StillFire and UGA SBDC Ignite Brewing Success

Putting UGA SBDC Resources to Use Law school opens the door to many possibilities. While sitting in his law school classes at the University of Georgia, Aaron Bisges, general manager at StillFire Brewing, never dreamed one of those possibilities would be opening a brewery after graduation. He worked at bars and restaurants throughout law school […]

A Passion for Cars and Partnership with the UGA SBDC Result in Thriving Business

Turning a Childhood Passion Into A Business After 20 years in the finance world, Steve Kanner was ready for a change. Thanks to some guidance from the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Kanner accelerated his love for cars into a new career. “As a kid, I was always tinkering around with cars. […]

How Grandma’s Cookie Recipe Turned Into A Thriving Business

From Pharmaceutical Sales Representative to Cookie Baker In December 2015, Jonny Womack was in midst of a career change – having just returned to school to become a registered nurse after working as a pharmaceutical sales representative. Over the years, he had earned a reputation for bringing unique homemade cookies during his sales visits. “Right […]

UGA SBDC Helps Metal Fabrication Business Grow

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, from a revenue standpoint. “The biggest payoff I’ve seen from the UGA […]

Rapid Growth Requires New Employment Strategies

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 

UGA business assistance helps Thomasville cheesemakers grow and thrive Jessica and Jeremy Little Sweet Grass Dairy Thomasville, Georgia UGA SBDC at Valdosta State University Jessica Little grew up on her family’s farm in South Georgia. Although she loved sustainable agriculture and showing her cows in 4-H, she didn’t want to return to South Georgia and […]

Seasoned Entrepreneur Experiences Rapid Growth

Carey Jones has owned many businesses in his lifetime. His newest – Reliable Rolloff Solutions – is a commercial/residential dumpster service he launched with a dear family friend, Donald “DJ” Jones, in Wayne County in 2016. Quickly, Jones realized this company’s challenges differed from those he’d launched earlier.   “I’d never owned a business that […]