The UGA SBDC has been a statewide resource since 1977 that has helped many companies in Athens launch and thrive. Among its many services, the UGA SBDC provides classes and coaching. One of the eight units of UGA Public Service and Outreach, the UGA SBDC has 18 offices across the state and is a core member of UGA’s business innovation and development community.

Over the past five years the Athens SBDC office has provided consulting to 428 entrepreneurs, helped 72 businesses launch, and seen its clients generate more than $257 million in sales — all in Athens-Clarke County.

UGA’s Small Business Development Center has an office at the intersection of UGA’s campus and downtown Athens to serve as a resource for local businesses. (Photo by Mack Brown)

Michael Myers, an SBDC business consultant, has extensive entrepreneurial experience, holding senior leadership positions in the health care and hospitality industries and owning his own businesses in the Athens area. He joined the SBDC 10 years ago with the goal of helping individuals transform their ideas into thriving businesses. In his time at the SBDC, Myers supported Athens entrepreneurs from a variety of industries, including three interesting local businesses — Treehouse Kid & Craft, the Lightroom and Kate Arnold Wines.

Kristen Bach, owner of Treehouse Kid & Craft, has worked with the SBDC for more than 15 years. She took SBDC courses before she opened Treehouse and continues to work with Myers to enhance her business. Recently, Myers supported Bach’s work as she took over Treehouse’s accounting services — producing a significant financial savings and enhancing her understanding of the business.

“Starting a business can be really lonely and scary, and SBDC was there to help me understand that growth takes time,” Bach said. “I have a place where I feel comfortable and can get professional advice. It’s just tremendous.”

Guillermo Zovain also has benefited from SBDC services. Over the past year he and his wife, Wendy Muniz, have established the Lightroom to be a creative business that provides photo, video and podcast studios, a production company as well as an equipment rental source. Zovain and Muniz met Myers in March 2024, and Myers has provided support ranging from budgeting and financial forecasting to joining a site visit that eventually led to the Lightroom’s permanent facility by Southern Mill.

“I wouldn’t open a company in this city without working with Mike,” Zouvain said. “You need insight into how the city works and insight into how to make a business work, and Mike gave both of this to us.”

Headquartered on Milledge Avenue, the owners of Kate Arnold Wines work with growers and distributors across the country. Jean and Kate Arnold, the business’s co-owners, have worked with Myers since 2017, seeking his advice on accounting questions, human resources issues and third-party recommendations.

“When you start a business, you don’t know everything. Having someone you can call with questions is just a lifeline,” Jean Arnold said. “Local Athens businesses should absolutely work with the SBDC. It’s just an imperative and has been such a boost for my business.”

SBDC professionals provide training and consulting to a diverse array of industries, providing services like helping businesses access capital, understand regulations and effectively market themselves. In just the past five years, SBDC has helped launch 2,182 small businesses, create 15,514 jobs, raise $1.2 billion in capital, and generate $9.5 billion in sales across Georgia. Throughout his career at UGA, Myers has enjoyed offering these and other services to local businesses.

“I have always had the entrepreneurship bug, and there were people who helped me in the beginning,” Myers said. “I get a lot of satisfaction seeing people start out and seeing the impact that their businesses have on the community.”