Side Hustle to Main Gig - BDB Martin County

Congratulations to the 2022 Side Hustle to Main Gig cohort on completing our 6-week business skills training program!

_{Our amazing cohort and advisory panel during the final Zoom session of the 2022 Side Hustle to Main Gig}

About Side Hustle to Main Gig

This six week course is geared towards those very new into their business cycle or those considering starting their first business. The program includes skills training sessions specifically created for Martin County entrepreneurs and future business owners to prepare you for a steady gig by thinking through all the angles, learning proven business methods, and gaining access to local business advisory experts.

Over six weeks, you will learn about marketing your business, planning for success, financial basics, and much more. In addition, a local expert will be present every class to share their advice and to answer any questions you have.

The cumulation features a business laptop raffle, an expert panel, and a covering of business registration fees! *Guidelines for eligibility apply*

When and Where:

Virtual 6-Week Session Dates:
- Tuesday Evenings 6:00pm – 8:30pm
- May 3rd, May 10, May 17, May 24, May 31, & June 7th
Virtual Session Via a Zoom Link information:
- Participants will be emailed a Zoom Link each week by the Program Coordinator.

How to apply:

Complete the Side Hustle to Main Gig online Registration Form
Pay the $30 Program Fee.
Applicants will be notified of acceptance into the program via email from Program Coordinator.

Contact Jaymie Sardo at 772.221.1380 or email at jaymie@bdbmc.org to reserve your seat today!

Session Overview

Final Session – Tuesday, June 7th – Advisory Panel Discussion & Business Laptop Raffle

_{Our 6th and final session of Side Hustle to Main Gig will include a moderated Q&A segment with our Advisory Panel Experts. Followed by the Raffle for a New Business Laptop to jumpstart the lucky winner’s journey into entrepreneurship.}

Meet our Advisory Panelists:

_{Technology – Frank Fender, Owner | TeamLogic IT | TeamLogic IT is a national provider of technology services and solutions for businesses of all kinds with a focus on business and technology. Frank Fender is a software engineer, and former Mayor for the Town of Sewall’s Point, FL. He has his MBA and BS in Computer Science. His Professional career includes both technical and entrepreneurial experience. Leadership capacities as Manager, Director, Board Member, CFO, CIO, and Chairman of a number of founded, co-founded, managed or developed corporations. He has extensive experience in IT solutions, cloud services, cyber-security, convergence, telecommunications, and collaboration systems in the private and public sectors including web services software design and cloud development methodologies. He is also a Marathon runner and founder of the Marathon of the Treasure Coast.}

_{Banking – Tammy Matthew, Senior Vice President | Bank of America | Tammy has her BA (Bachelor of Arts) with a focus in Business/Corporate Communications from Western Michigan University. She is skilled in Commercial Lending, Banking, Credit Analysis, Branch Management and Regional Management. Tammy is responsible for business integration, strategic planning, coordinating, and leveraging of the bank’s local philanthropic contributions, managing events and sponsorships and facilitating relationships with community and opinion leaders. Tammy also represents the company as an active and influential leader in the community through involvement in boards, committees and other activities.}

_{Bookkeeping – Gregory Nuttall, Principal at Hill, Barth & King (HBK) CPAs & Consultants. HBK is a multidisciplinary financial services firm committed to delivering exceptional client service across a wide range of tax, accounting, audit, business advisory, valuation, financial planning, wealth management and support services from offices in Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey, New York and Florida. Gregory is Principal-In-Charge in the Stuart, Florida Office and has been with the firm since 1985. He began his career in the Meadville, Pennsylvania office and transferred to Florida in 1991. He is licensed to practice in Pennsylvania and Florida. Greg has extensive experience in tax planning, retirement planning, business consultation and financial reporting. He provides accounting and tax services to a wide range of industries including construction, manufacturing, healthcare and high net worth individuals}

_{Business Attorney – Ken Norman, Attorney | McCarthy, Summers, Wood, Norman, Melby & Schultz, P.A. | The firm represents clients along the Treasure Coast and other locations throughout Florida for more than 40 years. This firm practices several Areas of Law including Business Law where they provide guidance on essentials from formation to dissolution of a company, the buying, selling, mergers and acquisitions of business and more.
Ken graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1976 from Old Dominion University and went on to Graduate from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1979. Ken has an extensive history in being involved with a number of councils, foundations and board of directors. Including being a founding member and President of the Business Development Board of Martin County. Ken is also the Author and presenter of “Selling the Small or Family Owned Business in Florida.” Also, “is an LLC Right For You?” , “Limited Liability Companies”, and ‘Mastering Mergers and Acquisitions’.}

