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DeLong’s Gizzard Equipment Expands Export Markets with UGA SBDC Support and Training

May 20, 2026

DeLong’s Gizzard Equipment, a specialty poultry equipment parts manufacturer, has carved out a niche in an industry dominated by one-stop poultry machine shops. When owner Mary DeLong Murray set her sights on expanding her company’s export business five years ago, she turned to the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (UGA SBDC) for expert advice and training. Today, international sales account for 20% of the firm’s annual revenues.

The Macon-based company provides a full array of poultry processing machinery — offering replacement peeler rollers and parts to rebuild old machines or repair and enhance newly manufactured machines. Its roots stretch back more than 50 years to Murray’s grandfather, Horace DeLong, who originally founded the business in Gainesville as a maintenance service for poultry processing plants before expanding into parts and equipment.

Under the leadership of Murray’s mother, former CEO Pat DeLong, the company contacted Dimitris Kloussiadis at the UGA SBDC’s International Trade Center in the mid-1990s, launching a long-standing partnership that continues to support DeLong’s global growth.

“Pat was invited to attend a trade show in London,” Kloussiadis said. “So, we met, and I helped her identify the top poultry-processing equipment distributors in the United Kingdom. Together, we worked out methods to negotiate pricing and international logistics, and they started exporting.”

Kloussiadis soon identified additional world markets, and Pat DeLong pursued those opportunities aggressively. Within a year, DeLong’s was selling in parts of South America and Canada.

The partnership continued, and by 2021 the Georgia Department of Economic Development honored DeLong’s Gizzard Equipment with a GLOBE Award in recognition of its success in expanding into new markets. Around that same time Murray, who had been with the company since 1997, stepped into her leadership role and began guiding the business into its next phase of growth.

“The SBDC has done several things to help us grow in this area. Dimitris helped us do a detailed worldwide market analysis and provided us with a list on who’s importing most of the products we sell. Then he connected us with the right people. We don’t have to travel anywhere. Dimitris feeds us this information so we can get in touch with the customer.”

Mary DeLong Murray, CEO of Delong's Gizzard Equipment Tweet

Kloussiadis recommended that Murray’s company focus on Colombia and Mexico, the top two markets in Central and South America for poultry processing equipment. He then connected Murray to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Gold Key Service, which provides matches with up to five potential partners in another country. He briefed her on Colombian business and culture before she traveled to meet potential distributors.

“Mary was pleased with all the assistance provided for her preparation and the effectiveness of her first overseas business trip,” he said. “She came back with about four good distributor leads, and we’re working now on following up with companies in Colombia and next, Mexico.”

Murray participated in the UGA SBDC’s ExportGA program in 2021 and found it so helpful she returned with her staff in 2024. Led by the UGA SBDC International Trade Center in partnership with the UGA Terry College of Business, ExportGA is an intensive, four-session course designed to prepare businesses for exporting. Terry College students engage directly with business owners to provide targeted research to support their specific industries.

“ExportGA is hands-on,” Kloussiadis said. “Georgia companies learn how to set their international pricing, work through foreign trade regulations, manage international payment methods and develop an international marketing plan they can readily execute by the completion of the program.”

Murray has used her ExportGA training to introduce new staff to these skills until they, too, can participate in the program.

Exports now stand at 20% of DeLong’s total business, and Murray believes they make a significant contribution to the company’s success.

“Every time we do something to increase our exports, we see at least a one percent increase in sales,” she said. “However, we’re only a small part of what goes into a poultry plant. Many want to buy from a one-stop shop. We specialize, but we got that business. That one percent in a new market makes a difference.”

Murray and Kloussiadis meet every quarter to further explore ways she can maximize the export potential of DeLong’s.

“The more you get into international business, the more you realize the world is smaller than you think it is,” Murray said. “The UGA SBDC gives us the feedback and exposure we need to expand and learn about our product and what it looks like in the international community.”

