Kevin Brady (left) with Mr. John Coronado, Sr. Commercial Officer, US Embassy Panama

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1 Insight Helping Businesses Grow and Succeed Serving Lee, Charlotte, Collier, Glades and Hendry Counties January June 2015 Import and export opportunities in Panama Enterprise Florida Export Development Mission to Panama By KEVIN BRADY International Trade Specialist, FSBDC, Florida Gulf Coast University This fall, I attended the State of Florida Export Trade Mission to Panama with a delegation of 95 people including Florida-based companies, state economic development officers, port officials, and other international trade representatives from various state agencies.our FSBDC in Ft. Myers had three clients on the trade mission totaling four Southwest Florida companies attending. My role throughout was to advise our clients regarding the new distribution opportunities and offer guidance/support. One client, Municipal Sign & Supply Co. from Naples, FL, had participated in the export marketing plan program and had Panama as a recommended market. The program started with a briefing from the US Embassy regarding the marketplace and opportunities for Florida-based companies. This was delivered by Sr. Commercial Officer, John Coronado of the US Embassy and touched on many key points regarding the Panamanian market. Key points included: n Strong GDP, moderate inflation, service driven economy w/ population of 3.5 million. n Logistics hub for the Americas, dollarized economy, established banking n Stable economy, affinity for US made products n Best markets include: infrastructure, energy, food, manufactured goods n Free Trade Zone Colon is largest in Western Hemisphere n Services account for 80% of businesses, Industry 10%, Agricultural 6% n Free Trade Agreement with United States since 2012 n More than 30% of imports are from the United States Kevin Brady (left) with Mr. John Coronado, Sr. Commercial Officer, US Embassy Panama n United States has seen 20% increase of exports to Panama since FTA implementation Challenges n Public education system is lacking, private programs are OK n Uneducated workforce cannot fill void for skilled labor n Country does not have a military, only police. Security could become a possible issue Free Trade Agreement n Tariffs dropped 10-15% to 0% n Strengthens Panama s goal of being much like Singapore n Made political statement globally that country is open for business n Had very smooth implementation Opportunities for US Companies n Infrastructure: mass transit, roads, airport projects, bridges n Ports and railway additions and projects n Energy: generation and transmission n Mining: Panama to invest 5.5 billion in copper mining See PANAMA next page SBRN Lunch Series Join the Small Business Resource Network for their monthly networking event held the 3rd Thursday of every month (except in May). The networking starts at 11:45 and ends at 1:30 and will be held at Connor s Steak and Seafood, Gulf Coast Town Center, Gulf Center Drive, Fort Myers, FL Each month various experts lead discussions on topics selected to connect small business owners to resources and experts passionate about small business success. Please check and org for monthly topics and information. Everyone is welcome. RSVP at SBRN helps build long-lasting business relationships among professionals in our community, generating sales leads and teamed projects. General membership in the Small Business Resource Network is open to any accountant, business attorney, commercial lender, commercial insurance agent or business consultant who has a minimum of three years of experience in working with small, meets the membership criteria for their profession, and, most importantly, wants to work with small businesses. Find out more at Florida SBDC new website and blog Starting a new business Get started fast with new tools on our website to guide you through starting a new business. We have loaded our NEW website with real time business articles, tools, and on-line training. Follow us today at The Florida SBDC FGCU Blvd. S, Fort Myers, FL Florida Gulf Coast University Campus Lutgert Hall, Second floor. Also office locations in Bonita Springs, Cape Coral and Lehigh Acres (239) Fax: (239) Hours of operation: Find us on: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday Friday FGCU CAMPUS AND FSBDC OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED: } New Year s Day 2015 Thursday, January 1 } Martin Luther King, Jr. s Birthday Monday, January 19 } Memorial Day Monday, May 25

