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Grow It: How to grow your small business
Planning to Expand • Government Contracting • Exporting
Exporting
Florida is home to nearly 60,000 exporters — second highest number in the U.S. — and nearly all of them are small- and medium-sized businesses with fewer than 500 employees. Exporters here enjoy a multimodal system that ensures seamless movement of people and products between any two points on the planet as well as ready access to the nation’s second largest Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) network.
Have you considered pursuing international markets as a growth strategy, but hesitated because you’re not quite sure where to start? If so, the time has come for you to explore the wealth of exporting programs and resources — even one-on-one counseling — available from the following:
Enterprise Florida
Seeking to enter the international marketplace? Consider these programs/services offered by Enterprise Florida:
EXPORT COUNSELING Free evaluation of a company’s market readiness plus suggested target markets and introductions to EFI’s international offices.
OVERSEAS TRADE MISSIONS AND TRADE SHOWS Opportunities to showcase your products and services and meet one-on-one with potential customers worldwide.
TRADE SHOW GRANTS Reimbursable grants of up to $6,000 to cover 50% of exhibition space and basic booth decoration for eligible companies in one of EFI’s target sectors to participate in a qualified trade show or exhibition anywhere in the world.
GOLD KEY/MATCHMAKER GRANTS Available to eligible small- and medium-sized companies for the purpose of generating/increasing export sales overseas by providing infrequent exporters with opportunities to meet with pre-screened, interested buyers, agents, importers and representatives.
EDUCATIONAL EVENTS Workshops, seminars and conferences on export fundamentals throughout the state on topics such as researching markets, developing an export strategy and logistics.
Florida SBDC Network
In partnership with Enterprise Florida and the U.S. Commercial Service, Florida SBDC International Trade Specialists prepare Export Marketing Plans for qualifying Florida-based manufacturers and service providers. Approximately 100 hours is spent preparing each customized plan, which includes target market recommendations, overseas trade opportunities and an action plan for market entry. Each Export Marketing Plan costs $4,000 to prepare. However, qualifying companies are eligible for a $3,500 scholarship, bringing your company’s cost to $500.
U.S. Commercial Service
The U.S. Commercial Service has trade professionals in six Florida offices to help companies get started in exporting or increase sales to new global markets by identifying and evaluating international partners, creating market entry strategies and navigating documentation challenges. For general information on regulations, licensing, free trade agreements and other topics related to exporting, visit www.export.gov.
Should I Go Global?
Questions to ask before taking the import/export plunge:
• Do I have a plan? Before jumping into uncharted waters, take some time to put your plans on paper. Assemble facts, identify constraints and set specific goals to ensure positive outcomes.
• Have I done my homework? You wouldn’t take a foreign vacation without researching your destination, so why take your company overseas with no prior knowledge? Study up on markets, trade barriers, regulations and other exporting details specific to wherever you’re headed.
• How will I pay for this? Financing opportunities are available at many levels to help underwrite global marketing activities, ensure foreign payment and manage risk. The SBA’s customizable “Export Business Planner” has a full chapter devoted to financing. To download the complete planner, visit www.sba.gov. Type “Export Business Planner” in the search box and click.
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