Shows / Small Biz Florida
Small Biz Florida
Small Biz FL was designed to highlight issues and promote business assistance resources available throughout the state of Florida.
Episodes
- Small Biz Florida
Ep 434 | Streamlining SBA Loan Signings with Devin Cobb of White Glove Notary Network
Getting a small business loan across the finish line takes more than approval—it also requires properly signed documents. In this episode of Small Biz Florida…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep 433 | From Renting to Owning: SBA 504 Financing with Ken Rosenthal
Could owning your business property be the next step toward long-term growth? In this episode of Small Biz Florida, host Tom Kindred sits down with Ken…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep 432 | Beyond Traditional Banking: Small Business Financing with Brent LeBlanc
Access to capital can open doors for entrepreneurs—but finding the right lending partner matters. Recorded at the 2026 FLAGGL Conference in Orlando, this…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep 431 | Get Loan Ready: Simplifying Small Business Financing with Loan Mantra
Getting access to capital starts long before you submit a loan application. In this episode of Small Biz Florida, host Tom Kindred welcomes Loan Mantra founder…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep. 430 | Simplifying Small Business Lending: Navigating the Path to Capital with mySherpas
Applying for a business loan can feel like climbing a mountain—but the right tools can make the journey easier. In this episode of Small Biz Florida, host Tom…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep. 429 | Buy a Business, Build Your Future: Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition with Denise Houghtaling
You don’t have to start from scratch to become a business owner. In this episode of Small Biz Florida, host Tom Kindred sits down with Denise Houghtaling…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep 428 | Beyond the Loan: SBA Resources for Growth with Jonel Hein & Clemence Garcia
The SBA offers more than business loans—it connects entrepreneurs with tools, training, and support to help them start, grow, and navigate challenges. Recorded…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep 427 | When Banks Say No: Exploring Startup Funding with Boyd Karren
A bank’s “no” doesn’t have to mean the end of your business idea. Understanding other funding options—and how to prepare for them—can help entrepreneurs…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep 426 | Building Your Capital Stack: Financing Business Growth with Kirk Gimenez
Winning a new contract is exciting—but how do you fund the work before the money comes in? Recorded at the 2026 Florida SBDC Small Business Success Summit in…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep 425 | Beyond the AI Hype: Technology That Fits Your Business with Kathy Durfee
With new AI tools and software appearing every day, how do you decide what your business actually needs? Recorded at the 2026 Florida SBDC Small Business…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep 424 | Lead from Within: Building Better Leadership Habits with Dr. Adriene Wright
You have the idea, the skills, and the passion to start a business—but have you considered who you are as a leader? Recorded at the 2026 Florida SBDC Small…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep 423 | Think Bigger, Act Bolder: AI and Small Business Innovation with Shawn Kanungo
What if AI could help you do more than save time—what if it could help you reimagine what your business can become? Recorded at the 2026 Florida SBDC Small…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep 422 | Hidden Costs, Smarter Savings: Putting AI to Work with Bill Kurtzner
Could everyday business expenses be costing you more than they should? From utility bills to office supplies, overlooked charges and missed discounts can add…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep 421 | Beyond the Business Loan: Exploring Retirement Funds as Startup Capital with Mickey Parker
Could your retirement savings offer another path to business ownership? Understanding the options—and the responsibilities involved—is an important place to…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep 420 | Running with Purpose: Leadership Lessons from Brooks’ Jim Weber
What does it take to turn a struggling company into a brand customers believe in? For Jim Weber, former CEO of Brooks Running, the answer starts with customer…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep 419 | Small Loans, Big Possibilities: Accessing Capital with Brandon Martinez
Sometimes a small amount of capital can open the door to a big opportunity. But where can entrepreneurs turn when they’re just starting out or need funding…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep 418 | Start with the Problem: Building a Business Customers Need with Kathrine Zobre
A great business starts with a problem worth solving—but how do you know your customers see it that way? Recorded at the 2026 Florida SBDC Small Business…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep 417 | Get Found: Small Business Marketing in the AI Era with Mimi Damm
Is your business getting harder to find online? As AI changes how customers search for products and services, small business owners need to rethink how they…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep 416 | Smarter Leads, Stronger Sales: AI and Automation with Luke Kim
How can small business owners find better leads, reach the right customers, and grow without doing everything themselves? Recorded at the 2026 Florida SBDC…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep. 415 | Expanding Access to Capital and Cutting Red Tape with Tyler Teresa
Recorded at the 2026 Florida SBDC Small Business Success Summit, host Tom Kindred welcomes Tyler Teresa, Regional Administrator for the U.S. Small Business…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep. 414 | Florida’s Small Business Advantage with Representative Tiffany Esposito
