-to-peer roundtable of growth-minded business leaders from non-competing companies.

“We’ve been a part of the CEO XChange for almost a decade,” Keller explains, “because there’s been such a supportive network there that help us keep learning and growing, and just having folks that understand what you go through as a business owner has been invaluable. Having a peer network of fellow entrepreneurs running similar sized companies has been a great mutual support both personally and professionally. We really support each other and even coach each other through those challenging things we’re going through. They give you support when you need it and congratulations when you’ve hit a milestone.”

Keller’s commitment to wowing customers, caring for employees, and collaborating with fellow CEOs has paid off. “Over the decade I have worked with the SBDC and have been part of the CEO XChange, our revenues have increased, our customer reviews have more than doubled and I’ve gained confidence in how to grow the company,” he reflects. “It’s been a good journey. I plan to continue with it for as long as I’m here at Tree Work Now.”

For information about Tree Work Now, please visit https://treeworknow.com/.

— FSBDC —

About the FSBDC at UCF

Hosted by the University of Central Florida (UCF), and with its main office in the National Entrepreneur Center located at the Fashion Square Mall in Orlando, the Florida Small Business Development Center at the University of Central Florida (FSBDC at UCF) is part of part of UCF’s Office of the President and the Florida SBDC Network.

The Florida SBDC at UCF provides aspiring and existing small businesses with no-cost consulting, low-cost training, and access to business data and research resources. In addition to its core service offering, the Florida SBDC at UCF also offers specialized services to qualifying companies, including capital access, market growth, government contracting, international trade, business continuation, cybersecurity, disaster planning and recovery, and more. The FSBDC at UCF serves an eight-county area that includes Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia counties and maintains 9 service centers across Central Florida.

In 2024, the FSBDC at UCF served 2,277 entrepreneurs in Central Florida with consulting services, resulting in more than 2,855 jobs impacted; $564.3 million in sales growth; $57.2 million in capital formation; $161.1 million in government contract awards; and 142 new businesses started. For more information, please visit www.sbdcorlando.com .

About the Florida SBDC Network

For nearly 50 years, the Florida SBDC Network, the state’s principal provider of business assistance [Fl. Stat. 288.001], has nourished a statewide partnership between higher education and economic development to provide existing and emerging small and medium-sized business owners with management and knowledge resources that enable overall growth, increased profitability, and economic prosperity for Florida’s economy.

In 2024, the Florida SBDC Network delivered 107,812 hours of consulting to 15,474 small business clients – resulting in business owners securing $304 million in capital, $732 million in government contracting, impacting 19,800 jobs, increasing sales by over $3.8 billion, and creating 1,019 businesses.

With over 40 offices statewide, the Florida SBDC is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Department of Defense, State of Florida and other private and public partners. Full funding disclosure available at www.floridasbdc.org/funding-disclosures/.

The Florida SBDC Network, headquartered at the University of West Florida, is nationally accredited by the Association of SBDCs and is a recipient of the President’s E Award for Export Service. Florida SBDC services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Language assistance services are available for individuals with limited English proficiency. For more information, please visit www.FloridaSBDC.org.

Hotspray Industrial Coating Gets a Fresh Coat of Success

FSBDC at UCF’s Advisory Board Council Program Helps Industrial Paint Company Strengthen Operations and Boost Performance.

April 20, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Hal Thayer, Communications Director, FSBDC at UCF, 407.420.4850 or HThayer@ucf.edu

Jill Kaufman, Associate Director/ABC Program Manager, FSBDC at UCF, 407.420.4854 or Jill.Kaufman@ucf.edu

Orlando, FL – Achieving long-term success as a small business is never simple. The challenges are constant: finding and retaining customers, building a strong team, establishing efficient processes, and consistently turning a profit. After more than 30 successful years in business, Lyle Cummings—president and founder of Hotspray Industrial Coatings—knew his company had met those challenges well. He also believed there was still room to strengthen Hotspray’s position as an industry leader in polyurea coatings, secondary containment, industrial floor coatings, and sandblasting services. To take the next step, he turned to the Florida Small Business Development Center at the University of Central Florida (FSBDC at UCF) and its award‑winning Advisory Board Council program.

