UGA SBDC helps bakery survive and thrive despite pandemic

Group of bakery staff stand behind a table covered with assorted breads, rolls, pastries, and decorated cakes in a commercial kitchen setting, with baskets and trays of baked goods arranged across the foreground.

The UGA SBDC supports businesses at every stage—whether preparing for growth or navigating unexpected challenges. That support proved critical for BreadWorks International, which faced pandemic-related hurdles after its founding in 2007. With UGA SBDC guidance, the company not only survived but achieved 1,100 percent sales growth and added 15 employees.

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Committed to Growing Georgia Businesses Over the past five years, the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center has supported the creation of more than 13,000 jobs. </p> <a href=”https://georgiasbdc.org/locations”> Contact your local UGA SBDC </a> <h3> Consulting </h3> <p> Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et […]

UGA SBDC assists FREN in transforming medical spaces

Decorative interior wall covered in green foliage with pink flowers, small flamingo accents, and a neon script sign reading “Y’all.”

With support from the UGA SBDC, design innovator Stephen Nottingham strengthened and scaled Fren, a multidisciplinary design firm focused on healthcare and education. SBDC consulting helped refine Fren’s business concept, funding strategy, and growth plan—fueling rapid expansion, new hires, and 400% annual revenue growth.

A lifetime learner thrives with UGA SBDC

Portrait of a man standing with arms crossed, positioned in front of a branded plumbing service van.

James Guzman worked with the UGA SBDC to transform his plumbing startup into a fast-growing, trusted brand. Through SBDC training, rebranding guidance, and strategic planning, Guzman scaled True Blue Plumbing from a one-person operation into a multi-vehicle company with a growing team—boosting sales sevenfold and strengthening both business performance and community impact.

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.

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.

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