From the ER to Entrepreneurship: How Wyoming SBDC Helped One Nurse Build a Wellness Community

May 13, 2026

In April 2024, Jacklyn Baker, MSN, FNP-C, launched a venture intended to change the way her community approached healthcare. After years of working in emergency medicine, Baker saw a persistent gap in the industry: a need for care that went beyond treating immediate symptoms. Her vision was to create Routine Aesthetics and Wellness, a med spa where clinical results intersected with personal confidence.

The name “Routine” was chosen with intention. Baker wanted to move away from the idea of “luxury-only” treatments and instead encourage clients to view health optimization and self-care as a standard part of their daily lives. “I wanted to help people understand their bodies, optimize their health, and feel validated instead of overlooked,” she explains. By bridging the gap between internal wellness like hormone balance and IV therapy, and aesthetic treatments, Routine strives to help patients feel like themselves again.

However, the transition from medical provider to business owner came with a steep learning curve. While Baker had the clinical expertise, the business side of things, like payroll, taxes, and licensing, presented a new set of challenges. After being referred by their bank, Baker and her colleague, Derric, began working with Regional Director P.J. Burns from the Wyoming SBDC Network. P.J. provided a roadmap through the often-confusing world of entrepreneurship.

“P.J. became a huge resource and asset, When it came to such confusing business plans, taxes, department of workforce services, sales tax licenses - you name it, she was able to help with it.”

Jacklyn Baker, Owner of Routine Aesthetics and Wellness Tweet

This guidance was instrumental in securing a small business loan to purchase a commercial property on Highway 59. This shared space has since evolved into a comprehensive wellness destination. In addition to Routine Aesthetics and Wellness and Routine Tanning Studio, the facility houses a women’s health clinic, and supports a vibrant community of independent professionals, including massage therapists, estheticians, and cosmetologists.

Since moving to the new location, Routine has grown to serve over 2,000 clients and employs a dedicated staff of eight. For Baker, the most significant milestone isn’t the numbers, but the feedback from those she treats. She recalls realizing the business’s true potential when she consistently heard patients say, “I didn’t know I had the ability to feel this great.”

Scaling the business required significant time and dedication. In April 2026, Baker made the decision to leave her full-time hospital position to focus entirely on her clinic. This shift has allowed her to achieve a better work-life balance while giving her business the focus it requires to thrive.

When asked what advice she would give to others looking to start their own journey, Baker emphasizes the need for grit. “Be ready to be consumed by your business and to put in the VERY HARD work. But know this is temporary while you build something spectacular,” she says. Looking towards the future, Baker plans to keep growing, potentially expanding into a larger facility to ensure every client continues to feel seen, heard, and unstoppable.

Florida SBDC at UCF Named National SBDC of the Year by SBA

May 6, 2026

UCF Center Earns SBA’s Highest SBDC Honor from Nearly 1,000 Centers Nationwide

The Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network, the state’s premier provider of small business assistance and expertise, proudly announces that the Florida SBDC at the University of Central Florida (UCF) has been selected as the recipient of the National Small Business Development Center Excellence and Innovation Award by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Each year, the SBA selects one SBDC from nearly 1,000 centers nationwide to receive the award as part of National Small Business Week. This national honor is bestowed for excellence in consulting and training, measurable economic impact, and innovative approaches that help small businesses start, grow, and succeed.

“The Florida SBDC at UCF is an anchor of the small business ecosystem in their region,” said Paul Fitzpatrick, SBA’s Associate Administrator, Office of Entrepreneurial Development. “The SBA’s grant to the SBDC plus their team’s efforts equals thousands of entrepreneurs who can take advantage of President Trump’s America First economic agenda and SBA’s modernized capital access programs.”