2 FLORIDA SBDC SUCCESS STORY Photo Magic Events By JACKIE AARON Deb Newman creates photo magic at her business, Photo Magic Events. You will find her event photos proudly displayed in both corporate and nonprofit offices throughout Southwest Florida: Some have CEOs standing in front of the Cheers bar in Boston, others feature 40 Under 40 winners wearing crowns, boas and fake mustaches. It s all about combining good fun with great branding. Downsized from her nonprofit job in 2009, Newman decided to help her husband grow his business that featured inflatable rentals like bounce houses. Together they attended a trade show, where they had a promotional photo taken against the backdrop of People magazine. When the show was over, Newman observed how the attendees dumped the literature [they had collected], but kept their photos, pens and chip clips, she says. This observation prompted her to investigate photo branding as a marketing strategy, which inspired her to create Photo Magic Events. We create an engaging experience for guests at an event, and give them a branded, take-home gift [their photo at the event] tied to their identity and the company s brand, says Newman. In the spring of 2010, she met with Dan Regelski, regional director of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU). Regelski helped her to solidify her business plan; choose the LLC business classification; understand the W-2 and independent contractor distinctions for employees; review credit card processing requirements; and to work with the right software programs like QuickBooks. I feel like Dan is my biggest fan, says Newman. He s always encouraging me and looking out for opportunities for me. Regelski gave her the opportunity to have Photo Magic Events at SBDC-hosted events. Newman jokes about how her three sons have always told her, You have so many ideas, why don t you just do one of them? She cautions, however, that not every good idea is a good business idea. It s important to talk about a business idea, get comfortable with the idea, and to get feedback from people, she says. Exciting things come out of these discussions that make you want to pursue it or not. In the case of Photo Magic Events, discussing the idea made it snowball and seem more viable. Newman decided to move forward and capitalize on her many connections in the community, and the marketing and development skills she had honed in the nonprofit world. Newman is proud of the fact that Photo Magic Events is a 100-percent womanowned business, that revenues have increased steadily year after year, and that all of the required equipment has been purchased debt-free through cash flow. That is until recently. In 2014, the Women s Fund of Southwest Florida awarded her a Kiva Zip loan for $5,000 at zero-percent interest. I used the money to purchase additional equipment in time for season, which will differentiate me from the competition, says Newman. Photo Magic Events currently does about four events each week throughout Southwest Florida. "Dan's experience, patience and wisdom have been instrumental in keeping me focused on my goals," says Newman. She is also grateful for the breadth of networking events and seminars offered through the SBDC, which have empowered her to continuously learn and to grow her business. PANAMA from cover page n Consumer retail: designed to reach all of LATAM thru FTZ Mr. Coronado s briefing was followed by a full day of matchmaking meetings scheduled by the US Commercial Service and coordinated by Enterprise Florida. Each of the companies had several appointments and my clients were pleased with the quality of clients they met throughout the day. The following day started with a trip to the Panama Canal to view the construction of the new Gatun Locks. Upon arrival we were briefed by the Canal Authority regarding the project. Some key takeaways from this meeting included: n Canal completion scheduled for December 2015 with first ships coming thru in January 2016 n Currently run by Panama, much like when US had control n Project will expand canal capacity from 4,500 TEU container vessels to 12,000 TEU n Currently 2/3 of container capacity can t fit in canal n 44% of United States cargo lands in Long Beach, CA port and 60% of cargo goes East of Rockies n FTZ in Colon is haven for 3PL logistics companies. Gateway to Central & South America n FTZ mainly used by multinational corp. with consumer goods or by capital equipment suppliers The effect on future Florida container traffic is unclear at present. Much will depend on steamship schedules and the ability to fill vessels. It does seem logical that some Asia to West Coast container business will head into Florida. If we can secure that traffic and make the destination a Florida port, it will give us an opportunity to distribute along the Eastern Seaboard and beyond. The canal itself traverses a total of 80 km thru Panama and the project encompasses a number of key components including: n Deepening of the Pacific and Atlantic entrances n Widening and deepening of Gatun Lake navigational channel, and deepening of Culebra Cut n Building of the new locks and water reutilization basins for Atlantic and Pacific n Raising of Gatun Lake maximum operational level n A new 6.1 km Pacific access channel The trip was a success in many ways and my clients will benefit greatly from their new distribution opportunities. From a personal perspective, I cannot say enough about the quality of the trade mission and the level of professionalism exhibited by our entire delegation. I was proud to represent the FSBDC, Florida Gulf Coast University, State of Florida, and extend my sincere thanks to our FSBDC State Office and FSBDC- FGCU for the opportunity. So often people are working hard at the wrong thing. Working on the right thing is probably more important than working hard. Caterina Fake, Flickr co-founder

