November 15, 2023 

SMARTstart friends,

*Stomach growl* Oh excuse me, I'm headed over to the SMARTstart Food Vendor Fair this afternoon for lunch and I can't wait! Want to join us for lunch? Come out for lunch and support local entrepreneurs today anytime from 11am-2pm at the East Pasco Entrepreneur Center.

But on another note, did you know that it's Global Entrepreneurship Week? Florida is showing them how it's done. We were ranked as the nation's most entrepreneurial state by the Business Observer. Do you know someone who wants to start their own business?  Now is a great time to share our information with them. Just go ahead and forward them this e-mail. We'll wait...

...alright! Thanks! But now, we're going to need some more staff. So if you know anyone in East Pasco looking for a great part-time opportunity, let them know that SMARTstart is hiring.  

Dan Mitchell, EDP

SMARTstart Program Director

Ashlee Underdown

SMARTstart Program Coordinator

Don Anderson

SMARTstart Program Coordinator II

Becky Martin

Special Program Assistant

FOUNDER SPOTLIGHT

Last year, SMARTstart assisted 77 businesses make their dreams become a reality.

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

Entrepreneur Education Series

Free Classes/Workshops

Pasco EDC Business Growth Webinar: Government Contracting

STARTING AT 10AM TODAY!!

• Wednesday, November 15, 2023 10:00 am - 11:00 am
• Virtual - Zoom

We have assembled three fantastic speakers to help you get started in the vast world of acquiring government contracts at the federal, state and local levels.

Health Before Wealth

TONIGHT AT 6PM!! 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
• Non-Profit only CO.STARTERS for CAUSES
  Spring 2024 TBD

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

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

LEARN MORE ABOUT SMARTstart

CHECK OUT MORE EVENTS

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