Small Business Development Center at UNF

Registration is open for the Florida SBDC Network’s Small Business Success Summit!

Join the Florida SBDC Network August 17-18, 2026 at the Sunseeker Resort in Charlotte Harbor for valuable information and connections to help take your small business to the next level.

Learn more and register now at: https://floridasbdc.org/success_summit/.

Florida’s Rural Business Resource Tour is coming to your community. This free resource fair—cohosted by Florida Chamber of Commerce and the Florida SBDC Network —will bring together federal, state and local business resources right into your own backyard.
SAVE THE DATE! Thursday, June 25th, College of Central Florida campus in Chiefland!

What to Expect:
Learn about federal, state, and local business resources
Attend workshops
Networking opportunities
Meet one-on-one with SBDC consultants
And more!

For more information & to register, please visit FloridaSBDC.org/ruraltour

: Take time now to secure your essential business documents - tax records, legal paperwork, and financial files. Keep everything organized in one accessible location, and create both physical and digital backups to ensure nothing is lost.
For more tips and support, visit www.FloridaSBDC.org

The Florida SBDC at UNF team was proud to host a meet-and-greet with contracting officers and small business specialists from NAVSUP and NAVFAC.
Attendees gained valuable insights into SBDC at UNF services for small businesses, as well as an inside look at the government contracting process. NAVSUP and NAVFAC representatives shared how bids are evaluated and offered best practices for successfully pursuing federal contract opportunities.
Thank you to our NAVSUP and NAVFAC partners for sharing their expertise and supporting the growth of our small business community.

Our new Marion County consultants Jesi Young and Wilson Richardson were recently honored by the Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership for their assistance as presenting speakers in the Kauffman FastTrac Business Training series! We’re proud to participate in this series for early-stage entrepreneurs to learn how to launch a successful business.

The SBDC at UNF is proud of the work Associate Director Jodi Henson has done to connect UNF students with real small business consulting projects. Through these experiential learning opportunities, students work alongside entrepreneurs and apply classroom knowledge to real business needs. Small business owners benefit from fresh perspectives and the support of the SBDC team as they work toward their goals.
It’s a meaningful collaboration that supports local businesses while giving students real-world experience in the small business environment.
Let's Be Friends Academy

Building connections with local entrepreneurs is what it’s all about!
We were proud to take part in the recent Small Business Summit hosted by the Jacksonville Women's Business Center —a great opportunity for business owners to connect, learn, and explore the many resources available to support their growth and long-term success.

Celebrating a Remarkable Legacy – Congratulations, Phil Geist! 🎉

After more than 30 years of dedicated service to our small business community, we are proud to celebrate the retirement of Phil Geist, SBDC consultant in Ocala.
Throughout his decades of service, Phil has been a trusted advisor and champion for countless entrepreneurs and business owners. His commitment to helping small businesses start, grow, and thrive has made a lasting impact across the region and his guidance has helped shape the success stories of many in our community.

Please join us in thanking Phil for his incredible contributions and wishing him all the best in this next chapter. Enjoy your well-earned retirement, you’ve certainly earned it! 👏

Is your high-potential small business innovating and working to shape the future in your industry? If so, U.S. Small Business Administration wants to hear from you!
SBA is hosting a nationwide pitch competition that will bring together entrepreneurs from across the country who are building and scaling businesses within their communities. Selected businesses will be invited to participate in a live pitch competition in Washington, DC, which will culminate in a $1 million prize pool to celebrate the innovation and ambition that has driven American ingenuity for the past 250 years. Learn more at https://preview.sba.gov/freedom-250