UGA SBDC helps hotel entrepreneur build his dream in rural Georgia

Two people stand together in the lobby of a hotel, positioned in front of a stone-textured wall with a large “Quality by Choice Hotels” sign. Behind They are standing near a granite-topped front desk, and one person is wearing a light-colored sweater while the other is wearing a zip-up jacket with the hotel logo.

Big growth often starts with the right partner. For hotel owner Neil Patel, the UGA SBDC provided the insights and financial expertise that allowed him to secure funding, renovate aging properties and expand across Georgia. Discover the full story behind his remarkable journey.

Garson & Shaw: Exporting sustainability with support from the UGA SBDC

A large conference room filled with attendees seated at round tables, facing a stage with a speaker presenting. The stage has a large screen displaying the text “Importance of Reduce before Recycle” alongside graphics. The room features high ceilings with multiple ornate chandeliers, warm lighting, and patterned carpet.

Navigating international trade is complex even for experienced exporters. Atlanta-based Garson & Shaw, a global supplier of secondhand clothing, partnered with the UGA SBDC to strengthen compliance, expand market intelligence, and build connections that support sustainable commerce worldwide.

From startup to sale: UGA SBDC supports franchisee’s full-circle success

Person wearing a dark collared shirt, positioned indoors against a background featuring a red tiled section and a large circular red logo with a white rooster silhouette.

Dustin Mullis turned his dream of owning a Zaxbys® franchise into a multi-store operation generating millions in revenue and employing over 300 people. With expert guidance from the UGA SBDC, Mullis navigated site selection, financing, and strategic growth—ultimately selling seven stores and launching a new location.

Atlanta speech pathology practice expands nationally with help from UGA SBDC

Person sitting in the driver’s seat of a car, holding a smartphone to their ear. A laptop with the words “Dynamic Therapy” on the screen is placed on the passenger seat. The car door is open, and the interior appears modern with light-colored seats.

Darius Thomas, founder of Atlanta-based Dynamic Therapy, turned a local speech-language pathology practice into a multi-state operation with help from the UGA SBDC. Through expert financial planning, marketing strategy, and workforce development support, Thomas more than doubled his revenue and grown his team from six to 26 employees.