Consultants provides free advice to small businesses from the barrier islands

Bob and Mary Parrish from Bob Parrish CPA were at a loss on how to move forward after Hurricanes Helene and Milton. 

Along with other physical losses at their business in the Centre Shops of Longboat Key, they lost a $13,000 desktop computer, setting back their business immensely. They also lost a 2014 Camaro parked, which is still sitting behind the Centre Shops to this day. 

After having no clue on how to save their business, the Parrishs noticed the Florida SBDC RV sitting in the parking lot of the Centre Shops.

"We didn't know where to go," said Bob. "So, this is where we came for the direction of choices that we have and they have been very helpful and friendly in helping educate us to our sources. This is actually our second time coming in this week."

Photo by Petra Rivera

Through the connections of the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce, the Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) set up its mobile assistance center on Longboat Key from Oct. 25 to Oct. 31 to help businesses like Parrish and more. 

Its professionally certified consultants guided multiple small businesses from St. Armands Circle, Longboat Key and Anna Maria Island through applying for Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans after Helene and Milton.

SBDC consultant Mark Cooper traveled from Jacksonville to open up the mobile assistance center in Sarasota County and for the first week of Longboat Key. While he never envisioned assisting people apply for disaster loans when he first started working for SBDC, Cooper said it has been satisfying to help these small businesses in any way he can, especially after seeing the destruction of the island.

"A lot of our clients that come in aren't as tech savvy as maybe the younger generation is," said Cooper. "So, we help them navigate that and talk to somebody they trust so that we can get them the help they need."

Consultants like Cooper help these businesses through all aspects and questions people might have when applying for these loans. He has helped business owners make SBA accounts, answer questions on the applications and even apply for a replacement social security card. Another consultant Brad Mix, set up an email account for a business owner who didn't have one in order to finish their disaster loan application. 

Cooper said most businesses he saw applied for emergency bridge loans, which are short-term loans that help businesses "bridge the gap" between the time of impact and when longer-term resources become available. Those loans were just extended to be applicable for two years between $50,000 and $100,000. The application deadline for emergency bridge loans is Dec. 4.

The consultants also assisted with applying for SBA physical disaster loans and economic injury loans. 

Businesses in Desoto, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Sarasota counties are still able to apply for these loans online with the help of an SBDC consultant at their county offices. The application deadline for physical disaster loans is Dec. 10, while people can apply for economic injury loans until July 11, 2025.

Photo by Petra Rivera

From the Manatee County branch of the SBDC, Mix has been working as a consultant for the center around the country for over 20 years, starting in California. He said it has been the most rewarding job to help these small businesses get hurricane relief. He hopes they continue to work with the SBDC for its other resources as well. 

"We've had a couple of people that recently acquired a business less than one or two months, and then they got hit by the hurricane," said Mix. "They come in frantic, and we give them some relief that they will get back on their feet and move forward. I really hope after they get through this, we'll be able to help with other aspects of their business."