Tuesday, May 21, 2013, 3:00—6:00 PM:  A panel of experts, from traditional to alternative lending organizations, will present financing options currently available to all small businesses. Come learn how to finance your start-up business project, as well as your existing business.

• How to plan your financing request to banks
• What lenders, and non-lenders, look for
• How the SBA helps small businesses

Panelists:

• Brad Owens, Vice President, Bay Cities Bank
• Charles Long, Lead Economic Development Specialist U.S. Small Business Administration
• Krista Hakes, Program Manager, Pasco Economic Development Council
• Rebecca Gaddis, Vice President, San Antonio Citizens Federal Credit Union
• Bonnie Krummen, Vice President, Center State Bank

Lenders will be available after the panel discussion to share more details about their programs and services. The event is free and will be held at Saint Leo University’s Donald R. Tapia School of Business (33701 State Road 52, Saint Leo, FL 33574). Refreshments will be provided.

Register online at:  http://www.sbdctampabay.com/training/pasco-training

One of the biggest questions on CEO’s minds today is how to effectively use social media to grow your business. Luckily Pasco County is home to one of Tampa Bay’s fastest growing social media companies, BallywhoSocial.

What’s it like to be an entrepreneur on ABC’s Shark Tank?  Just ask Kyle Mastronardo of the popular skin care line Nardo’s Natural. He was one of four brothers from St. Petersburg, Florida to present their business to a panel of five self-made millionaires and billionaires in hopes of convincing one of them to invest in their business in return for a partial stake in their company. Convince them, they did!

The four Nardo’s brothers presented their business offer to the Sharks, which included billionaire Mark Cuban, owner and chairman of HDNet and owner of the Dallas Mavericks, real estate mogul Barbara Corcoran, technology innovator Robert Herjavec, fashion and branding expert Daymond John and venture capitalist Kevin O’Leary.

In the end, Barbara Corcoran agreed to a 50% equity stake in exchange for a $75,000 investment in Nardo’s Natural.

But what’s happened after the show? The four brothers gained national exposure which has driven up their sales. They’ve also launched a new product, the Nardo’s Natural Muscle Rub, which lead to an endoresement deal by Tampa Bay Rays pitcher David Price.

Hear the ins and outs of being on ABC’s Shark Tank and get tips on how to pitch to investors like the Sharks at BizGROW 2.0. Sign-up today to attend. Limited seating is available, and the cost to attend is $35 (includes lunch).

Click here to register for this event.

Want face time with Tampa Bay Entrepreneurs? Become a presenting sponsor of this event for $1000. Click here for more information on how to sponsor.

BizGROW 2.0 is a great opportunity for your business.  On November 7, 2012, hundreds of business leaders and entrepreneurs of all levels will be gathering for a day-long conference and exchange at the Pasco-Hernando Community College Conference Center.  There are 4 different levels of sponsorships ranging from $150 to $1,000.  This is great opportunity to showcase your business to a roomful of business leaders and entrepreneurs as well as showing your support to the business community.

Why not become a sponsor today?  Let’s get your company listed right away to receive maximum exposure and the full benefits of being a sponsor! Click here to download the Sponsorship Information Flyer.

Note that certain levels are limited, so don’t delay! Call Suzanne Renczkowski at (813) 926-0827 ext. 226 or email suzanne@pascoedc.com with your commitment.  We look forward to hearing from you!

In four weeks, at Saddlebrook Resort, Pasco EDC will host the biggest event of the year for Pasco County businesses, just one week after the RNC. This morning we received a letter from the Governor saying he is checking his schedule to see if he is able to attend. Have you checked your schedule?

Our Annual Banquet will be held on September 5th, 2012 at Saddlebrook Resort and will include the Industry of the Year awards ceremony, trade show, and a brief progress report on Pasco County’s economic development.

We still have a few tables available for our trade show from 5:30pm – 7:00pm. This year, Steve Persall, movie critic of the Tampa Bay Times has signed on to be our Master of Ceremonies for the evening. We’ve got something special planned for the night, and with Persall’s background in stand up comedy it should be fun-filled night of celebration for Pasco County’s businesses. Tickets are going fast and we’re expecting nearly 600 business men and women and community officials to attend.