3 SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS 2015 Accounting and Bookkeeping } NEW Payroll - DIY or Contract Out? And Other Basic Accounting Concerns Date: Wednesday, 1/14/2015 Most business owners are scared of payroll accounting and recordkeeping and thus spent way too much having others take care of it. In this session you will learn what is involved so you can make informed decisions. You will walk out with spreadsheet, tax forms, and other recordkeeping samples that you can start using immediately and could save big bucks. As time allows, we will talk about other money saving issues like sales tax reports and other recordkeeping issues. This workshop is for established businesses and designed for the business owner or accounting staff. } Quick Tips for Existing Users of Quickbooks Date: Thursday, 3/19, 3/26, 4/2, and 4/9/2015 Time/Duration: 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. ½ Hour Session Total 2 Hour(s) Location: Online Webinar This is a 4-part lunch and learn series for existing QuickBooks users who will learn tips and tricks to help them operate QuickBooks more efficiently and efficiently. The class is specifically designed for owners or their bookkeepers who have already been utilizing QuickBooks for their business. Topics will include memorized transactions, built-in calculator, workflow, excel exports, list items, merging, general ledger clean-up, departmental tracking, form customization and much more. This seminar is sponsored by Fifth Third Bank. } Quick Tips for Existing Users of Quickbooks Date: Tuesday, 4/21/2015 Time/Duration: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. - 2 Hour(s) Location: Metro Parkway, Fort Myers, FL Space is limited to 20 People Existing QuickBooks users will learn tips and tricks to help them operate QuickBooks more efficiently and efficiently. The class is specifically designed for owners or their bookkeepers who have already been utilizing QuickBooks for their business. Topics will include memorized transactions, built-in calculator, workflow, excel exports, list items, merging, general ledger cleanup, departmental tracking, form customization and much more. This seminar is sponsored by Fifth Third Bank. Entrepreneur is someone who has a vision for something and a want to create. David Karp, Tumblr founder and CEO Business Finance and Loans } Understanding Financial Statements: A Guide to Better Decision Making Date: Saturday, 1/24/2015 Location: Atrium FGCU, 8696 College Parkway Ft. Myers Cost: $30.00 This workshop is for every small business owner. Learn the nuts and bolts to understanding financial statements. A very practical approach to explain how understanding your income statement and balance sheet will help in making successful business decisions. This workshop is for established businesses and designed for the business owner or accounting staff. This seminar is sponsored by First Citizen s Bank. } Understanding Financial Statements Date: Friday, 2/20/2015 Location: Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce, 2702 Tamiami Trail Port Charlotte, FL Get a hands on understanding of just how your financial statements work. Learn how to use financial tools to help you manage your business. Stay on top of expenses and income. Walk away with some practical tools to help you understand how to financially manage your company. This workshop is for new or established businesses and designed for the business owner or accounting staff. This seminar is sponsored by Fifth Third Bank. } Understanding Financial Statements: A Guide to Better Decision Making Date: Wednesday, 3/11/2015 and 6/10/2015 Location: Atrium FGCU, 8696 College Parkway Ft. Myers This workshop is for every small business owner. Learn the nuts and bolts to understanding financial statements. A very practical approach to explain how understanding your income statement and balance sheet will help in making successful business decisions. This workshop is for established businesses and designed for the business owner or accounting staff. Both seminars are sponsored by Fifth Third Bank. } Managing Your Credit - What You Don t Know Will Hurt You Date: Friday, 3/20/2015 Location: Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce, 2702 Tamiami Trail Port Charlotte, FL Cost: $30.00 Get empowered by having a clear understanding of how the credit scores, credit reports and credit bureaus work to help you manage your financial goals. Learn how to utilize documents when disputing errors and know your rights as a consumer. This workshop is for new or established businesses and designed for the business business owner. } Securing a Business Loan Date: Wednesday, 3/25/2015 Time/Duration: 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. - 2 Hour(s) Location: Fort Myers Library, Fort Myers Library, 2450 First Street, Fort Myers, FL Participants will expand their knowledge about business finances banks are looking for when it comes to extending business loans.this workshop is for new or established businesses and designed for the business owner or accounting staff. This seminar