LOIS KINDLE PHOTOS
Dottie Minnick, of the SBDC at Hillsborough, provides business consulting services on Wednesdays at the SouthShore Chamber of Commerce. She is a degreed, former business owner, who is certified in QuickBooks.
By LOIS KINDLE
If you’re starting a new business or needing advice on how to keep one going, the Florida Small Business Development Center at Hillsborough County can help. It offers professional and confidential business and management consulting and a wide variety of professional workshops and training for owners of existing businesses, start-ups and pre-venture.
“We find over the years that many people start businesses without actually knowing how to operate them,” said Carol Minor, Small Business Development Center at Hillsborough County director. “They have a skill set or talent they turn into a business, but (running) a business isn’t their strength.”
For example, a highly trained, experienced hairdresser might open a salon but discover they know little, if anything, about keeping records, becoming and staying profitable, marketing their business and paying taxes.
That was the case for Amanda Marrero, owner of Fringe Benefits salon, when she decided to open her business 10 years ago. She attended a couple of free workshops and took advantage of the SBDC’s no-cost consulting.
“I went there to get advice and guidance and to explore the many opportunities afforded to female business owners,” she said. “My entire experience and the assistance I received were extremely beneficial. As a new business owner, the education I gained was invaluable.”
Khalil Abouelhouda, the owner of Mediterranean restaurant Pita Kebob, had similar help in 2013.
“Coming here to Florida, we didn’t know where to start,” he said. “I turned to the SBDC, and they walked me through all the steps for opening my business. I received a lot of one-on-one counseling and took eight to 10 workshops.
“They also did follow-up visits after I opened. If it wasn’t for the SBDC, our restaurant wouldn’t be here.”
That’s the reason the SBDC exists. Its mission is to help owners manage and grow sustainable businesses.
“Without our specialized counseling, many small businesses fail within the first five years,” Minor said, adding that the same services are offered to existing businesses.
“Many experience growing pains, and we offer to analyze their situations and focus on how to address any problems,” she said.
The Florida SBDC at Hillsborough’s main office is at the Entrepreneur Collaborative Center at 2101 E. Palm Ave. in Ybor City. Its six satellite locations are in Brandon, Temple Terrace, East Tampa, Plant City, Apollo Beach and Riverview.
Corey McMaster, a financial professional with the SBDC at Hillsborough, offers business counseling services on Thursdays at the Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce. He also is degreed and has owned a business.
In South Shore, SBDC counseling is available on Wednesdays at the SouthShore Chamber of Commerce, 157 Harbor Village Lane, Apollo Beach, and Thursdays at the Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce, 10012 Water Works Lane, Riverview. Although not required, appointments can be made by calling Minor at 813-204-9267 or either chamber at 813-645-1366 or 813-234-5944, respectively.
Quarterly SBDC workshops are offered at sites throughout Hillsborough County. Locally, they take place at the SouthShore Regional Library, 15816 Beth Shields Way, Ruskin, and Hillsborough Community College at The Regent, 6437 Watson Road, Riverview. Topics range from marketing, tax awareness and food services to business planning, cyber security, applying for a Small Business Administration loan and more. Spanish-language workshops are provided through a partnership with Prospera.
For more information, call 813-204-9267 or visit www.hcflgov.net/FSBDC.
