Whether you’re just starting to brainstorm your idea or ready to turn your passion into a profitable venture, this class will give you a roadmap to success. You’ll learn what you need to start a business in Georgia, from assessing the feasibility of your idea to marketing, finding financing, building a team, and operating legally. You’ll leave with actionable steps, essential tools, and resources to start your business on a strong foundation. Small businesses are the backbone of America; this class will help you start yours.
Thursday, August 6, 2026
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
We would like to thank State Farm for their generous support of this program.
Phil Wise is the Area Director for the UGA SBDC in Columbus. He brings over 35 years of executive leadership experience and extensive experience in the areas of strategic growth, revenue enhancement and cost containment, customer service excellence, mergers/acquisitions, and greenfield management. Prior to joining the SBDC, Phil served as COO of a car wash company and was part of the management team that launched the express wash concept. He also served as president and CFO of a respected regional restaurant group. Phil has a BBA in Finance from University of Georgia and an MBA from Columbus State University.
Thomas Credle is a Business Consultant at the UGA SBDC in Columbus. He has extensive experience in banking and finance having served as a retail banking manager, credit analyst, commercial underwriter, commercial lender, business services manager, and vice president of commercial lending. Furthermore, he has experience working with several different types of lending intuitions including local, regional, and national banks as well as credit unions.
Thomas also brings experience with multiple types of capital ranging from debt, mezzanine, private equity, municipal bond, and nonrecourse financing & securitization, having worked as the CFO of a multi-state hotel developer and operator.
This program is funded through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and is supported by federal taxpayer funds. By registering, you certify that you are legally authorized to receive services funded by U.S. taxpayer dollars, in accordance with applicable federal law and regulations.
All programs are open to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance.
