Small Business Lab by the UGA Small Business Development Center

UGA Small Business Development Center
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Business
  • Biweekly

Small Business Lab is a practical, conversational podcast for entrepreneurs, business owners and the people who support them across Georgia. Hosted by Bennett West of the UGA SBDC, each episode features candid conversations with business owners and industry experts, offering practical insights on marketing, financing, operations, leadership and growth to help small businesses succeed. Small Business Lab makes business knowledge accessible for anyone building, managing or supporting a small business.

Episodes

  1. Sep 29

    You're Hired! An Overview of the Employment Landscape for Small Businesses with Sarah Lamar

    In Episode 5 of the Small Business Lab podcast, host Bennett West sits down with Sarah Lamar, an employment law partner at Hunter MacLean in Savannah, Georgia, to explore the legal fundamentals small business owners need to know when hiring and managing employees. They discuss employee-count thresholds, overtime and worker classification, hiring and background checks, employee handbooks, performance issues, harassment claims, non-competes, social media policies and emerging workplace concerns around AI. Sarah also explains the risks of employee misclassification and why Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) matters. Whether you're hiring your first employee or managing a growing team, this episode offers practical legal insights to help you stay compliant and avoid costly mistakes. This episode is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Employment laws and their application vary by jurisdiction and individual circumstances. Business owners should consult a qualified attorney regarding their specific situation. About our Guest: Sarah Lamar is a partner at Hunter MacLean’s Savannah Office and practices employment law. She has been named a Georgia Super Lawyer and one of the Best Lawyers in America in Labor and Employment Law. She received her B.A. in History from Yale University and her J.D. from Emory University.  Episode Chapters: 0:00 – Introduction & Guest Welcome 2:22 – Employee County Thresholds & Key Employment Laws 5:40 – Overtime Rules & Exempt vs. Non-Exempt Employees 7:19 – Hiring: Job Descriptions, Applications & Interviews 11:03 – Background Checks & Reference Checks 15:33 – W-2 Employees vs. 1099 Independent Contractors 22:39 – Managing Employees: Communication & Documentation 27:40 – Harassment & Hostile Work Environment Claims 33:18 – Performance Evaluations 35:16 – Employee Handbooks & Workplace Policies 38:24 – Non-Competes, NDAs & Confidentiality Agreements 41:17 – Social Media Policies & the National Labor Relations Act 44:03 – AI in the Workplace 46:37 – EPLI Insurance, Trusted Advisors & Closing Thoughts Links: https://www.huntermaclean.com Connect With Us: Follow the UGA SBDC on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.  Learn More About the UGA SBDC: The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides tools, training and resources to help small businesses grow and succeed. Designated as one of Georgia’s top providers of small business assistance, the UGA SBDC has 17 offices ranging from Rome to Valdosta to serve the needs of Georgia’s business community. Learn more athttps://georgiasbdc.org, or request assistance at https://georgiasbdc.org/request-for-assistance/.  About the Host: Bennett West brings decades of experience in sales, operations and supply chain leadership across consulting, private equity and manufacturing. He has held leadership roles at Deloitte and EY, where he specialized in manufacturing, operational improvement and supply chain strategy, ultimately leading EY's Midwest Supply Chain practice with responsibility for business development and client delivery. In private equity, Bennett served as an operating partner, helping portfolio companies improve performance and drive growth. Now, Bennett is a Business Consultant at the UGA SBDC in Savannah, consulting with small business owners and teaching continuing education programs.    This podcast is presented for educational purposes only. The UGA SBDC does not endorse specific products or services mentioned in the episode.

