StartSmart is tailored to be held virtually to facilitate virtual discussion, class engagement, & mastery of content. Participation in StartSmart will also allow access to LivePlan, an online business planning software. The program is facilitated by specially trained SBDC consultants and a long-term relationship with the SBDC and follow-up consulting is available and encouraged following the program.
Whether you are a new business (in business 2 years or less), or are still in the planning phase, building a business takes the right tools—and a lot of hard work. SBDC StartSmart will equip you to be successful!
SBDC StartSmart helps attendees to:
• Evaluate & refine your business concept
• Improve your knowledge of business concepts
• Research markets and competition
• Develop a financial forecast to improve chances of success
• Develop a thorough, practical business plan
SBDC StartSmart includes 16 hours of instruction delivered over a period of 4 weeks. Sessions will be held twice a week for 2 hours.
• Evaluate your concept and develop plans to move forward.
• Improve knowledge of business fundamentals.
• Build an infrastructure for business operations and processes.
SBDC StartSmart graduates acquire:
• An actionable business plan and access to business planning software
• Access to financial and business resources.
• A network of entrepreneurial peers and professionals
Eight modules cover critical issues for new businesses:
MODULE 1: Business Success – How do we get there?
MODULE 2: Opportunity & Solutions
MODULE 3: Marketing for Success
MODULE 4: Digital Marketing & Online Strategies
MODULE 5: Navigating Human Resources
MODULE 6: Operations & Managing by the Numbers
MODULE 7: Management with a Plan
MODULE 8: Plan, Run, Review, Revise
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Thursday, October 23, 2025
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Thursday, October 30, 2025
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Thursday, November 6, 2025
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Thursday, November 13, 2025
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
This is a Zoom webinar. Upon registration, you will receive your Zoom link via email.
We would like to thank Wells Fargo for their generous support of this program.
Rob Martin is the Entrepreneur Outreach Specialist for Southwest GA. He has been with the SBDC for 9 years and has served as a Business Consultant, Area Director and now as the Entrepreneur Outreach Specialist.
Previously, he worked for multiple large corporations and brings with him a rich background of leadership experiences ranging from manufacturing, sales and distribution to hospitality, culinary and operations management.
He is recognized as a leader that loves to grow business and people to help them reach their full potential.
All programs of the UGA SBDC are open to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance.
Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
The University of Georgia
Small Business Development Center
382 East Broad Street
Athens, GA 30602-5412
P: (706) 542-2762
