 SBA Region IV:  SBA Online Courses Go to www.sba.gov for information on SBA programs and services.
 Veterans, whether you are starting or growing your business, SBA can help. Visit the resources SBA has for Veterans here. 2017 National Small Business Week April 30-May 6, 2017  Four tips to help you submit a winning nomination package: Simple Social Media Guide for Small Businesses Whether you've been active or considering a brand refresh, focus on a few best practices when approaching social media.
Grow Your Business by Exporting to Mexico
As you look to grow your small business, you might want to consider opportunities with our neighbor to the south, the largest market for U.S. small business exports: Mexico. How to Know When to Change Your Business Plan Sometimes you need to stick to your business plan to make it work. Even a mediocre strategy consistently executed over time is better than a series of brilliant strategies that keep going off in different directions. Strategy often takes time. Contracting: Does Your Small Business Qualify? Small businesses do big business with the federal government. Think about the possibilities of generating sales and revenue with the government.  Connect with lenders with the new SBA LINC tool to Find lenders in your area.
 Did you know the federal government buys nearly $100 billion worth of goods and services from small businesses each year? Government contracts can offer significant opportunities for small businesses, but selling to the government requires a very different approach than selling to the commercial sector. Understand how to: - Qualify as a small business
- Determine your NAICS code
- Register for government contracting
Learn more  CONTACT: www.sba.gov Main: 404-331-4999 region_4@sba.gov
Leadership: Cassius F. Butts, Regional Administrator SBA Office of Advocacy: Mark Berson, Regional Advocate mark.berson@sba.gov SBA Region IV Office Staff:
Tawana Farley, Regional Office Manager tawana.farley@sba.gov 404-331-4999
Lola Kress, Regional Communications Director lola.kress@sba.gov 404-331-2798  | | @SBASoutheast |
| What's Happening Around the Region
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Tom Todt, District Director |
In recognition of Veteran's Small Business Week, the Alabama District Office hosted a business start-up and access to capital workshop for veterans. Attendees heard from SBA staff on resources that are available to them. They also heard from the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs regarding the VA Verification Process and conducting business with VA. SBA Director Tom Todt honored each of the veterans for their service.  | |
Wilfredo J. Gonzalez,
District Director |
Natalie Hall, Economic Development Specialist (EDS) and Jackie Gardner, Administrative Officer/EDS attended the MilspouseFest 2016 Jacksonville (sponsored through Militaryoneclick.com). The event provided military spouses with information related to life changing events, employment, financial assistance, education, and entrepreneurship. Barb Carson, Associate Administrator for the Office of Veterans Business Development presented at the event. Over 200 people attended the conference. AA Carson also serves as a Colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve and is also a military spouse herself. MilspouseFest 2016 was held on 11/4/16 during National Veterans Small Business Week (NVSBW).  Pictured: Jackie Gardner, AO/EDS; Barb Carson, Associate Administrator for the SBA Office of Veterans Business Development; and Natalie Hall, EDS. On November 3, the SBA North Florida District signed a Strategic Alliance Memorandum (SAM) agreement with the State of Florida Office of Supplier Diversity. The SAM was signed as part of the Supplier Diversity Exchange event at the University of Central Florida. This agreement will increase participation and exchanging of information for all of the State of Florida certified vendors to learn about SBA programs and services to include the various certifications managed by SBA and the 7(J) Management and Technical Assistance program.  | | Pictured: Hue Reynolds, Executive director of the Office of Supplier Diversity and Ken Hamilton, SBA Supervisory Business Development Specialist. |
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Francisco Marrero, District Director |
