Tag: Florida SBDC at FIU

Operations, Success Stories

Mission accomplished: Gilchrist Law Firm faced down the pandemic with an action plan and expanded government contracting opportunities

To survive and then grow their business during the pandemic, the leaders of The Gilchrist Law Firm, a veteran-owned, award-winning small business headquartered in Coral Gables, employed an action-oriented approach, a key aspect of the military culture. They drew upon their initial success buildin up a government contracting arm of […]

Resources, Success Stories

To help more small businesses, FIU receives $2.5 million SBA grant

Florida International University has received a $2.5 million grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Community Navigator Pilot Program. The funds are earmarked for improving underserved entrepreneurs’ access to government programs that provide assistance in launching a new venture, growing a business or managing unexpected business interruptions. The Miami-Dade Small […]

Economy, Education, Government contracting, Growth Stages

How StartUP FIU Procurement pivoted programming during pandemic and the lowdown on big plans ahead

It’s been nearly three years since Florida International University launched StartUP FIU Procurement to help minority-led small businesses grow and navigate the world of government and anchor institution contracting. Let’s check in with StartUP FIU Procurement Director Barbara Cotto and see how they are doing. The small business incubator was […]

Government contracting, Success Stories

FSBDC at FIU helps position Amer Plus, a family cleaning business, for growth through  government contracting

Stephannie Cetoute took over the reins of the family business, Amer Plus Janitorial Maintenance, in 2018. While she had a background in economics and finance and from time to time helped out her father who started the business in 1998, going in “full throttle” to run a business for the […]