With locations in Orlando and Mims, Florida, Hotspray Industrial Coatings specializes in high‑performance industrial coatings engineered to withstand harsh conditions and deliver long‑lasting protection. Its technicians are highly trained in applying specialized coatings—expertise that sets the company apart from traditional painting services. “The key to our success has been being able to deliver high‑performance coating jobs, from floors all the way up to heavy industrial, high‑up areas, especially for the Space Center and the theme parks, but also across many other industries and for many municipalities,” describes Cummings. “We’re talented in a variety of different coating solutions with a crew of roughly 60 trained technicians who pride themselves in the quality of their work.”

Despite the company’s strong track record, Cummings sensed untapped potential. “You reach a point in your career running a business that you have to do something different or you’re going to get the same result,” he explained. While Hotspray’s results were good, he believed they could be even better. “We needed some assistance. We were able to have a board of advisors provided to us from the FSBDC. They put together experts at the table with us that really helped us get going and really grow.”

The FSBDC at UCF’s Advisory Board Council is a high‑impact business support service that matches established Orange County companies with a customized board of volunteer advisors. These professionals bring expertise in areas such as strategy, finance, marketing, operations, and HR—providing insight, accountability, and guidance at no cost to the business. For Hotspray, the fit was immediate. “We had folks on the Board who were good at marketing, finance, HR, business development,” Cummings recalls. “At each meeting, we would bring up issues that we had with our business, they would share their expertise and knowledge and hold us accountable to solve those problems by the time of our next meeting. We were able to talk freely about the issues we were having and this helped us out in our business growth.”

The results speak for themselves. “While working with the Advisory Board Council, we were happy that we achieved a 40% increase in revenues and a 50% increase in headcount,” Cummings reports. Reflecting on the experience, he adds, “If I would have a wish, I would have had the FSBDC’s Advisory Board Council sooner. It definitely helps in your growth and development, and getting you headed in the right direction.”

For information about Hotspray Industrial Coatings, please visit https://hotspray.com/

— FSBDC —

About the FSBDC at UCF

Hosted by the University of Central Florida (UCF), and with its main office in the National Entrepreneur Center located at the Fashion Square Mall in Orlando, the Florida Small Business Development Center at the University of Central Florida (FSBDC at UCF) is part of part of UCF’s Office of the President and the Florida SBDC Network.

The Florida SBDC at UCF provides aspiring and existing small businesses with no-cost consulting, low-cost training, and access to business data and research resources. In addition to its core service offering, the Florida SBDC at UCF also offers specialized services to qualifying companies, including capital access, market growth, government contracting, international trade, business continuation, cybersecurity, disaster planning and recovery, and more. The FSBDC at UCF serves an eight-county area that includes Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia counties and maintains 9 service centers across Central Florida.

In 2024, the FSBDC at UCF served 2,277 entrepreneurs in Central Florida with consulting services, resulting in more than 2,855 jobs impacted; $564.3 million in sales growth; $57.2 million in capital formation; $161.1 million in government contract awards; and 142 new businesses started. For more information, please visit www.sbdcorlando.com .

About the Florida SBDC Network

For nearly 50 years, the Florida SBDC Network, the state’s principal provider of business assistance [Fl. Stat. 288.001], has nourished a statewide partnership between higher education and economic development to provide existing and emerging small and medium-sized business owners with management and knowledge resources that enable overall growth, increased profitability, and economic prosperity for Florida’s economy.

In 2024, the Florida SBDC Network delivered 107,812 hours of consulting to 15,474 small business clients – resulting in business owners securing $304 million in capital, $732 million in government contracting, impacting 19,800 jobs, increasing sales by over $3.8 billion, and creating 1,019 businesses.

With over 40 offices statewide, the Florida SBDC is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Department of Defense, State of Florida and other private and public partners. Full funding disclosure available at www.floridasbdc.org/funding-disclosures/.

The Florida SBDC Network, headquartered at the University of West Florida, is nationally accredited by the Association of SBDCs and is a recipient of the President’s E Award for Export Service. Florida SBDC services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Language assistance services are available for individuals with limited English proficiency. For more information, please visit www.FloridaSBDC.org.

Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream Strengthens Growth Strategy with FSBDC at UCF Support

Advisory Board Council and CEO XChange Programs Help Popular Central Florida Brand Scale with Confidence.