is sponsored by The Fort Myers Regional Library. Sponsored by Bank United. Business Management } Creating Time for Managing Your Business Date: Wednesday, 3/18/2015 Entrepreneurs most often began their business because they enjoy doing a set of tasks and they are good at them. Once in business, we discover that we have to manage the business if it is to succeed. This session will discuss some simple and effective ways to manage and still have the joy of doing the work that caused us to start the business. This workshop is for new or established businesses and designed for the business owner or accounting staff. } NEW Where Do I Want to Take My Business? Date: Wednesday, 4/15/2015 Many entrepreneurs allow the business to run them. Successful entrepreneurs retain control of the future of the business. Some thought on how to do that will be presented along with some practical steps and techniques to make sure it is done. This workshop is for established businesses and designed for the business owner. } NEW Business Management - Stupid Stuff We Need to Know Date: Wednesday, 6/17/2015 Most of us start our business because we like or have a passion for the central task or function of the business. Then we discover there is a whole lot of detail to running a business that we don t know. This session will unearth a lot of what we don t know in an interactive help each other manner. Bring the things that were a surprise to you and you will be helping others while receiving help yourself. This workshop is for new or established businesses and designed for the business owner or management staff.

4 For more information visit Customer Service } Best Practices of Customer Service Date: Friday, 1/23/2015 Location: Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce, 2702 Tamiami Trail Port Charlotte, FL Cost: $30.00 Learn what you should and should not be doing to attract and hold customers in your business. We will cover techniques to maintain customer service and provide examples of what works and does not work. Our open forum will allow for an interchange of ideas relating to your business needs. This workshop is for new or established businesses and designed for the business owner, managers, support staff. } How to Find the Right Customers! Date: Thursday, 2/5/2015 Time/Duration: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - 2 Hour(s) Location: Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce, Lehigh Town Center, 25 Homestead Rd N, Lehigh Acres, FL Cost: $25.00 Will they pay on time? Not every customer is a good customer. Learn how to determine when to play it safe or even deny credit altogether. Get a company s financial snapshot in an instant. Healthy cash flow depends on timely payments. Learn how to obtain access to business credit information and payment histories. Get credit limit recommendations and rankings on the likelihood of a company to experience late payments, and overall risk. Extend the right credit limit to the right companies. This workshop is for established businesses and designed for the business owner, managers, support staff. } Getting Close to the Customer Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2015 Customers, clients are the lifeblood of every business. Are we doing enough to turn them into repeat purchasers? Are we paying attention to the right ones? Do we know how to get rid of the wrong ones? These and related thoughts will be developed in a practical manner so you can take the ideas back to work this afternoon and start implementing some improvements in your customer relations work and increase sales as a result.this workshop is for new or established businesses and designed for the business owner, managers, support staff. Government Contracting } Doing Business with the Federal Government 6 Part Series 1st Quarter Series: Friday, 1/9, 1/16, and 1/23/2015 2nd Quarter Series: Friday, 4/3, 4/10, and 4/17/2015 Time/Duration: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. - 2 Hour(s) Location: Career Source SWFL, 4150 Ford Street Extension, Fort Myers, FL Part 1 Introduction to Contracting with the Federal Government Part 2 Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) What Is It? Part 3 Reading Solicitations Part 4 Successful Proposal Writing Part 5 Subcontracting Opportunities Part 6 Pricing your Product or ServiceThis workshop is for established businesses and designed for the business owner, managers, support staff. This seminar is sponsored by None. } Doing Business with the Federal Government Date: Monday, 5/18/2015 Time/Duration: 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. - 2 Hour(s) Location:,Fort Myers Library, 2450 First Street, Fort Myers, FL This Introduction to Contracting with the Federal Government workshop will cover the basics of how to register and do business with the federal government. This workshop is for new or established businesses and designed for the business owner, managers, support staff. This seminar is sponsored by Fort Myers Regional Library. Internet Technology } Clueless About Cloud? Your Business in the Cloud - 2-part Webinar Series Date: Thursday, 4/16/2015 and 4/23/2015 Workshop: Time/Duration: 