_{Marketing – Jeremy Harris, Chief Executive Officer | Growth Squad | A full service digital marketing solutions focused on growth strategies across multiple marketing channels who help clients achieve sales and marketing goals. Jeremy has a strong marketing professional background with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) focused in Marketing from the University of Central Florida. He is an experienced independent marketing consultant with a history of working in the marketing and advertising industry. Jeremy is skilled in search engine optimization (SEO, copy writing, graphic design, marketing strategy, budget development, social media marketing/advertising, client engagement and project management.}

Tuesday, May 31st – Session 5

_{Successful Start-Up: Starting a new business can be full of ups and downs along the way. So, it is of most importance to make sure you Start Smart! In this session, you will be introduced to several valuable resources available, that will help guide you through the more challenging aspects of business ownership & entrepreneurship.}

_{Katherine Culhane, Associate Director for the Florida SBDC at IRSC, consults with businesses to help achieve their full potential. Her background includes a long career in banking that comprises roles in management, business development, commercial lending and private banking. She has a Master’s of Science in Organizational Learning and Leadership and is a Certified Professional Behavioral Analyst with DISC- Style Insights as well as a SHRM Senior Certified Professional with the Society of Human Resources}

Meet Session 4 Guest Speaker

_{Martin Drummond is a publisher for Best Version Media, North America’s largest coalition of social media magazine publishers, producing more than 1,000 lifestyle magazines each month. Martin’s Treasure Coast publications include River Living, serving waterfront neighborhoods in Stuart, Sewall’s Point and South Hutchinson Island. A veteran newspaper journalist whose tenure includes serving as business editor for the Stuart News and its sister publications, his mission now is to help thousands of affluent Treasure Coast residents connect with each other and with premier-quality businesses that can serve them.}

_{Martin’s role as a Best Version Media publisher allows him to help small businesses throughout the Treasure Coast to become known for their character and competencies rather than simply their prices.} _{A leader in multiple non-profit executive roles for more than 30 years, Martin is convinced that one’s values ultimately determine the value of their efforts. “I am a firm believer in the principle that our values determine our value to others. For the aspiring business leader, possessing core values rooted in integrity, curiosity and self-discipline are keys to success,” he said.}

_{^{“Integrity is vital because it protects those we want to serve. Curiosity is vital because it compels us to learn better ways of doing things. And self-discipline is vital because it keeps us going to our goals when stress is calling us to quit.”}}

Tuesday, May 24th – Session 4

Magnetic Marketing: _{Marketing and promoting your business is necessary to achieve business success. However, you don’t need to be a marketing or social media extraordinaire. There are tools that can help you be successful. Be sure to think about where you need the most assistance. Consider the list of potential options below before moving forward: Email marketing and management, Social media content, marketing, scheduling, and tracking tools , Website building, maintenance, and optimization , Paid advertising services}

Meet Session 4 Instructor:

_{Josh Brown is a Marketing Consultant with a passion for helping businesses cut through the competitive clutter and get their message noticed by customers. “Wasting money on advertising is no fun. When you remove obstacles from the sales process and clarify your messaging, you reduce wasted ad spend and get results faster.” Since the late 1990’s Josh has helped hundreds of businesses refine their strategy and develop advertising that works. For the last 10 years, he has worked for the digital advertising agency Compulse, which is owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group, the parent company of CBS12 News, CW34, My15 and Azteca48.}

Meet Session 4 Local Business Guest Speaker

_{David Snyder, Owner/COO, Evergreen Private Care, started his career in the United States Marine Corps. In 2003, he deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, earning a Presidential Unit Citation and Combat Action Ribbon. He graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Criminal Justice and spent 15 years in law enforcement. As an undercover detective and Hostage Negotiator, David received the National ATF Honor Award for his work in Operation Strike Three. David is now the owner of Evergreen Private Care, a home health agency, with offices in the Treasure Coast and Ocala region. David spends most of his free time racing dirt bikes with his son, skateboarding with his daughter and traveling with his wife Amanda.}

