With 18 locations across the state, the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center’s goal is to enhance the economic well-being of Georgians by providing a wide range of educational services for small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs.
How we're helping small businesses pivot and recover from COVID-19...
CLAYTON STATE UNIVERSITY OFFICE
Operational flexibility and UGA help lead freight carrier through pandemic
In February, DIESELGRID owner Justin Hughes noticed a slowdown in the supply chain. He called his team together to discuss why the numbers were lower, trying to understand what was happening.“By March 15, it was clear the U.S. was going to shut down,” he said. Working with the UGA SBDC, Hughes obtained emergency federal assistance to keep operations moving.
UNIVERSITY OF WEST GEORGIA OFFICE
Preschool owner keeps business open during pandemic, with help from UGA SBDC
Harmony Learning Academy in Lithia Springs had grown to 60 children, nine full-time and one part-time employees, and earnings were up, when the coronavirus forced it to close. Owner Josie Moss furloughed staff and began looking at ways to keep the business afloat. With help from the UGA SBDC, Harmony Learning Academy reopened on June 1, following the CDC’s guidelines.
GWINNETT OFFICE
Assistance from UGA SBDC keeps essential employees on the front line
The Gwinnett Eye Clinic in Duluth continued essential operations, including treating patients with glaucoma, retinal detachments and other eye injuries when the coronavirus response temporarily closed many others. With assistance from their UGA SBDC consultant, the practice was able to obtain financing to keep employees on the payroll while modifying the clinic’s safety and cleaning procedures.
SOUTHERN COASTAL OFFICE
Veterinary hospital adapts to COVID-19 restrictions, gets back on track for expansion
Pooler Veterinary Hospital in Bloomingdale was set to expand in 2020 with their financing already lined up. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, all of the business’ plans for expansion were halted. With the help of the UGA SBDC, Pooler was not only able to continue to keep employees on the payroll and modify business practices but also get back on track for a path of growth.
MACON OFFICE
Norcross Manufacturer Shields Heroes and Saves their Small Business
The Cutting Board Company in Norcross manufactures plastic cutting boards for restaurants and homes. Most of its sales are direct to restaurant, industrial resellers or popular retailers. When the COVID hit, sales hit the floor. “Ninety percent of our business went away, almost overnight,” said owner Dave Brautigan.
ALBANY OFFICE
Pivoting Helps Keep Tifton Restaurant Operational during COVID-19
March 13 would be the last “normal” night of service at Local at the Lankford, a popular farm-to-table restaurant in Tifton. The pandemic had begun impacting businesses, especially in the restaurant industry. Working with the SBDC, they were able to keep their business operational.
NEWS
Regions Pledges $500,000 for UGA Service-Learning and Small Business Aid
Regions Bank’s gift provides $200,000 directly to the UGA SBDC to provide small business assistance through Georgia.
UGA SBDC Providing Continuing Education Courses at No-Cost
Due to funding from the CARES Act, all business training courses are being offered at no-cost though the end of 2020.
UGA SBDC Partners with Morehouse College to Open New Atlanta Center
A new UGA SBDC office is coming to Morehouse College. The center will support economic growth in Atlanta’s West End.
READY TO GET STARTED?
The UGA SBDC has 18 offices across the state of Georgia. Ranging from Rome in Northwest Georgia to Valdosta in the southern most part of Georgia, you will always be able to find a SBDC office within a short drive from your business.
If you’re looking to speak to a consultant to help assist you in growing your business, click the button below to find a location and consultant near you.
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY:
"The SBDC is just a great resource for anyone starting out or still doing business. I’ve always recommended it to colleagues and patients. It’s been instrumental in terms of our growth."
Dr. Maria Clarissa Visitacion,
Bethlehem Family Healthcare"When you are a business owner, you have considerations from legal to personnel to accounting, business affairs and procurement. Any person running a company needs to understand a profit and loss statement and best practices. These are not things that all small businesses know.”
Wendy Eley Jackson,
Auburn Avenue Films“I don’t like asking for help from anyone. I’ve always thought my ideas were the best. In working with [UGA SBDC consultant] Laura and the SBDC, however, I came to the realization that I needed support and guidance. You can get that with the SBDC.”
Brad Bishoff,
Cartridge World“Whenever I need something, I have access to a wealth of information and knowledge at the SBDC. When I want to use their resources or even just ask questions, I go to them. And when I talk to anyone interested in opening a small business, I tell them the first thing they need to do is go to the SBDC.”
Wayne Lanier,
Lanier’s Meat Market"[UGA SBDC consultant] Darrel taught me that I needed to pay more attention to our financials. Our work with the SBDC revealed that I really needed to sharpen my skills in that area of the business.”“I really look back over the last three years since our relationship began and I can now see that that relationship has served as a touchstone for most of our growth.”
Sean Casey,
Rotocorp LLC“We are incredibly thankful for our connection to the SBDC. [UGA SBDC consultant] Benny always treated us as professionals, and the learning opportunities at the SBDC are very rich with seminars and networking opportunities. It has proven to be an invaluable experience.”
Becky Lamont,
Pathway Behavioral Consulting“In college I felt I was getting taught to work for someone else, while the SBDC was showing me how to develop my own business. That’s pretty awesome.”
Luke Tilt,
Valdosta Wake Compound“The SBDC has given me great insight on creating this business, how to prepare for a major loan and how to grow. They played an important role assisting me in focusing more on what I needed to do and how to figure out what would be most profitable.”
