The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center is bringing one of its signature programs to Albany this fall to meet the needs of growing businesses.

According to Debbie Finney, Area Director for the Albany office of University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (UGA SBDC), SBDC GrowSmart ™ has become popular with local business owners and key managers who desire to grow their business because it “helps them focus on what direction their business should take, implement systems to help them grow, and become engaged one-on-one with other business owners with whom they can share best practices.”

In fact, GrowSmart ™ is so popular in Albany she says they receive requests to host the program each year.

“Sometimes business owners get so busy working ‘in’ the business, they don’t have time to work ‘on’ the business,” Finney says. “ GrowSmart ™ allows them the opportunity to carve out time to strategically work on what needs to be done and gives business owners and key managers the opportunity to improve their business and position it for future success.”

GrowSmart Graduate Chuck Knight of Knight’s Appliance and Mattress shares his experience stating “One of the best parts of Grow Smart was the comradery with other local business owners. Learning together and from each other’s experiences allows real life lessons to be learned. Lori Auten is an excellent facilitator that kept the conversation fresh and stimulating. We have experienced considerable growth this year, in part to some of the ideas learned in Grow Smart and implemented in my business. I highly recommend this course, for the experienced business owner and the novice.”

And Dr. Trey Morrison of Philema Animal Clinic, also a 2017 Graduate, comments that “GrowSmart was a great learning series that gave me a deeper understanding and appreciation of business. Every week we implemented new changes from the course that has since made us run more efficiently. The knowledge from this series brought a spark that has excelled the growth of our practice. GrowSmart is a wonderful tool for any established business, and I highly recommend this program. “

According to Finney, SBDC GrowSmart ™ was developed by the UGA SBDC to “meet the needs of growing businesses whether in business two years or twenty  years. The program, combined with long term one-on-one consulting with SBDC professionals, gives participants the tools and strategies to apply course principles, build business strategies and manage like a seasoned CEO.”

SBDC GrowSmart ™ takes place over five full day sessions—that’s 35 hours of facilitated class time, expert speakers and roundtable discussion to cover all areas of business operations and strategies.

The Albany program dates are Thursdays, Sept. 13, 20 and 27, and Oct, 4 and 11. 

SBDC GrowSmart ™ is designed for companies with at least two years of successful operation, annual revenues of $300,000 to  $10 million  and the desire to grow. 

Application is required and class size is limited. 

Applications are reviewed to ensure competitive conflicts are minimized. To apply, click here. To learn about Early Bird Registration opportunities going on now, contact the Albany office at 229-420-1144.

According to Finney, the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center provides tools, training and resources to help Georgia businesses grow and succeed. It is designated as one of Georgia’s top providers of business assistance and  the SBDC has 17 offices--including one in Albany-- to serve the needs of Georgia’s business community. 

As part of Public Service for the University of Georgia, the Albany office serves for-profit businesses in 27 South West Georgia Counties with confidential consulting at no cost.