Networking Breakfasts Feed Entrepreneurs’ Minds and Stomachs (cont.)

The next networking breakfast will be September 19, 2007 and will be titled “Entrepreneurial Programs - Been there done that.” Speaker Mike Fountain, a well known entrepreneur from the Tampa Bay area, will relate stories about the entrepreneur’s role in different life stages of a company. He has 25 years experience as an entrepreneur and has created, managed and grown seven new ventures, three of which are publicly traded companies.  He has also successfully patented and commercialized several products both domestically and internationally.

The first breakfast was held August 15 and Dean Akers, President and CEO of Ideal Image, gave an animated speech regarding his success with Ideal Image and other start-up companies in the Tampa Bay Area.  Dean has worked in construction, tires, and now is very successful in the hair removal industry.  Ideal Image raised $16 million in new capital by June this year.  Even though these industries are diverse in nature, Dean has always led his companies with the same principle:  really care about your customers.  He swore by this simple logic and outlined several ways for business owners to show their own affection for customers. 

A tentative schedule of upcoming seminars and topics is as follows:

October 17, 2007                    Basic Business Law

November 21, 2007                 2008 Tax Planning

Jan 16, 2008                            How to Get on the Media Radar Screen and Stay On It

February 20, 2008                   eFlorida Small Business Support

March 19, 2008                       Where to Find the Money

April 16, 2008                          Entrepreneurial Experiences and Tips

May 21, 2008                          Bookkeeping and Accounting Tips

June 18, 2008                          Insurance for Small Businesses

Seating is limited to 45 individuals, and reservations are required.  For more information, please send an e-mail to sbdc@stpt.usf.edu.

The SBDC added an office location in the USF St. Petersburg College of Business building in January 2007.  “This office will allow students, faculty, staff, and local citizens with entrepreneurial interests the opportunity to access directly and conveniently the broad-based services of the SBDC,” said Geralyn McClure Franklin, dean of the College of Business.

Since opening its doors more than 20 years ago, the USF SBDC has assisted more than 100,000 entrepreneurs in Southwest Florida with their businesses to create/retain an average of 1,000 jobs each year and win government contracts worth over $100 million. To learn more about the SBDC, please visit www.stpt.usf.edu/cob and click on the SBDC link under the business spotlight section.