“We’re incredibly proud to see the Florida SBDC at the University of Central Florida earn the Small Business Development Center Excellence and Innovation Award,” says Greg Britton, state director of the Florida SBDC Network. “This recognition highlights their commitment to innovation, client success, and meaningful impact for Florida’s small businesses. Their work exemplifies the very best of what our network strives to achieve every day.”

Over the past decade, the Florida SBDC at the University of Central Florida has made a profound impact on Central Florida and the statewide economy, supporting more than 15,500 businesses through over 206,700 hours of expert consulting.

This work has translated into measurable economic success, including $606.2 million in capital formation and more than $1.03 billion in government contracts secured. The center has also helped launch 1,226 new businesses, fueled $948.8 million in sales growth, and contributed to the creation of more than 8,200 jobs while helping retain over 10,000 – further demonstrating its critical role in advancing Florida’s small business community.

Eunice Choi has served as the regional director of the Florida SBDC at UCF since 2006, during which time she has led significant growth and expanded services for small businesses across Central Florida. She will retire this summer after 28 years of dedicated service.

We are humbled yet immensely gratified to be honored as the SBDC of the Year by the SBA. Our team takes great pride in its unwavering commitment to serving the small business community and advancing SBA’s mission. This award reflects our consistent ability to exceed SBA milestones and outperform our own high expectations within the Florida SBDC Network.

Eunice Choi, Regional Director of the FSBDC at UCF Tweet

The Florida SBDC at UCF will be formally recognized during National Small Business Week, held May 3-9, 2026, at a national awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., alongside SBA award winners from across the country.

Lively Little Ones Fulfilling Childcare Need in Fayette County with West Virginia SBDC Assistance

April 29, 2026

When Amber Comer decided to expand her home-based childcare business into a full-fledged Early Learning Center, she knew she wanted to offer more than just daycare. She envisioned a place where children could grow and thrive in a supportive, hands-on educational environment. That vision became Lively Little Ones in Fayetteville.

“We try to, not just provide care, but a higher quality of care,” Comer says. “We want to make sure that we are following a curriculum and lesson plans, and teaching your children so that they can have a strong educational foundation and be prepared for when they start school.”

Comer’s journey in childcare began years earlier. After working in daycare centers as a teenager, she transitioned into entrepreneurship following the birth of her son. She spent four years as a home childcare provider before opening Lively Little Ones in September 2025 on Franklin Heights Road in Fayetteville, serving children ages 6 weeks to 12 years. The center offers infant care, preschool, and toddler programs, as well as before- and after-school care and services during school breaks.

Beyond daily care, Comer and her team are committed to building community connections through monthly events and activities.

“We try at least once a month to do something fun and free for the community,” Comer says. “All of our teachers are very involved, and a lot of them are moms themselves. They want what’s best for the kiddos and want to help give back and offer a place where everyone can feel welcome.”

Small Business Support & Collaboration

Expanding from a home daycare to a full Early Learning Center was no small feat. Comer credits Melissa Colagrosso, director of A Place to Grow Children’s Center in nearby Oak Hill and leader of the regional childcare cooperative, Together We Grow, as a valuable industry resource and for connecting her with Shannon Mitchell, a business coach with the West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC).

“Amber has a true entrepreneurial spirit and is so motivated to move through a process, get things done, and do it the right way,” Mitchell describes.

From the earliest planning stages, the WV SBDC worked closely with the entrepreneur to provide one-on-one business coaching, technical assistance, and strategic guidance. This included:

Development of a comprehensive business plan
Startup cost analysis
Cash flow projections
Operational planning tailored specifically to the regulatory and staffing realities of childcare in West Virginia
Assembling a complete loan package
Direct referrals to financing partners to help move the project forward

“We helped her navigate through the process of funding and permits and just getting open, which is a huge hurdle for any entrepreneur to overcome,” Mitchell says. “Now it’s transitioned into managing a business, and I hope to continue supporting Amber in that way.”