South Florida Business named the SBA's First-approved ASMPP Protégé Florida-based M. R. Crafts, Inc. was recently announced as the SBA's first-approved protégé under the All Small Mentor-Protégé Program (ASMPP). The SBA started accepting applications for this program on October 1, 2016. The mentor-protégé relationship for M. R. Crafts, Inc. was formally launched during the National Veterans Small Business Enterprise event held in Minneapolis, Minnesota on November 1-3. ASMPP was established to help develop strong protégé firms through mentor-provided business development assistance, and to help protégés successfully compete for government contracts. Through this relationship, EcoWater Systems, Inc. will serve as the business mentor to M. R. Crafts. For M.R. Crafts owner John Purland, the ASMPP will help his Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business compete for prime contract and subcontract awards while working with the larger company under this three-year agreement. M. R. Crafts is a SDVOSB and Florida Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), headquartered in Boca Raton, FL. Established in 2003, M. R. Crafts specializes in fulfilling water testing and calibration, water quality management and maintenance, water sampling and analysis, water tower disinfection, and emergency water services contracts for government, industrial, and commercial purposes. EcoWater Systems provides eco-responsible water systems for testing, design, manufacturing, and production processes for government, industrial, commercial, and residential clients. EWS offers a wide variety of treatment, filtration and environmentally-friendly water treatment technology used in HVAC, process cooling, and refrigeration systems to control scale, biological growth, and corrosion without the use of chemicals. Photo below: John Purland, M.R. Crafts owner  | |
Terri Denison,
District Director |
Those Who Serve, We Salute You The Georgia District Office and Statesboro, Georgia VBOC kicked off their celebration of National Veteran Small Business Week with an Access to Capital for Veterans workshop. The four-hour event included an overview of the programs and resources offered by the SBA, tips on how to prepare a loan package, an extended Q+A session, networking and a panel discussion. The panel was comprised of senior executives from several, local SBA-approved lenders. The participants were afforded the rare opportunity to ask the lenders specific questions about increasing their chances for approval, things to consider before applying and other questions related to raising capital. More than 50 veteran and military spouse business owners attended the event at the district office in downtown Atlanta. Jorge Valentin-Stone, Economic Development Specialist, Georgia District Office, fields questions from the audience during the Q+A session. From L to R: Panel members, Jon Appel, vice president, State Bank and Trust; Tesula Stewart-Miller, executive vice president, Fidelity Bank; Melinda Coker, senior vice president, Small Business Access Partners Inc.; Courtney Lynn, small business loan officer, Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE); Jeremy Horstman, director, Veterans Business Outreach Center, pose for a picture at the conclusion of the event.  | |
Ralph Ross,
District Director |
Kentucky District Office Honors Veterans with Two Events On November 2, 2016, the SBA Kentucky District Office hosted an event as part of National Veterans Small Business Week. This event, entitled Contracts and Capital for Veterans, was attended by 18 individual business owners, of which 15 were male and 3 were female. The day started with Mr. Dave Oetken, Director of the Louisville SBDC, discussing how veterans can make use of the SBDC services. These veterans then heard from Ms. Roxie Keese, Contracting Officer from the Robley Rex Veterans Administration Medical Center and Ms. Crystal May, Deputy for Small Business at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District. Attendees learned how to do business with the VA and the Corps of Engineers. The Louisville Corps District achieved a 37.2% spend with small businesses and a 4.1% spend with service-disabled veteran owned small businesses. After these presentations, Ms. Yvette Smith, Executive Director for the Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet, Office of EEO and Contract Compliance, discussed a new state initiative, the Kentucky Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Program. The day ended with Mr. Robert Coffey, Deputy District Director with the SBA Kentucky District Office, discussing SBA financing and bonding programs for veterans. On November 4, 2016, Mr. Tommie Causey, Veterans Affairs Officer with the Kentucky District, in collaboration with Sullivan University, the Veteran Coalition Alliance of Louisville and the Louisville Mayor's Week of Valor Initiative team, discussed SBA's Veteran Advantage loan program at Sullivan University's Technology Campus. The media covered the Mayor's Week of Valor Initiative roll-out during this event, which was attended by 63 members of the military community.  Ms. Roxie Keese with the VA emphasizing a point made in a PowerPoint by Ms. Crystal Mays with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers  | |
Janita Stewart, District Director |
The SBA Mississippi District and Gulfport Branch Office participated in the Gulf Coast Industry Lunch & Learn event on November 1st in Gulfport, MS. Keynote speaker Cassius Butts, Region IV Regional Administrator provided the approximately 175 in attendance an informative overview of how SBA's programs continue to help spur job growth throughout the country. The event brought together the various buyers and suppliers affiliated with the ship building industry in conjunction with the Gulf Coast's numerous partner networks. The event was sponsored by Shipbuilding Gulf Coast and the South Mississippi Contract Procurement Center. DD Janita Stewart, DDD Gary Reed, BM Lance Foster, SBOS Alice Doss, EDS Derek Eady, EDS Bridget Johnson-Fells and PCR Mike Baltzgar attended this event.  Top L to R: Gary Reed, Janita Stewart and Cassius Butts, SBA Region IV Administrator: following photos are of each addressing the sold out audience.  |