April 6, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Hal Thayer, Communications Director, FSBDC at UCF, 407.420.4850 or HThayer@ucf.edu

Orlando, FL – Starting and growing a small business takes vision, courage, and a steady belief in your own decisions. Even when the business is thriving, many entrepreneurs still seek reassurance that they’re steering their company in the right direction. For Kelly and Scott Seidl, founders of Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream, finding trusted guidance became essential as their beloved Central Florida brand expanded. That search led them to the Florida Small Business Development Center at the University of Central Florida (FSBDC at UCF) and its two flagship programs for second‑stage companies: the Advisory Board Council (ABC) and CEO XChange.

Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream began with a simple craving. After moving to Central Florida, Kelly and Scott were surprised to find no local homemade ice cream shops. Kelly—who had scooped ice cream throughout high school and college—started experimenting in their dining room. They shared early batches with coworkers, then moved to farmers markets, then to an ice cream truck, and eventually to their first brick‑and‑mortar shop. At every stage, customers responded with enthusiasm.

“We love making homemade ice cream, serving the community, and serving up special treats you can’t find in your grocery store,” Kelly explains. “We make all our own flavors in-house along with our mix-ins here in Altamonte Springs. We just love serving the community with sweetness.” Scott adds, “My favorite thing is making people happy. We enjoy being in the shops and seeing families sit down together to enjoy our ice cream and each other.”

Today, Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream has grown far beyond its dining‑room beginnings. The company now operates six shops across Central Florida, serves ice cream at 41 Foxtail Coffee locations statewide, and runs two iconic pink‑and‑white ice cream trucks that appear at events throughout the region.

With rapid growth, however, came new pressures. That’s when the Seidls turned to the FSBDC at UCF. Their first step was joining the Advisory Board Council, led by program manager Jill Kaufman. ABC provides a customized, no‑cost board of volunteer experts who offer strategic guidance tailored to each business.

“We were part of the Advisory Board Council a few years ago,” Kelly recalls. “They were an amazing group of individuals who helped guide us. They really helped strengthen us and challenge us. For me, it just gave me more confidence—confidence in how I speak about the business, in how we set goals, in our own expectations.”

After graduating from ABC, Scott joined the CEO XChange, the FSBDC’s peer‑to‑peer roundtable for high‑performing CEOs. “The thing about coming together with other business owners is it lets you know you’re not alone,” he shares. “There are other people going through or who have gone through similar things, so they’re able to help. Group problem solving has been very helpful; we’re able to use the brainpower in the room to solve problems and get advice from people who have been there and done that before.”

Scott sums up their FSBDC experience simply: “If I had to use one word to describe our time with the FSBDC, it would be ‘confidence.’ We are all somewhat alone as business owners, and it’s great to connect with experts or other business owners who help you feel confident that you’re on the right track and doing the right thing.”

For information about Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream, please visit https://www.kellyshomemadeicecream.com/ .

— FSBDC —

About the FSBDC at UCF

Hosted by the University of Central Florida (UCF), and with its main office in the National Entrepreneur Center located at the Fashion Square Mall in Orlando, the Florida Small Business Development Center at the University of Central Florida (FSBDC at UCF) is part of part of UCF’s Office of the President and the Florida SBDC Network.

The Florida SBDC at UCF provides aspiring and existing small businesses with no-cost consulting, low-cost training, and access to business data and research resources. In addition to its core service offering, the Florida SBDC at UCF also offers specialized services to qualifying companies, including capital access, market growth, government contracting, international trade, business continuation, cybersecurity, disaster planning and recovery, and more. The FSBDC at UCF serves an eight-county area that includes Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia counties and maintains 9 service centers across Central Florida.

In 2024, the FSBDC at UCF served 2,277 entrepreneurs in Central Florida with consulting services, resulting in more than 2,855 jobs impacted; $564.3 million in sales growth; $57.2 million in capital formation; $161.1 million in government contract awards; and 142 new businesses started. For more information, please visit www.sbdcorlando.com.

About the Florida SBDC Network

For nearly 50 years, the Florida SBDC Network, the state’s principal provider of business assistance [Fl. Stat. 288.001], has nourished a statewide partnership between higher education and economic development to provide existing and emerging small and medium-sized business owners with management and knowledge resources that enable overall growth, increased profitability, and economic prosperity for Florida’s economy.

In 2024, the Florida SBDC Network delivered 107,812 hours of consulting to 15,474 small business clients – resulting in business owners securing $304 million in capital, $732 million in government contracting, impacting 19,800 jobs, increasing sales by over $3.8 billion, and creating 1,019 businesses.

With over 40 offices statewide, the Florida SBDC is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Department of Defense, State of Florida and other private and public partners. Full funding disclosure available at www.floridasbdc.org/funding-disclosures/.

