UWF Business Academy is on tap

The free academy sessions are designed for small business owners who are just starting up or are looking to grow. The sessions will take place in room 221 of building 2 at the Emerald Coast Campus located at 1170 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. by Fort Walton Beach.

The five-part academy is sponsored by Truest Bank, Kelly Massey, regional director for the Florida Small Business Development Center at the University of West Florida, said at Thursday’s Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce networking breakfast.

“There is no cost” to attend the academy, “and it will be conducted in the evening time,” Massey said.

Academy attendees will receive a step-by-step guide to starting a business, marketing a business, building a practical, effective budget, and more.

People can sign up for one or all of the academy sessions at https://sbdc.uwf.edu/events/.

Food will be provided at every session, courtesy of Truist Bank.

UWF officials provided the following descriptions of each session:

Session 1 – 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan 27

Steps to Starting a Business (Only pre-venture attendees are required to attend this session.)

Speaker: Kevin Oster, business consultant

So you’ve got that business idea. You may not know the first steps, or you may want some guidance on if you’re taking the right steps. Let’s work with the ideas that have been forming in your head and see if we can make them into a tangible, feasible small business.

In this three-hour workshop, we’ll take a deep dive into the following aspects of setting up a successful business:

• Is there a need for your product or service?
• Can you make money at it?
• Are you the right person to bring this to market?
• Is this business compatible with your personal goals?
• What rules, laws, and licensing apply to your business?
• What are funding options for your business?
• What about marketing strategies, legal structures, and taxation?
• What are your available resources?

Session 2 – 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3

Marketing Your Business

Speaker: John Emsing, Florida SBDC associate director

Marketing can get as complicated as you want (or rather don’t want!), but for most small business owners there simply isn’t enough time to do everything. This two-hour workshop will cover the basics and essentials of taking “easy wins” that you can and should be doing. You’ll walk away from this class knowing how to avoid simple marketing mistakes and ensuring you don’t miss readily available opportunities.

Session 3 – 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10

Budgeting and Financial Statements

Speaker: Joshua Hartigan, Florida SBDC assistant director

Do you run a small business but feel unsure about your finances? Join us for a hands-on budgeting class designed specifically for small business owners like you! Learn how to build a practical, effective budget that helps you make smarter decisions and grow your business with confidence. Why is budgeting so important for small businesses?

• It puts you in control of your money
• It helps you make smart business decisions
• It keeps you focused on your goals
• It protects your cash flow
• It gives you peace of mind
• It helps you catch problems early

What you’ll learn:

• Why a solid accounting system is the foundation of every good budget
• How to build your budget using your chart of accounts
• How to review budget vs. actuals monthly to stay on track and make informed decisions

Session 4 – 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17

Human Resources Management – Big Trouble for Small Business?

Speaker: Jennifer Rohus, business consultant

There is a lot more to being an employer than hiring staff. This seminar will provide an overview of the many aspects of human resources management. Upon completion, attendees should have the tools needed to more effectively operate their business from an HR standpoint. Understand the Fair Labor Standards Act and learn how to recruit, interview, hire, compete for, motivate, discipline & retain employees.

Session 5 (Part 1) – 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24

Connect to Capital – A Banker’s Perspective…Question and Answer Session

Speaker: Representatives of Truist Bank

Moderator: Kelly Massey

This panel discussion is a must-attend for small business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the funding options available to drive business growth. Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with industry experts, ask questions, and gain the knowledge needed to secure the financial support your business deserves. Join us for an engaging conversation on building bridges to opportunities in the world of small business financing.

Session 5 (Part 2) – 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24

Government Contracting: Overview

Speaker: Chip Wells, Florida SBDC associate director

This one-hour training session is designed to help two groups of business: (1) those just exploring or brand new to government contracting and (2) those down the path a bit looking to backfill some gaps.

This session covers the following areas:

• Introduction to the government contracting process
• Components of a “GIB Ready” business
• Suggestions for an initial marketing tool kit
• Reactive business development strategies
• Proactive business development strategies
• Introduction to the Small Business Administration’s Dynamic Small Business Search database
• Potential next steps

In addition to the instruction, attendees will have the opportunity to receive handouts that are practical tools in helping develop your government contracting programs. Also, after attending the UWF Business Academy, you’ll have access to a Florida SBDC business consultant to assist you at no cost as you create your business plan and move toward your goals.