Savannah, GA – The Small Business Assistance Corporation (SBAC) recently wrapped up its 2024 Service Provider Workshop Series, which ran from May 1 through May 29. This initiative aimed to connect local small businesses with leading organizations, providing them with expert advice and practical knowledge to help elevate their operations.
Throughout the month-long series, participants had the opportunity to learn from business experts on a variety of essential topics, including marketing research, the effective use of press releases, accounting, AI integration, and team management. These workshops offered invaluable insights for attendees looking to take their businesses to the next level. Additionally, each session featured a drawing where participants could win a $1,000 voucher for services from the speaker of the day.
What is the SBAC Service Provider Program?
The SBAC’s Service Provider Program is designed to contract with businesses that offer services to other small businesses, providing an added-value service to SBAC’s clients. To qualify as a Service Provider, businesses must have at least two years of operation and provide targeted support addressing specific business development needs. The program includes services such as accounting, marketing, management, legal assistance, IT, insurance, human resources, and other consulting and training services. SBAC markets and refers its clients to these providers, covering the costs directly.
This program aligns with SBAC’s broader mission to stimulate economic growth and development in Southeast Georgia and the Lowcountry in underserved areas and demographics. As a Certified Development Financial Institution (CDFI), SBAC provides funding to small businesses, and startups, while offering access to resources and services that may otherwise be unattainable or unaffordable. This initiative supports SBAC’s goal of helping client businesses remain operational while boosting the local economy and job market.
In its second year, the Service Provider Workshop Series saw over 200 workshop attendees and has awarded more than $10,000 in small business scholarships. The workshops not only educate attendees about SBAC’s loan programs and services but also connect them with professional experts.
Notable speakers for the 2024 series include:
- Becky Brownlee and Valerie McElveen from UGA Small Business Development Center on “Driving Business Growth Using Data.”
- Dr. Miller Bargeron, Jr., of MI Global on “Developing You and Your Small Business Team.”
- Monisha Johnson-Scott, CPA of MM Johnson CPA, on “Understanding Your Business Financial Statements.”
- AI expert and podcast host, Tersh Blissett of Service Business Mastery on “Using AI to Automate Your Business.”
- Marjorie Young of Carriage Trade Public Relations on “Increasing Your Business Visibility Through Press Releases.”
How SBAC Empowers Small Business Through Its Workshop
Insights from the Service Provider Workshop Series
Impact of Service Provider Workshop Series.
A standout success story
A standout success story from the series is Dr. Ruth Albright E.D., founder of Savannah Music Academy. After attending Marjorie Young’s session on “Increasing Your Business Visibility Through Press Releases” on May 28, Dr. Albright received the $1,000 scholarship voucher for services provided by Carriage Trade PR. This collaboration resulted in significant media coverage, including articles in the Savannah Tribune and Savannah Business Journal, and an interview on WTOC’s Morning Break, just in time for Dr. Albright’s recognition by the National Association of University Women (NAUW) as Educator of the Year.
While Savannah Music Academy is not currently an SBAC client, the open nature of the workshops allowed SBAC to reach more local businesses and inform them about the organization’s offerings. This outreach supports SBAC’s mission to assist area small businesses.
For over 35 years, SBAC has been dedicated to serving Savannah, Southeast Georgia, and the Lowcountry. Their expertise in small business lending and support continues to meet the economic needs of the community through programs like the Service Provider Workshop Series.
Congratulations to our scholarship winners
About the Small Business Assistance Corporation:
Established in 1989, the Small Business Assistance Corporation (SBAC) is a nonprofit lender that provides financing support for small businesses. SBAC is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), certified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. SBAC is also a Certified Development Company (CDC) licensed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and contracted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Georgia’s Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and the City of Savannah, to promote small business development through financing and technical assistance. It offers a wide variety of loan programs for new and existing businesses in Savannah and throughout Southeast Georgia and the South Carolina Lowcountry. For more information on the Small Business Assistance Corporation, visit sbacsav.com.
Let us know how we can help with your small business loan or business education needs.