Success Stories
Considering starting a business?
Here are what some of our clients have to say about the Florida SBDC at Florida Gulf Coast University.
“We really appreciate the help the SBDC provides, they helped us actually restart and build-up our business.”
Claude and Debbie Memoli
Uni-Scape Landscape and Design
“I would recommend the SBDC to anyone who asks me (where to go for assistance).”
John Benkert
CPR Tools, Inc.
“The FSBDC is a must. They provide so many resources I didn’t even know about. There is no better place to go if you are a small business and need help growing your company.”
Rebecca Pearson
Applied Cooling Technology
“Use it as much as you can and put the advice the SBDC gives into practice as much as possible”
Emma and Manny Tianga
Pak-n-Ship of SW Florida
“It was through the unbelievable help and guidance of Julio Estremera and the SBDC at Florida Gulf Coast University [that we were able to open]. Every time we faced a challenge or a hurdle, the SBDC was there to guide us through the process.”
Shannon Porter
Lollipops Kids Spa
“The partnership with the SBDC is something a small business cannot live without. To find a valuable partnership like this is extremely difficult.”
Peter Bagwell
Polygon Solutions
“Once you learn the lessons, you don’t forget, and you keep on building on them…I recommend the SBDC to anyone regardless of their experience. Even if they have an MBA from Wharton, it’s kind of nice to get a second opinion.”
Colin Estrem
7th Avenue Social
“We received a lot of good information and support from Julio, the SBDC’s restaurant expert. He helped walk us through the process of opening a business, licenses, permits, and everything in between.”
Adam Satinsky
Thai Udon Cafe
“Cathy Haworth at the SBDC helped us open our restaurant. A lot of the questions you have, they have the answers for. It’s nice to have a helping hand when you feel like you are butting your head against a wall.”
Andy Lypen
Andy’s Susie’s Too Restaurant
“When we went to the SBDC, we thought we had our books in order; However, when Cathy Haworth came in she greatly assisted us in getting our books in better order, which helped us grow our business, and purchase a bigger building.”
Tony Cantisani
AutoWorks USA
“I highly recommend anyone thinking of starting a business to get connected with the SBDC. It is underutilized by the business community in this town”
Doug Heffner
Molly Maids
Mayer credits SBDC Consultant Norm Jacobson for flagging key caution points in the $1.5 million land buying deal. “He cautioned me not to jump into it too quickly. He wanted me to make sure things were what they seemed to be.”
Brandon Mayer
Sweetwater Landing Marina
“The SBDC offers an awesome program to help small businesses obtain a plan, identify action steps and implement changes for the better.”
Dr. Timothy Harcourt
Coast Chiropractic Centers, Inc.
“I would definitely recommend the FSBDC. As small business owners, there are a lot of things we don’t know and we can definitely benefit from the help of the FSBDC.”
Valentina Grisales
Metro PCS
“One of the benefits of the Florida SBDC consulting services is they are no cost, and the best part is the consultants have been business owners who bring with them a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience.”
Toni Lapi
Tween Waters Resort
“I overcame the obstacle of funding my franchise business. With the help of the Florida SBDC I as able to secure an SBA Express Loan to open my business, Swimtastic.”
Dr. Lindsey Pursglove
Swimtastic
I love that the SBDC can provide free services to businesses like mine to give me the advice I need, says Dean. “Pat [Kirkpatrick] has given me the strength I’ve needed to go on, and has introduced me to key people that can take my business further ahead.”
Kristy Dean
Therapeutic Bodyworks, LLC.
“I credit the SBDC with helping me to be a better manager, boss and owner, which means my business operates smoother, and I’m more profitable because of that. I appreciate the broad asset of the SBDC as a whole…I can trust their advice; there’s no ulterior motive.”
Key Powell
Key Security Services
“Fort Myers Schwinn Cyclery, Inc. began as a Small Business Development client in 2014. Under the skilled guidance of the assigned counselor we learned to determine an appropriate ratio of advertising expense to gross income, increasing our profit margin by 10 percent.
In addition, we have expanded Fort Myers Schwinn’s social responsibility campaign to provide working bicycles for homeless adults and foster children of Fort Myers, road riding safety education, recreational bicycling support and Complete Streets guidance through city and county advisory committees.”
Schwinn Cyclery, Inc.
Fort Myers
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