Florida SBDC at FGCU

🔥 Celebrate Excellence at the 2025 Distinguished Entrepreneur Awards! 🔥 Join Southwest Florida’s top business leaders on May 15, 2025, for an unforgettable evening honoring innovation, resilience, and success. Witness the region’s most inspiring entrepreneurs take center stage as they receive well-deserved recognition for their impact and achievements. 🎟 TICKETS ON SALE NOW! Early Bird pricing ends February 14—secure your seat before prices go up! 📍 Limited seats available—reserve yours today! 🔗 [Get Your Tickets Now] — https://lnkd.in/gmDuG975 Don’t just hear about it—experience the power of entrepreneurship! 🚀 #SBDC #FGCU #DistinguishedEntrepreneur #SWFLBusiness #Entrepreneurship #AwardsNight

Our very own Neil Shnider, is conducting yet another invaluable (and FREE) workshop for small business owners! 📊 Unlock the Power of Financial Statements for Business Growth 📊 Are you ready to take your business strategy to the next level? Financial statements are essential tools for evaluating the effectiveness of your operations, identifying areas for improvement, and making informed decisions about resource allocation. In this webinar, you'll learn how to: ✔️ Analyze profitability by product or service ✔️ Assess operational efficiency ✔️ Understand what’s affecting your cash flow ✔️ Gain insight into growth and cash management strategies 📅 When: February 11 📍 Where: Online Equip yourself with the tools and knowledge to enhance your financial decision-making and drive your business forward. Don’t miss this opportunity to strengthen your management strategy! 📅 Register now and take the first step toward smarter growth: https://lnkd.in/gcmXYwZJ

🌟 Celebrate Southwest Florida’s Business Excellence! 🌟 It’s time to recognize the incredible small businesses and entrepreneurs who make Southwest Florida thrive! The 2025 Distinguished Entrepreneur Awards is your opportunity to honor the innovation, advocacy, and resilience of our local business community. 📅 Event Date: May 15, 2025 📍 Location: Cohen Ballroom at Florida Gulf Coast University 🎉 Here’s how you can get involved: ✅ Purchase Tickets: Take advantage of early bird pricing and secure your seat at this prestigious event! — https://lnkd.in/gVXuGZvU ✅ Nominate an Entrepreneur: Know a business or leader that’s making a difference? Submit your nomination today! — https://lnkd.in/gr86h5Pt 🏆 Award Categories: Distinguished Entrepreneur: Celebrating innovation, adaptability, and excellence. Servant Leader: Honoring mentorship, advocacy, and community service. Emerging Business: Highlighting success, leadership, and resilience in startups. By supporting the Distinguished Entrepreneur Awards, you’re championing the growth of SWFL’s small business community and connecting with over 150 influential leaders and entrepreneurs. 👉 Purchase Tickets — https://lnkd.in/gVXuGZvU 👉 Nominate a Business — https://lnkd.in/gr86h5Pt 👉 Learn About Sponsorship Opportunities — https://lnkd.in/gV9yJTrV Join us in recognizing the visionaries who are shaping our local economy and fostering a thriving Southwest Florida! #DistinguishedEntrepreneur #SmallBusinessExcellence #SWFLBusiness #FGCUSBDC

🎉 A heartfelt thank you to First Citizens Bank! We are deeply grateful for the generous grant awarded to the Florida SBDC at FGCU. Your support and recognition of our mission to help small businesses grow and succeed means the world to us. This grant will directly contribute to empowering entrepreneurs and strengthening our local business community. Together, we are building a brighter future for small businesses in Southwest Florida. Thank you, First Citizens Bank, for your commitment to giving back to the communities you serve and for being a true partner in our efforts to make a meaningful impact. Wings up! 🦅

📢 Calling all entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners! Join us TOMORROW, Tuesday, January 14, for a free webinar presented by the Florida SBDC at FGCU in conjunction with the SBA: "How to Organize Your Business for Tax Purposes" This workshop is perfect for: ✅ Startups and new businesses ✅ Individuals considering starting a business but unsure of how to begin Learn from expert Neil Shnider, MBA, CPA, CVA, as he breaks down the legal and tax implications of different business structures. Whether you're a sole proprietor or considering a multi-member partnership, this webinar will provide critical insights to help you make the best decision for your business. 📅 Date: Tuesday, January 14 ⏰ Time: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm 💻 Location: Online 🔗 Register now: https://lnkd.in/gfApP7GZ Take the first step toward business success—don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable knowledge for your entrepreneurial journey!

🌟 Small Business Saturday is here! 🌟 Today, we celebrate the heart of our economic community—local small businesses! Every purchase you make supports a dream, creates jobs, and strengthens our local economy. 🛍️✨ Join us in shopping small and making a big impact. Together, we can help our local businesses thrive!

We express our heartfelt thanks to the incredible small business owners, entrepreneurs, and community partners who inspire us every day. Your resilience, innovation, and dedication drive our local economy and make Southwest Florida a vibrant place to live and work. As we reflect on the past year, we are thankful for the opportunity to support your business journeys and look forward to continuing to grow together. Wishing you a joyous and peaceful Thanksgiving filled with family, friends, and success!

Last Tuesday, our esteemed Business Consultant, Elizabeth Goldbach, delivered an engaging presentation on the comprehensive range of services offered by the SBDC to the local chapter of Rotary International. Rotary’s commitment to service, integrity, and the advancement of global understanding and goodwill through the fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders closely aligns with the mission of the SBDC. During the event, Elizabeth connected with the chapter president, Steve Belcher, and Dr. Leena Plavumkal—a valued SBDC client and 2023 Distinguished Entrepreneur Awards nominee. Southwest Florida and the SBDC are fortunate to have Elizabeth's dedication and expertise supporting our community.

🚚 This past weekend, the Florida SBDC at FGCU brought our Mobile Assistance Center (MAC) to the Port Charlotte Town Center Mall to help business owners recover from Hurricane Milton's impact. Our incredible consultants—Elizabeth Goldbach, Donna Jarrett, and Angel Segura—were on site offering guidance on SBA Disaster Loans and Florida Emergency Bridge Loans, helping local businesses get the resources they need to rebuild and move forward. If you missed us, don’t worry—support is still available. Reach out to schedule a consultation, and we’ll assist you with disaster recovery resources. https://lnkd.in/eZK5NHZj #DisasterRecovery #SmallBusinessSupport #HurricaneMilton #SWFLRecovery #FSBDC

🚨 Hurricane Milton Recovery Support for Local Businesses 🚨 The Florida SBDC at FGCU is ready to help Southwest Florida businesses recover from the impact of Hurricane Milton. We’re offering technical assistance to apply for SBA Disaster Loans and Florida Emergency Bridge Loans, providing vital funding to get your business back on its feet. 🚨 Visit one of our Business Assistance Centers 🚨 📍 Cape Coral SBDC Office: 3106 Del Prado Blvd S #203 Cape Coral, FL 33904 Open Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm by appointment. Walk-ins available Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8am-12pm. 📞 Call 239-745-3700 or email sbdc@fgcu.edu to schedule. New clients: Complete a Request for Consulting here: https://lnkd.in/eZK5NHZj 📍 Port Charlotte Mobile Assistance Center (MAC): BEALLS - Port Charlotte Town Center Mall 1441 Tamiami Trail Port Charlotte, FL 33948 🗓️ October 18-19: 11am-4pm 🗓️ October 20: 12pm-5pm Our MACs are equipped with laptops, printers, and internet, offering on-the-spot loan assistance. Bring your financial documents to make the process smoother! #DisasterRecovery #SmallBusinessSupport #SWFLRecovery #HurricaneMilton