If you want to get your message out to key folks in Pasco County and Tampa Bay, you will want to be apart of our trade show. It costs $1500 to secure your table at the tradeshow and you’ll be included in the program that evening.

All over Tampa Bay, the development community is buzzing about Pasco County. This is an exciting time for Pasco EDC; we are positioned better than ever before to attract, retain and create high-value jobs. I don’t know of any leader who would not want to be associated with this message–don’t you agree?

Contact Suzanne by phone (813) 926-0827 ext. 226, or fax the form to (813) 926-0829 to sponsor this event and sign up for a booth at the trade show.

Calling all entrepreneurs, business owners, and start-up hopefuls in Pasco County and around Tampa Bay to attend BizGROW 2.0 hosted by Pasco Economic Development Council at Pasco-Hernando Community College on Wednesday, November 7, 2012.

This one-day conference will include informative and inspiring speakers and a special entrepreneur exchange for small businesses and entrepreneurs to learn about valuable resources to help grow their business.

To begin the day John Morrow, co-author of the Tampa Bay 6/20 plan will share about Tampa Bay’s 20-year plan to build a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The Tampa Bay 6/20 initiative was named, in part, for the date it was released (June 20, 2012) and a quote by Brad Feld of the Foundry Group who said, “Building entrepreneurial community takes at least a half dozen entrepreneurs that are committed to provide leadership over 20 years.”

“To get an entrepreneurial ecosystem to flourish, we found successful area entrepreneurs have to get behind the plan,” says John Morrow, who has started and sold companies of his own. Morrow serves as “entrepreneur in residence” at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg and co-founded the Gazelle Lab business accelerator to mentor area startups. (Tampa Bay Times, 6/20/12)

Come to BizGROW 2.0 to hear more from John Morrow, the man leading the charge behind the Tampa Bay 6/20 plan for entrepreneurs.

A Georgetown University study says, 63% of jobs by 2018 will require some post-secondary education.

As Pasco County high school students work toward their graduation, diverse career and post-secondary education choices become real life possibilities. Career Central is hosting a Career Fair in both Pasco and Hernando Counties and is inviting local educational agencies to participate in this free event.

The Pasco County Career Fair scheduled for August 3rd from 10:00am to 3:00pm is FREE and open to the public at their New Port Richey location (4440 Grand Blvd.). It is the perfect opportunity for anyone who is interested in post-secondary education to meet with representatives from a number of educational facilities and see what programs each of them have to offer.

The Hernando County Career Fair scheduled for August 7th from 10:00am to 3:00pm is FREE and open to the public at their Spring Hill location (7361 Forest Oaks Blvd.).

Why is this so this important? 

• The difference between bachelors degree and high school diploma holders’ lifetime earnings is $1.5 million.
• In real terms, those with less education have seen incomes drop over their lifetimes
• People with higher levels of education are more likely to participate in the workforce
• The unemployment rate for employees with more education is considerably lower than for those with less education.

Looking for a job? Come to the East Pasco Job Fair at the Dade City Business Center on Wednesday, June 27, 2012  from 11am to 3pm

• Free and open to the public to attend
• Bring several copies of your resume
• Dress for success
• Be prepared for on-the-spot interviews

Location:
Dade City Business Center
The Hornbuckle Room
15000 Citrus Country Drive Dade City, FL 33523

www.CareerCentral.jobs connects employers with jobseekers.

An equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. All voice telephone numbers on this flyer may be reached by persons using TYY/TDD equipment via the Florida relay service at 711.
EMPLOYERS Register for a free booth today! Please contact Kristie Drinosky at 813-841-5389 or 352-200-3020 x 0245 kdrinosky@careercentral.jobs

LUNCH AND LEARN:

Tuesday, June 26th 11:30 am – 1:00 pm is your chance to enhance your professional development and become a better manager while understanding yourself and others better. Pasco Economic Development Council is excited to host a class on “How to Run a Great Meeting and Manage Your Life” offered by the Corporate Training Department of PHCC.

Location:
Pasco Hernando Community College (Building C, Room 205)
New Port Richey Campus
10230 Ridge Road
New Port Richey, FL 34654

• Cost is $15, lunch will be provided.
• A certificate of achievement will be awarded upon completion.

Sign Up Now, First Come First Served.