SBDC: Your Small Business Partner

Where do entrepreneurs and small business owners go to find the right tool and resources to start a business or expand an existing one? A good starting place is the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center. 

In this week’s podcast, Walt Moore, area director of the UGA SBDC at Valdosta State University, talks about how the SBDC provides a wide range of consulting services and educational training for small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. 

What you will discover in this episode:

• Helping small business owners make better decisions and reach their goals, SBDC consultants provide confidential, no-cost, one-on-one business consulting with small business owners that want to grow or start their business.
• With 18 offices across the state, the SBDC is part of the University of Georgia Public Service and Outreach Extension and is partly funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
• The SBDC provides training (free and at a nominal cost) through on-demand, web-based, and in-person formats. Topics include writing a dynamic business plan, Quickbooks, government, contracting, importing and exporting, marketing and social media, and more.
• SBDC also provides clients with extensive data and applied research, including demographics and industry trends.
• In response to economic disruptions from COVID-19, SBDC consultants fielded an increasing number of customer requests, including assistance with the Paycheck Protection Program (PPE) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). 

Upcoming Webinar:
Bend or Break: How to Endure Inflation: September 20, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
A virtual class for small business owners about the effects of looming inflation. The course, taught by SBDC consultants Walt Moore and Andy Fried, is offered at no charge (registration is required).

Course outline:

• Define inflation and other related terms
• Discuss current economic environments and the effects of inflation
• Review profit and loss levers to improve profits and cash flow.

The class will conclude with an introduction to the “One Percent Solution,” a user-friendly tool that provides an overview of a company’s cash flow and show how even a small (1%) change can have a significant impact. Attendees will receive an Excel spreadsheet to monitor and manage their company’s cash flow. Register

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