Small Biz Florida

Hosted by Florida SBDC at Indian River State College

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Episodes

100

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

Small Biz FL was designed to highlight issues and promote business assistance resources available throughout the state of Florida.

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60 recent

September 3, 2026Episode 43617 min

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 show up—and stand out. Recorded at the 2026 Florida SBDC Small Business Success Summit in Charlotte Harbor, this episode of Small Biz Florida features host Tom Kindred in conversation with Mimi Damm, media specialist with Gray Media. Drawing on more than two decades of experience working with small businesses, Mimi shares her perspective on building visibility in a rapidly changing digital landscape. The conversation explores how AI-powered search is changing customer behavior and why an effective marketing strategy reaches beyond keywords. Mimi discusses the role of video, YouTube, website content, and social media in helping businesses connect with potential customers. She also explains the importance of setting a dedicated marketing budget, choosing channels that fit your goals, and knowing when to bring in expert support. At the heart of her message is a simple takeaway: “Consistency equals visibility.” Whether you’re starting with a modest budget or expanding your reach, a deliberate, sustained approach can help you build a stronger marketing foundation. Tune in for practical insights on adapting your marketing, making thoughtful use of your budget, and keeping your business visible in the age of AI.

September 1, 2026Episode 43521 min

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 Business Success Summit in Charlotte Harbor, this episode of Small Biz Florida features host Tom Kindred in conversation with Luke Kim, founder of Truth Cartel and an entrepreneurship faculty member at UC Berkeley. Drawing on his experience leading marketing for technology companies, Luke explores how entrepreneurs can apply AI, lead generation, and sales automation to their own businesses. He discusses using AI to streamline market research, identify potential customers, and develop more targeted outreach. The conversation also highlights why testing, compliance, and carefully curated leads matter when scaling a sales strategy. But technology is only part of the equation. Luke shares how a simple cookie delivery helped turn cold outreach into meaningful conversations, illustrating the value of combining automation with a personal touch. He also discusses his passion for teaching and how Truth Cartel supports growing businesses through marketing services, training, and fractional marketing leadership. Tune in for a practical conversation about strengthening your sales process, building relationships, and using technology to support business growth.

August 28, 2026Episode 43415 min

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 Administration’s Southeast Region, for an update on the programs, resources, and policy initiatives supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses. Tyler shares how growing up in a small-business family inspired his passion for helping entrepreneurs succeed. He and Tom discuss Florida’s expanding manufacturing sector and the SBA’s efforts to increase access to capital for manufacturers and other growing businesses. The conversation highlights several important SBA initiatives, including expanded lending opportunities through the 7(a) and 504 loan programs, the Manufacturing Access and Revolving Line of Credit program, and efforts to reduce regulatory burdens through the SBA’s Office of Advocacy and Red Tape Hotline. Tyler also discusses the SBA’s renewed focus on strengthening domestic manufacturing, supporting America’s supply chain, improving internal lending processes, and making SBA.gov easier for small-business owners to navigate. Tune in to learn how the SBA is helping entrepreneurs access capital, overcome regulatory challenges, connect with business resources, and prepare for long-term growth.

August 28, 2026Episode 43311 min

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 House District 77 in Lee County. Representative Esposito shares how her background in economic development and leadership at Southwest Florida Inc. led her into public service. She discusses the essential role small businesses play in Florida’s economy and explains why reducing unnecessary regulations, supporting job creation, and maintaining a business-friendly environment remain important priorities. The conversation also explores Florida’s strong network of resources for entrepreneurs, including chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, colleges and universities, SCORE, and the Florida Small Business Development Center Network. Representative Esposito emphasizes the importance of small business owners taking time to work on their businesses—not only in them—and recognizes the entrepreneurs attending the summit for investing in their own professional development and long-term growth. Tune in to hear a state and local perspective on entrepreneurship, economic development, and the policies and partnerships helping Florida’s small businesses succeed.