Recorded at the 2026 Florida SBDC Small Business Success Summit, host Tom Kindred speaks with Florida State Representative Tiffany Esposito, who represents…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep. 413 | How CareerSource Helps Florida Businesses Hire, Train, and Grow
Recorded at the 2026 Florida SBDC Small Business Success Summit, host Tom Kindred speaks with Anthony Gagliano, Chief Operating Officer of CareerSource…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep. 412 | Inside the Florida SBDC Network's 5th Annual Small Business Success Summit
In this episode of the Small Biz Florida Podcast, host Tom Kindred sits down with Bridget LaCoste, Events and Stakeholder Relationship Manager for the Florida…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep. 411 | Unlocking Hidden Savings for Small Businesses with Margin First Advisors
On this episode of Small Biz Florida, host Tom Kindred sits down with Fred Lenz, Founder and Managing Partner of Margin First Advisors, to discuss how small…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep. 410 | Cutting Through Red Tape: How SBA Advocacy Fights for Small Business
In this episode of Small Biz Florida, host Tom Kindred sits down with Geoff Grove and Michael Vallante from the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep. 409 | SBDC at UNF is Helping Small Businesses Unlock the Power of AI (No Tech Background Required)
In this episode of Small Biz Florida, host Tom Kindred sits down with Debbie Magyar, Regional Director of the SBDC at the University of North Florida, to…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep. 406 | Inside the SBA's Record-Breaking Year & Bold Plans for 2026 (Recorded at Florida Small Business Day at the Capitol 2026)
In this powerful episode of Small Biz Florida, host Tom Kindred sits down with two of the SBA’s top leaders: Tyler Teresa, Southeast Regional Administrator…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep. 407 | The Advocate You Didn’t Know You Needed: Public Adjusting for Small Business (Recorded at Florida Small Business Day at the Capitol 2026)
In this enlightening episode of Small Biz Florida, host Tom Kindred speaks with Matthew Andress, founder of Mockingbird Public Adjusting, about a lesser-known…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep. 408 | Robotics, AI & the Future of Florida Manufacturing with EZ Automation Systems (Recorded at Florida Small Business Day at the Capitol 2026)
In this forward-looking episode of Small Biz Florida, host Tom Kindred interviews Ahmed Tawfik, CEO of EZ Automation Systems, to explore how robotics and AI…
- Small Biz Florida
Special Episode | Merging Music and Marketing: How Krystle Martinez Created Luxe Harmony Music
In this special episode of Small Biz Florida, host Tom Kindred sits down with Krystle Martinez, a classically trained violinist and founder of Luxe Harmony…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep. 404 | Freight Rail’s Hidden Power: Fueling Rural Florida’s Economy
Recorded live at the 2025 Florida Rural Economic Development Association (FREDA) Summit, this episode of Small Biz Florida features Cassie Dull, Chief…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep. 405 | Ag-Tech or Bust: Solving Florida’s Farm Labor Crisis with AI
In this insightful episode recorded live at the 2025 Florida Rural Economic Development Summit, Small Biz Florida host Tom Kindred sits down with Dr. Scott…
- Small Biz Florida
Special Episode | Unlocking Major Tax Breaks for Manufacturers: What the New OBBBA Law Means for You
In this episode of Small Biz Florida, host Tom Kindred sits down with Andrew Zapf, CPA, Senior Tax Manager at Withum. Andrew shares critical insights into the…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep. 398 | Manufacturing in the Shadows of Tourism: Candy Cole on Supporting Small Manufacturers in Central Florida
Recorded live at the Florida Chamber Future of Florida Forum, this episode features Candy Cole, Executive Director of the Manufacturing Association of Central…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep. 399 | From Paper to Platform: How Craft Education is Digitizing Apprenticeships & Closing the Talent Gap
Live from the Florida Chamber Future of Florida Forum, Small Biz Florida host Tom Kindred sits down with Jennifer Mathis, Technical Partnership Sales Leader…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep. 400 | Simulating Success: Waymon Armstrong on Government Contracting and Building a High-Tech Business in Florida
In this live episode from the Florida Chamber Future of Florida Forum, Small Biz Florida host Tom Kindred sits down with Waymon Armstrong, founder and CEO of…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep. 401 | Florida’s Manufacturing Boom: Jason Mahon & Kevin Carr on Economic Growth and Future Industries
Live from the Florida Chamber Future of Florida Forum, this milestone Small Biz Florida episode features a powerhouse conversation with Jason Mahon, Florida’s…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep. 402 | Breaking Generational Poverty: Heather Cogar on Florida’s Prosperity Initiative
In this moving episode recorded live at the Florida Chamber Future of Florida Forum, Small Biz Florida host Tom Kindred speaks with Heather Cogar, Statewide…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep. 403 | Closing Florida’s Talent Gap: How Xello Connects Students with Future Careers
In this forward-looking episode, Small Biz Florida host Tom Kindred sits down with Noa Lipton, Territory Manager, and Ralph Aiello, Work-Based Learning…
- Small Biz Florida
Special Segment: Shop Small Saturday 2025 | How Local Businesses Can Win Big This Holiday Season
