ATV repair business expands offerings with help of the UGA SBDC
Amanda and Jason Smith, owners of Grandy’s Cycle and ATV, secured financing, improved their accounting, and developed a digital marketing strategy with the help of UGA SBDC,. Since 2016, their business has grown nearly 3,000%, including the opening of their newest venture, a hunting supply store called The Buckstop.
UGA SBDC in Albany expands programming with Georgia AIM grant and the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission
The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (UGA SBDC) will utilize $100,000 in grant funding to offer training to rural Georgia businesses over the next three years. The Albany office of the UGA SBDC, which covers 28 counties in rural southwest Georgia, will administer classes in the areas of marketing, digital marketing, managing cash flow and business finances, and starting a business.
Meet U.S. SBA Georgia Small Business Person of the Year: UGA SBDC client Eric Williams
Eric Williams, owner of Unified Defense and Prince Service & Manufacturing, turned to the UGA SBDC when the building that housed his business was put on the market. This crucial decision not only led to significant growth for his company, but in 2024 Williams was named U.S. SBA’s Georgia Small Business Person of the Year.
UGA SBDC client wins U.S. SBA Exporter of the Year award
Felipe Arroyave’s Spectrum International exports custom contact lenses to 68 countries. Recognized as the 2024 Small Business Exporter of the Year, the company overcame pandemic challenges with support for UGA SBDC and now boasts 28 employees and $3 million in annual revenue, growing steadily at 19%.
Attorney turns to UGA SBDC for assistance to establish firm
When Katrina Quicker was ready to start her own intellectual property law firm, she turned UGA SBDC Business Consultant, Daniel McCoy who helped her put together a business plan, secured funding, identified a rental space and set up the business side of her firm. Since then, the firm has grown 25%, adding two attorneys and increasing its client load.
Valdosta therapy business expands with assistance from the UGA SBDC
Erin Haskins founded Southern Therapy Solutions in February 2015 as a mobile speech therapy business. As it grew, she sought guidance from Alyssa Foskey, UGA SBDC area director at Valdosta State University. Foskey helped Haskins open a 13,000 sq. ft. facility, and the business now employs 30 people and continues to grow.
Partnership with UGA SBDC helps trade show display company enhance international relations
Displayit was looking to enhance its relationship with its international agent and hire a freight forwarder to streamline imports. After working with the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center’s International Trade Center, Displayit has increased revenue 5% by working with its international agent to develop a new product line and is importing up to 12 containers a year, each housing up to $200,000 of revenue.
UGA SBDC aids in expansion of successful co-working salon studio
Amika Carter had built two successful locations of her co-working salon, Beya Salon Studios, in Atlanta and was ready to open a third near Atlanta’s West End when she reached out to Terence Strong, Fiserv business consultant at the UGA SBDC at Morehouse College, for assistance. Together they worked on strategic expansion plans, financial projections, a tenant recruitment plan and a review of the return on investment from her marketing efforts. Beya Salon Studio’s third location opened in September 2023, breaking even the first month with 21 studios leased. Now, the location is nearly at capacity with only five of its 34 spaces available.