The Florida SBDC Network will be sending an annual Economic Impact Survey on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 to clients via email (noreply@floridasbdc.org, subject: "The Florida SBDC Network Needs Your Help") to help us gather feedback on client experience working with the Florida SBDC and services, along with business impact information (revenue, employees, etc.).

Here are some key points:

  • The survey takes less than 10 minutes.
  • Your information is confidential (only aggregate data is shared).
  • Estimates for sales figures and growth are okay.
  • Complete the survey even if you didn't experience major economic impact - it helps maintain free SBDC services.

We encourage you to complete this survey to so that we may continue to improve and help more small business launch, grow and thrive.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How did you get my email? I don’t remember giving permission for my email to be used for surveys.

You provided your email address in the intake process with your local Florida SBDC when you completed the “SBDC Request for Consulting” form. You may recall that you agreed to participate in evaluations like this when you completed our "SBDC Request for Consulting " form. As part of receiving no cost consulting services, your survey feedback is appreciated.

Is my data anonymous?

While the data we collect is not anonymous, it is kept completely confidential. No results are reported out on an individual level, and all data are aggregated to a regional or statewide level. 

What kind of questions should I expect?

  1. Customer Experience with Your Consultant
  2. Business Details Updates (Revenue, Employment)
  3. New Impacts Achieved Due to SBDC Assistance 
  4. Export Details (if Applicable)
  5. Wrap-Up Questions for Curriculum Planning, Testimonials, etc.

How will you use my data? 

We use the data in many ways:                                                                                                                                 

  1. It is used internally to gather feedback about our services, which we use to continuously improve and refine our offerings. Our goal is to address Florida business owners’ and entrepreneurs’ needs, and survey research is one way to identify those needs.
  2. It helps us to demonstrate the value and economic impact of our services to funding agencies and partners - support we depend upon in order to offer our consulting services at no-cost.
    1. We complete an annual report and highlight the Florida SBDC Network’s economic impact to the state. 
    2. We communicate with legislators at the state and national level about the value we provide to our communities through district analysis.

Why do you want my revenue and employment numbers? 

We are tasked with providing support to aspiring and existing small businesses from our stakeholders, and one element of that is maintaining updating records so that we verify our clients are still eligible for our no-cost consulting services. We also keep updated records so that we can better serve you - as your revenue and staff grows, you may need additional methods of support. 

I see a question about what type of capital I might have accessed last year, but I’m not sure what the “capital” categories include.

 When we ask about capital, we are referring to three broad categories: Loans, Owner Investment, and Other Investments. 

  • Loans can include SBA loans, commercial bank loans, micro loans, or private loans.
  • Owner investment includes cash, savings, assets and other funds that you put into launching and growing your business. 
  • Other investments into your business could include grants, fundraising, angel investments, venture capital, or other investments.