The Florida SBDC Network, headquartered at the University of West Florida, is nationally accredited by the Association of SBDCs and is a recipient of the President’s E Award for Export Service. Florida SBDC services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Language assistance services are available for individuals with limited English proficiency. For more information, please visit www.FloridaSBDC.org.

Green's Eco Air Conditioning and Heating

When Business Owners Unite, Big Things Happen

Green’s Eco Air Conditioning Doubles Revenue with Support of FSBDC at Daytona State College and Its Growth XChange

April 3, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Hal Thayer, Communications Director, FSBDC at UCF, 407.420.4850 or HThayer@ucf.edu

Trecia Arrington, Sub-Center Director, FSBDC at DSC, 386-506-3317 or Trecia.Arrington@daytomastate.edu

Orlando, FL – Running a small business can be a lonely journey that is not without roadblocks. Many owners discover that, at a certain point, the challenge of being ultimately responsible for the success and growth of one’s business can feel isolating, but timely and meaningful support can spark growth and bring fresh perspective. Collaborative learning – especially alongside other business leaders – often becomes the catalyst that helps entrepreneurs break through barriers. For Joshua Green, founder and owner of Green’s Eco Air Conditioning and Heating, that kind of collaboration has been transformative. His participation in the Florida Small Business Development Center at Daytona State College’s (FSBDC at DSC) – a sub-center of the FSBDC at UCF – Growth XChange program has played a pivotal role in his company’s rapid expansion.

Green launched Green’s Eco Air Conditioning and Heating five years ago with a commitment to honesty, quality, and reliability. The company provides air conditioning, heating, duct cleaning, insulation, and mold assessment services throughout the Daytona Beach area. “We pride ourselves in our honesty and ability to get the job done right the first time,” Green explains. “All of our technicians are NATE certified, which means they can go above and beyond in customer service and doing the repair. Our biggest accomplishment is being the ones who get out there when our customers need us, whether it’s a Sunday or even Christmas.”

That dedication has helped Green’s Eco Air stand out in a competitive market. However, as the business grew, Green recognized he needed additional support to strengthen his leadership skills and scale the company effectively. “When I started my business, I was looking for ways to learn how to run my business, and the FSBDC gave me the tools I needed,” he recalls.

In addition to one-on-one consulting and business training, Green joined the FSBDC’s Growth XChange—a peer-to-peer executive roundtable modeled after the center’s award-winning CEO XChange program. The Growth XChange brings business owners together monthly in a confidential setting to discuss challenges, opportunities, and trends. The goal is simple: help leaders make better decisions and grow stronger companies.

“The Growth XChange really helped me grow as a business owner,” shares Green. “It helps you connect with other business owners like yourself. They have a lot of information to share and that’s absolutely invaluable. It’s really great to have people who understand you as a growing business owner. It’s why I keep coming back.”

The impact has been significant. Green credits the program with helping him to sharpen his strategy, stay accountable, and gain insights he couldn’t have found on his own. “If you’re looking at joining the Growth XChange, it is a wonderful experience to be in a group and be accountable, to have your questions answered or just get advice from other people,” he affirms. So wonderful, in fact, that Green has been promoted, on the strength of his business success and contributions to the program, up to the FSBDC at DSC’s senior executive roundtable, the CEO XChange.

The results from Green’s participation in the FSBDC’s programs speak for themselves. “Since I started with the Growth XChange, my business year-over-year has increased 100%, I’ve added 5 new employees, and we have really, really grown,” Green reports. “I attribute that to those Growth XChange meetings and the FSBDC. You’re not going to find that anywhere else, where you can sit around the table with other business owners and the staff of the SBDC and they all just really help you grow your business.”

For information about Green’s Eco Air Conditioning and Heating, please visit https://greens-eco.com/.

About the FSBDC at UCF

Hosted by the University of Central Florida (UCF), and with its main office in the National Entrepreneur Center located at the Fashion Square Mall in Orlando, the Florida Small Business Development Center at the University of Central Florida (FSBDC at UCF) is part of part of UCF’s Office of the President and the Florida SBDC Network.

The Florida SBDC at UCF provides aspiring and existing small businesses with no-cost consulting, low-cost training, and access to business data and research resources. In addition to its core service offering, the Florida SBDC at UCF also offers specialized services to qualifying companies, including capital access, market growth, government contracting, international trade, business continuation, cybersecurity, disaster planning and recovery, and more. The FSBDC at UCF serves an eight-county area that includes Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia counties and maintains 9 service centers across Central Florida.

