The Alabama Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the University of Alabama has selected Mel Washington, Regional Manager for South Alabama, as its 2025 State Star — the highest recognition for individual achievement within the national America’s SBDC network. The…
Destin Mince turned a mobile cart into a thriving storefront near Gadsden’s iconic Noccalula Falls with guidance from the SBDC. When Destin Mince launched Frios Pops in Gadsden, Alabama, in November 2019, he had a simple vision: bring handcrafted, gourmet…
How the Alabama SBDC Helped One Entrepreneur Reignite Her Dream When Mary Williams opened Mary’s Boutique in York, Alabama, in April 2015, she brought fashion and flair to her community with a curated selection of women’s and men’s apparel and…
From Rainsville to the World: Turning Polymer Repair Expertise into Export Success Polyvance, headquartered in Rainsville, Alabama, has long been a leader in plastic repair technologies across industries from collision repair to marine, agriculture, and recreation. But its journey from…
With guidance from the Alabama SBDC, a passionate artist transformed her vision into a thriving performing arts studio now expanding its footprint and impact. After years of professional training and performance experience, Elena Ontiveros, the founder of The Studio for…
When your community thrives on tourism, every detail matters—especially the pools that welcome guests to their vacation homes. For one determined entrepreneur in Baldwin County, the ripple effect of poor service in the pool industry sparked a bold idea: build…
Amber Owens is the owner and operator of Lucid Dreams Tattoos in Anniston, AL. The Alabama SBDC at Jax State provided assistance in 2024 as she relocated her business from Oxford to the Historic Downtown Business District in Anniston. The…
Fagerman Technologies are an aggressive team of mobile mapping pioneers who build and create custom LiDAR solutions for collecting from the ground, water, and air. Based in Somerville, Alabama, Fagerman is a world leader in geomatics and measurement sciences. They…
Alabama SBDC clients receive national recognition, invitation to National Small Business Week Awards. BIRMINGHAM, AL– Today the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Alabama District Office is celebrating Alabama’s Small Business Persons of the Year and three additional honorees as it prepares…
Jorja Luker, the talented owner of Jorja Jones Photography, began her journey with a camera in high school. What started as a hobby quickly blossomed into a full-time business. Leveraging her experience as a Young Life leader in both high…