Southpinellas: A starting point for entrepreneurs

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A starting point for entrepreneurs

By SHARON BOND

ST. PETERSBURG -- Participants in the class for entrepreneurs arrived at the Business Development Center with the most important component: ideas for new businesses.

Several had settled on information technology, either designing pages for the World Wide Web or setting up as a computer consultant. A mail-order catalog selling novelty retail items was the plan for one woman. Another wanted to start a mobile beauty salon service for clients such as cancer patients or the aged.

Even the best ideas for businesses need support. The creative side needs a practical side that deals with planning, financing, marketing and the like. The Business Development Center operates as a one-stop center for small business entrepreneurs such as those in a recent class, "Necessary Steps to Starting Your Own Business." Most classes are free to the public.

As part of the city of St. Petersburg's Challenge 2001 area where racial disturbances occurred in 1996, the center offers various classes, seminars and counseling to help business beginners and existing small businesses. One of the root causes of the disturbances was the economic depression in the area where a large portion of St. Petersburg's black community lives. Challenge 2001 is Mayor David Fischer's initiative to provide jobs in the area.

"We focus on the 2001 area," said Ken Jones, a city employee who is the center's coordinator. "However, we don't turn anyone away." He said individuals have come from all over Pinellas County, Tampa, Lakeland, even Georgia.

The center opened in March. It has an array of resources, some supplied by the U.S. Small Business Administration's information center, which has an office in the center. The University of South Florida's small business development center also has staff there. Financial advice and assistance is available through several organizations. The city provided money to the organization for loans to small business assistance.

"We are trying to be holistic," Jones said. "If we are not able to directly help a client with services here, we at least want to be able to give referrals."

Over 800 people have used the center. Its offices are in the back of Bethel Community Baptist Church, 1045 16th St. S. The city of St. Petersburg leases the space for the center. In it, the SBA has a reference library, computer access for Internet research, video tapes and offers counseling in one-on-one sessions with members of the Service Corps of Retired Executives. USF's small business development center teaches classes and seminars, some as broad as business basics and others as specific as learning how to land contracts with the U.S. government.

Jones added: "We're not just saying, "Here's a book, go read it.' This is hands-on support." The Business Development Center's telephone number is (727) 893-7146.

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