In the heart of the Florida Keys, thirteen small businesses recently wrapped up a transformative journey, completing a six-week business course designed to elevate their operations. The course, aptly named Scale to Grow, aimed to equip local entrepreneurs with the necessary skills to expand their businesses, enhance efficiency, and ultimately boost revenue. Hosted at the DoubleTree Grand Key in Key West, this no-cost program ran weekly from September 11 to October 16, providing invaluable support to the local business community.

Sponsored by Truist Bank and facilitated by the Florida Small Business Development Center at Florida International University (FIU), the program featured market growth specialists Bonnie Barnes and Nancy Hull. These experts offered personalized support across various business areas, ensuring that each participant received tailored guidance to address their unique challenges. From hands-on learning to weekly challenges, the curriculum focused on essential topics such as customer journey strategies, productivity, branding, financial health, and pitch development.

Celebrating Achievements

The culmination of the program was a thrilling final session where 11 participating businesses showcased their business pitches. This graduation ceremony included presentations to a panel of community and industry leaders, who provided constructive feedback aimed at fine-tuning each business’s approach. Among the businesses that participated were:

  • Kevin Bowes, Community Foundation of the Florida Keys
  • Carla Burns, Conch Republic Marine Army
  • Allison Calhoun, the Paddle Hut at Geiger Key
  • Patrick Garvey, Grimal Grove
  • Michael Hartley, Michael Stack LLC (Stack’d Events)
  • Kelly Hopkins, the Concierge Girl
  • Denis Lebedev, LaGrignote Key West
  • Steven Martin Jr., Martin Artworks
  • Tony Martinelli and Lucas Wheeler, MRI of Key West
  • Kenneth Mickler, Fazisi Restoration LLC
  • Maria Protopsaltis, Green Alchemy Consulting
  • Stacy Tomlinson, Swimline Pool Products

The FIU center, part of a national network of over 1,000 centers funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration, serves both Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. It offers no-cost, personalized consulting to help local businesses thrive, making this graduation not just a milestone but a stepping stone for future success.

Supporting Local Business Growth

In addition to programs like Scale to Grow, there are other avenues for supporting small businesses in Florida. For those looking to enhance their skills, individual and collective funding options are available for training and development. Grants can cover employee wage subsidies and training costs, provided the programs last longer than 120 hours and are led by accredited training providers. This kind of support is critical in helping businesses adapt to challenges and seize new opportunities.

The benefits of professional development extend beyond immediate gains, fostering a culture of growth and innovation. As local businesses continue to evolve, initiatives like the Scale to Grow program and various funding opportunities stand as pillars of support, ensuring that the entrepreneurial spirit of the Florida Keys thrives.

For more details on the Scale to Grow program, you can read the full article here.