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Business counseling through the Small Business Development Center at
Pinellas County Economic Development is available by appointment. Email businesshelp@pinellascounty.org or call (727) 453-7200 to request an appointment.
Please allow two business days for a response.
Business Edge Podcast with Dr. Freda Drake hosting our own
Dr. Cynthia Johnson (March 5, 2012)
Dr. Freda Drake interviews our own Dr. Cynthia Johnson regarding the local economy, business assistance programs available at the Small Business Development Center at Pinellas County and how PCED can help your business grow in Pinellas.
Retired U.S. Army Veteran Ronald Gadsden wanted to start his own business and he found the right opportunity in a Postal Annex+ franchise, located in Clearwater, Florida. As with many first-time entrepreneurs, “I went into this pretty blind and didn’t know about all the different aspects of running a business,” says Gadsden. But a visit to Teresa Citron at Florida Bank, a Small Business Development Center (SBDC) partner, provided a link to a wealth of small business assistance. Citron explains, “Instantly I thought to send him to the SBDC at Pinellas County Economic Development.”
Brody Welte came to Florida looking for the ideal location in which to start a new stand up paddling business - he found that location in Pinellas County. Welte launched Stand Up Fitness in 2008 and credits both the area's natural assets and its business-friendly climate for the company's success. "Our beautiful waterways - from canals, lakes, and rivers to Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico - offer endless opportunities for enjoying stand up paddling," he explains. "Combined with the healthy lifestyle available here and the fantastic wildlife in the water, Pinellas County was the perfect place for us to start Stand Up Fitness." Welte and Stand Up Fitness have also benefitted from the business assistance provided through the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Pinellas County Economic Development.
Click here to read more of this story.
For more than two years, Julie Daniels, owner of Handyman Matters in Palm Harbor, Florida, has found great success as a small business owner. Despite the challenges of running a small business in a tough economy, the retired U.S. Air Force captain continues to move ahead, growing her franchise nearly 200% over the past year. “It’s been a terrific run,” Daniels attests, “and I’m nowhere near stopping yet! I’ve been working with Pinellas County’s Small Business Development Center the past eight months, exploring opportunities that will allow Handyman Matters to continue building, literally and figuratively.” Handyman Matters offers professional assistance with everyday home repairs, improvements, and remodels across the United States and Canada. Drawing on previous experience on construction sites and her determination to open her own business, Daniels purchased a Handyman Matters franchise in 2008. Read more.
The SBDC at Pinellas County Economic Development 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. All opinions, conclusions, or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.
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