From fitness trainer to Keto-friendly baker: UGA SBDC helps scale small business
Amber Connor was baking keto-friendly sweets out of her house, and she was ready to expand her business, Sinless Sweets. She connected with Rick McMurtrey, area director at the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (UGA SBDC) in Augusta, to learn the best way to scale her business. McMurtrey helped her review potential retail locations, evaluate build-out costs, prepare financial projections and organize the financials and management of the business. Since working with the UGA SBDC, Sinless Sweets has moved to a brick-and-mortar location, experienced a 300% increase in sales and added six employees.
UGA SBDC teamwork aids Lula business owner in two major ventures
From pioneering a patented pest control insulation product to revitalizing a downtown community space, entrepreneur Bill Turk’s journey shows the power of long‑term small business support. With guidance from the UGA SBDC, Turk grew Pest Control Insulation into a nationwide, multimillion‑dollar operation and later launched Tallulah Adventures, a vibrant outdoor and retail destination in Tallulah Falls—demonstrating how strategic advising can support both scalable innovation and community‑focused growth.
Support from UGA SBDC and solid budgeting during a crisis has lasting effects for real estate law firm
The pandemic left many businesses uncertain about their financial future. For Rubin Lublin, LLC, a Peachtree Corners real estate law firm, the pandemic brought their primary line of legal work to a halt. Michele Lublin, the firm’s director of finance and operations, turned to the expertise and resources of the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (UGA SBDC) for assistance.
Small business lenders find value in business education and resources from the UGA SBDC
Whether it’s small business planning, market development, access to capital, record keeping or general business consultation, the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (UGA SBDC) can assist business owners in any stage of their growth. Lending institutions are also discovering the benefits of working with the UGA SBDC.
Electrical business in Tucker finds targeted resources for business growth
Chris Wilburn knew the ins and outs of the electrical trade, but when it came time to start his own company, CW Electrical Solutions LLC, he knew he’d need assistance learning how to run a business. An online search for business education resources led Wilburn and his wife, Maria Thurston, to the online training calendar for the UGA SBDC. They took every training course they could and established an ongoing relationship with the UGA SBDC that continues to guide their business.
Paving company gains new job opportunities after utilizing UGA SBDC
When projects slowed at Pro-Seal & Paving during the pandemic, majority owner Tammy Roberson and her husband, Joel, turned to the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (UGA SBDC) in Rome for assistance. UGA SBDC business consultant Patricia Devlin guided the Robersons as they submitted an application to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to keep the business running.
Technical assistance from the UGA SBDC opens doors to rapid growth for medical equipment supplier
Brookstone Medical, a durable medical equipment supplier, was successful and growing, but owner Matt Corley felt he was missing out on opportunities to further expand and ready his company for future growth. Together with our consultants, he worked on ways to improve financing, created job descriptions, updated the employee handbook, and developed a plan to add new product lines. Since then, his employee count has doubled, and sales have increased nearly five-fold since 2021.
The UGA SBDC supports Atlanta real estate company through coaching and enhanced infrastructure
Through her partnership with the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (UGA SBDC), Labrescia “Breezy” Dawson has watched her real estate company’s earnings surpass $1 million, secured a government contract worth up to $1 billion and positioned her business for further innovation and adaptability.