Tuesday, May 17th – Session 3

Access To Capital: _{Without adequate financing, through microloans, commercial lending, or investment capital, most entrepreneurs cannot start new businesses or grow their existing companies. This session will help you understand the various options for obtaining financing for your small business.}

Meet Session 3 Instructor:

_{Trisha Hawthorne, Vice President/Relationship Manager, TD Bank, is an experienced Small Business Banker with a demonstrated history of working in the banking industry. Skilled in Portfolio Management, Commercial Mortgages, Commercial Lending, Private Banking, and Banking. Hawthorne has 27 years of banking experience, focused on retail banking and branch management. Prior to joining TD Bank, she served as a Branch Manager and then as Market Manager at BankUnited, where she oversaw the bank’s South Treasure Coast branches in Hobe Sound, Stuart, Palm City and Port St. Lucie.}

Meet Session 3 Local Business Guest Speaker:

_{Fred Kirkhart, Owner at Stuart Photography Company, is a passionate and highly talented photographer who began his own photography studio here in Stuart, Martin County. Fred was first inspired by his father, who ran his own photography studio named Stuart Photo, and having grown up visiting his shop. Through years of experience and training under the world’s premier headshot photographer, Peter Hurley, Fred delivers more than just a headshot, but a process that’s stress free and engaging. You can check out Fred’s website here:}_{Stuart Photography Company | best headshots}

Tuesday, May 10th – Session 2

Small Business Financial Training _{^{: Taking the leap and turning your business idea, hobby or side hustle, into a full-time profitable business can be nerve wracking. For this session you will learn what aspects of finance you need to consider when you are starting a business or launching a new business or service.}}

Meet Session 2 Local Business Guest Speaker:

Ana Farias, Owner, Red Properties Realty

Tuesday May 3rd – Session 1

Business Plan Made Simple: _{^{So, you have an idea, skill, talent or passion and you want to build a business around it, but you’re not quite sure where to start when it comes to turning what you’re good at doing into a profitable business. The first place to start is by developing a business plan and it can be intimidating at first. This session outlines the basic knowledge that you need to have if you want to create a profitable business.}}

Tom Kindred

Meet Session 1 & 2 Instructor: Tom Kindred, _{^{Regional Director, Florida Small Business Development Center @ Indian River State College. Tom has spent 25 years managing private businesses in St. Lucie County, including serving 20 years as President of Sunrise Tractor & Equipment, a Ford New Holland equipment dealer. During his tenure as President of the company, he directed, coordinated, and managed sales of over $148 million. . Since 2007, Tom has been an Adjunct Professor at IRSC in the areas of entrepreneurship and business. He was recognized as the Business Department’s Adjunct Professor of the Year for 2011 and was presented with the 2014 Impact Award from the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE). The award was given in recognition of Tom’s “Excellence in Providing Technical Assistance and Training to Entrepreneurs and Existing Businesses and in 2019, he was awarded IRSC’s Ambassador Award for outstanding representation of IRSC throughout the Treasure Coast}}.

Meet Session 1 Local Business Guest Speaker: Jeff Leslie_{^{, President at ITS Fiber, LLC. Jeff is the owner and CEO of two leading edge telecommunications companies located in the Treasure Coast Region of South Florida. Jeff’ is also a Certified Public Accountant and has an extensive background in finance having served as an auditor with the former National Accounting Firm. Arthur Andersen & Company, where he gained experience working on several fortune 500 companies. He has also been the auditor for a National Bank and has been the Managing Partner of a local CPA firm serving clients throughout the Treasure Coast of Florida where he developed a significant practice in finance, tax, and utilities. Jeff is presently a Bank Director and has served the Bank in that position for over 15 years and is very active in his community serving on numerous national, local and regional Boards and committees and serves as a Deacon at his Church.}}

Side Hustle to Main Gig Testimonial

Do Business with Martin County Martin County encourages participation by Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) and small businesses in the public contracting process. Additional DBE information can be found here and bid opportunities for the Martin County Board of County Commissioners are posted here. Register on the DemandStar website to receive notification of upcoming bid opportunities by email.