In 2024, the FSBDC at UCF served 2,277 entrepreneurs in Central Florida with consulting services, resulting in more than 2,855 jobs impacted; $564.3 million in sales growth; $57.2 million in capital formation; $161.1 million in government contract awards; and 142 new businesses started. For more information, please visit www.sbdcorlando.com.

About the Florida SBDC Network

For nearly 50 years, the Florida SBDC Network, the state’s principal provider of business assistance [Fl. Stat. 288.001], has nourished a statewide partnership between higher education and economic development to provide existing and emerging small and medium-sized business owners with management and knowledge resources that enable overall growth, increased profitability, and economic prosperity for Florida’s economy.

In 2024, the Florida SBDC Network delivered 107,812 hours of consulting to 15,474 small business clients – resulting in business owners securing $304 million in capital, $732 million in government contracting, impacting 19,800 jobs, increasing sales by over $3.8 billion, and creating 1,019 businesses.

With over 40 offices statewide, the Florida SBDC is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Department of Defense, State of Florida and other private and public partners. Full funding disclosure available at www.floridasbdc.org/funding-disclosures/.

The Florida SBDC Network, headquartered at the University of West Florida, is nationally accredited by the Association of SBDCs and is a recipient of the President’s E Award for Export Service. Florida SBDC services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Language assistance services are available for individuals with limited English proficiency. For more information, please visit www.FloridaSBDC.org.

Florida SBDC at UCF Named SBA’s 2026 National Small Business Development Center of the Year

FSBDC at UCF Recognized by U.S. Small Business Administration with Excellence and Innovation Award; To Be Honored During National Small Business Week in Washington, D.C.

April 2, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Hal Thayer, Communications Director, FSBDC at UCF, 407.420.4850 or HThayer@ucf.edu

Orlando, FL – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced the winners of the 2026 National Small Business Week Awards, and the Florida Small Business Development Center at the University of Central Florida (FSBDC at UCF) has earned top honors. From more than 1,000 centers nationwide, the FSBDC at UCF has been selected as the SBA’s National Small Business Development Center of the Year – recognizing its outstanding performance, innovative programming, and leadership in supporting Central Florida’s entrepreneurs and small businesses.

“We are humbled yet immensely gratified to be honored as the SBDC of the Year by the SBA,” said Eunice Choi, Regional Director of the FSBDC at UCF. “Our team takes great pride in its unwavering commitment to serving the small business community and advancing SBA’s mission. This award reflects our consistent ability to exceed SBA milestones and outperform our own high expectations within the Florida SBDC Network.”

Each year, the SBA celebrates National Small Business Week by recognizing exceptional small business owners, entrepreneurs, and resource partners from across the country. This year’s winners have been invited to Washington, D.C., May 3–4, where they will be honored during national ceremonies.

“This year’s NSBW celebration is particularly historic as our nation commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, when our Founding Fathers laid the groundwork for the liberty that powers the engine of free enterprise. The result is our nation’s prosperity and entrepreneurial spirit – the very spirit your leadership exemplifies,” commented SBA Administrator Kelley Loeffler in a letter of congratulations to Eunice Choi and the Florida SBDC at UCF.

For information about Florida SBDC at UCF, please visit www.sbdcorlando.com.

— FSBDC —

About the FSBDC at UCF

Hosted by the University of Central Florida (UCF), and with its main office in the National Entrepreneur Center located at the Fashion Square Mall in Orlando, the Florida Small Business Development Center at the University of Central Florida (FSBDC at UCF) is part of part of UCF’s Office of the President and the Florida SBDC Network.

The Florida SBDC at UCF provides aspiring and existing small businesses with no-cost consulting, low-cost training, and access to business data and research resources. In addition to its core service offering, the Florida SBDC at UCF also offers specialized services to qualifying companies, including capital access, market growth, government contracting, international trade, business continuation, cybersecurity, disaster planning and recovery, and more. The FSBDC at UCF serves an eight-county area that includes Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia counties and maintains 9 service centers across Central Florida.

In 2024, the FSBDC at UCF served 2,277 entrepreneurs in Central Florida with consulting services, resulting in more than 2,855 jobs impacted; $564.3 million in sales growth; $57.2 million in capital formation; $161.1 million in government contract awards; and 142 new businesses started. For more information, please visit www.sbdcorlando.com .

