Ep. 367 | SBA Power Players: Capital, Advocacy & Manufacturing Growth in Florida

Recorded live from the 2025 Small Business Success Summit in Tampa, this episode of Small Biz Florida features two influential voices from the U.S. Small Business Administration: Tyler Teresa, SBA Southeast Regional Administrator, and Michael Vallante, Southeast Regional Advocate for the SBA Office of Advocacy. Host Tom Kindred dives into the SBA’s critical role in empowering entrepreneurs across Florida, including access to capital, government contracting, disaster recovery, and regulatory reform. Listeners will hear how the SBA supports Florida’s booming manufacturing sector and why the Office of Advocacy plays a key role in eliminating burdensome regulations. Tyler and Michael also share their personal journeys—from family-run businesses and entrepreneurship to federal service—demonstrating their deep commitment to small business success. Whether you’re a startup founder or an established operator, this episode offers insights into how the SBA can be a powerful partner in your growth. This podcast episode was recorded live at the 2025 Small Business Success Summit hosted at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay. This podcast is made possible by the Florida SBDC Network and sponsored by Florida First Capital. Connect with Our Guests: SBA.gov