Business Resiliency Team Launched to Help Businesses Navigate Through Challenges

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida – April 28, 2020) – A partnership of business organizations has launched a Business Resiliency Team (BRT), comprised of Business Resiliency Navigators who will establish relationships with business owners and key community leaders to support the long-term survival of St. Petersburg’s small business community.

Navigators will work one-on-one with businesses for 90 days to overcome the challenges caused by COVID-19. The BRT program is a partnership between Grow Smarter St. Petersburg, the St. Petersburg Greenhouse, the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce, and the St. Petersburg Economic Development Corporation. Grow Smarter, primarily funded by the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg, will redirect awarded funds towards the BRT and other community relief efforts. The BRT will also collaborate with other business support efforts, including those of One Community and the Urban League.

Business Resiliency Navigators

In this program, business owners are paired with a Business Resiliency Navigator (BRN) who will connect them to resources, technical support, and volunteer professionals. Navigators will meet business owners where they are to provide directed guidance and relevant information, while helping them with capacity building, fostering and retaining strong connections, and implementing results-based solutions.

Business Stability

BRT’s primary goal is creating long-term business stability within a 90-day period. This means business navigators will assist business owners in achieving incremental growth and establishing a positive trajectory throughout their recovery. Navigators will connect business owners with the targeted resources necessary to help them survive and grow long-term. The BRT assists St. Petersburg’s small business community, with special consideration and efforts towards minority and women-owned businesses, sole proprietors, and owners experiencing severe impacts due to their geographic location.

Business Resiliency Volunteers

The team is looking for additional professionals to serve as Business Resiliency Volunteers, such as attorneys, accountants, bankers, and business consultants who are willing to provide some of their time, free of charge, to our business community.

How to Connect

Business owners can email brt@growsmarterstpete.com or leave a voicemail at (727) 351-3249. A team member will respond within 48 hours.

Professionals who would like to volunteer their time, skills, and resources can contact Greenhouse Manager, Kim Vogel at kvogel@stpete.com.

To learn more, visit www.growsmarterstpete.com/brt.