Howard Brown, Community Development, Assistant Manager David Chiverton and Stephen Beatus at the
“Open for Business” Small Business Workshop in the City of Opa-locka.
Vice Mayor Joseph L. Kelley and the City of Opa-locka Mayor and Commission in partnership with The Beacon Council hosted an “Open For Business” FREE Small Business Workshop on Thursday October 10, 2013 from 8:30-11:00 a.m., at Sherbondy Village, 215 President Barack Obama (Perviz) Avenue, Opa-locka, Florida 33054.
As Miami-Dade County’s official economic development partnership, The Beacon Council is charged with bringing new and job-generating investments to the community, while assisting existing businesses and corporations in their efforts to expand and relocate to Miami-Dade County by simplifying and expediting the process.
Through a selective team of experienced guest presenters, during the workshop Shari Colas-Gervais, Beacon Council Vice President of Economic Development and Urban Initiatives, provided valuable information, on-screen visuals, handouts, a “question and answer” period, in addition to one-on-one networking, to assist business owners with material on Business Set-up, Funding Resources, Business Planning, Incentives, Government Contracts, Rewards and other available services.
Among the keynote speakers, Attorney Robert Rogers of Robert Rogers Law Firm, P.A., addressed Sole Proprietor, General Partner, Corporate, Limited Liability Corporation and the Legal aspects of the various types of business relationships, Licenses and Permits.
Cornell Crews, Partners for Self Employment Inc., and Omar Medina of Cinium Financial Services Corporation, discussed getting started, technical assistance, coaching, loans, contractors’ working capital, bonding and the need to continuously learn and grow after obtaining a business.
Account /Attorney Senen Garcia, SCORE, a government funded organization, unveil no cost “simple step programs” on internet marketing, management, operations, accounting and financing. These FREE development and support programs provide volunteer counselors to help participants understand through policies and accomplish their visions. Garcia stated,“We won’t do the work, but we will be there every step of the way to guide you!”
Lori Weldon, Regulatory & Economic Resources and Diana Gonzalez, Port Miami FTZ Coordinator, shared knowledge and expertise on the benefits of owning a business in an Enterprise or Foreign Trade Zone, describing incentives based on materials, equipment, employee count, and up to $50,000 in State tax credits. With the expansion of the Panama Canal, Gonzalez affirmed that as the Gateway to the Americas, the advantage from the Foreign Trade Zone will result in “Job creation and benefits to underutilized properties.”
Economic Development and Urban Initiatives address
participant on the importance of positive thinking while moving forward with a small businesses.
Finally, John Hall, Miami Dade College Executive Director, representing Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program, focused on businesses with “potential to reach their potential” and the importance of growing a business by “increasing the revenue, more than the labor cost.”
Expressing a desire to continue exploring the service and assistance of the Beacon Council, in attendance were new and well established members of the Opalocka business community with varied interest in areas such as Spice Manufacturing, Health & Wellness, Environmental Services, Human Resource Consulting and more. Also present at the workshop were Opa-locka Mayor Myra L. Taylor, Commissioner Luis B. Santiago, City Manager Kelvin Baker, Sr., Assistant Manager David Chiverton and Howard Brown, Community Development and Planning Director. Vice Mayor Kelley commented, “This successful workshop has inspired my persistence to continue bringing agencies and resources such as the Beacon Council to assist businesses as well as the growth of “The Great” City of Opa-locka.