August 28, 2026Episode 43215 min

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 Suncoast, about the organization’s role in supporting entrepreneurs, employers, and job seekers throughout Florida. Anthony shares how his own experience losing a job during the 2009 recession introduced him to CareerSource and ultimately led to a 17-year career focused on employment, education, and workforce training. He explains how Florida’s 21 regional CareerSource boards connect businesses with valuable services, including recruiting assistance, job fairs, employee training grants, apprenticeships, and workforce-development programs. The conversation also highlights CareerSource Suncoast’s Community Entrepreneur Opportunity—or CEO—program. This free, 10-week business boot camp helps aspiring entrepreneurs evaluate their ideas, understand marketing and pricing, identify funding needs, study their competition, and develop a viable business model. Anthony emphasizes that discovering an idea is not currently sustainable can be just as valuable as launching a new business. Tom and Anthony also discuss the importance of planning for human-capital needs as a company grows. CareerSource can help small businesses recruit employees, develop talent internally, create registered apprenticeship programs, train new hires, and upskill existing workers. The episode demonstrates how partnerships among CareerSource, the Florida SBDC Network, educational institutions, financial organizations, and local governments create a stronger support system for Florida’s entrepreneurs and small-business community.

May 18, 2026Episode 43116 min

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 SBDC Network, to discuss the upcoming 5th Annual Small Business Success Summit taking place August 17–18 at the Sunseeker Resort in Charlotte Harbor. Bridget shares what attendees can expect from this year’s event, including inspiring keynote speakers, over 36 breakout sessions, networking opportunities, and a reverse trade show connecting small businesses with government agencies and prime contractors. The conversation highlights the Florida SBDC Network’s mission to help small businesses launch, grow, and thrive through practical, actionable resources and expert guidance. Listeners will also hear about trending business topics, including AI-driven marketing strategies, leadership development, government contracting, and successfully scaling a business. Learn more about the event: https://floridasbdc.org/success_summit/

May 18, 2026Episode 43027 min

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 and medium-sized businesses can uncover enterprise-level cost savings without upfront consulting fees. Fred shares how his company helps SMBs improve margins through healthcare cost mitigation, IT optimization, tax incentives, AP automation, and other specialized solutions typically reserved for large corporations. He explains Margin First Advisors’ unique no-risk business model, in which clients pay only after savings are realized, and takes a deep dive into a healthcare program that leverages Affordable Care Act provisions to reduce employer healthcare expenses while generating significant FICA tax savings. The conversation also explores the growing role of virtual healthcare, automation, and proactive cost management strategies for businesses navigating economic uncertainty. Connect with our guest: https://margin1st.com/

April 24, 2026Episode 42921 min

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 Advocacy. Together, they break down how this critical office serves as the voice of small businesses within the federal government, especially when navigating complex regulations. Geoff and Michael share their unique backgrounds in manufacturing and small business ownership, and explain how firsthand feedback from business owners plays a pivotal role in shaping policy. The conversation highlights real-world success stories, including how the R&D tax credit can unlock significant savings for manufacturers, and how the “Red Tape Hotline” empowers business owners to report regulatory challenges directly. This episode offers practical insights and valuable resources for entrepreneurs looking to better understand and influence the rules that impact their businesses. This podcast is made possible by the Florida SBDC Network and sponsored by Florida First Capital. Connect with Our Guest: https://advocacy.sba.gov/

March 17, 2026Episode 42825 min

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 discuss the launch of the AI Small Business Institute. Designed to help entrepreneurs cut through the noise around artificial intelligence, the institute provides a structured, hands-on approach to understanding and implementing AI in real-world business settings. Debbie shares how the program was created in response to growing demand and confusion around AI, and why a cohort-based model offers a more effective path than traditional one-on-one consulting. The conversation explores how the institute is tailored for both startups and established businesses, addressing their unique challenges from building a tech stack from scratch to organizing years of existing data. Debbie emphasizes that the program is intentionally built for non-technical business owners, focusing on practical applications, ethical use, and helping participants determine whether AI is truly the right solution for their business needs. The episode also highlights a new AI-powered digital marketing clinic designed to simplify branding and content creation for small businesses.

January 28, 2026Episode 42715 min

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 are transforming the manufacturing landscape in Florida. Ahmed Tawfik shares his personal journey from engineer to entrepreneur and explains how his company goes beyond quality control creating smart feedback loops that help manufacturers improve their processes, reduce scrap, and boost efficiency. He also discusses the rapid growth of Florida’s manufacturing sector and the need to educate small businesses on automation’s potential. Wrapping up, Ahmed Tawfik offers key advice for business owners: don’t just work in your business—work on it. This podcast is made possible by the Florida SBDC Network and sponsored by Florida First Capital . Connect with Our Guest: EZ Automation Systems