Florida SBDC at UCF

06/11/2026

A strong social media presence is no longer optional for most businesses—it's an essential part of building credibility and engaging with customers.

According to Business.com, social media helps small businesses build brand awareness, compete with larger organizations, strengthen customer relationships, drive website traffic, and support sales growth. Many consumers now evaluate a company's social presence before deciding to do business with them.

The key isn't being everywhere. It's identifying where your audience spends time and consistently delivering valuable content that builds trust and engagement.

Read More: https://www.business.com/articles/social-media-small-business-importance/

Learn why social media matters for small businesses, which platforms to focus on and how to create a practical strategy that builds engagement, trust and sales.

06/11/2026

Access to capital remains one of the most important drivers of small business growth, but understanding the cost of financing is equally important.

Recent data shows that business loan rates can start around 6.99% for highly qualified borrowers, with rates varying based on loan type, lender, creditworthiness, collateral, revenue, and time in business. SBA loans generally offer some of the most competitive rates available, while online lenders often provide faster access to capital at a higher cost.

Before applying for financing, business owners should evaluate:
• Total cost of capital (not just the interest rate)
• Repayment terms
• Cash flow impact
• Fees and closing costs
• Fixed vs. variable rates

The right loan should support growth while maintaining financial flexibility.

Read More: https://www.wsj.com/buyside/personal-finance/business-loans/average-business-loan-rates

Compare business loan rates starting at 6.75% APR.

06/10/2026

Resilience and strategic planning can turn challenges into opportunities.

After experiencing a significant decline in patient volume following two hurricanes, Living Well Health Center partnered with the Florida SBDC at UCF to evaluate its operations, identify growth opportunities, and refine its marketing strategy.

Together, they uncovered opportunities to better position the practice as a comprehensive wellness center offering a wide range of services beyond chiropractic care. This strategic shift helped the business recover, grow, and achieve one of its strongest years on record.

Stories like this demonstrate the value of taking a step back, assessing your business, and leveraging available resources to support long-term growth.

Read More: https://sbdcorlando.com/living-well-health-center/

06/10/2026

🌎 Ready to take your business global?

Join 's ABCs of Exporting Roadshow and learn the fundamentals of exporting from international trade expert Joseph Bell, Director of International Trade and Development.

Topics include:
✅ Assessing export readiness
✅ Identifying and targeting international markets
✅ Selecting the right market entry strategy
✅ Expanding your global presence and sales

📍 Osceola County – June 16, 2026 | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
📍 Seminole County – June 16, 2026 | 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
📍 Brevard County – June 17, 2026 | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
📍 Volusia County – June 17, 2026 | 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

💲 Registration: $25 per location

Whether you're new to exporting or looking to expand into new international markets, this workshop will provide practical insights to help your business grow beyond U.S. borders.

Register Today: http://www.SelectFlorida.org/exporting-roadshow

06/09/2026

Many small businesses struggle with content marketing because they focus on creating content before developing a strategy.

An effective content strategy should:
• Support your business goals
• Target a specific audience
• Address customer questions and challenges
• Include a consistent publishing schedule
• Measure performance and adjust accordingly

Creating more content isn't always the answer. Creating the right content for the right audience at the right time is what drives results.

Read More: https://www.uschamber.com/co/grow/marketing/develop-small-business-content-strategy

Learn how to create a content strategy with clear goals, the right channels, and metrics that drive meaningful business results.

06/08/2026

🤖 Is Your Business Ready for Agentic Commerce?

The way customers discover products online is changing rapidly. Instead of searching with simple keywords, consumers are increasingly using AI assistants to research, compare, and recommend products based on their specific needs and preferences. This emerging trend is known as agentic commerce.

For businesses, this means success will depend on more than traditional SEO rankings. Brands will need accurate product information, strong customer reviews, structured data, and trustworthy content that AI systems can easily understand and recommend. Companies that invest in clean data and clear product information may be more likely to appear in AI-generated recommendations.

As AI-powered shopping assistants become more common, businesses should begin thinking about how their websites, product catalogs, and digital content can serve both human customers and AI-driven discovery platforms. The businesses that adapt early may gain a competitive advantage in the next evolution of e-commerce.

https://www.salesforce.com/blog/tips-to-win-agentic-commerce/

Agentic commerce is revolutionizing retail. Here are 3 practical steps brands can take now to tidy their data and win AI's recommendation.

06/08/2026

06/05/2026

🎯 Stop Chasing Reach. Start Building Trust.

Many businesses focus their marketing efforts on impressions, followers, and reach. While those metrics have value, they don't always translate into customers.

A growing trend in marketing is the rise of "knowledge creators"—individuals who have built credibility and trust around a specific area of expertise. Whether it's an industry expert, educator, consultant, or practitioner, audiences often place more trust in creators who consistently provide valuable insights rather than simply promote products.

For small businesses, this means marketing partnerships should be evaluated on more than audience size. The right partner may be someone with a smaller but highly engaged audience that views them as a trusted authority. Trust, credibility, and relevance can often drive stronger results than reach alone.

As consumers become increasingly selective about where they spend their time and money, businesses that prioritize authentic relationships and trusted voices may be better positioned to stand out in a crowded marketplace.

https://www.inc.com/victoria-watters/stop-paying-for-reach-start-paying-for-trust-the-creator-strategy-brands-are-missing/91354518

Brands chasing impressions are missing what actually converts—credibility with high‑intent audiences built around expertise, not aesthetics.

06/05/2026

06/04/2026

👥 Your People Are Your Greatest Competitive Advantage.

Many small business owners focus on investing in equipment, technology, facilities, and marketing—but one of the smartest investments may be talent development.

When businesses invest in employee training, leadership development, and career growth opportunities, they often see stronger retention, increased productivity, improved customer service, and a more resilient workforce. Talent development also helps businesses scale by reducing reliance on the owner and building leadership capacity throughout the organization.

In today's rapidly changing business environment, employees want opportunities to learn, grow, and advance. Organizations that prioritize professional development are often better positioned to attract top talent and adapt to changing market conditions.

Whether it's leadership training, cross-functional learning, mentorship programs, or upskilling initiatives, investing in your team is an investment in the future of your business.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/robfalzon/2026/06/02/why-talent-development-is-a-smart-investment-for-business-owners/?ss=small-business-strategy

To Grow Your Business, Invest in Professional Development