Ice cream store grows into sweet success with guidance from UGA SBDC

Overhead view of multiple ice cream cups, scoops, cookies, brownies, toppings, and spoons arranged on a dark wooden surface.

From inventive flavors to growing demand, butter’dudder Ice Cream turned to the UGA SBDC when it was ready to expand. With SBDC guidance on planning, financial projections, and SBA financing, the family-owned business successfully opened its third store and continues to strengthen operations—building a sweet legacy rooted in community, quality, and growth.

StillFire and UGA SBDC ignite brewing success

Exterior view of StillFire Brewing during the evening, with large open garage doors, patio seating in the foreground, and customers gathered inside and outside.

Discover how StillFire Brewing turned a bold idea into a booming community destination with help from the UGA SBDC. From business planning and financing to growth strategy and expansion, SBDC support helped the Suwanee-based brewery open strong, scale rapidly, and confidently plan a second location—proving that the right guidance can help great ideas take off.

A Passion for cars and partnership with the UGA SBDC result in thriving business

Wide view of a blue classic Chevrolet inside a large auto shop, with a mechanic leaning over the open engine bay and vehicle lifts in the background.

From finance to classic cars, entrepreneur Steve Kanner turned a lifelong passion into a thriving custom auto business with help from the UGA SBDC. Through strategic planning, marketing guidance, and SBA loan support, the SBDC helped Commando Customs & Classics secure its facility, expand operations, and nearly triple sales—proving how expert advising can fuel hands-on passion into lasting success.

How Grandma’s cookie recipe turned into a thriving business

Person standing with arms crossed in front of a glass storefront door displaying a logo and text reading “Jonny Boy Cookies,” with additional text visible on the window.

From a cherished family cookie recipe to a fast‑growing food business, Jonny and Hannah Womack built Jonny Boy Cookies with guidance from the UGA SBDC. With help securing financing, navigating growth, and pivoting during the pandemic, the bakery expanded into brick‑and‑mortar retail and multiple food trucks—turning a passion for baking into a thriving Georgia business.

UGA SBDC helps metal fabrication business grow

Gloved hand steadies a piece of metal as it is positioned inside an industrial metal‑forming or press brake machine during a manufacturing process.

Greg Williams, president and CEO of Southern Metalcraft Incorporated, turned to the UGA SBDC for resources to help grow his small metal fabricating business in Social Circle. With the assistance of the UGA SBDC, Southern Metalcraft has grown 18 percent, year over year.

Rapid growth requires new employment strategies

Man wearing a black Tropical Café polo shirt smiles while standing outside a storefront, with a “For Lease” sign visible in the window behind him.

When U.S. Army Major Reginald Foster began planning his retirement gig, he and his wife, Zenna, began researching franchise operations. They chose Tropical Smoothie Café and approached the Augusta office for help. The Fosters now employ 58 people and are preparing to open another store in Augusta.

Strategic guidance helps Thomasville cheesemakers grow and thrive 

Two people standing together in a cheese aging facility, surrounded by metal racks filled with round wheels of cheese, both wearing work shirts and hair coverings.

Raised on a South Georgia farm, Jessica Little never expected to return home—but a passion for cheesemaking and sustainable agriculture led her back to help grow Sweet Grass Dairy into a nationally recognized artisan cheese producer. With support from the UGA SBDC, the Littles expanded their creamery, added dozens of jobs, increased sales, and successfully navigated growth challenges, positioning the business for continued success in competitive retail markets.