About the Florida SBDC Network

For nearly 50 years, the Florida SBDC Network, the state’s principal provider of business assistance [Fl. Stat. 288.001], has nourished a statewide partnership between higher education and economic development to provide existing and emerging small and medium-sized business owners with management and knowledge resources that enable overall growth, increased profitability, and economic prosperity for Florida’s economy.

In 2024, the Florida SBDC Network delivered 107,812 hours of consulting to 15,474 small business clients – resulting in business owners securing $304 million in capital, $732 million in government contracting, impacting 19,800 jobs, increasing sales by over $3.8 billion, and creating 1,019 businesses.

With over 40 offices statewide, the Florida SBDC is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Department of Defense, State of Florida and other private and public partners. Full funding disclosure available at www.floridasbdc.org/funding-disclosures/.

The Florida SBDC Network, headquartered at the University of West Florida, is nationally accredited by the Association of SBDCs and is a recipient of the President’s E Award for Export Service. Florida SBDC services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Language assistance services are available for individuals with limited English proficiency. For more information, please visit www.FloridaSBDC.org.

From Pop Up to Powerhouse: BWH Plant Co. Blossoms with FSBDC at UCF Support

E-Commerce Houseplant Grower and Shipper Expanding with Support of FSBDC and Its SBI® and CEO XChange Programs

March 17, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Hal Thayer, Communications Director, FSBDC at UCF, 407.420.4850 or HThayer@ucf.edu

Orlando, FL – Entrepreneurship is alive and well at BWH Plant Co. With an origin story right off the pages of Entrepreneur, Fast Company, or Inc. magazines, the company has catapulted from pop-up to a multi-million-dollar e-commerce enterprise. What began as a weekend side-gig created by three recent UCF graduates has grown into a multi‑million‑dollar e‑commerce brand shipping rare and unique houseplants nationwide. With rapid growth, however, came operational challenges. To sustain this growth and take their business to the next level, founders Carlie and Jason Paluzzi, along with former partner Kyle Kroeplin, turned to the Florida Small Business Development Center at the University of Central Florida (FSBDC at UCF) for guidance and support.

BWH Plant Co. specializes in growing and shipping distinctive houseplants directly to customers across the U.S. “Our whole aim is to make gardening fun for the next generation of plant lovers,” shared Carlie. Jason added, “We grow hundreds of different varieties, multiple different genus, and we’re always exploring the best and newest products.” Carlie emphasized their commitment to quality and service: “We’re very proud of the quality, consistency, and variety we offer, as well as the accessibility and affordability. No matter what happens in transit, we’re going to take care of you. When you’re shopping with BWH Plant Co., you’re going to have the best quality, the best price, and the best customer service.”

The tale of the company’s launch is as modern as it is entrepreneurial. “As a side‑gig opportunity, we decided it would be fun to do a little pop‑up shop, but something different in the market,” Jason recalls. “There are a lot of floral pop‑ups, so we said maybe plants. You don’t see those too often.” The pop‑up became a mobile trailer, then a website. When they launched online in October 2019, they sold out in three hours. Months later, as people sought to brighten their homes during COVID lockdowns, demand exploded. “That was the trigger that turned what was a passion project and side hustle into a full‑fledged e‑commerce business,” Carlie affirmed.

With success came complexity. Managing live inventory across multiple greenhouses proved challenging. “Because we were having operational challenges with our live inventory, the idea of connecting with our alma mater and possibly working with consultants to help us investigate and problem solve introduced us to the FSBDC,” Carlie explains.

BWH Plant Co.’s FSBDC journey began with the Small Business Institute® (SBI®), where UCF MBA students – guided by FSBDC consultants – conducted an in‑depth inventory management project. From there, Carlie was encouraged to join the FSBDC’s CEO XChange, an executive roundtable program for growth‑oriented business leaders.

“I have been a part of the CEO XChange for a little over a year now and it has helped us in so many ways,” Carlie highlighted. “It has been such an amazing network and community and resource for me and for our business.” Jason agreed: “Carlie’s involvement in the CEO XChange has brought a lot to the table. There’s been a lot of relationships she’s made and resources that have really helped us drive and grow our business.”