“Both Shannon and Melissa have been very helpful; they’ve answered any questions I’ve had,” Comer describes. “I have been able to call them crying when I’m stressed or anxious about something, and they’re always reassuring and let me know that I’m still making steps in the right direction. Opening your own business is not easy, and there are a lot of unknowns, but when you have people like that by your side, it sure helps a lot.”

A Community Need

Lively Little Ones is currently the only childcare center located in Fayetteville. After the local Head Start relocated to Oak Hill, Comer saw an opportunity to help meet a growing demand for childcare services in a community where working families and employers have long faced limited options.

“We are helping to fill the gap,” Comer explains. “The community has been very welcoming, and I’m very glad to be here.”

As the business continues to grow, Comer remains focused on expanding enrollment and enhancing programming.

“We are about a third of the way enrolled right now,” she shares. “With summer coming, we can get some really cool programs and activities up and running, and we are excited to welcome new students.”

A Broader Impact

As Comer’s business coach, Mitchell is proud of the WV SBDC’s role in turning a community need into a sustainable success story.

Beyond the individual business success, Lively Little Ones represents a meaningful step forward in addressing one of the region’s most persistent economic development barriers: access to reliable, affordable childcare.

“There is such a need for childcare businesses like Lively Little Ones,” Mitchell says. “We cannot grow our workforce and provide jobs for families in need without businesses like hers. They’re essential to the growth of West Virginia.”

Are you looking for help in starting or growing your business? The WV SBDC assists entrepreneurs and small business owners at every stage of the business lifecycle. Learn more on their website.

SBDCs and Veteran Entrepreneurship: Resources, Recognition, and Results

April 22, 2026

Small Business Development Centers continue to play a vital role in helping veterans and military spouses launch and grow successful businesses. Across the country, SBDC advisors are working directly with veteran business owners to build stronger businesses, one client at a time.

David Smith Named Boots to Business Instructor of the Year

The SBA recently honored the 2025 Boots to Business Instructors of the Year, recognizing outstanding educators and partners helping military-connected entrepreneurs succeed. Among the honorees was David Smith, Regional Director of the Small Business Development Center at Texas Tech University, recognized for his hands-on, practical approach to instruction.

"Most importantly, I stay engaged with the veterans I serve. There are real-time challenges and that local feedback keeps that guidance practical and not theoretical."

David Smith, Regional Director of SBDC at Texas Tech Tweet

From Home Roaster to Regional Brand: Pinup Coffee Co.

Navy veterans Bryce and Stephanie Wein built Pinup Coffee Co. in Norfolk, Virginia — a 4,500-square-foot roastery that started as a home setup selling at farmers’ markets.

Their SBDC played a direct role in that growth, providing customized consulting on forecasting, logistics, inventory management, and expansion strategy.

Combined with support from their local Veterans Business Outreach Center and SCORE mentors, the results were remarkable: 1,225% revenue growth in their first year, followed by nearly 200% growth in both 2023 and 2024.

Today, Pinup Coffee products are distributed through major retailers, the team has grown to seven employees, and the company operates with a 1,500-pound roaster in a renovated production space.

Thriving in Rural America: Northern Wings Repair, Inc.

In Newberry, Michigan, Navy and Marine Corps veteran David Goudreau founded Northern Wings Repair, Inc. in 2001 — growing it from a rented pole barn into a $20 million-per-year aerospace and defense operation supporting NASA, the Department of Justice, and major prime contractors.

SBDC support was among the SBA training resources that helped the company navigate the complex world of NAICS codes, contract structures, and federal marketplace requirements. In a remote region with limited industry infrastructure, Northern Wings now employs 32 people and continues to expand.

Resources for Veteran and Military-Owned Businesses

These stories are a reminder of what’s possible when veteran entrepreneurs connect with the right support. Whether you’re just starting out or ready to scale, America’s SBDC has compiled federal and non-federal resources specifically for the military community. Visit our Veteran-Owned Business Hub to explore what’s available to you.

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