Business Development

Helping Build Better Businesses

How do you determine if your idea is viable enough to support you and your family?
What steps need to be taken before, during, and after launching your business?

Starting your own business is a bold undertaking! In fact, only 14% of adults have started or currently own a business of their own. At GOCDC we applaud your daring and want to make sure you have all of the right information and tools before making such a life changing decision. We will sit down with you and your major stakeholders to determine if your concept has the capability of meeting your stated goals, the best scenario for this to occur, and an effective plan of action.

Our team will help alleviate the need for as much “on the job” learning, by providing your company with proven processes, practices, and strategies. The strength of our business development program lies in the diversity of resources we have for entrepreneurs. This diversity includes a full range of classes and services ranging from coaching you through small business grant applications to helping you choose the right location for your business and more!

Business Residency
Concept Development
Business Plan Development
Leadership Coaching
Marketing Workshops
Entrepreneur Success Program
Market Expansion
Micro-loan Opportunities

How Do I Get Started?

Mentoring

Mentoring is most often defined as a professional relationship in which an experienced person (the mentor) supports and encourages people to develop specific skills and knowledge that will maximize their business potential and improve their performance. In short, it is the transfer of knowledge, skills and experience. The mentor acts as a guide to find the right direction and develop solutions.

Over the past decade we have come to recognize the wealth of business knowledge in our community. Therefore, we are working with organizations such a Career Source and SCORE to pair business owners with mentors and mentees. The mentors in our program represent a diversity of experiences in industries ranging from automotive to hospitality and have shown a willingness to meet with entrepreneurs seeking to start a business, grow a business, or become a better leader. Likewise, we work with current business owners to help cultivate the next generation of business owners by sharing their skills and expertise with youth 18-24 who have had challenges in finding employment.

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Business Development Center

In the Fall of 2018, the Greater Ocala Community Development Center will be launching our Business Development Center (BDC) located in the Jimmi Griffin Education & Business Development Center. The purpose of the business development program is to provide entrepreneurs a communal environment to receive coaching from GOCDC and community partners, share ideas, challenges, and best practices in an effort to build, grow, and sustain small businesses in West Ocala.

Affordable Office Space

Small businesses will have an opportunity to apply for office space in the business center that will include a furnished office, Internet, utilities, and use of the conference room. During their residence, business owners will be able to take advantage of workshops, seminars, and guest speakers on topics ranging from marketing to human resources management.

Online Learning

At GOCDC, we realizes you may not always have time to attend workshops and classes at the business center. Therefore, we have partnered with several online learning providers to offer the same quality of information in a self-paced online learning environment. Most of the course will be included in your membership fee and others will have a small nominal charge.

Growth Funding

As your company comes to the end of your residence at the Griffin Center, you will undoubtedly need funding and coaching to move to the next level. Through our relationship with organizations such as Renasant Bank, SBA, City of Ocala, and local lenders, we will help your company prepare presentations for traditional loans, host "Shark Tank" styled events with local investors, and assist with application to small business grants offered by the City of Ocala.