“The Florida SBDC has really benefited us,” Carlie concluded. “Mainly for mentorship—having someone to reach out to for things like contract agreements, business valuations, questions about really anything in terms of business.” Through no‑cost consulting and programs like SBI® and CEO XChange, the FSBDC has helped BWH Plant Co. evolve from a pop‑up passion project into a thriving national e‑commerce brand. “The SBDC truly has been an amazing resource for our company.”

For information about BWH Plant Co., please visit https://bwhplantco.com/ .

— FSBDC —

About the FSBDC at UCF

Hosted by the University of Central Florida (UCF), and with its main office in the National Entrepreneur Center located at the Fashion Square Mall in Orlando, the Florida Small Business Development Center at the University of Central Florida (FSBDC at UCF) is part of part of UCF’s Office of the President and the Florida SBDC Network.

The Florida SBDC at UCF provides aspiring and existing small businesses with no-cost consulting, low-cost training, and access to business data and research resources. In addition to its core service offering, the Florida SBDC at UCF also offers specialized services to qualifying companies, including capital access, market growth, government contracting, international trade, business continuation, cybersecurity, disaster planning and recovery, and more. The FSBDC at UCF serves an eight-county area that includes Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia counties and maintains 9 service centers across Central Florida.

In 2024, the FSBDC at UCF served 2,277 entrepreneurs in Central Florida with consulting services, resulting in more than 2,855 jobs impacted; $564.3 million in sales growth; $57.2 million in capital formation; $161.1 million in government contract awards; and 142 new businesses started. For more information, please visit www.sbdcorlando.com .

About the Florida SBDC Network

For nearly 50 years, the Florida SBDC Network, the state’s principal provider of business assistance [Fl. Stat. 288.001], has nourished a statewide partnership between higher education and economic development to provide existing and emerging small and medium-sized business owners with management and knowledge resources that enable overall growth, increased profitability, and economic prosperity for Florida’s economy.

In 2024, the Florida SBDC Network delivered 107,812 hours of consulting to 15,474 small business clients – resulting in business owners securing $304 million in capital, $732 million in government contracting, impacting 19,800 jobs, increasing sales by over $3.8 billion, and creating 1,019 businesses.

With over 40 offices statewide, the Florida SBDC is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Department of Defense, State of Florida and other private and public partners. Full funding disclosure available at www.floridasbdc.org/funding-disclosures/.

The Florida SBDC Network, headquartered at the University of West Florida, is nationally accredited by the Association of SBDCs and is a recipient of the President’s E Award for Export Service. Florida SBDC services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Language assistance services are available for individuals with limited English proficiency. For more information, please visit www.FloridaSBDC.org.

FSBDC at UCF Celebrates 2026 National Small Business Week

FSBDC at UCF Honors U.S. Small Business Administration Award Winners, Including Being Named National SBDC of the Year

JE Technology Solutions Scales New Heights

FSBDC at UCF Advisory Board Council’s Expert Guidance Fuels Major Gains in Leadership and Performance

Small Business Development Center Opening in City of Palm Bay

No-cost Business Assistance from Expert Consultant Now Available at Florida SBDC at UCF – Palm Bay Office

Mt. Dora’s Historic Hobdy’s Garage: New Owners at the Wheel

FSBDC at UCF – Lake County Helps First-Time Entrepreneurs Secure Financing and Open the Doors

Tree Work Now: A Business That Stands Tall

Tree Care Company Credits its Success to Delighted Customers, Loyal Employees and FSBDC at DSC’s CEO XChange Peer Network

Hotspray Industrial Coating Gets a Fresh Coat of Success

FSBDC at UCF’s Advisory Board Council Program Helps Industrial Paint Company Strengthen Operations and Boost Performance.

Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream Strengthens Growth Strategy with FSBDC at UCF Support

Advisory Board Council and CEO XChange Programs Help Popular Central Florida Brand Scale with Confidence.

When Business Owners Unite, Big Things Happen

Green’s Eco Air Conditioning Doubles Revenue with Support of FSBDC at Daytona State College and Its Growth XChange

Florida SBDC at UCF Named SBA’s 2026 National Small Business Development Center of the Year

FSBDC at UCF Recognized by U.S. Small Business Administration with Excellence and Innovation Award; To Be Honored During National Small Business Week in Washington, D.C.

From Pop Up to Powerhouse: BWH Plant Co. Blossoms with FSBDC at UCF Support

E-Commerce Houseplant Grower and Shipper Expanding with Support of FSBDC and Its SBI® and CEO XChange Programs

Florida SBDC Network

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