During her Main Street Road Tour this summer, through five states including three stops in Mississippi (Clarksdale, Jackson and Vicksburg), amongst a host of events and activities held, Administrator Contreras-Sweet visited numerous small businesses, shining the spotlight on "Main Street". The Mississippi District Office, working closely with the City of Vicksburg and Vicksburg Main Street Association, identified several businesses for the main street walking tour held in downtown Vicksburg. There were four businesses that we were unable to visit during that time and the Administrator wanted to ensure these businesses were recognized. DD Janita Stewart and DDD Gary Reed made the presentation of the Administrator's certificates to The Mad Baker; Biedenharn Coca Cola Museum; Abraham Brothers Dept. Store; and Lorelei Books (unavailable – Vicksburg Main Street to provide) on Monday, November 7th at their locations in Vicksburg. All were extremely appreciative of this recognition and thanked the SBA for all it does to support main street small businesses.  Certificate presented to daughter of Felicia McKnight (proposed business owner) and Daryl Hollingsworth (middle) of the "The Mad Baker". Second from the right is Kim Hopkins, Executive Director of Vicksburg Main Street Program (not picture is Mary Jane Wooten)  Certificate presented to Robert Morrison (second from right), representative of Abraham Brothers Dept. Store  Reed, Stewart and Nancy Bell, Executive Director of the Vicksburg Foundation for Historic Preservation who accepted the certificate for Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum SBA Check Presentation to State of Mississippi Janita R. Stewart, Mississippi District Office District Director along with Gary Reed, DDD and Rhonda Fisher, SLRS and DITO presented a $509,760.00 STEP Grant check to Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant. Mississippi Development Authority's International Trade Division, Directed by Rosario "Rose" Boxx, has been a STEP recipient each of the five years awarded.  Left to right: Glenn McCullough, Jr, Executive Director, MDA; Phil Bryant, Governor, Mississippi; Roasrio "Rose" Boxx, Director, International Trade Office, MDA; Janita R. Stewart, Mississippi District Director; Rhonda Fisher, DITO & SLRS and Gary Reed, DDD.  Left to right: Glenn McCullough, Jr, Executive Director, MDA; Luigi Dominighini, Latin America Trade Manager, MDA; Kathy Price, STEP Grant and Trade Manager, MDA; Gabriel Prado, Protocol & Special Projects Officer, MDA; Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant; Rose Boxx, Director, International Trade Office, MDA; Janita R. Stewart, Mississippi District Director; Rhonda Fisher, DITO & SLRS, Gary Reed, DDD; Courtney Helfrich, Asia and Pacific Trade Manager, MDA and Aggie Sikora, Europe, Africa, Middle East Trade Manager.  | |
Lynn Douthett, District Director |
Emerging Leaders Class of 2016 Graduates in Charlotte After spending eight months and logging in a combination of 100 hours of work and evening class time, the North Carolina SBA graduated its second class of Emerging Leaders. The Charlotte Emerging Leaders class of 2016 participated in an intensive executive-level entrepreneurship training program for small business owners in over 50 cities and communities across the country. "We couldn't be happier with the results of Emerging Leaders Class of 2016," said SBA North Carolina District Director Lynn Douthett. "The caliber of each individual was evident through their commitment and willingness to improve their businesses." Participants had to have annual revenues of at least $400,000; have been in business for at least 3 years; and have at least one employee, other than self in order to participate in the program. The 15 graduates, who participated in the program, came from Charlotte, Cornelius, Fayetteville, and Durham. "Before participating in this program I was just a business owner," said Johanna Suarez, Managing Partner of Reliable Solutions Construction in Charlotte. "After attending SBA Emerging Leaders I'm a business owner with a vision and a mission, we now know where we are going!" "It has been an honor to have the opportunity to create an environment that facilitated learning and insights for a dynamic group of participants in the 2016 Charlotte Emerging Leaders Program," said Brenda Anderson, Charlotte Emerging Leader instructor. "The 2016 graduates demonstrated commitment, collaboration and compassion for each other's growth and now are becoming a part of a network of business leaders poised to make a difference and an economic impact in the region!"
