In 2004, the Grisales family moved from Colombia to Bonita Springs in search of opportunities that would empower and improve their lives. At the young age of 13, Valentina Grisales, one of two...
District 28: Senator Kathleen Passidomo
Data Sources: *2020 Impact reported by respondent clients | **2019 Economic Impact Analysis of the FSBDCN by FSU CEFA | District Profile: U.S. SBA Office of Advocacy (Congress only)
Business & Economic Outcomes
| District | Statewide | |
|---|---|---|
| **Sales Generated | $157.5M | $4.4B |
| *Gov't Contracts Acquired | $1.1M | $488.1M |
| *Capital Accessed | $15.8M | $553.5M |
| **Jobs Impacted: Direct, Indirect, Induced | 1,345 | 37,966 |
| *New Businesses Started | 12 | 381 |
| Service Snapshot | ||
| Existing & Aspiring Small Business Owners Consulted | 436 | 24,191 |
| Minorities | 149 (34%) | 8,988 (37%) |
| Veterans & Service Disabled Veterans | 39 (9%) | 2,316 (10%) |
| Women | 199 (46%) | 10,123 (42%) |
| Professional Consulting Hours Delivered | 6,183 | 162,519 |
Success Stories
Client Testimonials
Bamberg Family Ventures, Naples
Without the Florida SBDC's help in securing the [SBA] PPP loan, our business would have closed.
Dennis BambergPole & Aerial Fitness of SWFL, Bonita Springs
Andrea [Florida SBDC consultant] has helped us get through the pandemic and keep our business alive. We were shut down by the government for two full months with no income and then only able to partially open for an additional few months, hence why we are taking a loss this year. We continued to market our business even during the closure and she gave us hope to want to keep running. There was a good chance that we would have closed up shop.
Melanie BlackKibworth, Inc., Naples
The help and advice we received from Suzanne [Florida SBDC consultant] was incredibly helpful to us. Because of Suzanne's knowledge and commitment to our cause, we were able to navigate the complicated process of applying for SBA assistance. She was also instrumental in connecting us to the appropriate Score mentors. In short, it would have been very difficult for us to navigate and survive the pitfalls and perils facing a small niche business during the age of COVID.
Peter and Karen Stone