The St. Johns County Public Library System hosted a Small Business Development Day Resource Fair on Monday, Oct. 23, at the Ponte Vedra branch library. The event included a panel discussion with business leaders and an informational fair that supported small businesses and entrepreneurs and helped attendees find answers about the process of launching and growing their own businesses.
The event represented a partnership between St. Johns County Economic Development, the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce, the Small Business Development Center at the University of North Florida, CareerSource Northeast Florida, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), SCORE and the Jacksonville Women’s Business Center.
It was made possible with the support of the Friends of the Library Ponte Vedra Beach Branch.
Marge Cirillo, consultant with the Small Business Development Center, said she wanted attendees to know about all the resources available to them.
“My role here today is to help these specific business owners and entrepreneurs,” she said.
Cirillo works in St. Johns County, though the center’s region is the 18 counties that make up Northeast Florida.
“There’s no cost for our services,” Cirillo added. “We have virtual meetings, and I have in-person meetings, as well. I can meet them up in Jacksonville, or I can meet them at their businesses or I can meet them at the county building.”
Anyone with questions can reach her at 904-209-1295.
Natalie Hall, economic development specialist and veteran business representative for SBA, explained that the organization offers a loan program, contracting opportunities, disaster assistance and counseling and acts as an advocate for small business owners.
She can be reached at 904-443-1902.
Derrick Smith, chapter chairperson for SCORE, said his organization serves people thinking about going into business as well as those already operating a business.
He said SCORE offers its services through mentoring and conducting workshops, which have largely been virtual since the pandemic.
Interested people can learn more at score.org/Jacksonville or by calling 904-443-1911.
Georgia Pinner, programs manager at the Jacksonville Women’s Business Center, was present to raise awareness and spread the word about how her organization helps small business owners and entrepreneurs.
“I think that’s one of the most important things we’re working on, to let people know in our community that we’re here for them,” she said.
By going to the center’s website, jaxwbc.com, one can find all of its information, all of its programs and a way to request counseling.
Scott Maynard, vice president economic development for the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce, said the Chamber was excited to participate in the event and to promote small business and entrepreneurship.
He said 80% of the Chamber’s members are small businesses.
“They are really the backbone of St. Johns County,” he said.
The Chamber has a resource guide useful for anyone looking to start a business. Learn more at: sjcchamber.com.
In addition, the library system offers a diverse database suite that can assist in developing skills in business ownership and leadership, strategic planning and management, finance and taxes, market research and data and more.
Here’s a look at some of those resources:
DemographicsNow: Access to highly detailed U.S. demographic data. This database is ideal for gaining consumer and market insight when opening a business, finding an untapped audience for products or services, analyzing the shifts and needs of a given population and more.
Gale Business: Entrepreneurship: A comprehensive database that covers all aspects of starting and operating a business, including accounting, finance, human resources, management, marketing, tax and more.
Gale Business Insights: Essentials: Information on companies, industries and more in the context of timely news, statistical data and in-depth reports.
Reference Solutions: A useful online reference and research tool that provides instant, real-time access to accurate, in-depth information on U.S. businesses and residents. Reference Solutions makes it faster and easier to find new business opportunities, research executives and companies, find news articles, conduct job searches, research papers, locate addresses and phone numbers, conduct market research and more.
Universal Class: Free access to more than 500 online courses with continuing education unit credits available. Classes are designed and led by professional instructors using videos, assignments and quizzes. Courses include home-business set-up, customer retention, marketing, budget and project management, business ethics and more.
Weiss Financial Ratings: Access to accurate, independent ratings and financial planning tools one needs to make informed decisions about insurance, banking and investment options.
To access the many resources, go to sjcpls.org/econtent/small-business-resources.
The resource fair prompted some to ask if it would be offered again in the future. That may depend on the demand.
“We listen to feedback of the community and would love to hear what people want to see in their library,” said Ponte Vedra Beach Branch Library's branch manager, Kim Odom.
Members of the public can reach out in a number of ways or simply visit the library in person to inquire about possible programs.
The library system’s website is sjcpls.org. People can also connect on FaceBook and follow the library on Instagram.