  2. Sep 15

    Franchising 101: Opportunity, Risk and Reward with Peter Labib

    In this episode: In this episode of the Small Business Lab podcast, host Bennett West talks with Peter Labib, a Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers franchisee, about the complete franchising journey — from an unexpected layoff after 25 years at UPS to researching franchise concepts, navigating the FDD and discovery day process, negotiating territory rights, securing SBA financing for a $1.5–2.5 million build-out, and managing the chaotic final weeks before opening day. Peter shares practical advice and hard-won lessons for any entrepreneur considering the franchise path. About our Guest: Peter Labib is a multi-unit franchisee of Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, based in New Jersey. Episode Chapters: 00:00 – Welcome & Introduction 01:25 – About our guest, Peter Labib 03:47 – The Discovery Process: Why Franchising? 08:27 – Choosing Freddy’s: Vetting & First Contact 10:33 – Territories, FDD & Discovery Day 17:07 – Franchise Commitments & Development Plans 20:28 – Real Estate & Financing the Build 25:00 – Build-Out to Opening Day 27:07 – Pre-Opening: Hiring & Operations 30:23 – Lessons Learned & Keys to Success Links:  Upcoming UGA SBDC class on franchising: https://ugasbdc.training/uwg/0874-001 This is an in-person class held in Carrollton, GA. Connect With Us: Follow the UGA SBDC on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.  Learn More About the UGA SBDC: The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides tools, training and resources to help small businesses grow and succeed. Designated as one of Georgia’s top providers of small business assistance, the UGA SBDC has 17 offices ranging from Rome to Valdosta to serve the needs of Georgia’s business community. Learn more at https://georgiasbdc.org, or request assistance at https://georgiasbdc.org/request-for-assistance/.  About the Host: Bennett West brings decades of experience in sales, operations and supply chain leadership across consulting, private equity and manufacturing. He has held leadership roles at Deloitte and EY, where he specialized in manufacturing, operational improvement and supply chain strategy, ultimately leading EY's Midwest Supply Chain practice with responsibility for business development and client delivery. In private equity, Bennett served as an operating partner, helping portfolio companies improve performance and drive growth. Now, Bennett is a Business Consultant at the UGA SBDC in Savannah, consulting with small business owners and teaching continuing education programs.    This podcast is presented for educational purposes only. The UGA SBDC does not endorse specific products or services mentioned in the episode.

  3. Sep 1

    Beyond the Bank: Financing for the Small Business with Victoria Saxton, President and CEO of the Small Business Assistance Corporation

    Episode Title: Beyond the Bank: Financing for the Small Business with Victoria Saxton, President and CEO of the Small Business Assistance Corporation In this episode: In this episode, Bennett West sits down with Victoria Saxton, President and CEO of the Small Business Assistance Corporation (SBAC), a Savannah-based nonprofit CDFI serving 53 counties in southeast Georgia and six in South Carolina. Victoria shares her journey from accounting student to nonprofit leader, then walks through how the SBAC differs from traditional banks as a mission-focused lender — collaborating with banks rather than competing with them. The conversation covers the organization's wide range of loan programs, its specialization in startup financing and what borrowers need to qualify.  Episode Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction 01:08 – About our guest, Victoria Saxton 03:38 – What is the Small Business Assistance Corporation (SBAC)? 06:35 – SBAC vs. Banks 08:34 – Loan programs overview  11:44 – Loan sizes, uses and startups 19:02 – Collateral, credit and qualifying 27:28 – Current programs and partnerships 30:24 – Closing and resources Links:  https://www.savannahdba.com Connect With Us: Follow the UGA SBDC on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.  Learn More About the UGA SBDC: The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides tools, training and resources to help small businesses grow and succeed. Designated as one of Georgia’s top providers of small business assistance, the UGA SBDC has 17 offices ranging from Rome to Valdosta to serve the needs of Georgia’s business community. Learn more athttps://georgiasbdc.org, or request assistance at https://georgiasbdc.org/request-for-assistance/.  About the Host: Bennett West brings decades of experience in sales, operations and supply chain leadership across consulting, private equity and manufacturing. He has held leadership roles at Deloitte and EY, where he specialized in manufacturing, operational improvement and supply chain strategy, ultimately leading EY's Midwest Supply Chain practice with responsibility for business development and client delivery. In private equity, Bennett served as an operating partner, helping portfolio companies improve performance and drive growth. Now, Bennett is a Business Consultant at the UGA SBDC in Savannah, consulting with small business owners and teaching continuing education programs.    This podcast is presented for educational purposes only. The UGA SBDC does not endorse specific products or services mentioned in the episode.

  4. Aug 18

    Building a Thriving Downtown Business Community – with Mia Mance, Executive Director, Savannah Downtown Business Association

