Our Mission
Providing businesses the expertise and resources to succeed
Tree Work Now: A Business That Stands TallApril 29, 2026 - 5:30 pmThe path to long-term success is rarely straightforward for a small business, but certain best practices can make the journey smoother. Delighting customers, valuing employees, and seeking support – rather than going it alone – are just a few of the key ingredients to success. Evan Keller, founder and CEO of Tree Work Now Inc. in DeLand, Florida, has embraced all three of these proven fundamentals, and with the guidance of the Florida Small Business Development Center at Daytona State College (FSBDC at DSC), a sub-center of the FSBDC at UCF, and its CEO XChange executive roundtable, those strategies have helped propel his company forward.
Hotspray Industrial Coating Gets a Fresh Coat of SuccessApril 20, 2026 - 5:27 pmAchieving long-term success as a small business is never simple. The challenges are constant: finding and retaining customers, building a strong team, establishing efficient processes, and consistently turning a profit. After more than 30 successful years in business, Lyle Cummings—president and founder of Hotspray Industrial Coatings—knew his company had met those challenges well. He also believed there was still room to strengthen Hotspray’s position as an industry leader in polyurea coatings, secondary containment, industrial floor coatings, and sandblasting services. To take the next step, he turned to the Florida Small Business Development Center at the University of Central Florida (FSBDC at UCF) and its award‑winning Advisory Board Council program.
Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream Strengthens Growth Strategy with FSBDC at UCF SupportApril 7, 2026 - 12:48 pmStarting and growing a small business takes vision, courage, and a steady belief in your own decisions. Even when the business is thriving, many entrepreneurs still seek reassurance that they’re steering their company in the right direction. For Kelly and Scott Seidl, founders of Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream, finding trusted guidance became essential as their beloved Central Florida brand expanded. That search led them to the Florida Small Business Development Center at the University of Central Florida (FSBDC at UCF) and its two flagship programs for second‑stage companies: the Advisory Board Council (ABC) and CEO XChange.
When Business Owners Unite, Big Things HappenApril 3, 2026 - 10:06 amGreen’s Eco Air Conditioning Doubles Revenue with Support of FSBDC at Daytona State College and Its Growth XChange April 3, 2026 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Hal Thayer, Communications Director, FSBDC at UCF, 407.420.4850 or HThayer@ucf.edu Trecia Arrington, Sub-Center Director, FSBDC at DSC, 386-506-3317 or Trecia.Arrington@daytomastate.edu Orlando, FL – Running a small business can be a […]
Florida SBDC at UCF Named SBA’s 2026 National Small Business Development Center of the YearApril 2, 2026 - 12:49 pmThe U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced the winners of the 2026 National Small Business Week Awards, and the Florida Small Business Development Center at the University of Central Florida (FSBDC at UCF) has earned top honors. From more than 1,000 centers nationwide, the FSBDC at UCF has been selected as the SBA’s National Small Business Development Center of the Year – recognizing its outstanding performance, innovative programming, and leadership in supporting Central Florida’s entrepreneurs and small businesses.
From Pop Up to Powerhouse: BWH Plant Co. Blossoms with FSBDC at UCF SupportMarch 17, 2026 - 12:09 pmE-Commerce Houseplant Grower and Shipper Expanding with Support of FSBDC and Its SBI® and CEO XChange Programs March 17, 2026 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Hal Thayer, Communications Director, FSBDC at UCF, 407.420.4850 or HThayer@ucf.edu Orlando, FL – Entrepreneurship is alive and well at BWH Plant Co. With an origin story right off the pages of […]
Supporting Wildland Firefighters: Getting Them the Help They NeedMarch 11, 2026 - 3:53 pmFighting a wildfire demands exhausting, focused teamwork in a harsh, smoky landscape where heat, noise, and urgency press in from every direction. With risk everywhere, having dedicated emergency medical services on scene is essential for such dangerous situations. Yellow Tarp EMS—founded by Garrett and Kathleen “Katie” Cooper—exists to provide that critical support. They realized that, to keep their medics equipped, insured, and ready to deploy, the company required significant funding. To solve this, the Coopers turned to the Florida Small Business Development Center at the University of Central Florida (FSBDC at UCF) in Lake County, where they discovered the guidance and resources they needed.
Our Vision
Creating a better Florida for all by helping businesses grow
Florida SBDC Network
The Florida SBDC at the University of Central Florida is a member of the Florida SBDC Network, a statewide partnership program nationally accredited by the Association of America’s SBDCs and funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Department of Defense, State of Florida and other private and public partners, with the University of West Florida serving as the network’s headquarters. Full funding disclosureavailable at www.floridasbdc.org/ funding-disclosures/. Florida SBDC services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Language assistance services are available for limited English proficient individuals.