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. - 1 Hour(s) Location: Online Webinar The Cloud -- another name for Internet based software, data, backup and related services has come of age and is now a phenomenal asset all business should be leveraging to reduce costs, increase sales, improve productivity and heighten security. This presentation will define Cloud, enumerate the Cloud-related services, how businesses can take advantage of these services, and how to select vendors to assist with attendees IT and telephony needs. This workshop is for new or established businesses and designed for the business owner, managers, support staff. Marketing } NEW Jumpstart Marketing Date: Thursday, 1/29/2015 Time/Duration: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - 2 Hour(s) Location: Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce, Lehigh Town Center, 25 Homestead Rd N, Lehigh Acres, FL This workshop is designed to help owners discover what steps they will need to take to convert marketing efforts into sales and the importance of a well research and budgeted marketing plan. This workshop is for established businesses and designed for the business owner, managers, support staff. This seminar is sponsored by Fifth Third Bank. } Inexpensive Marketing Approach Date: Wednesday, 2/11/2015 Almost all businesses need to acquire new clients all the time. This session will discuss some inexpensive ways to obtain new clients. You will walk out with a number of ideas that you can implement this afternoon and start growing your client list and your sales volume. This workshop is for new or established businesses and designed for the business owner, managers, support staff. Social Media } Facebook 2-part series in LaBelle Date: Thursday, 1/15 and 1/22 Time/Duration: 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. - 1 Hour(s) Location: Hendry County EDC Office Board Room, 644 South Main St. Labelle, FL Learn what it takes to be successful on Facebook. We will walk through a page set-up, the different tools available for your business, create a social media account, and create content. Please bring your laptops for these hands-on workshops. Workshop is for new or existing businesses and designed for the business owners or support staff. This series is sponsored by 1st Bank. } NEW Help Customers Find Your Business! Your Facebook and Google Business Page Part 1 of 2 Date: Tuesday, 2/3/2015 and 2/10/2015 Time/Duration: 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. - 1 Hour(s) Location: Online Webinar This is a 2-part webinar series. Participants will learn why and how to establish their business page in both Facebook and Google. Part 1, participants will learn how to establish their business page on Facebook, including tips and how-to s for maintaining a fresh and traffic driven page. Part 2, participants will learn how to establish their business page on Google and the importance of having a Google Business Page. This workshop is for established businesses and designed for the business owner, managers, support staff. The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing. Walt Disney

5 SAVE THE DATE! The 4th Annual Distinguished Entrepreneur Awards and Dinner: Tuesday, May 19, 2015 Join us for the fourth annual Distinguished Entrepreneur Awards and Dinner presentation to recognize and celebrate the spirit and the success of entrepreneurs throughout SW Florida! Sponsorship Opportunities Available. Guest speaker, Michael Wynn is Chairman of the Wynn Family Board of Directors and President of the chain of Sunshine Ace Hardware stores. Time/Duration: 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. - 3 Hours Location: Hyatt Regency at Coconut Point, 5001 Coconut Rd, Bonita Springs FL Cost: $125 Register online today at NEW FRANCHISING EXPO Fire Your Boss How to Buy a Franchise The Inaugural 2015 FSBDC Francising Fair: Thursday, February 26, 2015 If you want the freedom and control of owning your own business, then this event is for you. Are you considering owning your own business or franchise? Here are some of the questions this Franchise Expo will answer: n How do I assure my safety in a business and assure my chances of success? n Can I stay in my job and get a business started? n How do I find a business that I will really like and how do I get the facts before I buy? Sponsored by FranNet n Types of financing available? n What types of franchises and businesses are available in my area? Existing Franchise Owners will be on-sight to discuss with you their path to franchising success. Time/Duration: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - 3 Hours Location: Hilton Garden Inn, Corporate Commerce Way, Fort Myers FL Register online at floridasbdc.org/get-training and search FranNet OPPORTUNITY FOR NEW BUSINESSES ACROSS SW FLORIDA Sponsored by Attention aspiring business owners! Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida is offering a six-week training program through their MicroEnterprise Institute. The U.S. Small Business Administration, South Florida District signed a Strategic Alliance Memorandum (SAM) with Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida on October 23, The MicroEnterprise training program helps aspiring entrepreneurs determine if their idea is feasible or not.. The program has charges a small administration fee depending upon the income level to cover the cost of materials. If they choose to proceed, then they are eligible to apply for a micro-loan collateral guarantee of up to $5,000 to help them kick-start their new business. To help expedite the process of turning their Feasibility Plan into a bank-ready business plan, The MicroEnterprise Institute has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Small Business Development Center at FGCU to provide additional one-on-one counseling for the completion of the business plan. The application and upcoming class schedule can be found at microenterprise, or for more information please call x2219 NEW FREE MARKETING RESEARCH TOOL Lee County Economic Development has released a free online tool for businesses to: n Benchmark their business against the competition n Identify potential customers, suppliers, or competitors n Locate the best areas to advertise n Research demographics, consumer spending, and labor force data Visit sizeup-lee and take advantage of this new marketing research opportunity today. WHAT OUR CLIENTS ARE SAYING Without the [FSBDC at FGCU s] initial help I never would have gotten my business plan off the ground, which means that I never would have gotten my start-up loan There literally could be no better place to go to find the information, Kevin Olesen, Sweet Odin s Bakery Years ago, I worked with Millie Class and that also turned out to be very rewarding. To this day I still use some of the ideas she helped me with. Our biggest push to get started was with State Connected Agencies and the format Millie provided is still the one to follow. Ken Boyce, K & K Super-blend I attended other Access to Capital Events throughout the years in different parts of the country and I must say the Access to Capital Fair organized by Suzanne and your team is head and shoulders above the rest. Guido Minaya, Minaya Learning Global Solutions, LLC. SAVE THE DATE Access to Capital Fair scheduled for Friday, August 7, Sponsorship Opportunities now available!

6 INAUGURAL 2015 CEO LAW FORUM SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2015 Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with business attorneys one-on-one during this half- day law forum. Breakout sessions will include Trademarks, Strategies to Estate and Business Planning, Commercial Litigation, The Effects of Divorce on Successful Businesses, Accounts Receivable Collections, and Intellectual Property. This is a tradeshow type format and a light breakfast and full lunch will be offered. Door prizes and lawyer one-on-one sessions in the afternoon following lunch. This workshop is for established businesses and designed for the business owner, managers, support staff. This seminar is sponsored by Pavese Law Firm. Time/Duration: Saturday, March 21 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. - 5 Hours Location: Cohen Center, FGCU Boulevard S. Fort Myers FL Cost: $99 Register online today at Office of Supplier Diversity Regional Matchmaker Workshop: June 4, 2015 From all of us at the Florida SBDC at Florida Gulf Coast University Happy New Year! We look forward to helping you celebrate your business successes throughout the year. At this event, participants will have the opportunity to make appointments for one-on- one sessions with city, county, and state procurement representatives. Additionally, participants will have a chance to meet with contractors looking to hire Certified MBD, WBE, and DBE s. Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided. This workshop is for established businesses and designed for the business owner, managers, support staff. This seminar is sponsored bt The Office of Supplier Diversity. Time/Duration: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. - 8 Hours Location: Florida Gulf Coast University Cost: No cost Keep an eye on updates at OUR RESOURCE PARTNERS WHAT IS THE SBDC? The Small Business Development Center at Florida Gulf Coast University is a dynamic community-based resource, helping small business owners take advantage of new opportunities to grow their business through a diverse collection of programs and services. The SBDC is located in FGCU s Center for Leadership & Innovation, the external administrative unit of the Lutgert College of Business, providing a unique collaboration between the College of Business faculty, students and small business owners. The Center serves a five-county area and provides business assistance through various partner locations in Southwest Florida. MISSION STATEMENT We are a customer driven organization of business professionals, dedicated to helping small businesses succeed by enthusiastically providing creative solutions which exceed customer, employee, and stakeholder expectations. The SBDC at Florida Gulf Coast University is a member of the Florida SBDC Network, a statewide service network funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. State Designated as Florida s Principal Provider of Business Assistance [ , Fla. Stat]