In this episode of Small Biz Florida, host Tom Kindred dives into the impact and importance of Shop Small Saturday, a nationwide initiative designed to…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep. 387 | Building Tomorrow's Innovators: Rosie Riveters & the Power of Early STEM Education
In this kickoff episode from the 2025 MakeMore Manufacturing Summit, Small Biz Florida host Tom Kindred sits down with Brittany Greer, Founder and Executive…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep. 388 | Why Manufacturing Careers Matter: FEDC Chair Casey Barnes on Advocacy, Perception & Florida’s Economic Future
Recorded live at the 2025 MakeMore Manufacturing Summit, this episode of Small Biz Florida features a compelling conversation with Casey Barnes, Chair of the…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep. 389 | Championing the Trades: Terry Iverson on Fixing the Public Perception of Manufacturing
In this powerful episode from the 2025 MakeMore Manufacturing Summit, host Tom Kindred sits down with Terry Iverson, founder of CHAMPIONNow, a nonprofit…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep. 390 | Culture Over Policy: How Ecological Laboratories Became Florida’s Employer of Choice
In this insightful episode recorded at the 2025 MakeMore Manufacturing Summit, Small Biz Florida host Tom Kindred speaks with Tim McKindles, Director at…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep. 391 | Lean, Engaged, and Efficient: Tony Rodriguez on Eliminating Waste and Empowering Teams
At the 2025 MakeMore Manufacturing Summit, Small Biz Florida host Tom Kindred sits down with Tony Rodriguez, President of Daniel Penn Associates, to unpack the…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep. 392 | Out of Sight, Out of Mind: Martin Perrone on Preventing Arc Flash Disasters in Manufacturing
In this eye-opening episode from the 2025 MakeMore Manufacturing Summit, Small Biz Florida host Tom Kindred speaks with Martin “Marty” Perrone, founder of…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep. 393 | Smarter, Not Harder: How EZ Automation Systems Is Revolutionizing Quality Control with AI & Vision Tech
Recorded live at the 2025 MakeMore Manufacturing Summit, this episode features Ahmed Tawfik (CEO) and Yamini Vattipalli (COO) of EZ Automation Systems, a…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep. 394 | Preparing to Sell: Ron Krudo on the Silver Tsunami and Maximizing Your Business Exit
At the 2025 MakeMore Manufacturing Summit, Small Biz Florida host Tom Kindred sits down with Ron Krudo, Managing Partner of Right Street Advisors, to discuss…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep. 395 | Missed Deductions? How Manufacturers Can Unlock Big Tax Savings with Michael Lauer of Taxster
In this highly informative episode, recorded at the 2025 MakeMore Manufacturing Summit, Small Biz Florida host Tom Kindred talks with Michael Lauer, founder of…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep. 397 | From Jazz Bands to Orchestras: How TechHouse Powers Small Biz with Smart Tech
In this episode of Small Biz Florida, host Tom Kindred interviews Kathy Durfee, founder of TechHouse, live from the 2025 FloridaMakes MakeMore Manufacturing…
- Small Biz Florida
Title: Ep. 396 | From Problem to Patent: How One Inspector’s Invention Is Changing Construction Safety
In this episode of Small Biz Florida, we sit down with Arthur Watson, founder of Top Tool USA, during the 2025 FloridaMakes MakeMore Manufacturing Summit in…
- Small Biz Florida
Special Episode | MakeMore Manufacturing Summit Returns: Florida's Premier Industry Event is Back!
In this special promotional episode of Small Biz Florida, host Tom Kindred sits down with Zoraida Velasco, Executive Vice President of FloridaMakes, to…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep. 383 | High-Tech Meets High-Touch: How Loan Mantra Is Revolutionizing Small Business Lending
Recorded live at the 2025 FLAGGL Conference, this kickoff episode of Small Biz Florida's latest season features a powerful conversation with Raj Tulshan…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep. 384 | Why Your Business Plan Could Make or Break Your Loan Approval
In this episode of Small Biz Florida, recorded live at the 2025 FLAGGL Conference, host Tom Kindred speaks with Ross McClellan, Director of Business…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep. 385 | Streamlining Small Business Lending: How My Sherpa Simplifies the Loan Application Process
In this episode of Small Biz Florida, recorded live at the 2025 FLAGGL Conference, host Tom Kindred sits down with Sarah Sams, Marketing Manager for mysherpas…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep. 386 | Unlocking Millions in SBA Funding: The Green Pathway with SR Engineering & Consulting
Recorded live at the 2025 FLAGGL Conference, this episode of Small Biz Florida dives into one of the SBA's most powerful yet underutilized financing tools: the…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep. 372 | Competing with Giants: How Small Businesses Can Win with Digital Payment Tools
Recorded live at the 46th Annual America’s SBDC training event in Orlando, this episode of Small Biz Florida features Jacob Muff, Senior Director for Business…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep. 373 | Franchising Unlocked: Myths, Models & the Road to Ownership
Recorded live at the 46th Annual America’s SBDC training event in Orlando, this episode of Small Biz Florida features Jim McEleney, franchise consultant with…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep. 374 | Unlocking Cashflow: How Helcim Is Changing the Game for Small Businesses
Live from the 46th Annual America’s SBDC Future of Work Training event in Orlando, Small Biz Florida sits down with Joanna Wynn, Head of Channel Partnerships…
- Small Biz Florida
Ep. 375 | From Ideas to Action: How LivePlan Empowers Small Business Success
Recorded live from the 49th Annual America’s SBDC Training Event in Orlando, this episode of Small Biz Florida features a conversation with Josh Fegles and…