November 2, 2023 

SMARTstart friends!

In honor of National Veterans Small Business Week, we have highlighted John Richardson, a U.S. Army veteran who has now began his entrepreneurial journey with Jon's Gourmet. Check out his testimonial below. And also, if you are a veteran, be sure to check out what scholarships and opportunities are available to you with SMARTstart. The Santander Scholarship is now open to veterans and can be applied towards incubator membership, entrepreneur roundtables, and CO.STARTERS (which there is an upcoming Veterans cohort beginning in January!).

November is here and the holiday season is off to a nice start. 🎁
Is your business doing any special marketing or seasonal activities?
Make sure you share with the community and let us know so we can help spread the word too.

Don't forget to come out to our upcoming SMARTstart Food Vendor Fair on Wednesday November 15th. See the flyer for details.

Dan Mitchell, EDP

SMARTstart Program Director

Ashlee Underdown

SMARTstart Program Coordinator

Don Anderson

SMARTstart Program Coordinator II

Becky Martin

Special Program Assistant

Are you a Veteran or do you know one that wants to start their own business?

• Veteran CO.STARTERS Cohort:
  January 22nd - March 18th - Holiday, 5:30PM - 8:30PM
  
  SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE.
  
  SPONSORED BY

Veteran-owned businesses are also eligible to receive the Santander Business Growth Scholarship! 

FOUNDER SPOTLIGHT

Are you interested in being featured? Contact Holly for more information.

Entrepreneur Education Series

Free Classes/Workshops

Health Before Wealth- Three sessions around the county!

West Pasco Entrepreneur Center, Holiday FL

• Wednesday, November 8, 2023 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

SMARTstart at the Grove, Wesley Chapel FL

• Wednesday, November 15, 2023 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

East Pasco Entrepreneur Center, Dade City FL

• Wednesday, November 22, 2023 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Come learn how important providing health benefits, wellness and employee assistance is to the culture of any business.  Learn tips and tricks for how entrepreneurs and start ups don't need to wait until their big, to begin caring for their team.

Are you interested in becoming a speaker? Contact Dan for more information.

Classes and workshops are planned through March 2024! Check out the brochure to see what topics interest you, and sign up now.

Download Classes and Workshops Brochure

Upcoming Sessions 

• October 24th - December 19th - Wesley Chapel, Tuesdays 10:30AM - 1:30PM 
• Veteran Cohort:
  January 22nd - March 18th - Holiday, 5:30PM - 8:30PM
• April 12th - June 7th - Dade City, Fridays 1:00PM - 4:00PM

Looking to start or grow your business? The Pasco EDC Microloan Program may be able to help.

NEW WEBPAGE HIGHLIGHTING GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

The Santander Consumer USA Scholarship is currently open!

You may be eligible for a scholarship to participate in an upcoming SMARTstart program.

BUSINESS INCUBATOR LOCATIONS FEATURE:

CO-WORKING SPACE | CLASSROOM | CONFERENCE ROOMS | DIGITAL MEDIA STUDIO | BREAKROOM | WIFI | COFFEE | PARKING

PRIVATE OFFICE SPACE (CENTRAL) |  COMMERCIAL KITCHEN (EAST)

WEST PASCO

Holiday

CENTRAL PASCO

Wesley Chapel

EAST PASCO

Dade City

Entrepreneur Roundtables

• Exchange information, challenges, and insights
• Groups typically include 6 to 10 members from diverse industries

SMARTstart East Pasco Entrepreneur Center

Monthly on 2nd Tuesday

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

SMARTstart Tech Business 

Monthly on 3rd Wednesday

9:00 am - 10:30 am

Upcoming Partner Event: Florida SBDC at USF

• Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023
• Mingle with the purchasing powers at organizations such as MacDill AFB; the Veteran's Administration; Manatee, Pasco and Sarasota Counties; BankUnited, BayFirst, and others!

LEARN MORE ABOUT SMARTstart

CHECK OUT MORE EVENTS

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