    In this episode: In this episode, Bennett West sits down with Mia Mance, Executive Director of the Savannah Downtown Business Association, to discuss the ways the Downtown Business Association has impacted the small business community in Savannah. As you listen, consider the ways you can get involved in your local business community! About our Guest: With a background in marketing and media, Mia Mance shifted to her role as the Executive Director of the Savannah Downtown Business Association in 2025, helping weave together the businesses, organizations and people that shape Savannah. With her own small business expertise as the owner of Mia Talks Media and Marketing, Mance has 20+ years of experience in marketing and media, and over a decade of community advocacy and collaboration work across Savannah. The Savannah Downtown Business Association serves as a vital support network for downtown businesses, working to ensure that downtown Savannah is a thriving space for businesses and community.  Episode Chapters: 00:00 – Intro 01:05 – About our guest, Mia Mance 02:11 – Mia’s journey to the Savannah Downtown Business Association (SDBA) 04:15 – How Savannah has changed 06:20 – Scope of the SDBA  08:30 – Geographic scope of the SDBA 10:57 – What Savannahians are doing in the city 13:50 – How the SDBA does business 15:04 – What are some challenges for small businesses in the downtown area? 20:10  – So, what about parking? 22:36 – Balancing local and tourist populations in downtown businesses 30:29 – Development in Savannah 31:30 – These are local stories and local people 32:03 – How the SDBA engages with other organizations and businesses 38:00 – New things happening for the SDBA Links:  https://www.savannahdba.com Connect With Us: Follow the UGA SBDC on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.  Learn More About the UGA SBDC: The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides tools, training and resources to help small businesses grow and succeed. Designated as one of Georgia’s top providers of small business assistance, the UGA SBDC has 17 offices ranging from Rome to Valdosta to serve the needs of Georgia’s business community. Learn more athttps://georgiasbdc.org, or request assistance at https://georgiasbdc.org/request-for-assistance/.  About the Host: Bennett West brings decades of experience in sales, operations and supply chain leadership across consulting, private equity and manufacturing. He has held leadership roles at Deloitte and EY, where he specialized in manufacturing, operational improvement and supply chain strategy, ultimately leading EY's Midwest Supply Chain practice with responsibility for business development and client delivery. In private equity, Bennett served as an operating partner, helping portfolio companies improve performance and drive growth. Now, Bennett is a Business Consultant at the UGA SBDC in Savannah, consulting with small business owners and teaching continuing education programs.    This podcast is presented for educational purposes only. The UGA SBDC does not endorse specific products or services mentioned in the episode.

  5. Aug 4

    Small Business, Big Reputation - Public Relations in Small Business with Majorie Young

    In this episode: In our debut episode, Bennett West sits down with Marjorie Young of Carriage Trade Public Relations to discuss practical PR strategies, building credibility and earning the kind of media attention that helps small businesses stand out. About our Guest: Marjorie Young founded Carriage Trade Public Relations Inc. in 1995 as the first PR firm in the Savannah area to embrace online PR. Marjorie is certified in crisis communications by the Public Relations Society of America. She is the past chair of SCORE, Small Business Chamber and the Small Business Council. As author of the Reputation Matrix, Marjorie holds frequent PR bootcamps and monthly online coaching webinars that empower business owners and nonprofit organizations to take control of their PR, brand and message.  Episode Chapters: 00:00 – Intro 02:02 – About our guest, Marjorie Young 03:05 – Kicking off our conversation about public relations 03:44 – Marjorie’s background and the power of PR 05:50 – What exactly is PR? 07:33 – The difference between marketing and PR 08:37 – The Reputation Matrix 11:35 – Getting engaged with resources in your community  16:59 – Social media pet peeve 19:50 – The impact of word of mouth 22:14 – Crisis Communication 26:20 – The first steps to follow with your press release according to AI 29:29 – PR is like a Thoroughbred Horse 30:51 – Final Thoughts 32:16 – Postscript  Links:  ·      Carriage Trade PR : https://carriagetradepr.com/  Connect With Us: Follow the UGA SBDC on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.  Learn More About the UGA SBDC: The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides tools, training and resources to help small businesses grow and succeed. Designated as one of Georgia’s top providers of small business assistance, the UGA SBDC has 17 offices ranging from Rome to Valdosta to serve the needs of Georgia’s business community. Learn more athttps://georgiasbdc.org, or request assistance at https://georgiasbdc.org/request-for-assistance/.  About the Host: Bennett West brings decades of experience in sales, operations and supply chain leadership across consulting, private equity and manufacturing. He has held leadership roles at Deloitte and EY, where he specialized in manufacturing, operational improvement and supply chain strategy, ultimately leading EY's Midwest Supply Chain practice with responsibility for business development and client delivery. In private equity, Bennett served as an operating partner, helping portfolio companies improve performance and drive growth. Now, Bennett is a Business Consultant at the UGA SBDC in Savannah, consulting with small business owners and teaching continuing education programs.    This podcast is presented for educational purposes only. The UGA SBDC does not endorse specific products or services mentioned in the episode.

  • 5 Episodes

About

Small Business Lab is a practical, conversational podcast for entrepreneurs, business owners and the people who support them across Georgia. Hosted by Bennett West of the UGA SBDC, each episode features candid conversations with business owners and industry experts, offering practical insights on marketing, financing, operations, leadership and growth to help small businesses succeed. Small Business Lab makes business knowledge accessible for anyone building, managing or supporting a small business.

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