Completing its eighth year nationally, the Emerging Leaders initiative has trained nearly 3,000 promising small business owners in underserved communities, and continues to expand its impact of helping small businesses grow and create jobs.
 SBA Charlotte Emerging Leaders Class of 2016 with instructor Brenda Anderson (far left) and SBA North Carolina District Director Lynn Douthett (far right) SBA Class of 2016 Charlotte Emerging Leaders: Manuel Betancur, Las Delicias Bakery, Inc. Charlotte Michael Brawley, Brawley's Beverage Charlotte Nikita Devereaux, VIP Courier Express, LLC Charlotte Kathyrn Hubicki, Get the Lead Out, LLC Charlotte Alicja Kudla, Carolina Tile & Stone, Inc. Cornelius Sanjay Kumar, COMNet Group Inc. Charlotte Senthil Kumar, PiTech Solutions, Inc. Durham
Natalia Olivera, Fresh & Bright Corp. Charlotte Joe Oringel, Visual Risk IQ Charlotte Cynthia Richardson Carr, OPSEC International, LLC Charlotte Heather Scovel, Savory Moments/Magnolia Woods Charlotte Johanna Suarez, Reliable Solutions Construction Charlotte Banks Wilson, UNION Charlotte
Jack Zeigler, Advanced Computer Learning Company Fayetteville  | |
Elliott Cooper,
District Director |
Charleston, SC (November 10, 2016)-Local Works, Lowcountry Local First's open-sector co-working space for entrepreneurs and start-ups received $50,000 for being a winner of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)'s annual Growth Accelerator Fund Competition.  Mr. Elliott Cooper-SBA South Carolina District Office, Gregg White-Deputy District Director, and William Furman-Senior Area Manager presents Lowcountry Local First with a check for $50,000. Congratulations to Lowcountry Local First! John Mallano, Acting District Director On December 6 2016, the Tennessee District Office will host "SBA Day on Fayetteville Main Street" in Lincoln County. This is a rural area of Tennessee where small business owners are interested in learning more about growing their businesses. SBA staff will provide an overview of SBA programs and services, called "SBA 101"; will provide training on federal contracting; and will also have a panel of local lenders from area banks. "Fayetteville, TN Main Street" is a part of the State of Tennessee's Main Street® Communities, the nationally recognized downtown revitalization movement started several decades ago by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and now administered by the National Main Street Center. This movement is comprised of communities and neighborhoods across America working to revitalize their local traditional business districts by leveraging assets they often already have - from historic, cultural and architectural resources to local enterprises and community pride. It is a comprehensive strategy that addresses the variety of issues and problems that challenge traditional commercial districts, and is beneficial to rural areas within the State. More information on Fayetteville's Main Street can be found here: http://www.fayettevillemainstreet.com and http://tennesseemainstreet.org. SBA staff will be onsite for "SBA Day" from 10am to Noon on Fayetteville's Main Street on December 6 2016 with the lending panel and government contracting sessions at the Municipal Building, 110 Elk Avenue South, Fayetteville, TN 37334; and the "SBA 101" sessions will be "around the corner" at the Main Street office located at 215 East College Street, Fayetteville, TN 37334. For more information, contact the Tennessee District Office at 615 736 5881 or tn@sba.gov. |