Christina Ernst,
VIP Southern Tours“Our consultant was helpful in reviewing the agreement and talking about cash flow. He presented us with information on SBA loan products. We did the paperwork for an SBA express loan for working capital, submitted it the day after we signed the purchase agreement and were able to get funding within 30 days.”
Larry Collins,
Collins Manufacturing Company“I’ve built a very close relationship with the SBDC as we’ve continued working over the years in different areas of business growth and development. The SBDC is the place to go.”
Valentine Nzengung,
MuniRem Environmental“The SBDC offers the right environment to talk about goals and how we want to look in the next three-to-five years. They’ve helped us take a step back and really think about our growth. They helped us make sure to get results.”
Wes Jones,
Honeysuckle Gelato"Before the SBDC, we learned largely by trial and error, and we had a few of those errors along the way,” she says. “Fortunately, we have [UGA SBDC consultants] Jeff and Erica to lean on. We can ask, do you think we’re doing the right thing? They understand what I’m saying and make concise suggestions on how to approach it. They really, legitimately want to help.”
Melissa Agee,
Slice Pizzeria“We have tripled our growth and the SBDC has given us the resources and tools to grow. My business wouldn’t have been able to reach these milestones without the SBDC.”
Montina Portis,
Creative Internet Authority"Without them, we wouldn’t have Fetch. I wish more people knew about the SBDC rather than pay thousands of dollars for someone to help them. They’re more than willing to help you."
Georgia Bottoms,
Fetch Canine Rehab“It’s good to have a person like David [Lewis] who can advise us. Whenever we get a new idea for our business, we sit down and review different scenarios. He knows what works and what doesn’t work, and our results have been very positive.”
Suganda “Sugar” and Chandra Yadav,
Woodbine Grocery“Many people start out thinking ‘I’ve got a great business idea! I know how to bake a cake or create a website.’ But it’s not just that. How will you pay people? How do you manage your financing and relationships? How do you get people to find your website? That’s where the SBDC comes into play. They have a lot of experience. They’re like a coach in your corner."
Adam and Karen Sheperd,
Sheer Imagination“I found out about the SBDC after I went to a couple of different banks. They said ‘your numbers look good, but they could look a lot better, so go talk to these guys.’ I did and came back with the complete package."
Doug Turbush,
Seed Kitchen and Bar“I had no small business experience before. I am a speech pathologist and my husband is a marine engineer. We took the SBDC’s GrowSmart program, then started going to the SBDC’s free business consultations, and it was awesome. It still is!”
Samantha Meier,
Savannah Slow Ride“I thought I was doing great, having written a four-page business plan. But it was a joke. After [SBDC consultant] Carol [McDonell] finished advising me, I ended up with a 45-page plan.”
Amanda Rodriguez Crook,
Pawtropolis“People don’t understand how large this industry is. It will continue to grow as parking density and security needs increase. We expect the SBDC will continue to help us manage this dynamic change. They’ll help us focus on specific opportunities and maximize our presence in the marketplace.”
Lois and Mike Givens,
ITR“The SBDC’s exprienced, knowledeable team can talk the nitty-gritty of commercialization. They helped carry IS3D from idea to a produt for the marketplace.”
Dr. Tom Robertson,
Interactive Science in 3D (IS3D)“Janelle and I are both in our 20s and have had to learn a lot of lessons the hard way, which is expensive,” he continues. “The SBDC can help you refine your vi- sion and work to make it happen.”
Kyle and Janelle Wehner,
Dreaming Cow“Jeff [Sanford] provided an educational experience I will carry with me for years to come. If it had not been for his efforts in the classroom and the field, I would not be where I am today.”
Dr. Dan Carter, DVM,
Countryside Hospital for Animals“David [Dunn] is great,” says Hardy. I’ve already recommended him to several entrepreneurs, and he’s helped put together several of their plans. Everyone in that office is real helpful. And every time I’ve had a ground breaking or ribbon cutting, they come celebrate with us.”
Hugh Hardy Jr.,
Carroll’s Sausage & Meats“For me, it was not only beneficial, but vital to develop this relationship with Erica [Bracey] and the SBDC. I won’t go through this process again without her help in making sure I have everything in line.”
Leela Barney,
Morrow Clinic for Caduceus Occupational Medicine LLC“I was not originally approved on the financial data I had. The industry was unheard of and lenders said it wouldn’t work,” says Lebedin. “Darrel [Hulsey] developed the financial models and spreadsheets that banks were used to looking at. I fed him the information he needed, he entered it into his model, and we eventually found a bank that could provide us financial assistance.”
Jeff Lebedin,
Aqua Recycle“I will keep going back to Mark [Lupo] and the SBDC. The things he and the SBDC do help me dig deep roots. They’ve been really good to me.”
John Anker,
Ankerpak“We knew all we needed to know as domestic distributors, but we had no direct knowledge of the foreign customer,” says Nut Tree Pecan’s Francis “Putt” Wetherbee, who attended the Georgia SBDC’s ExportGA class and found “it was a great experience.”
Francis “Putt” Wetherbee,
Nut Tree Pecan, Inc.The SBDC helped me strengthen the business plan and put together the loan packet for the construction of our 9,500 square foot building designed just for children. We received an SBA loan and moved there in June of 2008.
Janie Davis,
Children Unique Christian Daycare Center, Inc.We believe in relationship building and smooth, steady progress,” says Hester. “From the moment we met Bob and Sharon, we were very impressed. They share our values, and the things we believe about business just lined up perfectly.
Mary Hester,
LAN SystemsOur Partners:
Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.